3" or 3 1/2"???

[njbowhntr]

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.

[AJ]

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What is the advantage of a 3 1/2", besides more lead?

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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.

[lil hunter]

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.

[Strut_Buster]

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.

[huntn4bucks]

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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.

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Yep. My Benelli SBE spits'em out just fine.

[Colorado Bob]

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.

[AJ]

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.

[carbonhunter]

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What is the advantage of a 3 1/2", besides more lead?

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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.

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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.

[AJ]

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3 1/2 inch guns do more to make someone feel better than kill more.

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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.

[total disaster]

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The larger bore will out perform the smaller bore with the big payloads every time.

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dose this mean that with bigger bore that the 3.5" is equal to the 3,5" 10 ga??????

[AJ]

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dose this mean that with bigger bore that the 3.5" is equal to the 3,5" 10 ga??????

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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.

[total disaster]

ok thats what I thought was happening with the bigger bore size...thanks AJ

[Strut_Buster]

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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.

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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.

[AJ]

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.

[Strut_Buster]

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