3 vs 3.5 shells - does it make any difference?
- Thread starter jrslv
- Start date
Tucker.Grose
Member
- Location
- NW British Columbia
I hunt ducks over decoys and in 12 gauge 2 3/4” #4 steel has been working well for me with modified choke.
I haven’t seen the need to punish my shoulder or wallet with 3” shells let alone 3 1/2”.
I haven’t seen the need to punish my shoulder or wallet with 3” shells let alone 3 1/2”.
Tucker.Grose
Member
- Location
- NW British Columbia
For strictly geese I use 3” #2 or BB, though I’ve nailed a few over the duck decoys with 2 3/4” #4’s.
Someone (Randy Grange) I used to hunt with (passed do to complications of Lou Gehrig's disease) would use No.6 lead when it was still legal.
We hunted over decoys in the lower Pitt River near the Fraser and the shots taken at 30 yrds and less.
The theory was/is the smaller pellets would penetrate the feathers and in enough numbers to knock the bird down and kill it.
I have knocked geese down with No 4 Steel , but do prefer No. 2's all around.
Rob
We hunted over decoys in the lower Pitt River near the Fraser and the shots taken at 30 yrds and less.
The theory was/is the smaller pellets would penetrate the feathers and in enough numbers to knock the bird down and kill it.
I have knocked geese down with No 4 Steel , but do prefer No. 2's all around.
Rob
I hate Cancer more than ALS, but not by much.
My point is that dont under estimate the 2-3/4'' ammo and not everything new is better.
Everything has its limitations...there is a place for 3-1/2'' and I have not found it.
It takes some experimentation and experience .
If the op has deep pocketsthen by all means go for the bigger ubber magnum .
There is lots to lear and one does have to start someplace.
Of course there are lots of valid opinions here in this thread good and not so good.
One has to decide where to start.
Rob
One bird limit.
That would keep us out of the field, way too much time spent scouting and setting up for one shot each.
Wow. I thought 5 was bad
I would see us load the guns at 7.00 and be finished at 7.15 with 20 on the ground in pei
Christ one it would not be worth the trip
take care
So do 3" , with less recoil, for less cost.
Our group of four averaged 26 geese per hunt with 3" loads this year, I consider that pretty good end results.
Take it for what it’s worth.
Someone will tell ya a 410 is perfect for pheasants another will say no difference in their pet 7/8 load vs 1 1/8 12ga load a 28ga can break them just as well as any 12ga.
Mostly all bull crap but sounds good when shots are fired on internet.
Totally agree. I buy whatever brand of 3" I get a good deal on. Don't care whether they are BB, 1s or 2s. I dump em all in my bag and shoot. As often as not, a bird hits the ground.
People over-think this stuff.
Also, who in hell can afford to shoot 3.5"???
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
This depends. I’m always searching for good deals on ammo and when I find them, I stock up. I have a ton of 3.5” shells but I haven't paid more thank $15-$20/box which is less than most 3” shells. Last season I stumbled upon a crazy deal at epps for blackcloud ammo which turned out to be about $15/box and I bought the two flats they had. Would I pay premium money for 3.5” shells? No chance. But I also buy Winchester Xpert in all other sizes because its usually the cheapest shells. Birds seem to die just fine
