Mini 1.75 shells
- Thread starter huntingfish
- Start date
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- near Prince Albert
How do you find the loudness compared to regular shotshells?
Hi OP!
I use both the minis and 2.75's extensively.
Both have their advantages.
I'll focus on what I like about the mini shots shells!
First, reduced recoil. My father, whom recoil is beginning to affect as he gets older, has found that the mini shotshells have breathed life back into his old 12GA Hammer Gun he loves, and we continue to enjoy our walks out for upland game birds. Some say, well hey, buy a .22 than or a 20 gauge. Well, my answer is simple: everyone has a preferred firearm that you can't part with, and would like to continue to enjoy correct? There you have it then. Sentimental value does play a role sometimes.
I thoroughly enjoy running the mini 00's and slugs through my 590A1. Why? Again, reduced recoil. Yes, they can be more expensive, but as the old addage goes, you want to play? You'll have to pay.
However, better muzzle control, for a longer period of time, due to the reduced recoil provided by the mini shells, equals tighter groups and lengthier sessions of running and gunning on a dynamic range. Others may think otherwise, which is fine. But the positive feedback from a couple of local LEO's a set over, who came to see the little beasts in action and try themselves, would surprise you.
To continue with the slugs and their advantages, sure, it's not a 2.75.
I agree wholeheartedly.
However, the mini is still a 438 gr projectile traveling at 1200fps. To put it into perspective without getting into intricate details of drag, ballistic coefficient and such, my Baikal Double spits out 405gr 45-70's at 1350fps at the muzzle. Add a 18.5 - 20 inch barrel and the little mini shell package packs a punch!
All three variations of the shorties, Birdshot, Buck and Slugs cycle flawlessly through my 590A1 and Mav 88 using the Opsol Mini Clip 2.0 (made in the USA). These handy dandy little units are seconds to install, are available from a few of our forum sponsors, and cost about $24.99
Not a bad little upgrade to provide a little ammunition versatility to your rig!
I have run all 3 through multiple break action type shotguns, and they work just fine, with zero misfires.
Now, some may laugh, some may scorn, some may think this is way cool! But, for years, I struggled with finding a way to make my pistol gripped Mav 88 effective. Yes, yes. Only in Hollywood. Too many episodes of Narcos. Blah blah blah. Itll break your wrist. Its useless. Even point and shoot is a crapshoot. More blah blah blah. But, I enjoy a challenge, and here was my solution where these mini shells fit in perfectly.
Maverick 88
Fab Defense Ergonomic Pistol Grip (Ambi sling cups)
Magpul Single Point Sling
Mossberg OEM Heatshield
Side Saddle
OLight Mini with Red Laser
Federal Shorty Slugs/00 or Aguila made.
Well, for the sake of fun and novelty shall we say, all of a sudden, I have a compact, easy to handle, surprisingly accurate point and shoot with olight engaged from the hip, and let me tell you, those pumpkins at 15 or 20 meters sure cause a scene when they catch that 438 grains of lead!
Made me smile when my best friend, twice deployed, said "My God, I could think of a couple of uses for that back in the day."
So, to finish, they definetly have their advantages. When I go for an afternoon stroll through our local WMU now, my trusty old O/U Baikal .308/12ga is that much more pleasant to use, and the grouse are pleasantly intact, with a few less pellets to chew.
Does it pound upland gamebirds but leave them tasty? Yes.
Skeet or Migratory applications? I've read they work on short distance type skeet, but I'd stick to a minimum of 2.75 for Migratory. This is an application where length and charge play a role. Like I said earlier, application, application, application.
Do you take a 89 YJ on the 1/4 mile and expect to post under 10?
Was I skeptical at first about them when they were released? Yes.
Was I unimpressed with cycling problems at the beginning before the Opsol Mini Clip came out? Absolutely!
But, research is your friend, and improvements in the firearms industry are made consistently, year after year.
Now? A range day, or afternoon hunting trip, isn't complete without them!
Just my two cents!
I use both the minis and 2.75's extensively.
Both have their advantages.
I'll focus on what I like about the mini shots shells!
First, reduced recoil. My father, whom recoil is beginning to affect as he gets older, has found that the mini shotshells have breathed life back into his old 12GA Hammer Gun he loves, and we continue to enjoy our walks out for upland game birds. Some say, well hey, buy a .22 than or a 20 gauge. Well, my answer is simple: everyone has a preferred firearm that you can't part with, and would like to continue to enjoy correct? There you have it then. Sentimental value does play a role sometimes.
I thoroughly enjoy running the mini 00's and slugs through my 590A1. Why? Again, reduced recoil. Yes, they can be more expensive, but as the old addage goes, you want to play? You'll have to pay.
However, better muzzle control, for a longer period of time, due to the reduced recoil provided by the mini shells, equals tighter groups and lengthier sessions of running and gunning on a dynamic range. Others may think otherwise, which is fine. But the positive feedback from a couple of local LEO's a set over, who came to see the little beasts in action and try themselves, would surprise you.
To continue with the slugs and their advantages, sure, it's not a 2.75.
I agree wholeheartedly.
However, the mini is still a 438 gr projectile traveling at 1200fps. To put it into perspective without getting into intricate details of drag, ballistic coefficient and such, my Baikal Double spits out 405gr 45-70's at 1350fps at the muzzle. Add a 18.5 - 20 inch barrel and the little mini shell package packs a punch!
All three variations of the shorties, Birdshot, Buck and Slugs cycle flawlessly through my 590A1 and Mav 88 using the Opsol Mini Clip 2.0 (made in the USA). These handy dandy little units are seconds to install, are available from a few of our forum sponsors, and cost about $24.99
Not a bad little upgrade to provide a little ammunition versatility to your rig!
I have run all 3 through multiple break action type shotguns, and they work just fine, with zero misfires.
Now, some may laugh, some may scorn, some may think this is way cool! But, for years, I struggled with finding a way to make my pistol gripped Mav 88 effective. Yes, yes. Only in Hollywood. Too many episodes of Narcos. Blah blah blah. Itll break your wrist. Its useless. Even point and shoot is a crapshoot. More blah blah blah. But, I enjoy a challenge, and here was my solution where these mini shells fit in perfectly.
Maverick 88
Fab Defense Ergonomic Pistol Grip (Ambi sling cups)
Magpul Single Point Sling
Mossberg OEM Heatshield
Side Saddle
OLight Mini with Red Laser
Federal Shorty Slugs/00 or Aguila made.
Well, for the sake of fun and novelty shall we say, all of a sudden, I have a compact, easy to handle, surprisingly accurate point and shoot with olight engaged from the hip, and let me tell you, those pumpkins at 15 or 20 meters sure cause a scene when they catch that 438 grains of lead!
Made me smile when my best friend, twice deployed, said "My God, I could think of a couple of uses for that back in the day."
So, to finish, they definetly have their advantages. When I go for an afternoon stroll through our local WMU now, my trusty old O/U Baikal .308/12ga is that much more pleasant to use, and the grouse are pleasantly intact, with a few less pellets to chew.
Does it pound upland gamebirds but leave them tasty? Yes.
Skeet or Migratory applications? I've read they work on short distance type skeet, but I'd stick to a minimum of 2.75 for Migratory. This is an application where length and charge play a role. Like I said earlier, application, application, application.
Do you take a 89 YJ on the 1/4 mile and expect to post under 10?
Was I skeptical at first about them when they were released? Yes.
Was I unimpressed with cycling problems at the beginning before the Opsol Mini Clip came out? Absolutely!
But, research is your friend, and improvements in the firearms industry are made consistently, year after year.
Now? A range day, or afternoon hunting trip, isn't complete without them!
Just my two cents!
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If I want reduced recoil shotshells, I will must buy reduced load 3/4 or 1 ounce target loads. They are cheaper and cycle in all shotguns. As for increasing the capacity of the magazine, you are only allowed two rounds total on a trap or skeet field, and here in Alberta, you are only allowed three shots total for all bird hunting. And if I am thinking self defense, I want a more powerful round, not more less powerful rounds, in a self defense situation you may only get one or two shots.
I wear foam ear plugs underneath my cans so I don’t hear much of anything in any event.
huntingfish
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Quebec City
Sorry to revive such an older thread, but I have finally tried my minishells on a target..WOW. They are fun to shot. As predicted, they don't cycled correctly in my Pardner pump though.
Just wish I had a SxS to use them with it.
David
Just wish I had a SxS to use them with it.
David
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Mini shells work great in the Winchester 1300 Defender (well, mine at least) and increases your magazine capacity a lot. I love 'em
I have an M37 Ithaca 2 3/4 receiver and extended mag 20 inch barrel. Mini shells take the capacity from 7+1 to 12+1.
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
Cellphone in one hand; 3000 rounds of trap a year with other
Brybenn likely shoots 3000 rounds a week and I’d bet money he’d shoot perfect games with that one hand.....
Facts!
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- near Prince Albert
Glad to hear that you got to test them and they work and suit "your" needs. How do you find the recoil? What's the pattern density like compared to regular shells?
huntingfish
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Quebec City
I shot at a target about 15 yards away with a cylinder choke and there was a LOT of pellets on target. I was actually shocked how nicely they patterned.
David
If you are looking for a cheaper sxs intersurplus as alot of euro surplus. Read the descriptions well. Most have worn finishes and fixed chokes but will give great service for a few hundred bucks. Chokes can be opened up to suit your purpose
If these get common, it will be interesting to see how the province responds, as even with the shotgun plugged, you can put more than two in the magazine, which is a provincial regulation for all bird hunting in Alberta.
