3 in target load
- Thread starter domxyz
- Start date
Have never heard of such a thing. Why does one need 3" or 3 1/2 for clay target shooting just courious
Cheers
One doesn't, perhaps he thinks that more shot will make up for lesser shooting skills?
If so. Kind of reminds me of a guy we shot trap with years ago every time he pulled the trigger I would say man the recoil in those puppies
Found out his 1 1/8 oz trap loads were reloaded with 1 3/8 and extra powder to boot. Never helped him hear that terrible LOOOOOOOOOOST
Cheers
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Pus I believe if you are shooting at a range you can't use over 2 3/4" anyhow. If pasture shooting clays I guess you can use whatever you want but as said, why do you want 3 or 3 1/2" for clays? Is it because your gun won't cycle 2 3/4"? And as mentioned, don't believe they are even available, which says something.
Not to mention after a couple of boxes who would want a purple shoulder and probally be flinching like crazy
Cheers
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
OP,
Should the idea be to use heavy loads (as you mention) at a shooting club in order to perhaps break in a new semi-auto shotgun then just use 2 3/4in, 1 1/8oz loads (max allowed at the range). Majority of current production semi-autos should effectively cycle that load right from the onset.
If you are shooting elsewhere and feel the need to use heavier loads for any number of reasons then there are no such restrictions.
However, if the intent is to simply enjoy some clay shooting either at the range or elsewhere then 2 3/4in, 1oz shells will serve fine in most guns - although some semis, depending on make/model/condition etc may not always cycle that load.
Should the idea be to use heavy loads (as you mention) at a shooting club in order to perhaps break in a new semi-auto shotgun then just use 2 3/4in, 1 1/8oz loads (max allowed at the range). Majority of current production semi-autos should effectively cycle that load right from the onset.
If you are shooting elsewhere and feel the need to use heavier loads for any number of reasons then there are no such restrictions.
However, if the intent is to simply enjoy some clay shooting either at the range or elsewhere then 2 3/4in, 1oz shells will serve fine in most guns - although some semis, depending on make/model/condition etc may not always cycle that load.
ninepointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
A few years ago I came into an old box of 2 3/4" high brass Imperials with containing 1 3/8 oz of #7.5 shot. Since they (technically) met my club's rules, I took them to the trap range. Compared to my regular target reloads, I expected the harder kick and the louder boom I got from those purple Imperials, but what was truly impressive was the speed: targets vaporized seemingly at the touch of the trigger! However, my shoulder had no interest in shooting another round with those shells, even if I had a second box.
Hi lo e them old imperial shells and buy them ever chance I get .the SSG are my favorite she'll for totes .in the old days we shot ducks and geese with then in #2 right up to #bb.great she'll. Dutch ps I have a bunch of 20g #4 saved up for my daughter turkey hunt .Thy pattern great and hit real hard out if her 20g semi .
There were 3" target loads developed in Europe back in the mid-90s. The Beretta AL391 target guns were designed X around this shotshell, or rather the lifter/carrier was designed for them. The idea of the 3" target loads was to be able to push the load faster due to the higher pressure specs of 3" ammunition VS that of 2 3/4". It was a sales flop as the higher velocity was directly responsible for higher recoil. Higher recoil is something a serious target shooter avoids at all cost.
Wow. That's a lot of questions. Maybe I should've provided more details. I have shot a lot of 2 3/4 in my mossberg 500. I also shot a lot of geese with my mossberg 500 and 3 in shots. I enjoyed geese hunting so much that I bought a mossberg 935 for next season. I'd like to practice with it. It is not recommended to shoot 2 3/4 in the 935 by mossberg. Maybe it'll cycle 2 3/4 1 1/4 oz but those are not widely available in bulk. I thought that 3in target may be available but seeing the replies here I guess not. Many may say that 2 3/4 1 1/8 oz is fine in a 935 but many also said that .556 is fine in .223. Most would also say that manufacturer recommendation should be follow and I would have to agree with most. But it seems like none know how to source 3in target loads. Unless many know but none think it's smart.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I've a friend who regularly shoots clay with a 935 and only uses 2 3/4 in, 1 1/8oz loads. Never saw that shotgun fail to cycle. As I had mentioned in a previous post, not all semi-autos may effectively cycle all type of loads. Yours may or may not be one of those examples. You have no way of knowing till you have put that to the test. Besides, that's the max load ranges will allow as a norm. On the other hand, if you are shooting anywhere outside a controlled environment then the discretion to use whatever is absolutely yours.
Haven't seen any manufacturer offering 3in target loads here in NA.
Your analogy of 5.56 in a .223 doesn't make sense anyway in the context of this thread.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
manufacturer recommendation may say to use the heavier loads only to keep the gas piston (if equipped) or gas tube clean so it doesn't get plugged with carbon and soot, I would be willing to try the lighter load and if I noticed any differences in performance after shooting the light loads throw some heavy loads in to clean it out.
My Stogger said something similar about shooting not shooting 1 oz loads and after 75 heavy shots it cycles 1 oz all day long with no issues.
My Stogger said something similar about shooting not shooting 1 oz loads and after 75 heavy shots it cycles 1 oz all day long with no issues.
It's not that you can't use 2 3/4" ammo in the 935 but rather that it's not a highly refined (engineered) shotgun and will not cycle all 12ga loads due to the gas compensation system that Mossberg chose to go with. There are no safety issues with using 2 3/4" loads in a 3.5" chambered gun as the 3.5" actually had a higher pressure specification than what the 2 3/4" has.
That being said, I'd save up a few extra dollars and buy a Browning Silver/Winchester SX3. Those twins will cylce the lightest 2 3/4" target loads all the way up to the heaviest 3.5" magnums with outmost reliability...and either of them will outlast a half dozen 935s!
