The great debate : 3" vs 3 1/2"

Shotgun Shell size

  • 3"

    Votes: 140 69.3%

  • 3 1/2"

    Votes: 62 30.7%
  • Total voters
    202
If I were looking at used guns 3" max would not stop me from buying a shotgun but if I were looking new it would be a 3 1/2". I like options, even if I never use them.
 
3" will kill anything that a 3 1/2" will. If you want to keep your options open on using different shells, get a pump gun. Unless of course, you feel like dishing out the $1600 or so for a Remington Versamax. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's the only autoloader I know of that cycles it all without changing worky bits.

For sometime now, I've been looking for a general use shotgun, and my eyes have been caught by the Mossberg 535 2 barrel combo. The specific one coming with the 28" VR and 24" rifled slug barrel [with IRON SIGHTS]. I'm looking for something to do waterfowl with, and none of my current shotguns are interchangeable chokes. As for the rifled barrel, I want one with iron sights specifically. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. Just something set in my head.

I sure as hell don't need 3 1/2", but it's the only combo gun that I've found that suits both my stringent specifications, and my budget. And being a pump, I can run whatever in creation shells I want in it without worrying about mucking with internal bits.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's the only autoloader I know of that cycles it all without changing worky bits.
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The Maxus does just fine with light 2-3/4" target loads as well as 3-1/2" loads, with no adjustments required.
 
I haven't felt that there's anything I can get out of a 3.5 that would make me turn around and buy one right away. My 3" guns will deliver plenty of lead on target (or steel as the case may be). That being said, unless you have a specific reason not to, 3.5 gives you just that little bit more.
 
I am currently in the same position as the OP... looking to get another 870. I have weighed the pros and cons of both 3" and 3.5" and my result is this:
1) I prefer the lighter weight and smaller size of the 3" shotgun 2) I prefer the lower cost of ammo 3) The 3" has more then enough range and power to take down what I shoot at.

SO, I will be getting another 3" 870.

The only real advantage I see with the 3.5" is if it was a dedicated waterfowl gun and the average bird was a 50 yard shot. If this was the case then I probably wouldn't go for the 3.5" shell and would up to the 10 gauge.
 
Been chasing birds for a 30 plus years. Seen the lead fade away and into steel. For the first 25 years I was limited to a 2 3/4 inch gun. Only felt under-gunned when steel first came out. Now that they have the fast steel figured out I am back to 2 3/4 in. It works like a charm. Remember, speed kills. If you take the time to pattern your shells and chokes, you;ll be amazed how effective 2 3/4 can be. I do shoot three inch, but my go to is always the small stuff first. We also kill alot of geese with 20 gauge too. The birds have not got any tougher, IMHO 3 1/2 is a gimmick geared to the bigger/better/harder mentality.
 
I have a 3.5" Browning gold but rarely shoot 3.5" shells. Blue-moon-rarity.

That said, I drive an F350 to get my groceries and carry a 416 Rigby or 470 Nitro when hunting black bears. My wife is 6' tall.

Bigger is better, even if not necessary.
 
Just my 0.02 cents. I have shot 3.5" slugs and sabot slugs and see no need for it ever in my life unless I needed to kill a bear, charging hippo or something. I do know some people do need to do this.

3" work just fine for me.

Disclaimer: I do not hunt.
 
For 3 1/2 inch, I say why not. It gives more options as far as I'm concerned, and you can still shoot 3 inch to your hearts content. I think it would allow for better utilization, further shots, as well as good resale holding power. My opinion though, I'm sure many will disagree.
 
Depends on application, are you mostly shooting clays and blowing up pumpkins or are you mostly hunting waterfowl. Also it becomes more of an issue if you are getting a semi.
If a pump then it doesn't matter, the only difference will be the $70 or so to get the 3.5 capability. It becomes more of an issue when getting a semi because the 3.5 actions are not always made to cycle target load reliably, and if you do a lot more target and clay shooting then it becomes an issue.
I just ordered my first semi and went with 3 because I do more target shooting and don't feel like I'll be all that hindered when I get out for waterfowl more.
 
I have an Extrema 3.5. It is reliable as hell. I shoot 3.5 in buckshot, 3.5 in coyote loads, 3.5 in turkey loads, and 3.5 in steel goose loads. The gun is downright deadly. The big payload does mean more recoil. I would not shoot 3.5 in a fixed breech gun like a pump because the kick would outweigh the reliability.
 
Waterfowler said:
Get a 3" 12.

If you need more than that, get a 10!!!!!!!!
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Why? Do you like extra cost for ammo and limited ammo selection?
There's almost nothing a 10ga would do that a 3.5" 12ga can't.

With a 3.5" 12ga, you can do anything from shooting clays to hunting geese with a simple shell change.
I can't say the same for a 10ga, especially with the limited ammo selection...
 
digitalblue said:
Why? Do you like extra cost for ammo and limited ammo selection?
There's almost nothing a 10ga would do that a 3.5" 12ga can't.

With a 3.5" 12ga, you can do anything from shooting clays to hunting geese with a simple shell change.
I can't say the same for a 10ga, especially with the limited ammo selection...
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The 10ga will give better patterns with large size steel shot, other than that I agree.
 
ianthomson said:
Been chasing birds for a 30 plus years. Seen the lead fade away and into steel. For the first 25 years I was limited to a 2 3/4 inch gun. Only felt under-gunned when steel first came out. Now that they have the fast steel figured out I am back to 2 3/4 in. It works like a charm. Remember, speed kills. If you take the time to pattern your shells and chokes, you;ll be amazed how effective 2 3/4 can be. I do shoot three inch, but my go to is always the small stuff first. We also kill alot of geese with 20 gauge too. The birds have not got any tougher, IMHO 3 1/2 is a gimmick geared to the bigger/better/harder mentality.
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Well it's nice to see there's at least one person of knowledge out there!

Most missed or wounded birds are the direct result of poorly placed shot patterns due to improper leads and not because of poor pattern density. The biggest way to increase your kill ratio lies not in a 3 1/2" nor 3" chambered shotgun but rather in something we call PRACTICE and lots of it!

I always get laughed at by the "big bore" guys when I show up in the field with my old 870 and Federal 2 3/4" loads (1 1/4oz, #1 shot @ 1275fps)...right up until the shooting begins anyway! LOL! :)
 
digitalblue said:
Why? Do you like extra cost for ammo and limited ammo selection?
There's almost nothing a 10ga would do that a 3.5" 12ga can't.

With a 3.5" 12ga, you can do anything from shooting clays to hunting geese with a simple shell change.
I can't say the same for a 10ga, especially with the limited ammo selection...
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You wouldn't need more than a 2.75" to shoot clays. Or geese for that matter.

And the performance of a 3.5" is a lot closer to a 3" than it is to a 10 gauge.

My point being, if you actually think you need a 3.5" you might as well have a 10.

A 2.75" will do the same as the 10, but the bottom line is a 10 does it a lot better for the big birds.
 
I see the main 3.5" advantage in buckshot.
Factory 3.5" 00 buckshot (Winchester 15 pellet plated 00 @1450 fps in this case) is in a performance envelope of its own with over 3800 ft lb energy.
Close range it will stop any NA dangerous animal and should come handy in those shot only areas for deer hunting.
 
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