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Post by Mike N Riley on Sept 23, 2012 5:53:53 GMT -5
Just looking for opinions on the real value or need for 3 1/2 inch chambers. I am shopping for a new gun and have mixed feelings about the usefullness of 3 1/2. I rarely if ever used them in my last gun which was chambered 3 1/2. So I dont want to overlook guns that are only 3 inch. Any opinions welcome!! Thanks, Mike
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Duck
Hunter
Big Drake located in Petersfield MB. 10 Minutes from one of my old Hot Spots!!
Posts: 441
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Post by Duck on Sept 23, 2012 6:24:20 GMT -5
I was pondering the same thing. I use a relatively inexpressive Remington Super Magnum Express Shotgun capable of 3 1/2 shells. I have never used 3 1/2 shells, and last weekend when Brandon was using the pump all 8 Geese were taken with 3 inch shells and all Geese were dead or close to it. The shells were mostly Kent BB and I think a few Remington were in there as well. I have a bunch of 2 3/4 number 4 and 2 that I will use when I go early duck and mainly teal are present. I think if I was out west or going on a hunt where I knew there would be huge greater Canadian Geese I would try 3 1/2. I think a lot of the guns allow for a variety of size of shells. Not sure what would happen but if you have shotguns that are capable of different size shells one would have to be cautious what you put in the chamber when fumbling for shells.
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crockett
Hard Core
...whistling wings in the dawn sky, the buck and roar of a fine gun swung true...
Posts: 2,056
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Post by crockett on Sept 23, 2012 8:42:27 GMT -5
Bottom line is that all else being equal (speed etc...) you can put more pellets in the air with 3.5" shell. If you're a good shot with a properly patterned gun - do you "need" that extra shot in the air? Nah, probably not. The costs of using 3.5" are just a bit more expense per shell and more recoil. For some, I guess the recoil might mean that you don't shoot as well, especially on second/third shots. Personally, I use 3.5", but for no other reason than "I can, and I can't think of a good reason not to (added expense is minimal, and recoil does not bother me)".
Some other reasons to buy a 3.5" chambered gun:
1. think about resale. I know that every time we buy new guns we think "this is THE ONE", but you never know. So even if YOU don't think you want to shoot 3.5", consider what other people want. If you're trying to sell a 3" chambered gun you are going to lose some portion of the market who only want a 3.5" gun.
2. think about why NOT. It does not affect the performance of the gun at all to shoot shorter shells out of it. Nothing to lose by having the longer chamber, even if you don't use it.
Of course, if the gun you want is only available in 3", then that's a different story. If I saw a gun that I really wanted, fit me well, was in my budget, or whatever other critieria, I would not hesitate to own a 3" waterfowl gun. But overall, if I can find all those criteria in a 3.5", I'd just as soon go that route.
-Croc
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Post by Beaus_Dad on Sept 23, 2012 10:53:31 GMT -5
In the words of Tim the toolman taylor-"More Power-rrrrrrrr"
You can always shoot 3" but you can't shoot 3.5" if you limit yourself
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Post by blacklabs on Sept 23, 2012 19:31:12 GMT -5
Escort shotguns would be a great gun to start and I'll beat u would be into a 3.5 for under 800
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Post by osdad on Sept 24, 2012 14:09:32 GMT -5
I like the option of the 3.5" but wouldn't call it a requirement. Honestly I use 3in for shots 1&2 and then a 3.5" for the last.
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Post by Mike N Riley on Sept 24, 2012 18:59:00 GMT -5
Thanks guys.
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Post by huntingike on Sept 25, 2012 21:15:23 GMT -5
totally agree , i rarely use 3" all 3 1/2" and my main go to is my bps 10 ga . My theory is you can't kill them too dead . I like to have the extra pellets and reach when needed .
my $.02
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HUNT247
Hunter
I see dead geese!
Posts: 470
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Post by HUNT247 on Sept 26, 2012 15:27:13 GMT -5
What Croc said
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