Does anyone use 2 3/4" shells for ducks?

I was given some and I used them early in the season - seemed like I crippled more than killed. But I know some old timers that swears thats all you need if you call them into your spread and not skybust.

all you need in most cases, but I shoot 3" most of the time anyway.

that's mostly what I use. I use #2's and have very few cripples. It might just be I am an excellent shot. I buy the cheapest rounds I can find.

they work just fine for me close range and hit them in the face

What do you think was used before 3" were made and 3" shells didn't become popular till about the mid to late 70's.

I think lead was used.

Exactly! 2 3/4 just doesnt kill em like 3's and 3.5s

I only shoot 2-3/4 for ducks unless I can't find the shells I shoot, then I will shoot 3in. I prefer number 4's, but will shoot 2's if that's all I can find.

3" for geese and 2 3/4" for ducks, #3 & #4 shot most of the time on ducks, #6 on early Teal. Never needed that extra 1/4" on decoying birds!

I used to always shoot 2 3/4 inch shells, Im not sure when 3 inch came out but it was never something we used to shoot on average until recently (last 4-5 years)

You tell us:

Pellet counts based on charge weight:

#4's
1oz: 190
1 1/6oz: 202
1 1/8oz: 214
1 1/4oz: 238

#3's
1oz: 153
1 1/6oz: 162
1 1/8oz: 172
1 1/4oz: 191

This also happened to my cousin. He would just bring em down but it would never be a kill shot.

I've had good results with them.

Only 3 1/2" #2s or bigger will kill ducks.

I'm disappointed that nobody here has as yet raised the point that 1-1/4 ozs of # 2 shot from a 2-3/4" hull with a MV (as an example) of 1350 FPS, has the IDENTICAL speed, "killing power", etc including down range velocity and retained energy as a 3" 1-1/4 oz load with the same 1350 FPS MV.

All the anecdotal evidence aside, the facts don't bear out those arguments. Check the ballistic performance charts if you doubt me.

On the other hand ... there are far more choices in loads, MVs and shot sizes readily available in 3" rounds than 2-3/4s. If you buy and shoot heavier loads with higher MVs, then yes ... you can kill your ducks deader than the dead you get from a 2-3/4" load, if that's your goal.

You won't find many 2 3/4" loads that have good speeds with payloads over 1oz. Personally I love my 2 3/4 lighting steel reloads. I cook up some mean 1oz loads and 7/8oz loads. The key is use smaller pellets like 3 or 4s and you really won't lose much. I really don't like many of the factory 2 3/4" loads but I've used Kent's in the past.

my wife is pretty deadly with a 20ga in 2 3/4 #2.

All I used were 2 3/4" 1oz 3's this year. They were reloads at 1600fps. Go to the pattern board. These shells pattern as good or better than any 3" or 3 1/2" factory shells. Plus they are cheaper at $70/case. I couldn't be happier. I also killed geese with these loads.

Barney...what recipe did you use...or what book was it from?

speed kills...i use LS reloads 2 3/4 #3 1600fps and had big ducks crumpple like dove..although you do have to practice shooting shells that fast

2 3/4" 1 1/8oz #6's are all I use. It probably helps that my furthest shot is like 30 yds max. I like them close.

2 3/4 Winchester (cheapest I can find). If you are only crippling them then you need to head to the skeet range or don't shoot them at 40+ yards.




Very good point. I switched shells last year to some faster loads and couldn't get the ducks down like the other ones. I figured out the faster shell threw my timing off.

I like 3 inch # 2. Patterns real well at 30 yards. But most of my close shots are at 30 yards since I shoot clean up behind my clients.

seems like all you "crack shots" shoot 2 3/4. Makes me wonder why some of you bought those high dollar 3 and 3.5 chamber guns.