2 3/4 good enough for geese?

mudbug

mudbug

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I realize 3' are better but I am only going to go out 3 or 4 times a year for geese and was wondering if 2 3/4 would be good enough ( I realize they will knock em' down) or do you think it is that much more beneficial to get a shotgun that allows 3" or 3.5". It just seems you can get a good shotgun on the EE that only shoots 2 3/4" for $250-$350 and the 3" seem to run over $500. I'm on a bit of a budget and the couple hundred dollers I save would be nice. Plus my wife has already let me buy one rifle in January already and I don't want to push my luck with spending a whack more money.
Let me know what you think. Would I regret a 2 3/4"?
 
It's personel choice. The 2 3/4 will do the trick, it has for many years. However the 3" is better for the reach. So stay in your shoot range and you will do fine.
 
I guess my concern would be that most modern production shotguns have been made for the last 10-15 years chambered for both 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells. if the shotguns you are looking at are only chambered in 2 3/4 I suspect it is a vintage gun without the capacity to shoot steel shot. I wouldn't shoot steel through any shotgun with a fixed choke and even having choke tubes unless expressly marked steel shot compatible.
 
Steel is fine for 2 3/4 barrels providing it is modified chokes or improved cyclinder. If not you would have to go to the non lead shell (Tungstun and Bismuth). Brace yourself they are twice the price of steel. So do the math, does the cost of shell v.s. the cost of a 3". This all depends on the amout of shots you will be firing off.

Good luck.
 
I do have a older CIL/Zabala model 772 SxS in 2 3/4" with modified and full chokes. Would it maybe be an option to get a gunsmith to ream or do what ever it takes for me to be able to shoot steel through this one. I never use this gun (maybe once a year to shoot a squirrel) It was my Dads gun so I don't really want to sell it but it's not a safe queen so I might as well use it if this is an option. Would this be recommended? I suppose it might save me a few bucks...
 
I have had all kinds of people tell me it was safe to shoot steel shot in modified or improved cylinder fixed choke barrels and I asked the gunsmith and he said lots of people do it and it may not cause a problem on the first round or the one hundredth but eventually something is going to give. We used to have a collection of blown shotguns in the old store from people using steel in fixed choke guns but unfortunately they got thrown out prior to the move to the new location. Guess everyone is entitled to their opinion and can responsibly decide how much risk they are willing to take.
 
Would be nice to get some straight talk on this because I have had smiths tell me it is fine to shoot steel if you have the chokes reamed out to I/C or M for steel.
 
In my opinion, the regulation requiring steel shot for waterfowl has changed the effectiveness of the 2 3/4" vs the 3 or 3 1/2". The extra speed and amount of shot really make a difference on 30-40 yd. geese and wound less as well, I like the 2 3/4" for ducks but the longer ones for Geese.
 
Sure you can. I have. Canadas and snows.

And I shoot steel in a 1957 Wingmaster and a 1964 Browning A5, both with modified chokes.
 
I am not a smith, but have been chasing waterfowl for 25 yrs +. I have always believed that any weapon made after the 50's/60's, that is not Damascus is good for steel. NOW, to chokes. Shoot nothing larger that 1's steel through a full choke. If your using Mod/IC in fixed barrel your good to go. Steel will not conform to the barrel restriction, like the lead did. Thus you will get a bulge in a full or tight Mod choke. In the rare case an umbrella split. All modern weapons are over proofed. Which means worst case. Most modern ammo is not loaded to MAX.

Second: 2 3/4" are more than enough for decoying geese. I killed lots last yr with just that.

Take that for what is worth, it is only my opinion..
 
Over decoys 2 3/4's are more than enough as everyone has said. However if you are only going out a few times it is doubtful that you are using a large spread of decoys and are pass shooting. If you are pass shooting 3" would be better, if you can't spring for a new gun try Kent's Fasteel 2 3/4 load of #1's , buy the fastest shells they offer speed is preferable to weight in my opinion, the use of 1's should allow reasonable pattern density at 40 yards. I have yet to see a gun with a Modified or Improved cylinder choke that pattern poorly enough to be unethical with this load.
 
Thanks for the info guys.. My old double barrel CIL/Zabala 772 is now at the gunsmith. I dropped it off this afternoon and talked to him and he said he would change the full choke into modified like the other barrel for $40 bucks. He said the gun would work fine with the steel shot after that. Guess I won't be buying a new shotgun:( but....I ran into a dude in town and asked him if he still did the testing for the RPAL. He said yup. I guess I'm writing on monday or tuesday and then will look into a hand gun:D I don't have one of those yet..:dancingbanana:
 
I really do not know how you figure the Three Inch and Three and a half inch shot guns will give you more range.
The two Big Threes will give you more payload and slower velocities, you just need to read the box on your ammo selection.
What I will agree on is Range, the closer they are the easier it will seem to kill them geese,
but you really need to do your part, decoy and calling, being in the right place for pass shooting, etc...
I was shooting with a buddy one year ( who has since passed away ) and he was telling us at the club he was using 6 shot for geese coming out of the Pitt River in BC, but the geese where coming in low to gravel up on the bars , so the max range was 20 yards...
And Randy Grange would limit out.
Of course that was many years ago and there has been huge improvements in powders and shot patterns too.
Buy a gun you can afford and pattern the shell/choke ( Modified is great for steel ) selection for the range to You Expect to shoot and you will do fine after some practice and of course you will be scratching your head for those shots that where to beautiful to see that you have missed.
Rob
 
mudbug said:
Thanks for the info guys.. My old double barrel CIL/Zabala 772 is now at the gunsmith. I dropped it off this afternoon and talked to him and he said he would change the full choke into modified like the other barrel for $40 bucks. He said the gun would work fine with the steel shot after that. Guess I won't be buying a new shotgun:( but....I ran into a dude in town and asked him if he still did the testing for the RPAL. He said yup. I guess I'm writing on monday or tuesday and then will look into a hand gun:D I don't have one of those yet..:dancingbanana:
Click to expand...


I would think it would fun to use the old C-I-L SXS in the field.12 gauge 2 3/4 inch will work just fine on waterfowl.
 
By goodness it always has been before the 3 inch ,this has the same kind of stink that we hear about rifles that are not Magnums.

Hope the ducks and geese and deer don't hear we don't have Magnums!!

Bob
 
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