I personally have noticed a difference. My 2 3/4" low pressure loads (7/8 oz. @5200 psi @ 1150 fps) have alot LESS recoil than the 2.5" Nobel Sports, Gamebores, and B&P's I was shooting in my short chambered guns. I would like to note too that my handloads produce significantly less pressure than most factory loaded 2.5" shells, especially when compared to the Italian offerings. RST's are just about as soft shooting and have almost as low pressures as the handloads, but way more expensive. I've shot thousands of 2 3/4" shells in my vintage guns and have never had a cracked stock or blown barrel. The only stock I had crack was on a Darne and I was shooting my last box of 2.5" fibre wad Noble Sports. Those puppies had some bite. All of Sherman Bells articles over the years concerning this very topic has convinced me that if you keep your pressures down, shot charge light, and velocities within reason, you should never have a problem.
Dustin
Dustin, I've noticed pretty much the same thing. However, the short shells are often hunting loads rather than target loads--perhaps more velocity and a heavier shot charge. Other than RST's and some Polywads, it's hard to find short shells in this country that are loaded to the same kind of modest velocities (and reduced shot charges) many of us use in our low pressure, 2 3/4" reloads.
Several years back, a now-deceased friend was shooting his own low pressure reloads through one of his Belgian "best" game guns. I had been sent some Brit loads to field test. Can't recall what they were, although I know they were neither Eleys nor Gamebores. Anyhow, I handed him a couple and said, "Here, try these light English loads!" After which he told me where I could put my light English loads.
