Firing 2.75" loads in a 3.5" chamber

Xplorer

Xplorer

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Can anyone speak from experience about the performance of a 3.5" chambered shotgun when shooting everything but 3.5" loads?

I'm looking at 3" chambered shotguns, but my available selection would open up dramatically if I were confident that a 3.5" shotgun is 'as good' as a 3" shotgun when it comes to shooting 2.75" target load for fun in the field, as well as 3" for business time.

Thanks! I'd appreciate any insight, or field stories!
 
Xplorer, firing 2.75, 3 and 3.5" loads in a 3.5" chambered shotgun is fine. The only difference is that the "forcing cone", is "further" into the chamber/barrel in a 3.5" chambered shotgun. That's the area just ahead of where the end of the "uncrimped"/"fired" cartridge sits... Just DON'T fire "longer" shotgun cartridges in chambers NOT marked for them. Then the crimp opens "into" the forcing cone and the pressures increase dramatically and could be very dangerous...

Cheers
Jay
P.S. I use a benelli nova 3.5" chambered shotgun and love it, I usually fire 2.75" shells for upland, 3" shells for ducks and every now and then 3.5" shells if I can find them cheap...
 
Thanks for the replys guys!

I guess I should get right down to it...

I'm looking for a Mossberg 500.
For arguments sake, There are two identical guns available to me. One is a 500 and the other is a 535. The 535 is much cheaper. I do not plan on firing 3.5inch loads. Will the 535 have any issues cycling 2.75 and 3's? Does it make sence to pay more for a gun specifically because I do not want the extra option of firing 3.5"

I would like to go ahead and get the 535, I'm concerned that it won't reliably cycle 2.75". Can someone out there assure me that the 535 cycles 2.75's as well as the 500???

Help!
 
there certainly should be no problem with a pump action shotgun in cycling shells , although it has happened. i've known an 870 super mag. that would on occasion refuse to cycle 3.5" shells. a gas operated semi auto can be a different story. i've seen a brand new beretta extrema II that is supposed to cycle everything,but after some use will not cycle 2 3/4" shells. after a complete and total disassembly and clean up, it would cycle for a while then hang up again with 2 3/4 field loads. took the gun back to the dealer, got another one ,same story.they both functioned fine with 3" and 3.5" but that gun is supposed to cycle everything.
 
12magnum, that is an issue more associated with autoloaders, and not pumps? I'm looking at a pump.

Actually, I'm deciding between a 535 turkey/waterfowl combo that is in stock, or ordering a 500 grand slam. Ah, the truth comes out... LOL

I want the 535, I just don't want any issues with the 2.75 loads because I love to pound clay. (yea, I know these guns arn't the best thing for clays, I just want the option for recreational skeet in the back feild).

...seriously, you guys are really helpful , thanks again!
 
Unless you're shooting Turkeys, 3.5" is (IMHO) useless. Too pricey, and a 3" will take anything down that flies.

That being said, it is nice to have the 'option' - and it will not affect performance of shorter shells.
 
canucklehead said:
Unless you're shooting Turkeys, 3.5" is (IMHO) useless. Too pricey, and a 3" will take anything down that flies.

That being said, it is nice to have the 'option' - and it will not affect performance of shorter shells.
Click to expand...

I agree about the price point vs. application, but would you go for the 3" if it was pricier than the 3.5"?

Everyone says not to get a 3.5" because it isn't worth the money. But would it ot make sense to go for the 3.5 if it was identical to the 3" in every aspecy including the price? (except the chamber can take 3.5")

Price isn't an issue, I'm just looking for a straight forward answer. Straight forward answers are very hard to come by...
 
I've got a 3.5'' 870 express and a good buddy has the 3.5'' mossberg 500 and 90% of what each of us shoot is 2.75'' target loads. I've shot with lots of guys with 3'' 870s and 500s and I honestly wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

The only reason I bought the super mag express is the store was out of the standard 3'' express and sold me the gun for the same price. I wouldn't have paid extra for it. I've maybe put 10 3.5'' shells through it and they were mainly to see what the fuss was about.

I'd say don't go out of your way just to get a gun with a 3.5'' chamber but also don't pass one up if the price is right.
 
I'm assuming you're buying used then?

The 535 should cycle everything the 530 does, so if you're only shooting 2.75 and 3" shells, whatever is cheaper (assuming the guns are both in the same condition) should be the logical choice.
Additional advantages of the 3.5"? Well usually, your resale value should be higher. And you might not forsee using 3.5" loads in the near future, but who knows? You may change your mind and want to go do some long pass shooting for geese or blast some turkeys.
 
The reason the 535 is cheaper, I think, is because there's less of a demand for the 3.5". This should tell you that demand for this model is low and resale value will suffer in the end.

So, if you're not going to shoot turkeys, you would be better served with a 3" gun.

How's that for a straight forward answer?
 
... and BTW, Jay, that's a very nice explanation of the chamber and forcing cone relationship.
 
Xplorer said:
I agree about the price point vs. application, but would you go for the 3" if it was pricier than the 3.5"?

Everyone says not to get a 3.5" because it isn't worth the money. But would it ot make sense to go for the 3.5 if it was identical to the 3" in every aspecy including the price? (except the chamber can take 3.5")

Price isn't an issue, I'm just looking for a straight forward answer. Straight forward answers are very hard to come by...
Click to expand...

Both of the guns you mentioned will shoot 2 3/4 inch loads so go with the one you like best or your best deal:D
 
easy said:
The reason the 535 is cheaper, I think, is because there's less of a demand for the 3.5". This should tell you that demand for this model is low and resale value will suffer in the end.

So, if you're not going to shoot turkeys, you would be better served with a 3" gun.

How's that for a straight forward answer?
Click to expand...

As a general rule, in the same model, a 3 1/2 chamber will cost more. The 3 1/2 models might be a little heavier so one might lean towards the lighter gun for upland hunting or if carry wight is a concern. For shooting those big goslings a heavier gun may the way to go. In any event a 2/ 3/4 or 3 inch shell out of a 3 1/2 inch chamber will not be much different than out of a 3 inch chamber. Go for the gun you like!
 
I've heard some people say not to fire 2.75" SLUGS in a 3.5" chamber. The fear is of "tumbling or bobbling" in the chamber effecting accuracy, or possibly lodging in the gun..... after some research, and discussion with more knowledgeable folks than myself, I think the consensus is it's BS. Please correct me if there is any merit to this claim though


h ttp://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=94286
h ttp://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189245
 
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