njbowhntr Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 I have been shooting 3" for years. I am looking at purchasing a new shotgun this year. What is the advantage of a 3 1/2", besides more lead? I was just doing some reading on the velocities of buckshot and duck loads at 3' from the muzzle and the 2 3/4" is the fastest, 3" coming in 2nd, and the 3 1/2 coming in last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? [ QUOTE ] What is the advantage of a 3 1/2", besides more lead? [/ QUOTE ] More recoil. More expensive ammo, flexibility to shoot anything from 2.75" (in most) to 3.5" ammo. Yep, the main benefit is the extra payload. Speed does not mean much, actually very little in shotgun terms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil hunter Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? The smallest is fastest because it's not pushing at much weight, but still has about the same powder. Kinda like a bow and arrow, the lighter the arrow, the faster it goes. From what I've heard, generally 3 1/2" semi auto shotguns will not eject the smaller 2 3/4" shells very well. So, if you will be mainly shooting just 2 3/4 or 3" shells. Just get the 3" gun. If you will be using it mainly for duck, turkey, etc where you will be using magnum loads, go for the 3 1/2 This is just my opinion. It's all up to you really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut_Buster Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? I find that the extra half inch adds more clearence to the shell when it is dispensed. That when i use 3 inch loads or 2 3/4 in loads. I can notice the difference between the 3" BPS useing 3" the most and my Remington 20 ga 3 inch useing 3 inch. And 3.5 magnums are great for long range geese, and Gobblers quiver at my 3.5 #6's If it were a gun that you might or would use for Turkey of Waterfowl. I'd go with at 3.5 no doubt just for the extra capibilities. More Recoil... yea.. I don't notice it hunting....Mroe expensive gun and ammo... deffinantly. In response to lil, I never have had any of my 3.5 inch magnum auto's be unable to spit out smaller loads. The only gun i've herad with that is the Mossberg 920 or whatever there new gun is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntn4bucks Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? [ QUOTE ] In response to lil, I never have had any of my 3.5 inch magnum auto's be unable to spit out smaller loads. The only gun i've herad with that is the Mossberg 920 or whatever there new gun is. [/ QUOTE ] Yep. My Benelli SBE spits'em out just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? If your a goose hunter then the 3 1/2" has a place when you shoot steel shot. As far as turkey or upland bird------I don't think you need it. I still use my 2 3/4"-----870 for everything---It does everyhting I ask of it--- pretty well. Never a miss on turkeys. I shoot just as many ducks or pheasants as any of my buddies who use 3" shells. But now for geese-------I maybe a little short. But it still works out to 40 yards--when they are decoying. Pass shooting---that's another story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? I have the Rem 11-87 Super Mag (3.5") and when it was new, it would not cycle a factory 1 1/8 oz 1200 fps target load reliably. After break in it does shoot them fine though not my reloads (lower pressure). Remington now adds an extra seal to make the guns cycle with the lighter loads. When I installed the seal, it works just fine with my reloads now. The 12 ga 3.5" was to help waterfowlers when the Department of the Interior mandated non-toxic shot. The longer hull allows more of the big BBB and T shot for big geese. With the release of Hevi Shot, the 2 3/4" (loaded with HS) will do as good or better of a job as the 3.5" (loaded with steel). Now, the 3.5" loaded with HS is just a wicked combination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonhunter Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] What is the advantage of a 3 1/2", besides more lead? [/ QUOTE ] More recoil. More expensive ammo, flexibility to shoot anything from 2.75" (in most) to 3.5" ammo. Yep, the main benefit is the extra payload. Speed does not mean much, actually very little in shotgun terms. [/ QUOTE ] hail to AJ. I get in this argument all the time with people, 3 1/2 inch guns do more to make someone feel better than kill more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? [ QUOTE ] 3 1/2 inch guns do more to make someone feel better than kill more. [/ QUOTE ] Now I don't know about that. I do own and use two different 3.5" shotguns. They do offer longer effective range when properly choked and fed the proper ammo. The things that make the short shells work so great (Hevi Shot) really make the 3.5" guns rock. You can increase the payload and make the pattern super dense. Again, this is when it is choked properly. IMO the best 3.5" guns are without a doubt, the Mossberg 835 and 935. I would take them over the Super Black Eagle any day (and they are less than 1/2 the SBE price). The larger bore will out perform the smaller bore with the big payloads every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
total disaster Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? [ QUOTE ] The larger bore will out perform the smaller bore with the big payloads every time. [/ QUOTE ] dose this mean that with bigger bore that the 3.5" is equal to the 3,5" 10 ga?????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? [ QUOTE ] dose this mean that with bigger bore that the 3.5" is equal to the 3,5" 10 ga?????? [/ QUOTE ] Its very close. The 10 ga has a larger diameter (shorter) wad giving it a slight advantage with equal payloads. This means it will pattern slightly better and give shorter shot strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
total disaster Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? ok thats what I thought was happening with the bigger bore size...thanks AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut_Buster Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? [ QUOTE ] IMO the best 3.5" guns are without a doubt, the Mossberg 835 and 935. I would take them over the Super Black Eagle any day (and they are less than 1/2 the SBE price). The larger bore will out perform the smaller bore with the big payloads every time. [/ QUOTE ] The Larger bore is sure is true and I love my 835 mossberg for ducks and geese. But over a Super Black Eagle... I know youve handled both... and with the new cyro chokes i bet it make the SBE gun preform great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? You are confusing pattern performance with mechanical operating performance. Yes, the Mossberg is the top patterning gun with 3.5" ammo. As far as patterns go, the SBE is no better than the Rem, Win, and Browning. You really have to understand the 3 dimentions of the shot cloud to appreciate the benefits of the larger bore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut_Buster Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? I deffiantly do understand the advantages of the larger bore. If i was looking for pure patter freformance with 3.5 in mags i think the 835 would be the greatest choice. But for preformance the SBE is top of the line. I just never heard anyone say that the they would take the 835 of the SBE.. I was in shock lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DaHunter Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? I am a big fan of the 3.5 in mags, i own two. Browning 10 and remington 12 let me tell you what the geese stand no chance....Also if you want a turkey gun too constantly knock them down at 60 yards they are great for that too!!! Does anyone shoot a 3.5in slug? well anyways i would like too try one out of my 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njbowhntr Posted November 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? Well I made the decision this past weekend. I went with the Remington 11-87 SP Super Mag. I was given a price that I could not pass up. Thank you everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DaHunter Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? Very nice gun you got there, i have one just like it. It will rock anythings world, if your hunting turkeys with it i recommend a xxx kicks gobblin thunder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntn4bucks Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? [ QUOTE ] I just never heard anyone say that the they would take the 835 of the SBE.. I was in shock lol [/ QUOTE ] Same here. I'll buy anyone a Mossberg 835 anyday and trade it for a SBE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonhunter Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Re: 3\" or 3 1/2\"??? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] 3 1/2 inch guns do more to make someone feel better than kill more. [/ QUOTE ] Now I don't know about that. I do own and use two different 3.5" shotguns. They do offer longer effective range when properly choked and fed the proper ammo. The things that make the short shells work so great (Hevi Shot) really make the 3.5" guns rock. You can increase the payload and make the pattern super dense. Again, this is when it is choked properly. IMO the best 3.5" guns are without a doubt, the Mossberg 835 and 935. I would take them over the Super Black Eagle any day (and they are less than 1/2 the SBE price). The larger bore will out perform the smaller bore with the big payloads every time. [/ QUOTE ] agreed......to some extent the only thing that pattern density is going to help with is turkeys, it is decieving because even though the pattern will look great on paper, paper isnt a flying bird or running animal it dosnt move, the shot string in a 3 1/2" shell has holes big enough to throw an irish setter threw, you are trying to get 2 Oz. of shot out of a bore that though bigger still will force the shot string out to the point of worthless on anything other than turkeys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.