How important is a 3'' chamber?

Depends what your doing if you just shooting 2.75 target loads it dosnt matter if you do any kind of hunting you'll need it. Its the 3.5 thats debatable
 
I was glad I had a shotgun that could chamber 3" shells at my ranges pumpkin shoot last year. Those pumpkins are tough and needed some 3" magnum 00 buck to take them down. :)
 
It all depends on how you intend to employ your firearm. Are you going to shoot skeet, do some grouse hunting, waterfowl hunting, or even deer hunting. I personally run 2.75 for skeet, grouse, rabbits and even large sharptail grouse the 2.75 shells work great. For waterfowl, ducks specifically I preferred a 3" no#3 load and for geese I used a BB 3.5 load. Noticed I said preferred. Last season our group hunted along side a couple more experienced and aged waterfowl hunters. One guy used a 2.75 chambered O/U and was knockin' em' down. He swears by #4 steel for ducks and BB tungsten loads for geese all 2.75" shells. I tried a couple of his federal #4 steel shells for sh#ts and giggles and knocked down 2 mallards for 2 shots. I intend to try out a couple boxes this season. For half the price of the other brands I use it can't hurt to try. I hope that helped.
 
Shooting lead 2¾ is enough. If using steel 3 or 3½ is better due to the lower density in my mind.

disclaimer:
I only own 3" guns but usually use 2¾ shells.
 
It's nowhere near as important as practicing! If you can't place a pattern of shot from a 2 3/4" shotshell on your intended target, then the extra shot from the longer options is of absolutely no benefit! I've shot a few truck loads of geese and ducks with 2 3/4" steel shotshells out as far as 62yds so you do NOT the 3" or 3.5" for waterfowl, turkey or anything else for that matter. Pattern your gun with the load you intend to use and limit your shot to the distance at which that pattern is still effective. 3" slug and buckshot loads have fairly substantial recoil and will impede your follow up shot speeds and accuracy and the extra length will also lower your total mag capacity. The 3.5" is even worse!
 
If your application is hunting shell size isn't an issue in terms of capacity. You are only aloud 3 shells in the gun while hunting. But seeing as you in black and green you might be a run and gun or shooting sports type then 2 3/4 is fine . cheaper ammo, more capacity and less recoil= more trigger time. If you get your fundamentals down and hone your skill with that firearm the shell size isn't going to matter. You will able to make that 40 that 50 and those 60 yard shots. You'll be able to make those quick follow up shots. Pattern your gun learn the limitations with your chokes with the shot size and brand of ammunition you intend to use.

On the recoil subject 2 3/4 and 3" in comparison I honestly don't notice that much of a difference in recoil with the exception of slugs. Now 3 1/2 will have you flinching in the anticipation of the recoil unless you KICK it out of you on clays. There will be bruising. Lol
 
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