Federal 3 inch # 4 buckshot VS 2 3/4 Inch # 4 buckshot

[uncle buck]

 
data from the Federal Ammo web site:


Compare the velocities below for a 3 inch load of # 4 buckshot and a 2 3/4 inch # 4 buckshot.
Notice the Muzzle velocity is more for the 2 3/4.....1325 MV compared to the 3 inch of of 1100 MV.
Could it be that a person would be better to use the 2 3/4 instead of the 3 inch because it has more velocity?
However....Notice the 3 inch is called Vital-Shok and the 2 3/4 Power-Shok.

My question? Would it be better to hit a coyote with less # 4 Buckshot but more velocity or would it be better to hit a coyote with more # 4 buckshot and less velocity?

I suppose a hunter would also have to look what is different from Vital-Shok and Power Shok?  However the velocities and the amount of buckshot kind of tells you the difference..The 3 inch would place more # 4 buckshot in the vital areas(3 inch aka Vital-Shok)  and the (2 3/4 inch aka Power-Shok) while it has less pellets would hit harder? Could it be that the 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge # 4  Federal Buckshot would kill farther then the 3 inch Federal # 4 buckshot?


I notice this with 410 shotshells too...The 2 1/2 inch 410 shells have more velocity but less shot then the 3 inch  410 shell...

 P158 12 3 / 76 1100 41 Pellets - 4 Buck Vital-Shok®   
 
   

 F127 12 2 3/4 / 70 1325 27 Pellets - 4 Buck Power-Shok®



Anyway when you buy your # 4 buckshot should it be Federal decide what you want? More shot or more velocity?

[uncle buck]

Comment on the 410 2 1/2 having more velocity then the 3 inch 410 shells.  So it might be better to use the 3 inch 410 shells for rabbit since it does not take much power and shot to kill a rabbit. But more shot would ensure a better chance of a hit.

However the 2 1/2 410 with more velocity might be better for the squirrel hunter who likes to use the 410. More velocity will penetrate the squirrel hide easier and might even knock them out of a tree too...


Next time your in a gun store..Pick up a box of Remington 3 inch 410 shells and Remington 2 1/2 inch 410 and check which has more velocity..