3.5" shells/feedback/opinion/where to buy

[Foxer2373]

Hey guys,

Curious on 3.5" shells more specificly in the 00buck/Slug realm. Are there much advantages to them, does the extra muzzle energy translate into distance or just more short rate power?

For birdshot do they really increase your rate or speed on target in any way?

I shoot 3" turkey now and have a 45-70 (with full load 500g shells) but does the recoil ruin your shot at times?

Where to buy? I have only found #2 duck in Canada so far.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Blastattack]

3.5" gives you a ton more recoil. Yep, that's about it.

 

[Shrek]

3.5" gives you a ton more recoil. Yep, that's about it.

^^^big recoil.......blows right through the kick off on a benelli and beats you up!!!

I have nothing to compare it to though (except target loads), it's all I have ever used for birds.

 

[grimreefer]

You are a brave soul.

 

[stubblejumper]

3.5" gives you a ton more recoil. Yep, that's about it.

Pretty much.

 

[Foxer2373]

Lol seems the general concensous. Was looking at grabbing a super magnum or Supernova so wanted to know if there was any point to 3.5" shells over 2 3/4 or 3"

 

[HuntersStand]

I haven't seen much if anything commercially available in 3.5" .12 gauge buckshot/slugs.

If you like to handload,Ballistic Products has data in their slug loading & field application and buckshot manuals for 3.5" hulls.
The advantage?15 pellet 00 buck,10 pellet 000 buck,10 pellet 0000 buck,and a variety of interesting slugs.Downside of course is going to be recoil.

 

[Shrek]

I should add that it's nowhere NEAR as scary as putting a magazine through an AR-15......but what do I know, I'm not a leftist reporter!

 

[870P]

For other than specialized hunting purposes, the best thing about a 3.5" chambered gun is that those long loading ports make it easier to stuff 2.75" shells into.

 

[rkm456]

For other than specialized hunting purposes, the best thing about a 3.5" chambered gun is that those long loading ports make it easier to stuff 2.75" shells into.

It also lets the mag extension on your auto loader hold a couple extra.

 

[Blastattack]

It also lets the mag extension on your auto loader hold a couple extra.

9x 2-3/4" in a Versamax. One chambered, one floating and seven in the tube.

 

[rkm456]

9x 2-3/4" in a Versamax. One chambered, one floating and seven in the tube.

I'm pretty sure I can get 8x 2-3/4 in the tube on my SBE II, I might be mistaken though. I definitely can't get a 6th 3.5 in it though.

 

[buzzmagoo]

Just wondering a 12 3 1/2 is it comparable to a 10 gauge in recoil? I think that a 10 has a bigger pay load ???

 

[rkm456]

Just wondering a 12 3 1/2 is it comparable to a 10 gauge in recoil? I think that a 10 has a bigger pay load ???

Bigger payload, and heavier. 12 probably feels worse. I'd much rather shoot a heavy recoiling load out of a 10 lbs gun than a 6.5 lbs gun.

 

[supernova]

I shot Super X 3.5" #4 and 00 buck loads through my SN. The 00 was a big disappointment, massive recoil and only a few pellets on target at 25 yds. Advertised at 18 pellets @ 1200 fps. At 10 yds it would be devastating to anything you point it at but the cost, recoil and large number of flyers makes it a very niche load. Maybe good for sleeping in a tent. The #4 was never patterned but recoiled like a tank and sprayed lead all over everything in sight. Fun way to see which of your buddies are the toughest.

 

[rkm456]

Fun way to see which of your buddies are the toughest.

I took my brother in law out to the range last summer, I had him run some 3 inch turkey magnums. "No big deal" he said. Until I was going to take his dad out a few weeks ago, then it was "Don't give him what you had me shoot. Those were terrible!"

 

[calvados.boulard]

3.5" are good for breaking in semi's that have issues with lighter loads. Canadian Tire has the cheapest round these parts.

Thanks,
Cal.