Magnums

[Grahamwb]

Do all shotguns that handle 3" shells handle 3" magnums?
Are all 3" sells magnums?
This may be stupid, but I would like to know.

[hogdogs]

3 inch is the old magnum, any 3 inch chamber will handle any commercial 3 inch round.
The 3.5 inch is the new magnum...
Brent

[hogdogs]

And NO it is not stupid... it is confusing to see one gun called a magnum since it handles 3.5 and another called a magnum cuz it handles 3 inch but to fire a 3.5 in same model you need the SUPER magnum...
Brent

[Scattergun Bob]

Brent is RIGHT, it is not a stupid question at all, what is stupid is the lack of clear identification by the current crop of gun manufactures!

This is a rather confusing part of scatterguns, much like the whole issue of slugs The manufactures by constantly changing the model names of their items, have muddied the waters for the average shooter and generated a huge myth base for mistakes to occur. I have lost count at 6 the number of different receiver name stamps on Remington 870's currently produced!!!!!

In answer to your question,

1. all current shotgun shells that measure 3" are considered magnum shells.

2. No, not all shotguns handle 3" shells, in the grand scheme of how many thousands of shotguns are out and about, actualy there are not very many that handle 3" shells. THE ONLY WAY TO BE SHOTGUN SURE of what your gun will handle is to read the barrel markings that state chamber length.

3. 3.5" magnum shells will not work in 3" chambers.

Make absolutely sure you understand EXACTLY what your flavor of scattergun will and will not chamber safely.

Feel free to ask away on this issue, it is of utmost importance to all of our HEALTH!

Good Luck & Be Safe

[jmr40]

To add to the confusion there are 2 3/4" magnums as well. Just make sure you do not use shells longer than the length specified on the gun and barrel.

[BigJimP]

+1 on Scattergun Bob's comments.

There is a lot of "marketing speak" out there - its real easy if you know what the chambers on your gun are marked / make sure you don't fire a shell that exceeds that length.

And no, its not a dumb question ........ I learn something new here almost every day.

[Grahamwb]

My gun says it is chambered for 3" inch shells. It says nothing about magnums. I know the difference in all size shells and what size shells are to be used in a gun. I don't know if all guns chambered for 3" shells are strong enough for magnum shells.. or are all three inch shells considered magnums?

[hogdogs]

YES YOU SHOULD BE FINE!!!
No such thing as P +P or +P+, magnum or any such "hot loads" made for a specific barrel or chamber that could harm the gun. The only risk is a sore shoulder from increased recoil....
Brent

[Scattergun Bob]

As I stated in earlier in this thread

1. all current shotgun shells that measure 3" are considered magnum shells. So your barrel that is stamped 3" will fire this round safely.

[Grahamwb]

Thanks. I thought that was right but I had no basic reason for thinking that and I just wanted to make sure. Thanks again

[Jeff Mulliken]

Magnum does not indicate the length of the shell any more than it indicates the caliber of a hand gun.

Traditionally Magnum represents a shell loaded to the maximum pressures for a given caliber and gauge. So the following names could be all be used: 12 ga 2 3/4" Magnums, 12 ga 3" Magnum and 12 ga 3 1/2" Magnum.

Now, not all those names are in common use but they could be just like .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum

That being said, there are yahoos that tend to use the term all kinds of ways, but they are wrong.

Jeff

[zippy13]

Magnum is the name of a Hawaii based TV private investigator, Dirty Harry's revolver, or a large bottle of champagne. Ignore it when you see it used in conjunction with shotgun shells; instead, learn to read the numbers.

The shell length on the box shall not exceed the shell length indicated on the barrel -- it's that simple with modern guns and shells. The box also tells you the shot load in ounces (or number of buck shot pellets) and the velocity in feet per second (grams and meters per second with international loads). The 12-ga is a versatile gun with many loadings. With a little experience you'll come to know that: a 2 3/4-inch shell with 1-ounce of shot at 1200 fps is a light target and small bird load. 1 5/8-oz in a 3-inch shell at 1300 fps will ruin your average turkey's day. And, a 3 1/2-inch shell loaded with 2 1/4-oz at 1150 fps may have originated the legend: "If it flies, it dies."

[Scattergun Bob]

The shell length on the box shall not exceed the shell length indicated on the barrel -- it's that simple with modern guns and shells.

Absolute perfection zippy, I tip my hat to you, Bob