3.5 vs 3" debate

[REN]

just a topic I was talking about with a buddy the other day, just looking for what others think.

is a 3.5 worth it or is 3" plenty? Would you buy a gun that only shot 3" or does it have to chamber a 3.5?

if you use 3.5 why? how much better did your gun do with it vs the 3"???

just a good debate I would like to see what others opinions are.

 

[bigdeer]

mine patterns better with 3.5 than the 3s do but i would rather have a gun that shot all 3 size shells than just 2 think re sell would b better also 3.5 has a better range than 3s do

 

[muddyboots]

I use 3 1/2. I like the ten extra yards of range. 3 inch is fine if that is what you want.

 

[Trapper John]

I bought a shotgun capable of shooting 3.5 inch shells. Turns out they don't pattern well for me and the extra recoil isn't worth it.

They die in front of 2-3/4 inch shells so 3 is fine for me. In fact 2-3/4 inch shells pattern better than the 3 inchers from my gun. I just lose a little distance. I still typically shoot the 3's.

 

[cruff10]

I bought a shotgun capable of shooting 3.5 inch shells. Turns out they don't pattern well for me and the extra recoil isn't worth it.

They die in front of 2-3/4 inch shells so 3 is fine for me. In fact 2-3/4 inch shells pattern better than the 3 inchers from my gun. I just lose a little distance. I still typically shoot the 3's.

I agree!!!!! my 3.5 don't patter as well as my 3" and it is not worth the pain!!!

 

[muddyboots]

Here is my 3 1/2 at 40

 

[RussellvilleRob]

I shoot 3". I have never killed or had to shoot at one past 10-15 YDS.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

A 3.5" doesn't give yoy anymore distance but it does give you more pellets.

Bottom line shoot which ever length, shot size, or mfg of ammo that patterns best, and leave it at that.

Exactly, that's why I shoot a 3.5...... more pellets.

 

[Timberdoodle]

Here is my 3 1/2 at 40

What kind of a setup do you have, mb?

 

[Baxter83]

They die in front of 2-3/4 inch shells so 3 is fine for me.

Me too! My buddy killed his first turkey with a 12ga 2-3/4" low brass #8 and with a modified choke @ 30 yards. It just takes one pellet to the head. . I guess if you want to spent xxxxx dollars for the "good" shells more power to ya. I'll stick with the cheap 3 inchers from Wal-Mart.

 

[muddyboots]

Here is my 3 1/2 at 40

What kind of a setup do you have, mb?

Remington 870-sps-t super mag - Rhino.660 - Nitro 4 x 5 x 7 Hevishot

Some people dont like spending that much money for a shell and choke combo but they do perform as advertised.

 

[Baxter83]

i look at it like it will only cost me $ 28 dollars a year

That's not a bad way of looking at it. Heck, this will be going on 3 seasons I've had the same $12 box of shells........ I'm being extra economical I guess..

 

[muddyboots]

I did not take the time to count them. It looked like plenty to me.

 

[turkeyhunter]

I always shot 3.5, until last season. I assumed that the 3.5 where better. When I patterned my gun no shell has out performed a 3 inch number 4. I have yet to buy any high dollar extended range stuff, cant afford them.

 

[redblood]

A 3.5" doesn't give yoy anymore distance but it does give you more pellets.

Bottom line shoot which ever length, shot size, or mfg of ammo that patterns best, and leave it at that.

Good point CH. In fact 3" shells are moving faster because they are pushing less shot with the same charge. I shoot 3.5" in my 10 gauge.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Good point CH. In fact 3" shells are moving faster because they are pushing less shot with the same charge.

I have read faster is not always better. High Vol shells will have a tendancy to spread out more downrange because of the faster deployment.

Don't know, but I am going to try another shell/choke combo with regular speed shells to see if there is a noticeable difference.

 

[REN]

wow this one was a good debate after all. I posted it because it seems like alot of false information out there about what 3.5's actually do.

I do current hunt with 3.5's but the 3" actually pattern the same as the 3.5 i am just a sucker and pay the extra money for the .5 i guess lol

i understand it is all in the gun/shell/choke but just wanted opinions i guess.

I am about to buy either a Moss 935 or a Stoeger 2000, however the Stoeger doesnt shoot 3.5's but the Moss uses a gas action so kinda stuck in which i really want. 3.5's dont really matter to me that much and i dont really care about the resale as i have no goal to ever sell it.