Shell limit

[Bennick16]

So I bought a Remington 870 super mag, the tube will hold 2 3.5" shells but it will hold 3 3" shells. I intend on using the both size shells while hunting but where does this fall in the rules? I tried liking it up but have not found an answer.

[Colin]

You need to replace the plug with a dowel that is appropriately sized. You will get a ticket or more if you are checked. YouTube it.

[bracer40]

Three shells is the max #allowed by law in WA.

[Bob33]

Just carry shells of a length that only two will fit in the magazine and you will be fine.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/179/My+wild+turkey+shotgun+will+hold+only+three+3+%BD+inch+magnum+shells+but+will+hold+four+2+%BE+inch+shells.+Will+I+be+cited+for+not+having+a+plug+in+my+gun+in+violation+of+the+3-shell+rule%3F

[bobcat]

I'd hate to only be able to shoot 3 1/2 inch shells. 

[h2ofowlr]

You need a a slightly long plug in your gun.  If you can fit 3 shells in your mag than you would be ticketed.  Should only be about 1/2" of travel with two 3-1/2" shells in it.

[bigtex]

For migratory birds it's a federal law that is then adopted by the states. If you can put more than two shells in the tube you are in violation. It doesn't matter if you only hunt with 3.5's, if it can hold over two shells in the tube you are in violation.

Some guys say "well I only had two in the tube" well that's fine and dandy, but the law doesn't specify if the gun is holding more than three at the time you were checked, only if it is capable of holding more than three.

If your caught it's a mandatory court appearance in WA courts, not a ticket with a fine....

[CP]

What about these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2506255579/aguila-minishell-ammunition-12-gauge-1-3-4-5-8-oz-7-1-2-shot

If your mag holds 2 - 3.5" shells it would hold 4 of these

[h2ofowlr]

We were checked on opening weekend by Jeff Lee.  The wardens use the rubber tube with marks.  If it goes beyond the mark on there mag tool than you will get ticketed.  Can only hold 2 - 2-3/4", 3" or 3-1/2" shells in the mag.

[CP]

Yep, I’ve been checked before and they either use the marked tube or stick some shells in the gun and see how many go in.  But my question is to the wording of the law; my autoloader “is capable” of holding 5 of the mini shells when plugged.  Is that not a violation? 

It won’t cycle the silly little things but is capable of holding a lot of them.

[Fishnclifff]

Size your plug so that it only holds 2- 2 3/4 in shells. That is what the gammies told us their gauge was patterned for.

 Using their advice ,I remade my plug, so that  my auto holds 2 3" shells in the mag, with about 1/4 in travel,

[Bennick16]

So what if I made two different wooden dowels, one sized appropriately so as to only allow 2 3" shells to fit and one sized to only allow 2 3.5" shells to fit? And when I use the 3 inch I'll use the appropriate sized dowel? So are you guys saying that even if my gun only holds 2 shells with what I'm using they may put a tube in and if it foea past where it's marked I'll still be ticketed!?

[Bennick16]

It sounds like my best bet it to just put a plug for the three inchers in the tube and if geese fly over and I have to shoot 3.5" I'll just be able to hold one in the tube and one in the chamber.

[Bill W]

make a plug that only allows two 3.5 inch unfired shells.  If it's sized correctly it won't allow 3 2 3/4 inch shells. 

[bigtex]

So are you guys saying that even if my gun only holds 2 shells with what I'm using they may put a tube in and if it foea past where it's marked I'll still be ticketed!?

Yes. But it's not a ticket. It's a misdemeanor, you must appear in court. If it can hold more than two shells you are in violation, the law does not say two shells of the size that the hunter is using.

[Dan-o]

You just need to make your plug long enough that it will barely take two 3.5" shells.    At that length, it will still only hold two 2.75" shells and all is good.     

[Badhabit]

Better not shoot the SBE1 that can float a fourth shell.

[storyteller]

I think you can make one plug and be good.  I might be confused.   2 of the 3.5 shells is 7.0  and 3 of the 2.75 is 8.25, so if you plug the gun for 7.25 of space, you should not be able to load the third shell.   Did I goof?

[Tealer]

Better not shoot the SBE1 that can float a fourth shell.

A lot of guns will float shells.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bobcat]

I think you can make one plug and be good.  I might be confused.   2 of the 3.5 shells is 7.0  and 3 of the 2.75 is 8.25, so if you plug the gun for 7.25 of space, you should not be able to load the third shell.   Did I goof?

3 1/2" inch shells don't actually measure 3 1/2 inches. That is the length after they are fired. Same with 2 3/4 and 3 inch. The lengths are all based on the fired shell. So you need to re-calculate.

But yeah, I still think you should be good with just one size plug.

[Bob33]

This issue came up six years ago in one of our hunter education classes when a student said his factory plugged 3 1/2" Remington shotgun magazine held three 2 3/4" shells.

I asked WDFW, and received this answer from (at the time) Lt. Steve Crown: ""The gun is legal and is in use legally when the 3 1\2" shells are used exclusively.  Prima face evidence of compliance is the lack of any other length of shell in the possession of the hunter."

Your Mileage May Vary.

[CP]

2 – 3½”  shells = about 6.25”

3 – 2¾” shells = about 7.125”

So if you make a plug that leaves between about 6.5” to 7” of magazine you can easily load 2 and only 2 shells of any length (except the mini shells) 

[Timberstalker]

This issue came up six years ago in one of our hunter education classes when a student said his factory plugged 3 1/2" Remington shotgun magazine held three 2 3/4" shells.

I asked WDFW, and received this answer from (at the time) Lt. Steve Crown: ""The gun is legal and is in use legally when the 3 1\2" shells are used exclusively.  Prima face evidence of compliance is the lack of any other length of shell in the possession of the hunter."

Your Mileage May Vary.

I would not have a gun that holds (3) shells of any length in the magazine, regardless of what shells I have in my possession.  I have multiple guns set up to hold (2) shells of any length.   

While I follow your logic, I'm afraid the Game Warden may not.

[300rum]

Next time they ask for your gun, tell them nicely that you would rather keep it yourself.  I have never had them say no (State and Federal).  Show them that only two rounds can go in the mag and everyone is happy.   

[300rum]

BTW, it is a terrible, terrible law and overreach if enforced.  It is like getting a speeding ticket because your speedometer on the dash says your car can go to 120mph when the posted speed limit is 70mph. 

[Bob33]

This issue came up six years ago in one of our hunter education classes when a student said his factory plugged 3 1/2" Remington shotgun magazine held three 2 3/4" shells.

I asked WDFW, and received this answer from (at the time) Lt. Steve Crown: ""The gun is legal and is in use legally when the 3 1\2" shells are used exclusively.  Prima face evidence of compliance is the lack of any other length of shell in the possession of the hunter."

Your Mileage May Vary.

I would not have a gun that holds (3) shells of any length in the magazine, regardless of what shells I have in my possession.  I have multiple guns set up to hold (2) shells of any length.   

While I follow your logic, I'm afraid the Game Warden may not.

It was Lt. Crown (who is now Chief Crown) who made that statement, not me but yes some may view it differently.

[Bill W]

2 – 3½”  shells = about 6.25”

3 – 2¾” shells = about 7.125”

So if you make a plug that leaves between about 6.5” to 7” of magazine you can easily load 2 and only 2 shells of any length (except the mini shells)

CP,  good of you to point out that the 3 " shell length is the fired length of the hull.   Unfired shells are shorter.

[OKHunter03]

To the OP, I shoot a 870 super mag as well. There is a small black plastic spacer about 2" long that sits on top of the spring and plug assembly that should be with it. Maybe get ahold of Remington and see if you can get that part. I always thought it was dumb to have a little removable piece like that. I was able to hang on to mine for like 5 or 6 years until my pack was stolen. But like others have said, cut a dowel or stick to the proper size. I have also unscrewed the mag cap and put a little stick in there in a pinch when going from waterfowl to upland (2 3/4").

[Bennick16]

To the OP, I shoot a 870 super mag as well. There is a small black plastic spacer about 2" long that sits on top of the spring and plug assembly that should be with it. Maybe get ahold of Remington and see if you can get that part. I always thought it was dumb to have a little removable piece like that. I was able to hang on to mine for like 5 or 6 years until my pack was stolen. But like others have said, cut a dowel or stick to the proper size. I have also unscrewed the mag cap and put a little stick in there in a pinch when going from waterfowl to upland (2 3/4").

I actually just found that part!!! My old wing master didn't come with anything like that so I didn't know to look for it! I almost threw the box out and heard something radle round and there it was. How do you like your 870? What ammo do you use?