20b: 2 3/4" or 3" chamber? Pros and cons?

[Gin steady shooter]

Ok so in the final stages of buying a 20b sxs game gun.

 

I see that some offerings, namely new aya's have 20b listed with 3" chambers and the Arrieta's I have looked at (new and old) are all 2 3/4".

 

I will only use this for game so unlike to go and put steel through it; but mite have to one day the way recent gov health reports are suggesting!

 

I have a few questions;

 

1: Can you get 20b steel loads in 2 3/4 carts?

 

2: are there any disadvantages if I go for a 2 3/4" chamber in 20b?

 

I'm familiar with 12b cart offering in a 2 3/4" chamber, so just assumed 20b will be similar and hadn't given much more thought to it.

 

but I don't want to regret buying a gun with a shorter chamber that mite be phased out due to steel / availability of shorter carts in the future etc.

 

3: Is the above something I should seriously consider when buying?

 

4: And Also I'm not familiar with what game loads work well in 20b and as such the chamber size of these carts I.e do u need to go 3" in 20b if u want to use heavy ish loads, say a max of 32g, #5?

 

Thanks

 

Ewen

[Stonepark]

1: Can you get 20b steel loads in 2 3/4 carts?

 

2: are there any disadvantages if I go for a 2 3/4" chamber in 20b?

 

I'm familiar with 12b cart offering in a 2 3/4" chamber, so just assumed 20b will be similar and hadn't given much more thought to it.

 

but I don't want to regret buying a gun with a shorter chamber that mite be phased out due to steel / availability of shorter carts in the future etc.

 

3: Is the above something I should seriously consider when buying?

 

4: And Also I'm not familiar with what game loads work well in 20b and as such the chamber size of these carts I.e do u need to go 3" in 20b if u want to use heavy ish loads, say a max of 32g, #5?

1...... Yes

2.... only if you want to shoot over 32g lead or 25g steel

3.... if 99 % of shooting is going to be for small to medium game, 2 3/4 is fine

4).... if you want to use heavy loads, use a 12 bore, 20 bore is for 21g to 25g, 32g of 5 will fit into 2 3/4 or 70mm shell and available commercially but not soft on shoulder.

Edited November 30, 2015 by Stonepark

[Gin steady shooter]

Thanks stone park,

 

A very comprehensive reply.

 

Not that I want to be using steel, and I certainly will use my 12b for larger loads, but I noticed the Arrieta are proofed to 1020 bar. They also do not have the fleur-de-lys Stamp.

 

Now I know a gun need to be proofed to 1070 bar for HP steel, but I remember reading somewhere u can use non HP steel loads in guns proofed to 1020.

 

Looking at a possible future senario without lead; Can this gun use such steel loads?

 

Thanks

[hawkfanz]

you wont have any problems both my 20s have 3in chambers but i only us 2 3/4 carts usually 28g f/w 6,s but i have used 30g and 32g carts all in 2 3/4 in carts,also i use 24g steel that you dont need steel proof for they are also 2 3/4 carts.

[Westley]

24 grams 4's steel Express, work well enough in my fixed choke Beretta 20 bore, without any great recoil.