3" or 3.5" For Ducks ??

[Iron Glove]

Not a waterfowler but Son In Law is quite interested so we are thinking of getting him a pump 12 G for Xmas.
Is a 3.5" that much more preferable to a 3" and if he also uses for upland birds, which he already is into, does that make a real difference ??
Thanks.

[Ron.C]

Man IG, what a great father in law you are!!!!!

3" Steel shot will do just fine for waterfowl. Less recoil than 3.5" and cheaper.

I still shoot 2 3/4" lead for upland.

[todbartell]

Having the capability of shooting 3.5" is a good thing

[Iron Glove]

Having the capability of shooting 3.5" is a good thing

Curious why - distance, hitting power, more versatility ........................ ??
As I said, I know zip about it.

[todbartell]

yeah you nailed it. Bigger payload, higher velocity, versatility of the firearm is maximized

[alpinedust]

Wow father in law of the year.

I think the 870 supermag takes all three of 2 3/4", 3" and 3 1/2" if I'm not mistaken

[Foxton Gundogs]

yeah you nailed it. Bigger payload, higher velocity, versatility of the firearm is maximized

I have been a waterfowl hunter all my life, I just sold my 3, 3.5" waterfowl guns and kept the 2.75 and 3". In almost 8 yrs I shot 1.5 boxes of 3.5" in all this time. I have to take exception to the statement ''More Velocity" most 3.5" are 1550 fps. As are most 3 and 2.75 waterfowl loads. Remington has a 1700 fps 3" while most 3.5'' top out at 1625 fps. with steel, speed kills. payload is a little bigger but from my experience if you can actually shoot, 2.75 or 3" will give you the same killing power, speed and shot size. the only difference is a few more pellets. If someone wants a 3.5" fine that's their choice but they all do the same job. BTW if anyone wants to trade 3.5" BBs for 3" BB or #3 1550 or faster. PM me. lol

[labguy]

Same as Foxy. Waterfowling for over six decades and shot literally thousands.

I hunt with a less experienced man who insists on using 3 1/2” and I outkill him at least two to one. Most shotguns chambered for 3 1/2 are bulkier and clumsier and more difficult to get on target....at least that’s my experience.

You do not want a gun chambered for 3 1/2 if your upland hunting...

As with everything shooting related you can talk balistics, velocity, hitting power and everything else till your blue in the face but the 99% of bagging more birds is hitting the damn things.

Therefore, a gun properly fitted to the shooter that feels good in your hands and on your shoulder will give you the confidence to get on target and kill more birds. Shotgunning is more feeling than aiming.

[mastercaster]

If you're thinking about buying your son in law a used shotgun, John, you're going to find a lot more guns out there chambered for 3" than 3.5". I don't know of anyone who uses 3.5s for ducks, just geese but I guess there's hunters out there who probably do thinking it'll help them drop more birds out of the sky..

As mentioned,,,,, if a guy is a good shot he's going to drop a lot more birds whether he's shooting 2 3/4" or 3" than hack who's shooting 3.5s. When your S.I.L. gets his shotgun tell him to spend some time at the range shooting trap and skeet. Sure helped me!

[Dutch]

Lol I shoot a 20g at ducks so I am right out of the picture but last week week we got into some pass shooting at geese and the 1 1/4 BB 3.5" was a difference maker.Could hit them with the 3" but could not fold them up like the 3.5".But yes for ducks 3" is great and shooting 3.5" out of a pump gun is just cruel punishment.

[Foxton Gundogs]

Gèse goes down with 2.75 and 3" 1550 fps will fold them, but like Lab Guy said being able to hit the target is most important. My partners and I put over 700 on the ground a couple of years back, not a 3.5" was fired. As I said before 1500 fps is 1550 fps whether it comes from 3.5" or 2.75". If you want to reach out change chokes not shells. They all travel the same speed and distance.

[labguy]

Gèse goes down with 2.75 and 3" 1550 fps will fold them, but like Lab Guy said being able to hit the target is most important. My partners and I put over 700 on the ground a couple of years back, not a 3.5" was fired. As I said before 1500 fps is 1550 fps whether it comes from 3.5" or 2.75". If you want to reach out change chokes not shells. They all travel the same speed and distance.

Now that is really interesting “they all travel the same speed and distance”. If the 3 1/2 inch shell has more drams of powder, would that not mean further distance or does the drag resistance created by air density negate that?

I know from subjective experience (non scientific) that I drop birds consistently as far with 3” as my partner does with his 3 1/2”.

I'd like to know if there is science behind this observation or if my observations are faulty.

[Farmer]

Now that is really interesting “they all travel the same speed and distance”. If the 3 1/2 inch shell has more drams of powder, would that not mean further distance or does the drag resistance created by air density negate that?

I know from subjective experience (non scientific) that I drop birds consistently as far with 3” as my partner does with his 3 1/2”.

I'd like to know if there is science behind this observation or if my observations are faulty.

More powder but has to push a heavier payload. The shot string will be longer with a larger payload, but the probably won't go farther.
I'm with Foxton on this one. I use 2 3/4 almost all the time for ducks. I only use 3 inch for geese and not all the time.
If they are decoying really good, 2 3/4 will work just fine.

[Duckman]

But yes for ducks 3" is great and shooting 3.5" out of a pump gun is just cruel punishment.

This! My 3.5" pump caused severe bruising on the middle finger of my trigger hand. It was OK for turkeys but miserable to shoot all day for waterfowl. I also found the longer action of the 3.5" made for a clumsier gun mount and took me a bit longer to get on target. So I sold it. Very happy with my 3" pumps...

[Corona1986]

Get the 3.5inch then you can shoot all three sizes of shells. 3.5 inch and full extended choke works great for high flying geese.

[Dutch]

Well shooting geese over decoys feet down 3"or 2 3/4 " yes don't think that is an issue .Shot 160 geese (8 guns) in 20 minutes over decoys .But shooting geese at 40 + I want more shot on target. The Speed is the same but at 40 + yards at least on my patterning board the 3.5" puts more pellets (16) in the kill zone versus (5). with my best performing load Winchester .As I said in my previous post we were hitting them but not hard (#of pellets) enough to fold them. But the 3.5 would definitely put them down .More pellets on target was IMHO the key.so hence the 3.5 .

[blindman]

Since you are considering a pump shotgun, I personaly would go with the 3" chamber. I'll bet most of the ones favoring the 31/2" shell are shooting semi-autos which will make a large difference in recoil. Just watched a youtube video of a group shooting only .410's over decoys and limiting shots to 25 Yds or so. Pretty impressive. Also is he an experienced hunter or new to the sport?