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3 inch or 3.5 inch?

walleyewess

By walleyewess
in MN Shooting Sports-Muzzleloader Hunting-Gun Talk

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walleyewess Enthusiast

walleyewess

Posted
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This past season I got into duck hunting and loved it. I would also like to start goose hunting and im wondering if I should get a gun with a 3.5 chamber. The gun I have will only take 3 inch loads. Im wondering if it is worth getting a gun with a 3.5 inch chamber or are 3 inch loads good enough?

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monstermoose78 Grand Master

monstermoose78

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3.5 in shells in my option are a bunch of talk. It may hold a few more bbs but it doesnt me its better. My grandpa told me if i cant hit it with a 2.75 inch shell I will still miss with a 3.5 inch shell. If you want a bigger gun jump up and get a 10 gauge. If you like your gun now I would not waste my money buying a different one unless you have shot it and it fits you better.

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DRH1175 Mentor

DRH1175

Posted
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That is a personal decision. I have a gun that shoots both. The 3.5 are nice for a few more BB's when hunting big geese, but honestly not needed. I seldom shoot 3.5 shells as the only thing they do that a 3 can't is bruise the shoulder more. I hunted for years along side my cousin he would only use 3" while I was using 3.5" he killed more birds than me always, because he is a better shot.

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Archerysniper Grand Master

Archerysniper

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3.5 is not really needed it mostly gives you a few more BB's but a lot of recoil which will jump you off target if a follow up shot is needed. 2c

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TrollnDrift Collaborator

TrollnDrift

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I agree it all comes down to shot placement and being able to shoot your gun. I have killed a fair amount of birds, geese included, with just a 20ga.

That being said I shoot a Winchester SX2 3.5" 12ga. I can put any type of shell in any order, the gun doesnt care and always cycles properly. Love the gun and shoot whatever shells I happen to grab.

I am more concerned with keeping the velocity consistant for similar lead holds.

I do believe the 3.5" shells help when you get into a goose specific load like BB shot or any shot in the large range you do get more, and more payload does equal more damage when you hit what your pointing at.

Get a gun that fits you properly, learn to shoot it, and find the shells that fit your application properly.

The new black cloud shells have wads that purposly shoot tighter groups than any of the old shells, just by wad design, so combine that with a full choke or sometimes even a modified choke and you will shoot groups so tight at reasonable ranges that you wont hit anything! There are alot of people out there who choke their guns right out of reasonable shots.

As long as you have a gun that shoots where you point it you will be fine and kill just as many birds as the guy shooting the more expensive shells.

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Archerysniper Grand Master

Archerysniper

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+1^^^^ I shoot the same gun as you and more for pheasants then ducks but use prairie storm or black cloud with a Mod or Imp cylinder choke.

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creepworm Experienced

creepworm

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I wouldn't buy a gun specifically for the 3.5" chamber but if you are buying a gun anyway, I would certainly look at getting one with it just for the versatility.

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Gordie Grand Master

Gordie

Posted
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I would not buy a gun solely on its abilty to shoot 3.5 shells but I would buy a gun that fits me perfectly that shoots 3 inch shell or 3.5 inch shells.

Now If you think the 3.5 will make you a better shot well consider this if you miss with a 3 inch gun you'll miss with a gun that shoots 3.5 shells.

I don't own a 3.5 gun but have owned a few 10 ga's and would buy one of those over a 3.5 for goose only because the difference is about 20 yrds for a shot range but thats just my opinion.

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walleyewess Enthusiast

walleyewess

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The gun I have now is a Remington 870. I would not trade it for the world. I think I will stick with it untill we are looking into bying a not shotgun then I think we would get the same gun but with 3.5 chamber. I will also keep in mind what was said about the 10ga, witch I hope to add to the collection sometime. Thanks for all the replys

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Finlander Veteran

Finlander

Posted
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walleyewess, welcome to hotspotoutdoors.com!

Don't know if you can afford the new Remington VersaMax autoloader ($1200.00) or so, and you like your 870, I would consider this gun as it gives you all the shell options 2 3/4"-3.5". And same sight lines as an 870 looking at what you're aming at!

And it is the lightest recoil gun made.

I'm a Remington guy and like American made anything, so that is on my next gun to buy list! 2c

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rupprider Apprentice

rupprider

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Your 870 will do the job. Save your money and buy blind/decoys, etc..

Couldn't agree more!

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