3 vs 3.5 shells - does it make any difference?

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jrslv

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Hi there.

I'm zooming in on a Mossberg 500 Pump Shotgun Combo. Since I'm new to hunting, I hope that getting 3 barrels in a single package will cover all my future needs: deer, turkey and waterfowl and everything in between. However, this gun can handle only 2 3/4" and 3" shells. I've read somewhere that since steel shot turned out to be less effective the larger 3.5" shells were introduced to the market.

But is it true? Do I really need 3.5" for waterfowl?

Thanks for all replies in advance.
Jaroslav
 
I prefer the 3.5" chamber for waterfowl because of pellet capacity in the shell since switching to #2 steel for ducks AND geese. I used to carry #4 steel for ducks, and #2 for geese, for my 3" chambered gun back in the day, but when the 3.5" chamber 12ga hit the market I picked one up, I stopped carrying 2 types of shells as it was inconvenient.

I now shoot 3.5" shells with 1&3/8oz of #2 going 1550fps. They have ~172 pellets in them and it's effective for both geese & ducks.

Cheers
Jay
 
You need to be seriously recoil tolerant to handle 3.5 inch shells in a light gun. They will loosen your back teeth. Recoil is cumulative, leading to poor shooting.

3 1/2 inch can put more pellets in the air, but steel shot loses velocity and energy badly at long range. Skybusting leads to more wounded birds.

3 inch shells have been plenty for my waterfowl hunting on the Prairies.
 
jrslv said:
Hi there.

I'm zooming in on a Mossberg 500 Pump Shotgun Combo. Since I'm new to hunting, I hope that getting 3 barrels in a single package will cover all my future needs: deer, turkey and waterfowl and everything in between. However, this gun can handle only 2 3/4" and 3" shells. I've read somewhere that since steel shot turned out to be less effective the larger 3.5" shells were introduced to the market.

But is it true? Do I really need 3.5" for waterfowl?

Thanks for all replies in advance.
Jaroslav
Click to expand...

Simple answer is no you do not need a 3-1/2 magnum shotgun for water fowling.
We all have to start somewhere and somewhere is learning ones limitations after some experience.
Shotgunning over decoys is much different than pass shooting over a field or some wetlands that the ducks or geese are trading back and forth from.
Dropped plenty of Geese with the 2-3/4 pass shooting as the geese came from the river and dropping into feilds in an area I did not have permission for, but that was a very circumstantial area I hunted in.
Learn your gun and your ammo selection.
Learn how to judge distance and when the time comes put that bead on the ducks bill and pull the trigger and keep swinging, you'll know how far ahead or behind you are in short order.
But, if your pockets are deep and ammo is abundant, go ahead and buy the biggest baddest 3-1/2 shotgun you can find.
Rob
 
The biggest difference is recoil, as far as needing 3-1/2" loads for geese, I have never used 3-1/2" , and I have shot a few hundred geese over the past five years or so. Two outfitter friends supply ammunition for their clients, and they only provide 3" loads. The sad fact is, that many waterfowl shooters fire 3 to 5 shots per goose, because their shooting skills are lacking, not because their shotshells are not adequate.
 
For what it’s worth...

I have never missed a bird, then said to myself “geez! If only I’d had a 3.5, I’d of got ‘em!”

I’m well aware that my skill level makes up 95% or more of my success AND failure.
 
This is always a hot topic. I know people who absolutely swear that 3.5" shells are the only shell to have, others 3" and a few 2.75". Have I used all three? Yes, and I haven't bought any 3.5" shells in years, but that's just me. Am I able to harvest ducks & geese without the mighty 3.5" shell, yes not a problem when I do my part. Wildfowl did an interesting article on 3.5" vs 3" shells, and it's a good read. One section that was interesting was on follow up shots. To each their own. Stubblejumper has the right idea and his last line hits the nail on the head.
 
I have to believe that the "hittem with something big" crowd would shift to 4" magnum if they were made. Having said that 3 1/2" cartridges do not make up for a missed shot. I feel the difference in 3" to 3 1/2" cartridges can only be realized with superb shooter skill.

Darryl
 
northern skies said:
I think pellet density is the most relevant variable. I would tend to pick a smaller load of bismuth over a big one of steel.
Click to expand...

YES <<<< YES <<<< YES , I agree with northernskies ,,,,,, I only use 2 3/4" with Full Choke, loaded with Kent Tungsten Matrix ,
which is like lead & kills dead .
 
cooey43 said:
YES <<<< YES <<<< YES , I agree with northernskies ,,,,,, I only use 2 3/4" with Full Choke, loaded with Kent Tungsten Matrix ,
which is like lead & kills dead .
Click to expand...

In complete agreement.

What is often missed in the discussion of steel is that with the lighter density the ammo marketing boys got caught up on speed, with fps ranging up to 1700 now. But unbiased testing of velocity shows that the faster a steel pellet exits the barrel, the faster it slows down. So that there is barely a difference in velocity by the time you get out 30-40 yards.

If you aren't shooting over decoys, shoot bismuth or tungsten matrix. If you shoot bismuth or tungsten, 2 3/4" is completely sufficient.

3 1/2" is big swing #### marketing BS
 
No need to use 3.5” shells for ducks or when decoying geese. 2.75” and 3” is more than enough. As mentioned, what is more important is patterning your gun to determine which choke works best with the loads you are using and putting your shots properly on target. Also make sure the gun you are using fits your properly. You cant kill what you cant hit.

If your style of hunting involves pass shooting geese, than you may see a benefit of the 3.5” shells. And again as mentioned, 3.5” shells will not compensate for bad shooting. You still need to do your part and get your shot on target which can be more difficult pass shooting at longer distances. If you are not comfortable with that, than don’t take the shots. All it will do is wound birds. Save your money on the more expensive shells and spend it on shooting some clays to become a better shooter.
 
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