If you can't get the birds in close for one reason or another, you need a shell that has greater energy at further distances. Try using HeviShot for the longer yardages. It is more dense and therefore, carries more energy than steel to greater lengths. Using 3.5 inch shells doesn't increase yardage, it just puts more pellets out there. Also, use a tight patterning choke tube such as the HeviShot extreme range tube, it will hold the shot tighter at further distances.