Is 2 3/4 enough for a "tactical" shot gun?

I'm no balistics expert nor do I play one on TV but, methinks that unless you are being attacked by Kevlar Zombies 12 gauge 2 3/4" anytype of shot is prob' going to ruin their day, and they ain't going to the prom dance after getting a load of buckshot. ;)
 
BigUglyMan said:
In reality, what are you plannign to take on? Probably like the rest of us you'll use your tactical shjotgun to look cool at the range, and sort out problem bears in camp. 2.75" is good enough.

Don't forget unwanted guests in your home too, the two legged variety....

I agree to build it as per it's intended use. Mine's purpose is protection, short barreled, tac light, shell holders whether that protection is out in camp or in my home... you would build a bird gun a whole lot different...
 
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"Look cool at the range?" I'd be embarrassed to show up at a range with a gun like that! If your building a gun for a purpose, then it should meet the purpose. Think long and hard about building a gun like this - it isn't a real precision weapon, but it is effective, no matter what the shell size. I can't condone people building these to look like Rambo, but don't ever step between me and my family (provided I could get to the separately locked ammo, access the safe code and remove the trigger lock in time!)
 
For purpose: I was originally thinking of using it for a bear/rat gun and to carry for deer hunting in shotty only zones. However, after viewing the gun, I was not interested any more. the receiver was really worn and who knows what it looked like inside. However, as to the 2 3/4 debate, I have in the past always shot 2 3/4 for deer. It seems to be enough. However, I have zero experience in the tactical field and wanted some input. THanks for all the advice guys!
 
2 3/4s good enough
remember they have been using that round for a hundred years or so with great results. Although the 3s do have an advantage in duck hunting.
I would go with the wingmaster for 150. They really are a better build and come cheap, also beautiful wood depending the grade. Put a little heavy grease on the action bars and it is the smoothest pump action i have ever used. And fast too. Personally i went the wingmaster route. I got all this for the price of an express more or less. Plus its original.
MyCustom870.jpg

THen went Tactical
MyRem870.jpg
 
I picked up an old high standard off the board recently, (thanks John!), and these also have no plastic parts. (well, I admit the Williams rear is made of plastic) They are bottom feed, side eject like an 870, but use a little different system. Perhaps not as simple as the Rem design, but these are also supposed to be very reliable. The only other thing is that the HS employs a single action bar, rather than two as in the 870.

Anybody else like these old high standards? This one's an 18.5 incher with a 6 shot tube.

IMGP3524.jpg



ps, my other pump, like the 'Kid, is also a wingmaster!
 
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I have a mossy 500 mariner. I have shot all kinds of 3" and 2 3/4" loads. 3" in slugs and 00 buck punish you more than 2 3/4". I would NOT want to be hit by a 2 3/4" load, much less a 3" load.

I think you can have faster follow up shots with 2 3/4" loads. Either one is gonna kill the meth head in your house DEAD.
 
This is why I love Shotguns. In many cases the mode between Tactical to Field is but a turn of a barrel nut, and swapping barrels. :)
 
sonofpaleface said:
".
As for slugs there really is the NECESSITY to have a good back stop! At one nameless Northern Ontario Community on the shores of Lake Superior a law enforcement officer shot a marauding bear with a 12 ga slug which traversed the bear and exited to go thro a woods behind for 100 metres or more then trhu a kitchen door of a residence to caroom around the kitchen while a mother and her children took cover underneath their kitchen table until the slug hit the fridge and expired.

Their other characteristic is the tendency to ricochet.

I can believe most of the story until that last part...Through a bear, through 100 metres of woods, through a door and THEN it starts to richochet!:confused:
 
Even if it was a marauding stuffed pooh bear.... mom is not going to have time to grab the kids and hide under the table after she hears or sees the slug come through the door. It would all happen so fast that she would still be wondering what the noise was.

Another urban myth - busted!
 
popcan said:
Even if it was a marauding stuffed pooh bear.... mom is not going to have time to grab the kids and hide under the table after she hears or sees the slug come through the door. It would all happen so fast that she would still be wondering what the noise was.

Another urban myth - busted!
X3, I guess. That's one goofy story.

Home defense shotty? Even a Stoeger (IGA) .410 backpacker (12" bbl) would be just fine in close quarters. ;)
 
Gatehouse said:
I can believe most of the story until that last part...Through a bear, through 100 metres of woods, through a door and THEN it starts to richochet!:confused:

Let's test this.

Gatehouse is about the size of a small bear (Or a large one according to his ex). So let's each pitch in a few bucks and fire a few slugs through the guy...

And those of you that still want to spear him (ahem, whatever turns your crank lads) can still too so...
 
Calum said:
I'm a newbie to shotties, but everything I have read when it comes to home defence/tactical says that a 2 3/4 is more then enogh vs Goblins.

so my 835 pushing 3.5" of BB steel weighing in at 1 3/8oz travling 1550fps is overkill? i tend to agree LOL, at in home distances the damage would be brutal

i shot my target rest with it one day at about 10-12 yards totaly destroyed the stand and went throught he styro (makes hanging tragets simple) with about a 4" hole

it would suck to be anything in its path at close range :eek:
 
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