3-1/2" Shells? A reason for them?

drache

drache

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I've read in an old article that 12 gauge 3-1/2" shells were designed back around 1988 due to lead bans on hunting waterfowl . The steel shot was crap at the time and so they figured the 3-1/2" would do better.

But why build "tactical" shotguns in 3-1/2"? Is there even buckshot or slugs available in that size? So far I've only been able to find loads for hunting goose or ducks.

Or has it come down to simple a "#### size" sort of thing?
 
drache said:
I've read in an old article that 12 gauge 3-1/2" shells were designed back around 1988 due to lead bans on hunting waterfowl . The steel shot was crap at the time and so they figured the 3-1/2" would do better.

But why build "tactical" shotguns in 3-1/2"? Is there even buckshot or slugs available in that size? So far I've only been able to find loads for hunting goose or ducks.

Or has it come down to simple a "#### size" sort of thing?
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NOt something I would want to be firing in a tactical nor can I see a requirement for them Their place is turkey and goose hunting and work well in those applications.
 
drache said:
So why make a tactical shotgun in that size?
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Because some think bigger is better and will buy anything. Suggest you go fire some 3 1/2 lead turkey loads out of a regular shotgun and after ask your self seriously could I handle that recoil in a tactical or want to. One thing for sure you will not be as quick or accurate with it as you would firing 2 3/4"
Being shot with a 2 3/4 or a 3 1/2 both will kill you. This says it all for me. 62 hurts and that is in a 10 1/2 pound gun. What does your tactical weigh OUCH
http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_recoil_table.htm
 
killer1963daddy said:
i run 2 3/4, i am using it for bear/cougar protection, itll stop a bear, having more capacity is nice with shorter shells too....hmmm, maybey thats it!!!!, a semi shotty rated for 3 1/2 , could hold what? 7?
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I don't know in your neck of the woods but around here only 3 shells are legal. I got into trouble because the dealer I got my 887 from never installed the reduction rod for 2 3/4 shells.
 
Its a good shell and effective for long range goose hunters, but as far as any other purpose, "magnum" is a buzz word and accomplishes little more than a sore shoulder. Point being that QCB and home protection is more of a fantasy for the "tactical" types of people. 3 1/2" shells were something I was never issued when I was in the military, and if for the one in a million chance that I have a home intruder, my standard buckshot will be effective. I have family and freinds in law enforcement, they don't use 3 1/3" magnums either.
 
NBK16 said:
I don't know in your neck of the woods but around here only 3 shells are legal. I got into trouble because the dealer I got my 887 from never installed the reduction rod for 2 3/4 shells.
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Seriously?
And thats why I keep my ass in saskatchewan
 
NBK16 said:
I don't know in your neck of the woods but around here only 3 shells are legal. I got into trouble because the dealer I got my 887 from never installed the reduction rod for 2 3/4 shells.
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i believe we were talking tactical, so 5 lets say 3" in a MAG (tube)in a semi, but that means you may put in (6) 2 3/4" then +1 (chamber) and +1 (ghost load)(action)=8 rnds of leagal 12 guage fun! if the gun was rated for 3 1/2" shells you could sqeeze more 2 3/4"rounds in ......3rnds is for hunting migratory birds
tac and self defense arnt limited to 3...:)
 
NBK16 said:
I don't know in your neck of the woods but around here only 3 shells are legal. I got into trouble because the dealer I got my 887 from never installed the reduction rod for 2 3/4 shells.
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Where does it say that in the regs?? You may have got in trouble for being in the woods hunting ducks/ geese for not being plugged for three shells total but not in a tactical or upland hunting gun
 
drache said:
all I ever use is 2-3/4", just wondering why shotguns like Benelli Tacticals are being made in 3-1/2" is all :D
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Simply because the sporting versions they're derived from are 3.5", and for production cost and logistical reasons they don't want to make a 3" version.

Anyway, while I'd probably never use a 3.5" round in a tactical shotgun, I like how easy it is to load 2.75" shells into those larger loading and ejection ports.
 
I aquired a few boxes of 3.5 00 buck a while back. the results are impressive to say the least.

HOWEVER!!!!!

you can only make something so dead... deader than dead is a waste of time.
 
It's safer when the zombies come to. What happens when you go to the deserted canadian tire and everythings gone off the shelves except a last box of 3.5" shells? No problem, your versatile tacticool shotgun can shoot any size...
 
drache said:
I've read in an old article that 12 gauge 3-1/2" shells were designed back around 1988 due to lead bans on hunting waterfowl . The steel shot was crap at the time and so they figured the 3-1/2" would do better.

But why build "tactical" shotguns in 3-1/2"? Is there even buckshot or slugs available in that size? So far I've only been able to find loads for hunting goose or ducks.

Or has it come down to simple a "#### size" sort of thing?
Click to expand...

Because consumer tacticool shotguns are derived from their sporting counterparts. If the original sporting version is chambered in 3.5", the tacticool version will be, too, since the barrel is just one of sporting ones cut down and parkerized instead of blued. There are no (that I know of) purpose-designed-for-mil/LEO 12-gauge shotguns with 3.5" chambers.
 
Dacton said:
It's safer when the zombies come to. What happens when you go to the deserted canadian tire and everythings gone off the shelves except a last box of 3.5" shells? No problem, your versatile tacticool shotgun can shoot any size...
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Ha in this town I would shake myself and wake up since I would be in a dream if my canadian tire had a box of 3 1/2 on the shelf. Lucky to find 2 3/4" here.
 
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