Back when I was duck hunting all we used to shoot was 2 3/4" #2 steel. Does anyone see any real difference between the 2 3/4" and the 3". I've got a guided trip in January and I need to pick some up. My gun will shoot either.

Finding 2 3/4" steel is kinda hard. I don't think there is a major difference. I buy all my cases online and I shoot 3" b/c the availability and price is better.

My thoughts are to buy the best Ammo that shoots in your shotgun. We only get limited opportunities to hunt and quality shotgun shells make a huge difference. Steel is not what I would call quality and would not carry on a guided hunt unless it was the last option.
Hevishot, bismuth or any lead equivalent is money well spent.
Have fun and post pictures.
Hevishot 2 3/4 #4s on decoying birds and within 30 yards is deadly!

You must chit gold. No way any normal person can afford heavy shot for ducks. Certainly don't know why you would do it for reciting birds at 30yds..... I regularly shoot mallards in the timber with low brass 7s in steel shot.

I just went to all 2 3/4" Bismuth. Reason - I am shooting a modern Weatherby 3" that will take steel, but putting together an old fixed full choke Stevens 77 2 3/4". And REALLY want to shoot it for ducks - was my FILs gun.

having shot the 2 3/4" Bismuth in the Weatherby, I found that the recoil was MUCH LESS than the steel loads. And with a severely rebuilt shoulder, I am going to shoot nothing but 2 3/4" going fwd. I can get 1 1/4 oz of #4 shot - WAY more than enough for ducks out to 35-40 yds

This. There was a Federal 2 3/4" #3 load I really liked but it's been discontinued. I'm down to a little less than a box left. It's about the only Federal shell I like. Red Box. If it ever comes back it's worth it. I think they have a blue box 2 3/4" now but I've never used it. You can usually get a case of 3" for $100 or less every year if you watch the sales.

I did up until about a yr ago it so hard to find shells so I put old faithful in the closet and got another gun that will shoot 3/1/2s

I bought a box of steel 7s just for the hell of it and wondered if anyone used em on 30-yd birds. Prolly buy a box of. 4s too if I decide to go.

Hevishot, bismuth and the other tungsten shells are EXPENSIVE!!!! No way could I afford to shoot them all year. But I do buy a box or two of 2 3/4" shells every year. On the days I shoot them, I become an expert shot. Very few cripples and the ducks that are hit fold up.

If I only hunted ducks a few days a year then I would only shoot the expensive shells.

They carry 2 3/4" steel at the Wal Marks here. I have a buddy that will only shoot 3.5" Hevi shot at ducks. I don't feel like spending the extra money. I shoot 3"

I shoot 3.5" Hevimetal #3 almost exclusively. If you shop around plus with their $50/case rebate you can get them for the same price as quality steel loads.

I shoot very few days, AND am going to start shooting an old fixed choke gun or two. So Bismuth is about the only option. And, I can buy them cheaper than I can reload them!

Black cloud in 2 3/4" #3 are pretty stout . Rogers sporting goods has special and rebate going from Federal. Quality and price can't be beat.
What ever you do get 1 1/8 oz loads. They are faster and will pattern better

I shoot them for teal, woodie holes, and mallards in the timber. One morning on eufaula, I didn't realize that was all I had in my bag. Set up on big water for divers, reached into my bag and realized it. We proceeded to put a hurting on some ringnecks, and I was knocking them down just as good as anybody in the decoys.