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
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Freist

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I've been shopping for shotguns for a while and I am now more confused than before. I was fixed on getting a shotgun chambered for 3 1/2" cartridges but now I'm not so sure. Here are my views:

If I get the 3 1/2", I can use any cartridges in the field. The cartridges have a little more pellets in them but the difference is not so significative. The cartridges are more expensives but the shotgun is more versatile.

For the shotgun chambered in 3": The shotgun itself is less expensive, many available on the second hand market, cheaper ammo, readily availiable everywhere. Proven in the field.

I'm not even considering how the rifle is going to be used because it can change in the course of a life.

So what's your take on the question. Maybe a similar thread has been created before but a forum search didn't bring up anything.
 
Get a 3-1/2" shotgun, it doesn't cost or weigh significantly more than a 3" chambered gun of the same variety. Even if you may never shoot 3-1/2" shells, you'd at least have the option of doing so. Not to mention, resale value is a bit better with a 3-1/2" gun.
 
I thought the same thing when I bought my Mossberg. There was the 500, which was old, tested, and reliable. The 535, which was newer, and could take 3.5 inch shells. And the 835, which was overbored, so no slugs. The good thing is the price difference between the 500 and 535 is $50, sometimes lower, so you could get a a gun which could handle everything for not much more at all. Occasionally they show up used, so if you're patient and watch EE, you could score one.
 
It really depends on the purpose of the gun. If it is a dedicated waterfolw gun and just for hunting then 3 and half it is. If you are going to use it for alittle bit of hunting and more trap and skeet then 3 inche. Most of the really nice beretta and winchester sx3 will cycle all loads from 7/8 oz to 3 and half. That would be the gun I would buy if you are looking for a dedicated hunting gun.
 
digitalblue said:
Get a 3-1/2" shotgun, it doesn't cost or weigh significantly more than a 3" chambered gun of the same variety. Even if you may never shoot 3-1/2" shells, you'd at least have the option of doing so. Not to mention, resale value is a bit better with a 3-1/2" gun.
Click to expand...

Some (most?) wont 3.5" shotguns wont shoot 2 3/4 light loads. Even if they say they do some wont.

Get a 3". 3.5" serves no purpose other then to loosen fillings and lighten your wallet.
 
I don't need to use 3-1/2" shells to kill game, so I never bought a gun that will shoot 3-1/2" shells. If I ever feel that 3" shells are not adequate, I will buy a 10 gauge.
 
I used to use 3 inch #4's for ducks... And 3 inch #2's for geese...

Since I've been getting into more & more of a mix of ducks & geese over the last couple years. The 3.5 inch shell allows me to shoot #2's going 1550 fps for both geese & ducks and I don't have to worry about what shell is in my gun...

For me, having the 3.5 is a capacity issue, it simply allows me to throw MORE #2 pellets than a 3 inch shell... I've stopped buying 3 inch shells for waterfowl...

Cheers
Jay
 
You don't mention if will it be a semi or a pump?
I use both the 3" and 3 1/2" for geese and they can't see the difference.
A 3" will do just fine in all situations, but the 3 1/2" cartridge gives a slight edge in some cases. We even used to hunt geese with 2 3/4" in the lead days.
But both are almost useless for grouse hunting, to me the 2 3/4" with a light load is a better choice for that.
Choose whatever you want or feel better with. In some guns, you can even mix the three sizes.
 
blasted_saber said:
Some (most?) wont 3.5" shotguns wont shoot 2 3/4 light loads. Even if they say they do some wont.

Get a 3". 3.5" serves no purpose other then to loosen fillings and lighten your wallet.
Click to expand...

I've seen 3" chambered autoloaders fail to cycle lighter 2-3/4" shells too; does that mean I should stick to a 2-3/4" chambered gun? 3" shells aren't exactly soft shooting or cheap either.

The simplest solution: Buy a pump...
 
My 3" semi gun hates THE Winchester AA Light loads, but takes everything else well
My 3" bolt action shoots anything

My next shot gun will be 3.5, like with any gun, find what yours shoots best and stick to that
 
I run an SX3 and have put close to 800 rounds through it and have never had a fail to feed or a fail to fire or fail to cycle. I shoot all 3 sizes from target to 3 1/2 2+ oz turkey loads.

Duck/ goose hunts over long open water I run 3" in the chamber load one 3.5" and then 3" again. Last Shot has more pellets for a chance of hope lol. I don't even notice it when I shoot 3.5 goose loads. But the turkey loads hurt patterning them.
 
Most people will never have any need to shoot a 3.5" shell, but it's cool to know you can if you want to. With a pump though, the 3.5 guns have a longer pump to get used to, but they also have a larger extraction port. This is nice if you have a tube full of #8 and you want to throw in a 00 or slug. It also makes it easier to load a shell directly into the chamber.
 
digitalblue said:
Get a 3-1/2" shotgun, it doesn't cost or weigh significantly more than a 3" chambered gun of the same variety. Even if you may never shoot 3-1/2" shells, you'd at least have the option of doing so. Not to mention, resale value is a bit better with a 3-1/2" gun.
Click to expand...


:agree: That's what I would get.
 
Personally I don't need a 3 1/2" gun, as I don't hunt waterfoul. For clay and upland birds, a 2 3/4" is really all I need. Kent FastLead 2 3/4" shells push 1 3/8 oz of shot at 1475fps, plenty stout for my needs.

As soon as you get into steel shot a 3" is needed and a 3 1/2" would be nice to have.
 
I have a 3 1/2" semi, but I have only ever bought one box of 3 1/2" shells as they cost more and 3" shells work just as well for me for both ducks and geese as I hunt over decoys and shots are close.

My suggestion is to get whatever shotgun fits you really really really well. A good fitting gun will improve your shooting performance much more than an extra 1/2" of shell ever will. Either length of chamber will work, just go with whichever chamber the gun happens to have when you find one that fits you.
 
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