Home Forums Birds & Dogs Waterfowl 2 3/4” waterfowl loads

I was just wondering how common 2 3/4” waterfowl loads are these days. I tend to use 3” loads without putting much thought into it. Anyone have an opinion as to the difference on effectiveness between 2 3/4” and 3” loads? Also, how many out there are still using 2 3/4” loads?

Only guys I know still using them are forced to by their shotguns. I’m the same in that the 3” loads are pretty much standard for me. I like the ounce and a quarter 1450FPS loads in #2 or BB. Federal blue box is what my SX4 likes and pattern well.

I only use Kent fasteel 2 3/4" #2 for all ducks. Kills em just fine

About all I shoot is 2 3/4" shells. The choke is MUCH more important than the payload at my decoying distances (15-35 yards). There is no need for me to pay more and have more recoil to kill them just as dead...

Same.

That's all I've ever shot and have been since 1968. It's all in the correct velocity and patterning. You need to pattern and try different chokes. this will also tell you WHERE your gun shoots......a HUGE deal. I have handloaded since 1975 and still do. We shoot a 1-1/8 oz of #3 or 6 at 1475 FPS Chronographed and use an IM choke constriction. We head shoot and have no issues at all. WE also know our ranges and work them to within 30 yards. Also, I shoot 20 ga a fair amount as well.

I tried some 3" shells in my Ohio-made Ithaca 37. Didn't like the recoil, so I went back to 2-3/4", 2's or 3's. Didn't see much in 2-3/4 available for quite a while, but they are starting to show up again here and there.


I and some others I know have experienced an unacceptable number of misfires with the Fasteels in recent years, both 2-3/4 and 3s. Primer is dimpled followed by a poof instead of a bang. I had a similar occurrence with some leftover Drylocks I switched to. Thinking about trying something else. Any suggestions?

That sucks! Does the wad make it out of the barrel?

I have not had any issues with the Kent loads in my Ithaca 37 or SX3, I am still working on the last flat I purchased a few years ago.

Have you reached out to Kent with a lot number?

Good load but the same load with # 3's is better for me.mb

I have a handful of boxes of Federal and Kent in 2 3/4" #2 shot for my A-5 though I use them primarily for pheasants when I have to use non-toxic shot. I have over a flat left of 1oz #3 and 1 1/8 oz #2 that I reloaded 20+ years ago that were my mainstay for many years. I use to use them on ducks but switched to 3" there as they are much easier to find. Now, they are also pheasant loads for the A-5 where they work well.

Boss shells

Sorry for the slow response time. On some of the misfires, it sounded like someone was blowing down the barrel. On these, the shot, wad, and powder was gone but I'm guessing that the load just cleared the barrel before fizzling out. On other misfires, the primer was dented and nothing at all happened. Over Thanksgiving this happened 2-3 times one morning for my oldest son (shooting 3" shells). When we got home we tried to fire the shells in another gun or two; still would not fire. Later in the season he was hunting in Louisiana and was told by some of the guys there that they had been experiencing Fasteel misfires as well. It was later in the season when I had a misfire or two, but I don't remember now how those sounded. I don't know if anybody contacted Kent or not; neither my son nor I did. I did not think that the shells had gotten wet; even if they did, I would expect them to still fire especially since these are waterfowl loads. I also had a similar event with a Drylock, so I'm going to try another make this year, maybe Winchester Super X or Hevi Steel.

No bueno.
I have not had any issues yet, other than having cycling issues at -20 due to lubricant. I run the SX3 dry now, no more cycling issues.
I don't like the Win super x personally, never seemed to kill well. Fed blue box worked better, but the Kent was superior.
Hope you find some shells your gun likes, and some birds to shoot at.

For steel the Kent Fasteel has worked well for me and I haven't suffered any bad loads. 2 nd choice would be federals. What happens to someone else somewhere else is allways informative to me. As he didn't post any lot #'s I'll just keep using my kent. I have a pile of odds and ends in 20 thru 10ga. Duck season opens in the north half of east river SD this coming weekend. I am way overdue for a good teal shoot I'll be there with my odds and ends...mb

Was going thru the shell inventory for the upcoming teal hunt. Found an old box of Remington Sportsman steel 1 1/8 oz x #4's in 12 ga should work for teal. Some 3" 1oz x 4's 20 ga and some 15/16oz x 4's for the 16 ga. Will throw in some 2's and 3's as well as some goose loads. Early in the season these odds and ends should do fine....mb

Thanks. Hevi Steel is only a bit more in price than Fasteel or Super X, so thinking I'll try it. Good luck guys, hope everyone has a great season.

Backroads, I can't begin to comprehend -20.

I use to shoot a lot of 2 3/4" "baby mag's" back when lead was legal. I am not sure I have ever shot a 2 3/4" steel shot shell.

Mainly just use 2 3/4 reloads now, all you really need over the decoys, only break out the 3" and 3 1/2" for goose hunting the field or the lake.

If they’re coming into the decoys inside of 25-30 yards the cheapo steel 7 shot target loads are deadly. Way easier to get head and neck hits when you double the pellet count.

Reread this again,you have had 2 sets of issues with 2 different brands of shells dimpling the primers on both brands.that is no coincidence, you need to clean the bolt and firing pin recess of old oil ,lubricant and gunk build up. Clean and check firing pin and hammer springs for strength. Maybe you have defective shells of different brands but the gun malfunction is not the fault of the shells..
Mb

I use only Bismuth 2 3/4 shlls.

The wad doesn't always make it all the way down the barrel.

That looks expensive but glad you didn't suffer injury as well..mb

I remember hearing about this. Quite a few hunters had similar incidents. I have also heard that some of the aftermarket chokes have issues with certain shells.

Did you cut the shells open to see if there was powder in them? Usually it isn't the primer that's the issue......

I guess it's never a bad idea to do a deep clean, but I really don't think it is a gun issue. The 3" shells that clicked were re-fired in another gun and still didn't fire; I would think that even if already dimpled, they'd fire when properly struck. The gun that had the problem with the 2-3/4" shells has since run a fair number of lesser quality dove loads without any issues. Finally, the fellows in Louisiana were having the same problems, with the same shells, obviously with different guns than mine and my son's.

In order to isolate the variable, I'm going to hold off on implementing your suggestions. If this happens with another brand this season, then I'll be inclined to look more at the gun as the source of the problem. Thanks.

I am amazed that the wad stopping in the barrel could have caused that damage. I would have thought the next shot would have just pushed the preceding wad right out ahead of the shot charge. Wow, hope you weren't injured by this.

Yeah, a stuck wad would be low on my list of possible causes for that. It just doesn't offer any resistance like a stuck bullet would. Mud in the muzzle, yes. Hell, guys fire 'cut' shells without blowing up their barrel, or 3" shells in 2-3/4" chambers, seemingly without damage.

Gents, any issues with steel on a circa 2005 Fausti 12 ga SXS?

No personal experience with shooting steel in a fine double gun, but I read in Big December Canvasbacks by Worth Mathewson that he shot steel in a full and full-er LC Smith with no adverse consequences. Not something I'd do, but to each his own. I'd guess that a Fausti of that vintage would be fine with steel.

👍

I actually went and read the manual and it said it's fine for steel.

When all else fails, read the directions, right?

It’s all I would use if it was readily available. Winchester Xpert and Faststeele have been my go to’s. I have never had any issues with either in my shotguns. 2s & 3s for ducks.

👍

BOSS shot shells for the win. 2 3/4 #5s with a full choke are more than enough for geese or ducks. Seriously, read up on their stuff. These guys have it dialed in. MY cripple count is way down and we can crush them easily out to 50 yds.

Just placed an order for some BOSS shells earlier today

Just threw a bunch of Rio Bismuth 2 3/4 1350 fps 1 1/8 oz #4's in my blind bag. Got them at a good price and can shoot them in my older SxS's if I want. Also some Boss 3 inch #3/5 and # 3's . Hope specks are flying low , supposed to be a bit windy at the family rice.