Iv' e been told that the only real difference is the kick like you observed.The 2 3/4" have done the job for decades. I have run into spent hulls in the woods where I hunt from 3 1\2 shells and my only deduction is that they own a goose gun and use it for deer,as you can only see 100yds in this stuff. If you want to check on the trajectoy and compare shells at different ranges I' m sure you.ll you' ll want to use 2 3/4' s. Just go to the manf. sites.