Am I Really Missing Out by Not Having a 3" - 12 ga?

2

218Bee

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Ontario
I have had a few 3" - 12 ga pumps in the past, but I have become smitten with a beautiful little Ithaca/SKB 100 sXs, but it is only a 2 3/4" - 12 ga fixed choke gun (full/mod). I have recently moved a number of guns that I has not using and have both the funds and spot in my line up for a nice 12 ga semi, but am having a hard time trying to talk myself into it (this is despite my commitment to stop rationalize gun purchases). Lately I have been adding a couple 3" 20 ga's to the stable in a CZ Ringneck and a Weatherby SA-08.

I saw the thread questioning the 3.5" 12g a, but is there really that much of an advantage with the 3" version as opposed to the 2 3/4"?

I seem to still be able to knock geese down when I go goose hunting, and I can still knock down turkeys. I know that I have become a little more patient since I gave up my magnums and let the geese set their wings to land in the coys before I shoot and I like to keep my turkey shots under 30 yards. I seem to end up with a lot less cripples and more game on the ground. In addition I love having that modified barrel available when that big tom steps out at 8 yards and I'm not having to finesse a shot with a ### full tube only.

Am I better off continuing to spend a few extra bucks a year for tungsten to feed my cute little sweet shooting twelve, or go for a bigger 12 in a nice soft shooting semi?
 
If you are getting your birds without a 3" 12 gauge, then you obviously aren't missing out. The good thing, is that you are having less cripples, because you are choosing your shots more wisely. I get some funny looks when I hunt pheasant with a 28 gauge, but I get my birds, and I do so with less shots than many people take with their 12 gauge guns.
 
I would only worry about the full choke barrel and pushing steel through it. You could end up ruining a beautiful shotgun. 2.7"5 steel will put game down as you have found out, but 3' gives you a little denser pattern and a bit more range. Chokes are the most important part of the equation.
 
I have 3" chambered guns for the sole reason that is more versatile when it comes to limited supply of ammo. Having a 3" chamber allows me to shoot any 12 bore fodder (3 1/2" excepted) I don't shoot a lot of 3" but it is nice to have the option.

Darryl
 
madtrapper143 said:
I have 3" chambered guns for the sole reason that is more versatile when it comes to limited supply of ammo. Having a 3" chamber allows me to shoot any 12 bore fodder (3 1/2" excepted) I don't shoot a lot of 3" but it is nice to have the option.

Darryl
Click to expand...
With exception to the 3.5'' guns having a buddy who brings only three inch shells to the blind/punt and runs out before you does it really matter if someone is missing out not having a 3 inch gun.
The other limited draw back is available ammo selection should one run out of chosen choice of ammo and there is only 3 inch on the shelves and you do not have a three inch gun.
Shoot what yah got and cut'em.
Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
With exception to the 3.5'' guns having a buddy who brings only three inch shells to the blind/punt and runs out before you does it really matter if someone is missing out not having a 3 inch gun.
The other limited draw back is available ammo selection should one run out of chosen choice of ammo and there is only 3 inch on the shelves and you do not have a three inch gun.
Shoot what yah got and cut'em.
Rob
Click to expand...

If whoever I am hunting with runs out of ammo and wants to borrow some of mine , unless I am shooting my Pedersoli hammer 12,they generally have two dilemmas to look at
A: My ammo may just fall right down the chamber of theirs, as quite often it is a 20G:
B:If I am shootign a 12 they may just end up with an autoloader that is totally gunked up and useless after a few rounds as I more than likely will be shooting black powder!! LMAO!!
Either way, my buddies get told what I am going to be shooting so they can stock up on their own ammo.

Conversely I borrow some of theirs, unless I am shooting my Pedersoli, I mau just end up looking like Elmer Fudd after Bugs sticks a carrot in the barrel of his gun!! Laugh2
Cat
 
its a fine gun and a fun gun and having a choice of chokes in a hunting situation has to be a good thing . it sounds to me as if you already have your mind made up .
 
iceman2 said:
I would only worry about the full choke barrel and pushing steel through it. You could end up ruining a beautiful shotgun. 2.7"5 steel will put game down as you have found out, but 3' gives you a little denser pattern and a bit more range. Chokes are the most important part of the equation.
Click to expand...

I only put a couple boxes of #6 or #7 steel through my SKB shooting doves while waiting for geese (I switch to tungsten for them). How long before I start to destroy my fixed chokes and not made for steel shot barrels?
 
I'm not sure but pushing steel down a thin wall full choke barrel doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Maybe someone else has a thought on this.
 
I quit using 3" shells for waterfowl a few years ago. We kill a LOT of birds each year, and don't feel handicapped by "only" using 2-3/4".
 
I've never shot a 3" or 3 1/2" shell in my life. Not even just for the fun of it.

Like you, I miss far fewer shots than most folks, and leave fewer cripples in the bush (although my dog should get the most credit for that last claim).

Do I feel like I'm missing something? Not a chance. In fact, I've come to prefer 2 1/2" shells to 2 3/4" for everything except target sports, where shell availability is the primary and only reason to go 2 3/4.

IMHO, anything over 2 3/4" is pure hype, with the exception of steel shot, which I refuse to use.

Your post has all the hallmarks of someone who can rationally interpret observed reality (versus marketing hype) and who has come to understand the finer points of shotgunning.

Welcome to the (admittedly small) club!
 
I'm still exhausting my small stockpile of Federal Tungsten. They are old and #2's (I prefer 4's or 5's for waterfowl), but I still see pass throughs on geese when I don't lead quite enough and hit the body. The Kents seem to work well too.
 
I am with you on this. Most of my shotguns have 2 3/4" chambers and I don't feel handicapped by using them. I pay more for tungsten because I hate the amount of cripples that I get with steel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom