3" or 3 1/2" chamber?

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Shawn56555

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I will be buying an 870 soon, but not sure which chamber length to get.
I plan on hunting geese, ducks, and possibly upland game birds. I also plan to shoot skeet (not competition).

Obviously the 3 1/2" has more stopping power and bb's, but is it really worth it? A 3" should suffice right?

I'd like to hear everyone's opinion, and pros and cons of each chamber.
 
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the 3 1/2 recoils worse then any mule can kick
but if the technology is there might as well get it. You don't have to use 3 1/2 inch , if you don't want or need it its better to have it and not use it then to need it or want it and not have it
 
Not worth it in my opinion. I have both and use 2.75" and 3". Rarely ever do I use 3.5" in a 12 ga.
3.5" shells do not offer more killing power. They do offer more recoil. More muzzle raise. Bigger price tag per box and a longer stroke on that pump gun. In the summer you may not notice it but put on a sweater and a heavy coat and the reach for the pump gets rather lengthy for some
 
Google is your friend. There are a billion responses to that question. IMO, you don't need 3.5" shells.
However, a 3.5" will fire any shell size (if you forget your shells, and your buddy only has 3.5" shells)
 
IMO for resale the 3.5" is the way to go.......however if you plan to keep the gun for a long, long time or forever.....3" chamber. A 3.5" does not have any more stopping power, it simply throws more shot into the air and at a reduced speed! You cannot get the heavier load without sacrificing something and in this case it's velocity and your shoulder.
 
After pulling the trigger on a 3.5 that my buddy bought back when they first hit the market, I decided to stick with the 3" - and just wait until the ducks/geese get 5 yards "closer" :)
 
galamb said:
After pulling the trigger on a 3.5 that my buddy bought back when they first hit the market, I decided to stick with the 3" - and just wait until the ducks/geese get 5 yards "closer" :)
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Or shoot skeet or sporting clays during the off season, place the pattern better, and shoot them just as far.
 
I was on a group hunt, with five other fellas that range from fair to excellent shooting skills. When the guide yelled "cut 'em!", you were out of the blinds shooting. Waiting for a closer shot meant you wouldn't get a shot! Remington 1700 fps steels 3.5's and a 30" barrel had me putting geese down at range, despite it being my first bird hunt. If I were to hunt alone, or with a partner willing to relax and let the birds come in an extra 5 yards I would shoot 3"......but I'm very happy I have the flexibility to choose either one.
 
crash277 said:
i got the 3.5 "just because".... never tossed a shell bigger than 3" in it. everything i want to eat can be taken with a 3" shell.
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I have very much the same opinion. If i didn't buy my A400/Versamax then I probably would have got something 3" but I didn't mind spending a little more to get a little more capability.

Who the hell wants to pay for 3.5" shells?
 
Shrek said:
I was on a group hunt, with five other fellas that range from fair to excellent shooting skills. When the guide yelled "cut 'em!", you were out of the blinds shooting. Waiting for a closer shot meant you wouldn't get a shot! Remington 1700 fps steels 3.5's and a 30" barrel had me putting geese down at range, despite it being my first bird hunt. If I were to hunt alone, or with a partner willing to relax and let the birds come in an extra 5 yards I would shoot 3"......but I'm very happy I have the flexibility to choose either one.
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I shoot 3" Kent Fasteels at 1550fps out of a 28" barrel, and I get clean kills on birds as far as the other people that I have shot with, that use 3-1/2" higher velocity shells. All that they get when they try longer shots is more cripples. If your guide can't get the geese into reasonable range, then you need a different guide.
 
stubblejumper said:
I shoot 3" Kent Fasteels at 1550fps out of a 28" barrel, and I get clean kills on birds as far as the other people that I have shot with, that use 3-1/2" higher velocity shells. All that they get when they try longer shots is more cripples. If your guide can't get the geese into reasonable range, then you need a different guide.
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I used to hunt with a large group of guys every weekend years ago. My observations of the 3.5" were they spent alot more time chasing down cripples. There is no advantsge IMO to a 3.5". In fact in the average hunters hands I truly believe it is a handicap. I rarely even shoot 3". There is not a goose or duck I cannot kill within the range of choke/load combination I am using on any given day with a load from a 2 3/4" shotshell. The best thing you can do is spend as much time on a skeet field or sporting clays range as possible and learn good shooting fundamental and I don't mean out in a pit somewhere with a box of clays, a thrower and your hunting buddies. Go to a range, watch and observe the consistent high scorers, ask advice, participate, shoot as much as you can afford and with good shooters who are willing to help you. That in itself will far outdo the "magnum compensation" train of thought.
 
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3" kent faststeel is more then sufficient for any waterfowl hunting you will do around here, the 3.5" will pound your shoulder and you likely wont finnish a box of em. if you want the 3.5" payloads, buy a 10ga. Works great for geese using #2 shot, and the heavier gun soaks up the recoil.
only ever fired a handfull of 3.5" 12ga and likely will never do it again.
 
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