3" vs 3.5" shotshells for duck hunting

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deke

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Throughout the past years, I have really began to enjoy duck hunting.

I have always used a shotgun with 3" shells and have wondered what I am actually missing by not "upgrading" to a shotgun with 3.5" shells.

Look forward to your comments.

Regards

d.
 
Depends on the scenerio. Long range or on geese, I absolutely love Federal Premium 3.5" BBB going at 1550 fps. Folds geese ALMOST as good as Hevi-Shot (still nothing beats Hevi-shot...nothing)

I use 3" #4, #2, and BB early season and on ducks all season long. I usually have a 3.5" as my last shell duck hunting just incase they get out there.

I wouldn't hunt waterfowl with out a 3.5" gun. I would upgrade if possible but that's just my opinion...

-Brent
 
You're not missing anything. 3" is more than fine...personally I only use 2 3/4" and I limited out every time I went out this year.

Some people seem to think that 3.5" shells give them a ton more range...they don't. They just put more shot into your target. That may give you a little more range over a 3", but only because there is more shot in the pattern as it spreads out, so the pattern density stays up there slightly longer. It can help with those tough to knock down birds, but don't rely on them to extend your range.
 
I was the same way about 3" when all I had was a 2 3/4" gun. Then I was the same way when I had a 3" gun... I kept saying I never needed it, untill I actually tried it. The 3.5" shell definitely hits harder. It's not about just getting your limit, it's about how you do it.
 
Well lets see. The 3" 1550FPS 1 1/8oz load has 79 BB"s. The 3 1/2" 1550FPS 1 3/8oz has 96 BB's. At 40 yards those extra 17 BB's might just mean a dead goose rather then a cripple flying away. You could also get a
3 1/2" 1 1/2oz load @ 1500FPS with 104 BB's giving you an extra 25 BB"s over the 3"
 
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Lee has it right... there are no disadvantages to a 3.5... but there are plenty of advantages.:eek:
Howabout more energy on target, more cartridge options for Turkeys and Long Range Geese and Ducks, and if you have ever hunted coyotes with buckshot a 3.5 #4 Buck takes that to a whole new level.:cool:
And even if you only shoot 3 inch shells forever the longer chamber/forcing cone on the 3.5 inch guns reduces the felt recoil substantially!!!:bangHead:
This is a no-brainer for a new shotgun purchase... 3.5 is the answer.:rockOn:
 
On waterfowl this year, I used 2 3/4" Tungsten Matrix. LOVED IT!!! I had a few 3" #1s as well but never really got a good crack at the geese this year, killed 2 crows at some amazing distance though!!!

Anyway, talking to the local taxidermist, he told me alot of guys are moving down in shot size, now that steel is faster and better than it used to be. 2 3/4" #6 seems to be making a comeback. My opinion on the 3.5" was to have a higher pellet count, but if moving down in shot size seems to be working, well... there is your higher pellet count.

I don't shoot steel anymore so I really can't be a good judge. You can always buy a 3.5" gun and shoot whatever you want with it.

On a side note, a buddy of mine, shot lead for the ongest time, accepted the risk of getting in trouble... finally last year (fall before last) started shooting 3.5" #2s, BB, BBB etc and has completely given up his habit of shooting lead, prefers it actually.... having said that, the taxidermist hates him for it... alot of extra stitching!!!
 
I do a lot of waterfowling. You do not need 3.5" shells for ducks or geese. The most important factor is to shoot a quality steel shotshell (I assume you intend to shoot steel?) and make sure to pattern your gun and find what it likes the best. You can do all the theorizing you like about how many BB's there are in a given load, but it doesn't mean a thing if your gun won't put those pellets where you need them.

Be willing to pay for good ammo. With the "cheap" steel loads, I just don't think the quality is there for consistent results. Spend a little more and buy premium ammo - certainly, premium 3" steel will perfrom better for you than inexpensive 3.5" steel, IMHO. For all the $ we invest in hunting (guns, boats, ATV's, decoys, calls, blinds...) it makes no sense to me why some guys come right to the last step and then try to scrimp a few bucks on ammo. Buy the good ammo... it's well worth it.
 
Take the money you have "saved" by buying 3.5" shells/3.5"gun buy a case of skeet loads and go to the closest skeet/sporting field and shoot. (if you dont already)

This will help anyone kill more birds than any gun/hunting gimmick.

I know tons of guys who buy every new waterfowling gimmick that comes out. Guns, shells, dekes, calls you name it, but they wont spend $40 of a few rounds of clays. Its always the same excuse. "I cant hit those damn clays, but I'm hell on live birds":rolleyes: :rolleyes:

(and thats why it takes them a box of shells to get a limit, 6/25 would probably be their skeet score also)
 
i shoot only 2 3/4 handloaded steel. it knocks birds down better than the 3" and 3.5" factory that the guys i hunt with use.

i get alot of hassle from the guys about wasting my time loading when you can buy ammo for the same price as reloads.(by the way is $11/box) until the day is over and we count birds.

early duck load: 1 1/8oz #3 steel@1600fps
snow load 1 1/8oz #2 steel @ 1600fps
goose load 1 1/8oz BB @1550fps
all 2 3/4"
 
10ga., 3 1/2", 2 1/4oz handloads to get out there and 'touch someone' such as our feathered friends called Ducks & Geese. :D Going to try and pick up some Bismuth on my next trip to AB, rather than opening up the chokes on my AYA to take steel shot. Going to cost an arm & a leg but what the hell, you only go around once. Really not much different than paying through the nose for premium rifle bullets. That's my story & I'm sticking to it.;)
 
Johnn Peterson said:
10ga., 3 1/2", 2 1/4oz handloads to get out there and 'touch someone' such as our feathered friends called Ducks & Geese. :D Going to try and pick up some Bismuth on my next trip to AB, rather than opening up the chokes on my AYA to take steel shot. Going to cost an arm & a leg but what the hell, you only go around once. Really not much different than paying through the nose for premium rifle bullets. That's my story & I'm sticking to it.;)
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Going to reload? not too terribly expensive then.
I bought my TM from a dealer in Ontario, selling by the case it wasn't terrible, about half of what i would pay locally by the box.
 
I shoot all my ducks (around 200 a year) with #6 2 3/4" steel. I own a 3.5 " SBE but only put about 25 3" loads through it a season for geese that hang out there. Even for geese I only use #4 2 3/4" hevishot.

You have to shoot close though. No 50 yard shots. But inside 35 yards it should fold them solid.
 
I have to agree. Up till the last 2 years, all i ever shoot was 2 3/4 #6 for ducks, and 3" #2 for geese. Maybe next year I'll actually get out for a hunt.

sjemac said:
I shoot all my ducks (around 200 a year) with #6 2 3/4" steel. I own a 3.5 " SBE but only put about 25 3" loads through it a season for geese that hang out there. Even for geese I only use #4 2 3/4" hevishot.

You have to shoot close though. No 50 yard shots. But inside 35 yards it should fold them solid.
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