12 gauge shells for waterfowl hunting

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schultzie

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Not sure if this belongs here, or in hunting so I'll try here.

3.5" shells really necessary for getting the steel moving fast enough to go waterfowling? Iam in the market for a shotgun, more seem available with 3" chambers. Inclouding the ones Iam leaning towards. Shotgun would be a do all, upland, waterfowl, trap etc.

Karl
 
No. Definitely not. They are good for putting a beating on your wallet and shoulder, however.

As an aside, many guns that are chambered in 3.5", despite saying they will cycle anything, will not in fact cycle light target loads.
 
3.5" shells do not increase the speed of the steel shot. They do contain more shot than a 3" or 2.75" shell and will give you a longer shot string.

If you get the 3.5" gun you then have the option to choose which size shells you prefer for different species or activites. A quality shotgun will cycle any size shell effectively.
 
definitely do not need it. the only benefit i have found, in my admittedly little experience (1.5 seasons), is that the 3.5" throw more pellets in the air. the 3.5 cost much more and can leave you pretty sore after a day out. the 3" pack more than enough punch, cost way less, and can be shot all day long.
i own the extrema which handles up to 3.5". i tried them for half of last season and found that day of i didnt notice anything, but the next day my back was all thrown out; and there weren't any more ducks in the fridge.. never had issues with cycling 3's or even 2 3/4's out of it either.
 
Lot's of ducks and geese are taken every year with 2 3/4 steels. I think there is some merit in saying that a 3 1/2 will reach out that little bit farther, and a little more shot kills the birds more reliably. That being said, a 3 inch chamber works fine and I regularly carry both 3 and 3 1/2 shells with me in the field. Duck's don't know the difference for the most part.
 
I did very well on ducks this year with Fassteel 2-3/4" shells. Even a Canada found out the hard way that #4 steel at 30 yards is deadly.
 
schultzie said:
Not sure if this belongs here, or in hunting so I'll try here.

3.5" shells really necessary for getting the steel moving fast enough to go waterfowling? Iam in the market for a shotgun, more seem available with 3" chambers. Inclouding the ones Iam leaning towards. Shotgun would be a do all, upland, waterfowl, trap etc.

Karl
Click to expand...
What ones are you leaning toward? A pump gun, o/u or sxs will handle any shell up to the gun's maximum chamber length. But semi-autos are sometimes not as accomodating particularly the inertia action guns like the Benellis.

My all-round gun is a Beretta 391 semi-auto. It shoots 3" shells and handles very lightest target loads. I'm happy with it and don't see a particular need for 3-1/2" shells.
 
I have been hunting ducks and geese since the mid 1970's. I own around 20 shotguns. Not one is chambered for anything more than 2 3/4".

Learn to shoot, learn to call, learn to use decoys, learn to hide effectively and learn duck and goose behavior. You won't have any problem killing ducks. It ain't the equipment, it's the hunter.

LOL That may sound contradictory when I say I have 20 shotguns but that is a completely different affliction. When I go duck or goose hunting, 9 times out of 10 it's my 870 Wingmaster chambered for 2 3/4' shells from 1980 that comes along.
 
Iam leaning towards the weatherby semi. From what I've read it cycles 2 3/4 and 3s of different loads well.

Looked the weatherby pump and an 870 super mag today at basspro. I like the feel of the weatherby.

Its my first scatter gun. I grew up shooting trap, skeet, sporting clays and upland with my dads winchester 91 over under, and have a bit of time behind a pump and a semi. Being my first shotgun I'd like to be able to partake in all the activities I've done. Dads old 91 is something I'd never ever put steel through, and I definatly am on a $600ish plus or minus a bit budget.

Thanks for all the imput so far. Very much appreciated.

Karl
 
3 inch weatherby SA-08 stoned these divers. one of the oldsqaw was shot at nearly 50 yards

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I have shot a good number of Canada geese using an old Mossberg bolt 2 3/4" with poly choke. The key is finding the choke that gives you a nice dense pattern. You can use 3 1/2" if you want, but if the pattern has holes in it, it won't work well for you. I have had the best luck on geese with #1 steel shot.
 
More is Merrier; Bigger is Better...

However, considering a taste for semi, budget and intended application(s), I think that 3" chamber is going to do just fine. :)

Just my $0.02

v-lad
 
For a do all shotgun I'd pick a 3" simply because shotguns chambered for these are usually lighter and seem better balanced. You could use 3" shells for waterfowl and 2 3/4" for upland. For geese I use 3 1/2" Blackcloud shells as they pattern very well in my shotgun and usually use Kent 3" for ducks. I don't "skybust" with either but I seem to get fewer wounded birds this way. Just my .02
 
Lots of good similar advice in the previous posts. I've always found the 2 3/4 and 3 inch to be plenty. Over a normal decoy spread, 2 3/4 Kent Fasteel is great.
 
Right on. Thanks a bunch. 3" it is. salesman at Basspro said he can single order firearms in. I was pretty impressed with the fit and finnish on the PA-08 and got to look at an SA-08 in 20g and a sythetic stock. Was good. Would like to have a look at one in wood and 12g. Off to wholesale tommorow probably.

Again thanks alot for the input
 
I have an 870 waterfowl (3.5") and I am happy with it shooting 3" out of it. The 3.5"is good for geese, but not necessary. It cycles light loads like crap. It only likes Remington dove 8 shot, or federal. Hates Winchester. If I was to do it over again, I would just go for 3"

W
 
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