Anyone ever use Federal Shorty Shotshells?

[David Livesay]

I was curious if any of you all have tried the 1&3/4-inch shotshells? I was online looking for some 2&1/2 shells to shoot in my Parker and wasn't having any luck. I saw these 1&3/4 shells listed and ordered some #8 and #4 buckshot. They only measure out to be 1&1/2 inches long. These are 12 gauge, 1145 FSP, 15/16 ounce, #8

[randall rosenthal]

I shot about 100 Aguila mini shells through my 1904 VH. kinda pointless in my opinion. they are not really "low pressure". now I just shoot RST when I can get them. (with the Parker).

[David Livesay]

That was the point. I couldn’t easily find 2&1/2 inch shells. They were said to be good for home defense. You can put 10 where 5 three inch shells would fit, but they wouldn’t cycle in my 12 gauge pump gun.

[Arthur Shaffer]

There were several discussions on different boards about shorty shells a few years ago. I did some research and the statement above is correct. They are actually pretty high pressure loads. While performance is relatively mild, due to the limited case capacity, they are actually kind of intense.

[David Livesay]

Would they be a safe replacement for the 2&1/2-inch RST shells?

[Arthur Shaffer]

To my knowledge, they meet full SAAMI specs and are not replacements for low pressure loads such as RST. Whether they are safe or not is your decision.

[Chris Travinski]

They aren't intended to be lower pressure or even designed for guns with short chambers. The idea is to be able to fit more shells into a pump shotgun.

[todd allen]

They aren't intended to be lower pressure or even designed for guns with short chambers. The idea is to be able to fit more shells into a pump shotgun.
That was kinda my thoughts on them. I have some, and have never tried them.
They probably don't make much sense in double guns, but I'm open to discussion.

[Drew Hause]

This data is a few years old but likely close

Aguila 12ga MINISHELL 1 3/4” 5/8 oz. shot 1,175 fps; 11,000 psi
Federal 12g SHORTY 1 3/4” 15/16 oz. shot 1,145 fps; 9,500 psi

Dave: why are you using 2 1/2" shells in a 12g Parker? Are the chambers not 2 5/8"?

[David Livesay]

This data is a few years old but likely close

Aguila 12ga MINISHELL 1 3/4” 5/8 oz. shot 1,175 fps; 11,000 psi
Federal 12g SHORTY 1 3/4” 15/16 oz. shot 1,145 fps; 9,500 psi

Dave: why are you using 2 1/2" shells in a 12g Parker? Are the chambers not 2 5/8"?

You know, I'm not 100% sure. I thought I had heard it was likely chambered for 2- & 1/2-inch shells, but there really aren't any chambers like modern day firearms. I guess I thought you could use shorter shells. Where do you get
2-5/8 shells?

[Stan Hillis]

I know of no source for 2 5/8" 12 ga. shells aside from reloading them yourself. But, the point I think Drew was making is that there is really no reason not to use 2 3/4" shells in the 2 5/8" chambers as long as the pressures are kept down. There is a proven increase in chamber pressure when a shell is fired in a chamber too short for it to completely open without the crimp being in the forcing cone, but it has been shown many times to be a small increase. Thus, the practice of starting out with pressures low enough to allow for that small increase, without getting into the higher pressure "realm".

Many over the counter loads, while labeled as 2 3/4" loads, do not open up to a full 2 3/4", anyway. When you start seeing the case mouth torn and ragged after firing you can know for certain that the shells are too long for your chamber. Absent that sign, I don't worry a whole lot about the length, preferring to focus on the resulting pressures generated.

[David Livesay]

Mr. Hillis, Thanks for that information. I will look for some low-pressure shells in 2-3/4.

[Drew Hause]

Several sources for B&P CompOne are listed here
https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/baschieri-pellagri-out-of-stock.567762/#post-4995555

7/8 oz runs about 5800 psi
1 oz about 6500 psi