2 3/4 good enough for geese?

you can find decent 3" capable shotguns on the EE as low as $200 (used Mossberg 500 field), just keep an eye out. otherwise the Mossberg 500 field and Maverick 88 combo are both under $300 brand new.

rather than spend money gunsmithing your SxS i would pick up an inexpensive pump for waterfowling, and keep your SxS unaltered and use it for upland.
IMHO for most people a beater pump is more suited for waterfowl anyways, since itll be abused, wet, muddy, etc -- and an aluminum receiver mossberg with a synthetic stock is both resistant to abuse and very easy to clean and dry thoroughly.
 
That's all I use. Don't let all the marketing hype get you confused. There isn't a goose alive that can't be knocked down with 2-3/4 inch shells within 40 yards. Most of us don't have any business shooting past that distance anyway.
 
Based on personal experience, I would recommend you spend the extra $$, play it safe and get the 3". You will likely do a lot of birds a lot of harm with 2 3/4" shells, since you'll hit plenty but you won't knock them all down.
 
manbearpig said:
you can find decent 3" capable shotguns on the EE as low as $200 (used Mossberg 500 field), just keep an eye out. otherwise the Mossberg 500 field and Maverick 88 combo are both under $300 brand new.

rather than spend money gunsmithing your SxS i would pick up an inexpensive pump for waterfowling, and keep your SxS unaltered and use it for upland.
IMHO for most people a beater pump is more suited for waterfowl anyways, since itll be abused, wet, muddy, etc -- and an aluminum receiver mossberg with a synthetic stock is both resistant to abuse and very easy to clean and dry thoroughly.
Click to expand...

:agree: Great advice.
 
I use to use a Mossberrg bolt with 2 3/4 with no problems. I also found the #1 steel at the fastest velocity you can find works very well. My bolt had an adjustable choke and I set it between improved and modified. 40 yards was no problem if I did my part.
 
Well that is all that i use for goose and duck hunting. 2 3/4" will do the job everytime works well for me. I usuall use federal steel 1 oz loads if i purchase them.

Since i started reloading 12 gauge shells i use a 2 3/4" shell with using reloaders specialties sam 1 wads and bb or #2 steel shot the rounds are cruising around 1700 fps and reach out to 50 yards without question. But follow the guide to a T. Federal gold medal hulls produce the fastest steel shot but are harder to come by. AA hulls work as well with a slight cut in speed. But please use caution whenever you reload.... And never ask me for my load becuase i will not give it. reloaders specialties has load data with there wads or u can buy a manual from them


And I run an old remington wingmaster chambered in 2 3/4" shells it is a modified choke and i have shot thousands of rounds of steel shells through it without a problem and never had a problem.

I measured the end of my bbl before i started using steel shells in it and measure it after every season and the measurement has stayed the same with little to no wear.

Just my 2 cents

CB

Happy Hunting
 
I was told that modified for lead is full for steel. If I am wrong I would like to know before I blow up a shotgun.
For an inexpensive shotgun look at the Mossberg 535. I got the two barrel combo for around 400 and I think it is less now. It will take up to 3.5 but I use 2 3/4 for my shooting. I did use 3" this year as it was my first goose hunt. Those I go with only use 2 3/4 with BB loads.
 
well.
This was an enlightening thread, I've shot lots of ducks and geese with my old single shot 12 guage with 2 3/4" chamber and a fixed full choke. Never knew until I got my 870 that there was special "steel safe" barrels and what not. Guess I had a horseshoe stuffed somwhere.
lucky me.
 
tbrwlf said:
I was told that modified for lead is full for steel. If I am wrong I would like to know before I blow up a shotgun.
/QUOTE]

In a nutshell your statement rings true. Steel shot does tend to pattern tighter than lead, therefore a more open choke will usually produce the same or better pattern with steel than a tighter choke with lead.

You really should pattern your gun with the ammo you intend to use and determine which choke tube to use.

I am currently getting great patterns using Improved Cylinder and Kent Fasteel #4 (for duck).
Click to expand...
 
I do a lot of waterfowl hunting each year and quit using 3" shells a couple years ago. I feel there is no point subjecting myself to more recoil and higher cost for no benefit. BUT I pretty much limit myself to hunting over decoys, don't pass shoot or jump shoot much. For decoying birds, a 12 ga. with good 2-3/4" shells like Faststeel are fully adequate. For pass shooting, longer shells have some merit.
 
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