I can't provide any further expertise in this matter because the gentlemen on this thread have a far better trained eye than I do.
That being said, I do hate 3" chambers because I feel they invite 3" shells. (I'm brilliant, huh?)
Whenever I see 3" loads they are always magnum loads and I can't help but feel I'm proofing a gun with every shot. At least with 2.75" shells I have a better selection of moderate loads, even at wallyworld.
I shot 2.75" high brass bismuth nontoxic a month ago in a Spanish best modern sidelock and even that seemed rough. The gun was hard to open after I took the shot and it made me realize they were needlessly overpowered and I could feel how rough they treated my gun. I looked up the pressures when I got home and they were really hot loads. Within spec, but needlessly hot.
In response, I now only shoot classic doubles heavy shot to treat my gun better when hunting. When shooting clays I shoot light target loads. These decisions really reduce my chances of ending up like your unfortunate friend.
I wish their was a concerted effort to teach people to understand what is sufficient in a load as opposed to what is the maximum allowed.
This season I had the best pheasant harvest using 2.5" vintager loads of 1 ounce shot. It actually seems the low pressure loads performed better for me when it came to hitting game with a good pattern.
Perhaps a real expert can discuss the pros and cons of light loads and the reduction in ruptures that occur with mild loads?
