2 3/4" vs 3" vs 3 1/2"

D

Dirt Nap

New member
I kill a fair amount of coyotes with my shotty. I used to only use 3.5" 4 buck. I ran out one day and decided to buy the 3" version. I never could notice the difference on the coyotes but huge difference on the shoulder! So my question now is would there be a noticeable difference if I went to 2 3/4" 4 buck?
 
If I was using number 4 buck shot I would stick with the 3" shells. Just one number 4 buck shot pellet can kill a coyote. The 3" shells have 9 to 14 more number 4 buck shot pellets in each shell than the 2-3/4" number 4 buck shot shells have.

When I could use lead shot I preferred copper coated lead BBs over number 4 buck shot for the small coyotes I hunted. The Federal 3" 1-7/8 oz BB loads have 98 pellets in each shell.
 
Well here's the thing...
A lot of times there IS no difference.
BUT in the case of #4 buck there may be. It's all pellet count and speed. If the pellet count is lets say 30 in the 2 3/4 and the speed is maybe 1500 fps. It would be a good coyote load but if the 3" give the same count and speed there the same with just more filler. A 3 1/2 " may be able to give you maybe 45 pellets at very near the same speed ( probably not ) that's a good % more and may be a better choice. Most the time I would pick a load with as many pellets as I can and with the fasted speed .It's a shot density thing.
The heaver the pay load the more you will feel the kick...
 
Have you tried any hornady coyote load copper platted BB's 3 inch mag or they have it in buckshot to. But Ark won't let u use buckshot only during deer season. So I use the lead BB's.
 
Yes very good load in the BB I've never tried the buck. 'Bout as good as what I can load. Put it through a tight choke to get the full potential
 
I would personally take a uniform pattern from a 2 3/4" or 3" shell every time over the increased pellet count and recoil of a 3 1/2" 3 1/2" is a marketing gimick IMHO
 
I went through the 3.5" craze for coyotes, and finally came to the conclusion that the only place you really consistently benefit from 3.5" is shooting waterfowl. I just can't see that the extra recoil,price and firearm weight is worth it. YMMV
 
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