2 3/4 for geese ducks

[Mfisch2003]

Haha. There has been tons of birds shot with 2 3/4 in the past and sure there will be in the future. Get them in close and have fun!

[Frank16]

This morning I put down a goose and three mallards with 2 3/4 Blackcloud #3. Aim good, and they will drop!

[Monster29/66]

Id worry less about the length of the shell and more on appropriate shot size and choke combo.

I shoot whatevers cheapest and have 6 different shotguns that shoot from 2 3/4" up to 3.5".

The two guns i shoot most are an older Auto 5 Mag which cycles 3" or a cynergy that handles 3.5 "

My fave for woodies is 2 3/4" in 5s or 6s. less recoil improves accuracy when shootin ducks that fly like bats. woodies come screamin in in waves and shootin is fast between trees etc. A large pattern thats easy to swing through for next shot works for me and doesnt tear up the birds too bad.

Mallards 3" number 3s get the job done as they are slower flying with consistent flight path. although weve shot many with 2 3/4"... I dropped a mallard stone dead saturday with one shot of #3 at 40 yards that the guy beside me had missed with 3 3" shells.

as for geese shot many with 3" but just dont bother shootin sky carp anymore, and im not paying 35$ for a box of shells.

[Sinker]

Worry more about centering the birds in your pattern than your shell length.

I will take more shot over speed any day of the week. I shoot slower loads with the most shot I can get in them. Speed doesn't kill, pattern density, and number of pellets on target does.

You can shoot the biggest, fastest shells ever made, but they don't do squat if your not on target.

All that said, yes, you can kill birds with 2 3/4" shells.

S.

[heronk]

Even though my gun is chambered for 3 1/2" shells, I shoot 3" 1 1/4 oz steel on both geese and ducks. They pattern very well in my gun and are far less expensive than 3 1/2" loads.

2 3/4 " 1 1/8 oz steel loads have the same velocity as 3" 1 1/4 oz loads but fewer pellets as others have said. I doubt you would notice any difference in pattern density with BB's but you might with # 4's for example. I doubt that it would make a practical difference except for small ducks like teal at longer distances.

2 3/4" 1 1/4 oz steel loads have the same number of pellets as 3" 1 1/4 oz loads but have a lower velocity. However there is really very little difference in pellet energy between the 2 loads at 30 yards. So there is really no practical difference in the knock down power between these 2 loads.

That is why others have said there is really no difference between 3" and 2 3/4" loads. What matters is whether the person's gun throws a good pattern with 2 3/4" loads and whether the person shooting can put the pattern on the bird.

[DisplacedCaper]

go for it! one of
my favourite guns to take to the duck blind is my grandfathers old 2,3/4" wingmaster and it knocks em Down just as good as any other.... I'd stick to BB for geese though I've found even #2 were too light unless they're right in the decoys

[line052]

My semi is 2 3/4 only..and kills em dead if you don't over reach on distance. 30 yds is my limit.

Lot's of folks still hunting with 2 3/4 only shotguns. Just gotta know you're limitations and let them come in a little closer.

[terrym]

Test your patterns. You may be surprised to see a 2 3/4 shell patterns almost as dense as a longer one. If you shoot that O/U well then it will outperform heavier loads every time.

[seabast]

Hey Guysss
Just a qucik question i have a over under i would like to use for opener tommorw instead off my semi but my over under takes 2 3/4 only what do you think will #2 shot 2 3/4 be ok for geese and duck never used my o/u for waterfiwl i have a winchester and yes it shoots steel of course Thanks Boyss

What are the chokes on your O/U? I, M, F?
If your top barrel is a full choke you could reach quite far with it.... As other mentioned, pattern it!