3" or 3.5" for bird hunting?
- Thread starter Rowdy1
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ID_shooting
Member
the extra does make a big difference. Way back when when we could use lead on water fowl a 2.5 was all that was needed. Since steel doesnt carry the same mass, we need more. the nice thing about the 3.5s is that you can still shoot 2.5 for smaller birds and load up the super mags for geese.
I am buying a new scatter gun this year, I am going with a super mag
I am buying a new scatter gun this year, I am going with a super mag
45crittergitter
Member
If you are going to shoot steel, you will want the 3.5" for long range ducks, and especially for geese. If you will shoot tungsten, hevi-shot, etc., the 3.5" is not really needed. My understanding of turkey loads is that the best patterning load is likely to be a 2.75" one, so you may not need a supermag for that, either. Having said that, the 3.5" guns are very versatile, so you may wish to spring for the extra $ so you won't wish later that you had. Some (all?) of the 3.5" autos will not reliably function with light target loads (less than 1-1/8 oz). Personally, I shoot the big 12 for waterfowl (and turkey and deer if I hunt them with a shotgun), and a 20 ga. for everything else.
Smoke
Member
3.5 has applications for bigger birds and longer shots. (Ducks, geese, turkeys)
Not needed for Quail, Dove, Pheasant, other smaller critters.
Of course the 3.5 is a must have if you want "The Ultimate"
Smoke - doesn't own a 3.5"
Not needed for Quail, Dove, Pheasant, other smaller critters.
Of course the 3.5 is a must have if you want "The Ultimate"
Smoke - doesn't own a 3.5"
sm
member
I have always used 2 3/4" shells for everything. Exception the .410.
I have never had a problem. I have never owned a SG with anything but a 2 3/4" chamber ( except the .410) until recently. This one has 3" chambers...I may never load a 3" shell in it.
There is a place for 3.5" chambers. HSMITH for instance is addicted ( bad bad case from what I hear) to duck and geese hunting.
The bigger guns are well, bigger and heavier. For what I do...I ain't toting one.
Smoke - I do hear that the 3.5" does a pretty good job on trimming Mesquite Trees.
I still contend we can trim them trees just fine using the 2 3/4" shells. They are easier to find and the Fed value pks do work...priced right.
I have never had a problem. I have never owned a SG with anything but a 2 3/4" chamber ( except the .410) until recently. This one has 3" chambers...I may never load a 3" shell in it.
There is a place for 3.5" chambers. HSMITH for instance is addicted ( bad bad case from what I hear) to duck and geese hunting.
The bigger guns are well, bigger and heavier. For what I do...I ain't toting one.
Smoke - I do hear that the 3.5" does a pretty good job on trimming Mesquite Trees.
I still contend we can trim them trees just fine using the 2 3/4" shells. They are easier to find and the Fed value pks do work...priced right.
There is indeed a place for the shotgun with 3.5 inch chamber. Do you hunt the Roc?
Sinbad the Sailor once told me that if he ever hunted Rocs again, he was surely gonna take a gun with 3.5-inch chamber...
Other than that, unless you have a pterodactyl problem in your neighborhood, the 2.75 inch chambered guns should do fine, although you may wish three-inch shells for pass shootng on geese or cranes, if cranes are still legal game. Been awhile since I checked.
Some also like the three-inch shells for turkey, or use rifles on them. The three-inch is good in 20 ga. for fox or pheasant or duck at longer ranges.
The day I put up with the bulk of a 3.5-inch gun, I'm gonna pass on it and get a Class III license and hunt with a 20mm Oerlikon auto cannon.
Should be just the thing if Japan ever sends Zero fighters our way again.
Lone Star
Sinbad the Sailor once told me that if he ever hunted Rocs again, he was surely gonna take a gun with 3.5-inch chamber...
Other than that, unless you have a pterodactyl problem in your neighborhood, the 2.75 inch chambered guns should do fine, although you may wish three-inch shells for pass shootng on geese or cranes, if cranes are still legal game. Been awhile since I checked.
Some also like the three-inch shells for turkey, or use rifles on them. The three-inch is good in 20 ga. for fox or pheasant or duck at longer ranges.
The day I put up with the bulk of a 3.5-inch gun, I'm gonna pass on it and get a Class III license and hunt with a 20mm Oerlikon auto cannon.
Should be just the thing if Japan ever sends Zero fighters our way again.
Lone Star
Smoke
Member
hmmmm....might have to reconsider....although 2-3/4" shells worked really good on that Elm at the range....
what if you loaded a 3.5" shell with a light poderload and as much #8 as it will hold and use that to put a flak cloud in the air for those little grey bas....I mean those nice Dove I occasionaly hunt.
Maybe I need to run to the hardware store....
Smoke - if I can't hit 'em maybe I can make them dodge more lead.
Kingcreek
Member
I've used the 3.5s on big Canada Geese with good results. I've used the 3" hevishot with even better results but the cost is high $$$. My dedicated waterfowl gun is a Winchester SuperX2. If I wasn't shooting geese, I'd pass on the 3.5 but sometimes I'm lucky enough to hunt ducks at first light, then geese, then a ringneck rooster or two on the way home. One shotgun for all and the SX2 isn't real heavy to lug around. Had a 3.5 Browning BPS and it was HEAVY. Look at the SX2.
WhiteKnight
Member
Smoke - I take it you dislike 3.5s!
Smoke
Member
I don't dislike 3.5s. I do not hunt ducks or geese. I don't use them for turkey. So I have no need for them. Others very well do.
Although sm has got my gears turning....
Smoke
Although sm has got my gears turning....
Smoke
I love my 3.5", but it's a 10gauge ad its only been used for geese. I usually use 2.75" 12ga shells for ducks and occasionally 3" for longer pass shooting of ducks. If I think I want a super duper cannon shooter I'll get a .410.
sm, I do have it bad, waterfowl hunting haunts me......
As some of the others have said already, the 3.5" shells make a BIG difference when using steel shot. With lead I see no reason to go beyond 2 3/4" loads. The 3.5" 12 gauge has one penalty, and that is recoil. It is NOT for beginners and recoil sensitive, and 3.5" lead turkey loads will verify the integrity of your fillings
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Well, you don't have to put up with any extra bulk or weight. My 3.5" SuperX2 weighs in at a svelte 8 pounds with a sling and a mag full of steel shot 3.5 goose stompers, same as a 3" 11-87 or a 2 3/4" 1100.
As some of the others have said already, the 3.5" shells make a BIG difference when using steel shot. With lead I see no reason to go beyond 2 3/4" loads. The 3.5" 12 gauge has one penalty, and that is recoil. It is NOT for beginners and recoil sensitive, and 3.5" lead turkey loads will verify the integrity of your fillings
.Well, you don't have to put up with any extra bulk or weight. My 3.5" SuperX2 weighs in at a svelte 8 pounds with a sling and a mag full of steel shot 3.5 goose stompers, same as a 3" 11-87 or a 2 3/4" 1100.
sm
member
HSMITH, kudu...hold my coffee, watch my gun...watch this
Smoke...oh Smoke!
Have I got a plan for you *snicker*...
What you need is #12 shot, for them gray thingies that gives you fits. You said you wanted to "put a lot lead in the air"...#12 shot is 2360 pellets to the oz.
Thanks HSMITH and kudu...I figure Smoke has some phone calling and inquiries to make tommorrow.
I used to have some #12 shot, I may still have. I played with it , patterned it. I will say one thing...A fellow made a bet once my .410 could not put more pellets on the vitals of a critter target he posted...boy did I surprise him.
I left him scratching his head as I left with my free soda...I never told him my recipe.
#12 shot in a .410 2.5" shell is a interesting load for small pests...mine were reloaded in the blue Peter hulls to identify them. That is why the fella bet me...".410 ain't good for nothing...bet you can't get a hit on this dove paper target from over yonder"...
Great for gardens, back yards, farm ponds...they take real doves too...45crittergitter
Member
My 3.5" Benelli Super Black Eagle auto is no bigger than my 3" 12 ga 870, and it only weighs 7 pounds. Hardly big and heavy for any 12 ga autoloader. On the other hand, with 2.25 oz turkey loads, it does kick a bit.
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