2 3/4" vs 3" vs 3 1/2"

[Qc_BearHunter]

Hi,

Here is my question:

Is there any loss of something when you shoot 2 3/4" shells in a shotgun chambered for 3.5"? I mean pattern, speed... ect???

I may have a deal on a Beretta silver pigeon S that is chambered in 3.5" but it will be used 99% of the time with 2 3/4" target and field loads...

Thanks!

 

[hunter5425]

The 3.5" guns I've seen and used all pattern well with 2.75" shells if they will cycle. My friends SBE2 patterns light 11/8 oz shells very well. Some semi autos are picky on the power levels of the 2.75" shells they will cycle, my Beretta A303 will not cycle some low power 11/8 oz loads but cycles the high speed ones.

 

[airtech226]

One of the guys at our gun club uses a Beretta 686 field gun (pretty sure it's a silver pigeon) for trap shooting, and he's had some very good results with it using light target loads.

 

[Longwalker]

IF you use loads with modern shotcup wads a long chamber will make little difference in pattern quality or shot speed. If you shoot the traditional fiber wads at all, they will perform better with a matched chamber length & short forcing cone.