2 3/4 inch for ducks

[chuckster]

So I just got two cases of rio blue steel 3 shot 1 1/4 oz 1350 FPS from Rodgers for 75 a case. I have never shot 2 3/4 at ducks but for 7.50 a box I wanted to give it a try. Anyone have experience shooting 2 3/4. Seems like if I keep it within its limitations it should be ok. But was just wondering if anyone had firsthand experience with the shorter load.

[jjhunter]

I’ve shot hundreds of ducks and geese with 2 3/4” shells.  All I’ve ever shot is my old 2 3/4 full choke 870.

[jjhunter]

I don’t bird hunt much anymore, but the last day I did a couple years ago, the 2 3/4” shells still worked well.


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[Special T]

If you get them inside of 35 yards your golden...

[Turner89]

I don’t bird hunt much anymore, but the last day I did a couple years ago, the 2 3/4” shells still worked well.

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Perfect   I thought that ducks and geese had grown immune to 2-3/4"

[greenhead_killer]

I switched to shooting mainly 2 3/4 two years ago. They pattern better out of my gun than 3-3 1/2 do resulting in more kills. And a lot less stress on the shoulder!

[Birdgetter]

I don’t bird hunt much anymore, but the last day I did a couple years ago, the 2 3/4” shells still worked well.

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Perfect   I thought that ducks and geese had grown immune to 2-3/4"

I’ve always shot Kent 2 3/4 2 shot never had a problem. They will knock down any bird just fine, it’s not the arrow it’s the Indian.

[Turner89]

I don’t bird hunt much anymore, but the last day I did a couple years ago, the 2 3/4” shells still worked well.

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Perfect   I thought that ducks and geese had grown immune to 2-3/4"

I’ve always shot Kent 2 3/4 2 shot never had a problem. They will knock down any bird just fine, it’s not the arrow it’s the Indian.

When my dad still duck hunted he'd use a single shot 20 gauge. He'd wait for me and my brother to unload (and usually miss) then he'd shoot once......and hit.
 The dog could always count on him

[zwickeyman]

All I shoot ducks with is 2 3/4"

[huntnphool]

 

 Man I’m getting old! How did we ever manage to kill fowl before the 3” shells were invented?

 Not directed at you chuckster, it’s all in jest!

[CackleBird98]

All I shoot is 2.75 inch and end up killing more birds then all my idiot buddies who won't shoot anything other than 3 or 3.5 inch. Hell, I folded up a goose yesterday at around 75 yards with 2.75 inch 2 shot.  Can't even remember the last time I bought 3 inch shells haha, I'm just too cheap I guess

[steeleywhopper]

All I shoot is 2.75 inch and end up killing more birds then all my idiot buddies who won't shoot anything other than 3 or 3.5 inch. Hell, I folded up a goose yesterday at around 75 yards with 2.75 inch 2 shot.  Can't even remember the last time I bought 3 inch shells haha, I'm just too cheap I guess

I’m in this boat as well. 2 3/4 number 2 or 3 shot for ducks.

[CackleBird98]

All I shoot is 2.75 inch and end up killing more birds then all my idiot buddies who won't shoot anything other than 3 or 3.5 inch. Hell, I folded up a goose yesterday at around 75 yards with 2.75 inch 2 shot.  Can't even remember the last time I bought 3 inch shells haha, I'm just too cheap I guess

I’m in this boat as well. 2 3/4 number 2 or 3 shot for ducks.

Exactly, there's no ballistic difference between a 2.5 inch shell and a 3.5 inch shell, only thing is, you'll get a bit denser of a pattern with the longer shell, but honestly, inside of 50 yards you probably won't ever notice a difference

[eglseder]

My stepdad used to knock down ducks with his o/u .410!! It can be done. Good shooting and close shots.

[Stein]

It all depends on if you hit them or not...

Rogers has 3" on sale with rebate for $80 every year, so you could get either for about the same price.

Plenty of people shoot ducks and geese with them, the less pellets the shorter your shot has to be to have the same density in the 30" circle.

[C-Money]

Don't get caught up with shell length. I look at the amount of shot, and velocity. you can have identical loads in a 2 3/4 and 3" shell, but pay a lot more for the 3". Sounds like you hit the jackpot! 1 1/4oz at that speed is a great load.

[Bill W]

I came across a kid who was buying 3 1/2 inch #4's because that's what his friends told him to buy.  I told him he didn't need to get pounded like that.  He was skinny and his bones weren't all that deep.  Something around 1400 fps and 1 to 1 1/4 oz of shot is all that's needed for ducks.

[Dan-o]

I don't think 2  3/4" shells are adequate for ducks.

Far too often when using them, the ducks just keep flying, s if they were never hit.

so I switched to 3  1/2" shells.

Surprisingly, when shooting the 3  1/2" shells, the ducks also just keep flying as if they weren't hit.

So, I am in the market for a 10 gauge.

[kselkhunter]

I don't think 2  3/4" shells are adequate for ducks.

Far too often when using them, the ducks just keep flying, s if they were never hit.

so I switched to 3  1/2" shells.

Surprisingly, when shooting the 3  1/2" shells, the ducks also just keep flying as if they weren't hit.

So, I am in the market for a 10 gauge.

 

[linxx77]

If you get them inside of 35 yards your golden...

T, I was gonna say the same thing.

If they were within 30 yards I would pop them no issue with 2 3/4.

I’ve recently upgraded to a much better shotgun in 3.5 though, so I’m gonna blow a little money on different shells to see what she likes.


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[Platensek-po]

I don't think 2  3/4" shells are adequate for ducks.

Far too often when using them, the ducks just keep flying, s if they were never hit.

so I switched to 3  1/2" shells.

Surprisingly, when shooting the 3  1/2" shells, the ducks also just keep flying as if they weren't hit.

So, I am in the market for a 10 gauge.

Best response ever

[theleo]

I don't think 2  3/4" shells are adequate for ducks.

Far too often when using them, the ducks just keep flying as if because they were never hit.

so I switched to 3  1/2" shells.

Surprisingly, when shooting the 3  1/2" shells, the ducks also just keep flying as if because they weren't hit.

So, I am in the market for a 10 gauge.

Just a couple of typos, but I got them fixed for you bud.

I have a prediction of what's going to happen with that 10 gauge...

[Dan-o]

I don't think 2  3/4" shells are adequate for ducks.

Far too often when using them, the ducks just keep flying as if because they were never hit.

so I switched to 3  1/2" shells.

Surprisingly, when shooting the 3  1/2" shells, the ducks also just keep flying as if because they weren't hit.

So, I am in the market for a 10 gauge.

Just a couple of typos, but I got them fixed for you bud.

I have a prediction of what's going to happen with that 10 gauge...

Yes sir!!!

I am highly confident that when I finally get the big 10 the ducks will fall from the sky!!!!!!
I mean, you just can't miss with that many pellets.

[Stein]

10 gauge tungsten and you should be golden, can't miss.

[huntingfool7]

So I just got two cases of rio blue steel 3 shot 1 1/4 oz 1350 FPS from Rodgers for 75 a case. I have never shot 2 3/4 at ducks but for 7.50 a box I wanted to give it a try. Anyone have experience shooting 2 3/4. Seems like if I keep it within its limitations it should be ok. But was just wondering if anyone had firsthand experience with the shorter load.

Guess I'm alone on this thread.  Those shells are starting out too slow.  An advertised speed of 1,350 is weak even if it chronographs as claimed.   2-3/4" works fine but I wouldn't run anything that doesn't start out over 1,450 fps on waterfowl.   

The ammo you have is going back to what steel was at the start.  The original limp crippler ammo.

[Bill W]

I don't think 2  3/4" shells are adequate for ducks.

Far too often when using them, the ducks just keep flying as if because they were never hit.

so I switched to 3  1/2" shells.

Surprisingly, when shooting the 3  1/2" shells, the ducks also just keep flying as if because they weren't hit.

So, I am in the market for a 10 gauge.

Just a couple of typos, but I got them fixed for you bud.

I have a prediction of what's going to happen with that 10 gauge...

yeah... he will be in the market for an 8 gauge.

[Goldeneye]

I don't think 2  3/4" shells are adequate for ducks.

Far too often when using them, the ducks just keep flying, s if they were never hit.

so I switched to 3  1/2" shells.

Surprisingly, when shooting the 3  1/2" shells, the ducks also just keep flying as if they weren't hit.

So, I am in the market for a 10 gauge.

I thought you liked O/U's?

[BigGoonTuna]

Kinda miss my big 10, it kicked less than my old 870 with 3” shells. It had sling swivels on it for a reason though, it was something like 12lbs. Always loved the reaction from others when I’d pull that flak cannon out of the case.

I’ve been on sort of a hiatus from duck hunting the last couple years, but I was shooting a lot of 2 3/4” when Rogers was selling nitro steel for $79 a case. Never been able to see much more benefit to 3” shells, other than being more common. Even brought my 20ga a few times with 7/8oz #4 loads and was very pleasantly surprised.

[Dan-o]

I don't think 2  3/4" shells are adequate for ducks.

Far too often when using them, the ducks just keep flying, s if they were never hit.

so I switched to 3  1/2" shells.

Surprisingly, when shooting the 3  1/2" shells, the ducks also just keep flying as if they weren't hit.

So, I am in the market for a 10 gauge.

I thought you liked O/U's?

That looks perfectly adequate for ducks.     

[EWUeagles]

My brother in law shot 2 3/4 3 and 4 shot for geese for 2 years because he got a steal of a deal. I shot turkeys with old ass lead shells that were 2 3/4. You don't really need more. I shoot mostly 3" because I normally find better deals in those rounds. People that preach bigger shells normally sky blast or can't shoot for *censored* anyways.

[dilleytech]

2 3/4” shells will work just fine one could even argue with less recoil it’s easier to stay on target for that follow up shot. I would keep the shots closer with that slow of a steel load however. But 1 1/4oz is a pretty standard load weight. Personally I have come to like 1 1/4oz at 1500fps, 1 shot, 3” out of a full choke. It’s simple, more shot+ more speed equals more likely to crunch ducks. you could drop a goose at 80 yards if your shell only had one pellet in it if you got lucky enough. I hunt the big river and most shooting is hitting birds on the inside corners 30-45 yards, not feet down. 3 1/2” 4 shot is a great shell to keep in the pocket for taking cripples to pound town.

[boneaddict]

I don't think 2  3/4" shells are adequate for ducks.

Far too often when using them, the ducks just keep flying, s if they were never hit.

so I switched to 3  1/2" shells.

Surprisingly, when shooting the 3  1/2" shells, the ducks also just keep flying as if they weren't hit.

So, I am in the market for a 10 gauge.

[chuckster]

Yep they worked great got a limit with them today. It seemed to kill the ducks just as good as the 3” loads.

[follow maggie]

I just got back from North Dakota, and I bought a box of 2-3/4 by accident when I wasn't paying attention at Scheel's. I killed some birds with them, but I know for sure it was because of those stupid small shells  that I shot the water when the boat moved a couple times!