3" vs 3.5"

driftpounder

driftpounder

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Hi guys,

I am still pretty new to the forum and am still new to shotgunning. I was out doing some research on what guns fit me the best and get some ideas on pricing in my area and I was asking the guy behind the counter about how much you would need the 3.5" 12 gauge. He said for hunting geese you will probably want it a few times a year. I have done a fair bit of research the last few months and it is my understanding that the 3" will kill a goose just as dead as a 3.5" at the same distance. How far away would a goose have to be before you would actually need the 3.5"? Will a 3" kill big snow geese and big Canada's reliably for a relatively new shotgunner? I haven't hunted geese yet myself, but I have hunted ducks.

I don't really want to spend the money on the 3.5 if I am never going to use it. I plan to hunt geese and ducks mostly and shoot a few clay birds in the off season. I would like to hunt turkeys someday, but it will be many years before I get around to hunting turkeys because I will have to go out of province and find a place I can hunt. I have been looking at the higher end semis as I have been using my dad's old pump action Winchester and I want to get something that I will keep forever like he did with the pump, but like the idea of the semi autos quicker second and third shot.

Thanks for any help and input you guys have.
 
I have a semi that takes 3" and a semi that takes 3.5".. i hunt waterfowl quite often with both.... Ill only use 3"... the extra pellets arent worth the extra money in my opinion..

If your gonna drop a bird its because it was a good shot. Not over an extra .5"
 
I still use mainly 2-3/4" for everything. 3" for the odd field hunt
3.5" 12 ga was the answer for a question no one asked. More muzzle blast more recoil slower on follow up shots longer recievers more expensive shells
That said I own several but if I'm going to load a 3.5" shell it will bear a 10ga head stamp
The only real plus to a 3.5" 12 ga is if you forget your ammo you can use your buddies No matter what he's got if it's in a 12 ga
 
I've hunted lots of geese/ducks/birds of all sorts. If you can't bring it down with a 3" shell, 3.5" isn't gonna help you much. MAYBE on some really long shots on geese where more pellets help fill in the 'gaps' in your shot cloud, but for 99% of situations (that I've been in anyway), 3" was plenty. Practice and being a good shot trumps the 'need' for 3.5" almost every time.
 
Comes turkey season, theres a lot of 3.5" shells for sale so it's convenient if you can shoot them...but that's also because everyone else bought out the 3" shells so 3.5 might be all you're left with.
 
Thanks guys, this was the information I was looking for. It really reinforced what I was already thinking. I will probably go with a 3" gun then once I find something that I really like the feel of, as of now I have held the Benelli Vinci, Weatherby SA-08, and Winchester SX3. I like all 3 for different reasons, so I am going to keep looking and trying some of the others like the Beretta A400 and A300.
 
I was going to buy an A400 (Optifade camo... drooolll), but opted for a Browning Maxus instead. Felt better to me, and left my wallet a little heaver. $1100 out the door vs. $1700 for the A400 made the decision a little easier. Easily as good of a gun as the Beretta. If you haven't tried one, check out reviews online. It's the lightest recoiling semi I've ever tried!
 
Way I see it is why not have the ability to shoot 3.5? Waterfowl 3" I will be hunting geese and using 3.5, but 3 will do the job. If you ever hunt turkey you will want 3.5. I just think in terms of versatility because I don't want 20 different guys, maybe just 5-10
 
The 'ability' to shoot 3.5" shells will cost you in terms of the intial cost the gun, the cost of the $hell$ themselves, the fact that it is heavier and has a longer action, etc. You are a new shooter. Believe me, I've been hunting for 35-ish years and I still no need for a 3.5" shell. 95% of my hunting/shooting is with 2-3/4" shells, and that includes geese. I'll keep some 3" shells handy in the goose blind for when they seem to stay out a little bit. But if I've missed them with the 3" shell, the 3.5" won't hit them either. Seriously, don't bother.
 
The only reason to buy a 3.5" Semi-automatic shotgun is because you can fit seven 2-3/4" rounds in the tube. No other use in my opinion. Granted this does not apply to hunting as your Provincial and Federal hunting laws take precedence.
 
I own both 3 and 3.5 inch 12 gauge shotguns. I rarely if ever shoot the 3.5 inch shells in the shotgun that accepts them. Just too much recoil for an 8 pound gun IMHO. If you really want the bigger payload, get a 10 gauge. Payload and velocity will be about the same as those of a 12 gauge 3.5 in., but the gun will be 2 to 3 pounds heavier, and hence the felt recoil will be significantly less.
 
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I hunt over decoys and mever worry about 2 3/4" or 3" ammo, the birds fall jst the same, be it wit my 20, or my vintage 12's!:)
One thing I have noticed when I do shoot 3" ammo is that my shoulder gives out sooner!!:mad:
My kid however just loves his 3.5". 35" barreld O/U for geese- but he;'s a lot younger ad in better shape LOL!
Cat
 
A 2 3/4 will kill 'em just as dead as a 3 or 3.5 inch. With the right shot and being able to hit 'em.
You really don't want to shoot skeet or trap with the big shells anyway. 25 rounds of 2.75" magnums hurts. Using 3 or 3.5 inch will hurt more. Mind you, a semi-auto will fix that.
Turkey hunting is far more about the choke than the size of shell. It's not like wing shooting either.
 
Ive only killed all my ducks, geese and other birds with 2.75" shells, less weight to carry in ammo and gun. Remember you have all the other gear to carry around in your waders and heavy jacket.
 
driftpounder said:
Hi guys...

I am still pretty new to the forum and am still new to shotgunning. .. I was asking the guy behind the counter about how much you would need the 3.5" 12 gauge. He said for hunting geese you will probably want it a few times a year.

I don't really want to spend the money on the 3.5 if I am never going to use it. I plan to hunt geese and ducks mostly and shoot a few clay birds in the off season...I have been looking at the higher end semis as I have been using my dad's old pump action Winchester ...Thanks for any help and input you guys have.
Click to expand...

drift pounder, I think most guys that where around when the 3'' chambered shotguns came where thinking the same thing, will one need the extra added expense of the 3'' and how often will one use the extra.
The debate carried on for many years and now the sales and marketing have captured the Waterfowlers attention again.
I would highly recommend a Pump Action for your first choice in 3'' chambering of course and become comfortable with it in the duck/goose blind and have at it.
You may eventually want to move to a semi-auto but having learned how to shoot shot gun with a pump will make the transitions a little bit easier.
Just my .05 opinion this fine Sunday Morning as I sit here and listen to the f@^$#Crows making a racket, where is my semi auto pellet gun???
Have fun shopping,oh anyone know how many more days till Water Fowl Season starts ;) ?
Rob
 
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