Why use 3 1/2 ammo ?

Tak

Tak

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Looking a little at the different ammo i could use for waterfowl i found out that 3 1/2 shells have a way lesser velocity than 3 or 2 3\4 shots. Besides the fact that they carry more lead and are supposed to give more distance, is it worth it to sacrifice speed for lead?
 
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For starters they carry more steel. And as for speed, the 3 1/2 inch stuff shoots just as fast as the 3 and 2 3/4 inch stuff. All at 1550 fps. Now I think that Kent has 3 1/2 inch 1 1/4 ounce loads of steel going at 1650 fps. The comparable speed of 1550 fps is like this: in 3 1/2 inch is 1 3/8 ounce, in 3 inch is 1 1/8 ounce, and the 2 3/4 inch is 1 1/16. Now I am an advocate of lots of shot in the sky as well as the speed, which brings me to the 3 1/2 inch stuff for geese. I have shot geese with the 3 inch stuff (as do alot of people) but for the extra few bucks a box of shells, ahh who cares. Its still cheaper to shoot big loads of steel nowadays vs the days of heavy loads of lead.
 
Fair enough ! :)

Thanks bud, i'll stick to my 31/2 wich I used mainly just because it's bigger :rolleyes:

Now i've got a good reason
 
I shoot 2 3/4" (1 1/4- 1 3/8 oz) of Kent tungsten Matrix. All waterfowl I hit... die.

Spend the extra dollars on the shot rather than the size of the cartridge. You will shoot less shells as a result, it is still expensive but sure beats wounding birds or a paying a fine for using lead.
 
Because steel shot is not as effective as lead on high flying geese the companies had to come up with an answer and that was put more steel shot in the air. But now with some of the Bismuth and Tungsten Matrix loads being as effective as the lead loads were, maybe you don't need 3 1/2 in. shot shells or the guns to fire them.
 
3 1/2 does indeed put more more shot in the air. Is it more effective -- I don,t think so. Have read some expert opinions on shotgun balistics that 3 1/2 does not give any advantage over 3" or 2 3/4. Most folks don't realize that the shot string from a 3 1/2" is over 50 feet lond at a 30 yard range -- thats over twice as long as a 3" --- so you are actually hitting your game with less pellets with the inital impact. This is caused by the longer shot colum within the shell case. I'v killed the hell out of Geese with Kent Faststeel 2 3/4 ounce & 16th at 1560fps. Its not so much how much shot you have in the air but where you hit em. 3 1/2 was brought out by the industry just as something new to sell more product. Its an American thing thing " bigger is better". Hmho, Cheers
 
Best why to tell what shell is best for your gun is to hit the patterning board. But as someone mentioned, patterning does not give you the full 3D effect and shot stringing can be a big factor.

To kill waterfowl or anything for that matter with birdshot, you need penetration and density. Penetration being the pellets having enough energy to pentrate into the vitals and density being, enough pellets on target to ensure enough hits to the vitals.

More shot may not necessarily give you the penetration and density needed.

Everyone likes the real fast stuff and it is good, but a 1200-1300 fps load still has enough energy to ensure enough penetration to kill, at normal shooting ranges, ie. 40 yards or less.

I have guided for waterfowl for 20 years and I have yet to see someone that can consistently wingshoot past 40 yards.
 
I think most people shoot 3-1/2" because they are not comfortable with they're shooting and think the extra shoot will help them kill birds. I bet it does abit but I'd rather learn to shoot better.

Chris
 
gastch said:
I think most people shoot 3-1/2" because they are not comfortable with they're shooting and think the extra shoot will help them kill birds. I bet it does abit but I'd rather learn to shoot better.

Chris
Click to expand...

ill bet alot of guys do buy 3 1/2" guns because it can kill birds better then smaller loads...for turkey that is :D reason ill only buy a 3 1/2" gun now is because of the larger payloads i can send towards a turkeys head...every pellet counts.;)

but, if someone buys a 3 1/2" gun for the only reason being is that they think it will make them shoot better...then so be it because it will make them more confident when shooting.
 
I use 3 inch #4's for ducks, going 1550fps...

I'd use 3.5 inch shells going 1550 for geese... ONLY because the 3.5 inch shell carries more pellets in a larger size, i.e. BB...

Pattern density is important, a duck can "swim through" a light pattern of BBB's, and it leaves you praying for the "magic pellet" that breaks a wing or hits them in the vitals... Hit them with a heavier pattern, ie MORE pellets, and they come down...

Cheers
Jay
 
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