I have a stoeger m3500 that I have been waterfowl hunting with and my gun cycled well with no issues. I recently went to shoot some clay and used some loads around the 1100 fps-1145fps. The gun would not cycle or eject. I am aware of the cleaning process and break in procedures etc. I am just wandering if anyone could speak to inertia driven shotguns ever being able to eject lower velocity rounds or should I just stay above the 1200 fps? If I was to go to a gas operated semi would I be able to shoot lower velocity(1100 fps) rounds? Thanks for the input-
Inertia shotgun-shell velocity
- Thread starter mikeride
- Start date
If you were to look up the specs on most inertia guns the manufactures recomend at least 11/8 oz 3 dram shells . A 3 dram shell is one that produces a muzzle vel of 1200 fps .Generally a gas gun will cycle lighter loads than a inertia gun .
It was something similar- one was the federal blue box ammo and now that I am looking at it, it is under the 3 dram which would make sense with what rembolt is saying. The other brand was a SCORE low recoil round. I am not recoil sensitive it just happened to be what was on sale. Thanks for your input. I was hoping maybe after some use the gun may eject/cycle them but I didn’t buy too much of the lower velocity so it isn’t a huge deal.
That is a good point. Its for recoil reduction- it wasn’t installed at this point but I could see how that could help having it removed. Going to head to the range tomorrow and see what will cycle consistently with this particular gun
- Location
- Haliburton County, Central Ontario
Would weight in the butt stock not actually improve your inertia operated semi-auto's ability to cycle light target loads?
I had the same thought - much like a proper grip in a pistol ensures proper function of the action
prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
No the inertia shotguns need to recoil first then stop suddenly(against your shoulder) to make the action cycle. Removing weight will let it recoil more.
OP, the M3500 is 2.75-3.5". Many semis (inertia) that are 3.5' will not reliably cycle light target loads. If your shooting trap, this is a non-issue. Some high brass loads will cycle more reliably but these guns had more focus on big waterfowl and turkey loads when designed, so don't expect a sporting clays shotgun.
Most 3" inertia semis will cycle target loads (M3000), and obviously a 2.75 will.
Gas operated guns seem to have no trouble with target loads.
Most 3" inertia semis will cycle target loads (M3000), and obviously a 2.75 will.
Gas operated guns seem to have no trouble with target loads.
- Location
- Haliburton County, Central Ontario
Ah, yes. I see. These actions employ a floating bolt body which is free to remain in place (relatively) and compress the bolt head (inertia) spring under the initial rearward movement of the entire gun under recoil. If one held these guns against an immovable mass, they could not cycle. Interesting...
