Looking for a goose/duck hunting gun

[DeadMouse]

Has anyone ever made a 31/2 inch chamber SxS 12ga? I think it would be my ideal gun for hunting migratory birds. Ive looked a bit but they seem to be hard to find and sound like they may be pricey considering that they appear to be quite rare.
Thanks

 

[Hissatsu]

Had a guy use a o/u 31/2 on ducks here a couple years ago. Too light! After the second morning of shooting limits he use my Benelli. Waterfowl sxs are a little heavier but are hard to find. Check the weight before buying . As many will tell you, we shoot in fields over decoys and see no advantage in 31/2 over 3”.

 

[DeadMouse]

Had a guy use a o/u 31/2 on ducks here a couple years ago. Too light! After the second morning of shooting limits he use my Benelli. Waterfowl sxs are a little heavier but are hard to find. Check the weight before buying . As many will tell you, we shoot in fields over decoys and see no advantage in 31/2 over 3”.

Thanks. The 31/2 vs 3 inch is good to know that it doesn't matter that much. Thanks again.

 

[Longstud]

The only advantage of a 3 1/2" shell is, you get to shoot most of that guys birds and dont have the awful recoil or the headache if shooting lots. Pattern your gun and shoot the ammo that patterns well. Kent Fasteel 3" number 1 in 1 1/8 ounce I heard ?? HAHA

 

[Waterfowler]

Thanks. The 31/2 vs 3 inch is good to know that it doesn't matter that much. Thanks again.

It really makes no difference at all. If ya can't kill it with a 3" (or even 2.75") you're not gonna be able to kill it with a 3.5".

For a 12 ga SxS, I'd look at a Churchill. 3" chambers and choke tubes.

 

[brybenn]

There's a few models made but they were built heavier and do not handle near as well. I shoot a 3.5" 10ga sxs for geese. Just because I can. Using #2 steel it offers no advantage over a 3" 12ga load. 10ga patterns bigger shot better
My 12ga sxs I use with steel is a huglu 200ace 3" I use mostly 3" kent because it's most available locally.
For bismuth and tungsten matrix I use vintage 2.75" sxs and find only advantages in the shorter shells
Cheaper. Less recoil less muzzle rise less muzzle blast keeps me on target and I can shoot faster and flatter.

 

[stubblejumper]

3-1/2" adds recoil and cost, but that is about it. Spending some time shooting skeet or sporting clays will get you far more birds, than using 3-1/2" shells.

 

[boxhitch]

If the shot column of a 3" shell is longer than 2 3/4", doesn't it reason the column from a 3 1/2" would be even longer?
After all, that is the design isn't it?

 

[boxhitch]

I think it would be my ideal gun for hunting migratory birds

interested why you would like sxs instead of o/u?

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Still have my AYA 10ga Mag 3 1/2" SxS.

 

[track]

If you search on line, you may find 10 gauge side-by-side for sale.

 

[Ol' Flinter]

3 1/2" shells in any locked breech gun are a recipe for needless pain...

 

[brybenn]

interested why you would like sxs instead of o/u?

For me is speed and handling characteristics along with the opening angle that is shallower than an ou
Sxs drag less in the wind as well

 

[brybenn]

If the shot column of a 3" shell is longer than 2 3/4", doesn't it reason the column from a 3 1/2" would be even longer?
After all, that is the design isn't it?

At a certain point the pattern diminishes as the column increases
3.5" can put alot of pellets on a target but the shotstring is longer. The extra weight increases price and recoil. The recoil increases muzzle rise and slows the 2nd and 3rd shot
The muzzle blast also sucks for the guy in the blind next to

 

[FLHTCUI]

Has anyone ever made a 31/2 inch chamber SxS 12ga? I think it would be my ideal gun for hunting migratory birds. Ive looked a bit but they seem to be hard to find and sound like they may be pricey considering that they appear to be quite rare.
Thanks

Curious as to what makes the 3-1/2'' shell ideal for you ?