3.5 Chambers with 2 3/4 target loads

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mattrr

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I'm looking into getting a semi auto shotgun and based off of my "internet research" I have developed a certain criteria...

Semi auto
3.5 chamber
Air driven

Although I believe its nice to have a shotgun that shoots 3.5 sized loads, realistically ill be using it 75% of the time to shoot clay
My question are;

Will I run into trouble shooting 2 3/4 super light target loads?
Should I just get thats sized at 3inch to be safe
Any other shotguns you can recommend?


I have two picks:

Browning Maxus
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/browning-maxus-wicked-wing-semi-auto-shotgun-in-mossy-oak-shadow-grass-blades-camo

Beretta a400 xtreme plus
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/beretta-a400-xtreme-plus-semi-auto-shotgun-in-gore-optifade-concealment-waterfowl-timber


Thanks!
 
All the beretta 3.5" guns ive come across on the skeet fields cycle reliably. After a couple boxes of heavier loads.
The a400 and maxus fit totally different so you should choose based on shouldering them for proper fit
Personally when i feel the need for 3.5" shells i reach for a 10ga. My 12ga guns rarely see anything longer then 2.75" unless its #4 buck
 
Some 3.5" gas gun have trouble cycling 2 3/4" target loads, yes. If you plan to use it primarily as a target gun then a 3" version of either of those would be a better choice.
 
Maritime Storm said:
Some 3.5" gas gun have trouble cycling 2 3/4" target loads, yes. If you plan to use it primarily as a target gun then a 3" version of either of those would be a better choice.
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Good advice! If you insist on a 3.5" chamber, you may have to test different target loads, to find out which ones are reliable in that particular shotgun. My 3" SX-3 is reliable with 1 ounce target loads, but my 3-1/2" SX-3 will typically have 2-3 issues out of 100 shots with the 1 ounce loads. Both are reliable with the 1-1/8 oz loads that I have tried. As to the exact shotgun model, choose the one that fits you, and the Maxus and the A400 fit very differemtly.
 
What reasons have you set on a 3.5” chambered gun? Will you be waterfowl hunting with it or was it to get around the 5 shell rule for semi autos? I can see that being a bonus if you want to compete in any of the 3 gun or action sport leagues, I mostly have 3” chambered shotguns and 95% of the time I shoot or hunt with 2 3/4” shells but I don’t do any waterfowl hunting.
 
mattrr said:
I'm looking into getting a semi auto shotgun and based off of my "internet research" I have developed a certain criteria...

Semi auto
3.5 chamber
Air driven
Click to expand...

In over 50 years of gunsmithing this is the first time I have heard the term "air driven" in reference to a firearm. What does it refer to? Gas operated maybe?
 
1 oz 1300 fps or faster shells will cycle fine in my A400 Xtreme (not Plus model). Slower than that it has occasional hiccup. Most 1 1/8 have are okay - again depending on speed.
If you like the A400 platform then check out the 3" A400 Lite. It's better balanced, lighter and has the same action and recoil system as the Xtreme. It handles most 1 oz fine. I actually prefer the Lite when hunting - because of the lighter weight and balance it gets on target much faster. It's also very good for sporting clays for those reasons and has the added bonus of the recoil system (not that it's needed for target shells).
 
stubblejumper said:
Good advice! If you insist on a 3.5" chamber, you may have to test different target loads, to find out which ones are reliable in that particular shotgun. My 3" SX-3 is reliable with 1 ounce target loads, but my 3-1/2" SX-3 will typically have 2-3 issues out of 100 shots with the 1 ounce loads. Both are reliable with the 1-1/8 oz loads that I have tried. As to the exact shotgun model, choose the one that fits you, and the Maxus and the A400 fit very differemtly.
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my Sx3 does the about the same with 1 oz trap loads. couple ejection fails per flat.
 
FLHTCUI said:
Shoot a Remington 1100 and be done with it.
You'll not be second guessing yourself when shooting clays.
By second guessing I mean worrying about if it will or will not eject the lighter 2-3/4 rounds.
Rob
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Been there... the 1100 had its day and much better guns out there to choose from. If you want to mess with keeping spare parts and dealing with “ O” rings maybe it’s the gun for you.
 
The 3.5" shell is a super specialized tool for very few hunting situations. Pass shooting geese. And not much else. AND very few who carry them have the shooting skill to take advantage of extreme range capabilities of their gun. The 3.5" guns tend to be heavier, less well balanced between the hands, and less lively. Not versatile, but specialized for heavy loads and long distance shooting. So why not get a gun that is truly versatile?
 
VictoryXC said:
I had a Maxus and it cycled target loads without any issues. It was a very smooth cycling and nice handling semi.
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My 3.5" Maxus is not 100% reliable with target loads. I like my Maxus, light, nice handling gun, but IMO the OP would be better off with a 3" Maxus.

I don't doubt the Berettas are wonderful guns, but they feel bulky to me, which made me sad, I wanted to buy one until I picked one up.

If you are dead set on a 3.5" gun don't look past the Versamax. I've shot with a buddy and we swapped guns while clay shooting and my Maxus was jamming like crazy on him. Turns out he was shooting 7/8 oz loads out of the Versamax without a hiccup, my 3.5 Maxus was having fits. The Maxus is a much nicer handling gun, but the VM will eat anything!
 
If you shoot 3 dram 1 1/8oz target loads you should not experience any trouble with a gun chambered for 3.5". I assume by air driven you are referring to a gas auto not inertia. I have owned a 3.5" Maxus and 3.5" Silver and neither gun had any issue with cycling as low as 2 3/4 dram 1 1/8oz target loads reliably.
 
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