3" or 3.5" Remington 870 ???
 

I am gonna get a 870 pump. My local wally world has a black one in 3" for 238.00 , But I wanted a 3.5" and they don't have any. Should I pay more at a gun shop to get a 3.5" model. I am hunting duck and turkey and some dove as well . Thanks in advance for any replys.

RE: 3" or 3.5" Remington 870 ???
 

definately get the 3 1/2" you will be much happier in the long run. its not needed for ducks but you will be glad you have it when you hunt the turkeys and geese if you ever do.

RE: 3" or 3.5" Remington 870 ???
 

I second the 3.5" for the same reasons.

RE: 3" or 3.5" Remington 870 ???
 

I can remember when we used to kill 'em real dead with 2 3/4" loads....
This country has gone magnum nuts.

RE: 3" or 3.5" Remington 870 ???
 

Well, you may be right. With that said, you still can shoot 3" and 2 3/4" shells in a 3.5" chamber, but you denfinitely can not shoot 3.5" in a 3" chamber, so why not have the ability. I know that sometimes, a 2 3/4" shell will chamber a little sloppily in a 3.5", but nothing that I could not easily deal with.

RE: 3" or 3.5" Remington 870 ???
 

You got that right!!!

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RE: 3" or 3.5" Remington 870 ???
 

What was that? I couldn't quite make it out. ;)

RE: 3" or 3.5" Remington 870 ???
 

Spend more and get all 3. If you hunt Goose you will like the 3.5" and doves and such only need a smaller load.

RE: 3" or 3.5" Remington 870 ???
 

The 3 1/2s were developed for the steel shot loads for ducks and geese...to give denser patterns....Will you be decoying birds or pass shooting??? Also, with the development of tungston, heavy shot etc....Do you still need the added recoil of a 3 1/2??? Is the 3 1/2 heavier than the 3 inch??? Do you want to carry the extra weight and how does it affect the balance...

For turkeys, a 3 1/2 is just is not needed...My dad was a market hunter back in the 30s...He killed more turkeys than most of us will ever see...He used a 12 gauge, single shot, 2 3/4 inch full choke wiith Remington #4s...

I have a Browning B-80 that puts about 15 pellets into a turkey's head and neck at 40 yards, using Federal Premium #5s...I see no need for any more.. Down South, 40 yards in the Spring turkey woods is a long ways...If I can't get them closer than that, I just get more hunting time in!!!:)

Another thing...a 3 1/2 with a turkey load has a good kick to it, especially in a pump...Flinching is a terrible habit to try to cure...I have seen more deer wounded by flinching than any other reason...

Guess I don't think a 3 1/2 is needed...In fact, I would go with a 10 gauge over a 12 in 3 1/2 because of the shorter shot column...