3" vs 3 1/2" Pros and Cons
01-02-2010, 07:04 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NewLowell ,Ontario ,Canada
Posts: 2,765
The only advantage of 3 1/2 in shells is you have a much wider pattern when hunting flying waterfowl.
The reason they brought out the 3 1/2 was wingshooting. There really is no need to take the aduse of recoil of a 3.5 unless your gun will not hold a pattern at all and that is very unlikely. This shell will not give you anymore range just because it says 3 1/2 all it is ,is a larger load in the shell..
3inch is lots for any turkey in North America...
The reason they brought out the 3 1/2 was wingshooting. There really is no need to take the aduse of recoil of a 3.5 unless your gun will not hold a pattern at all and that is very unlikely. This shell will not give you anymore range just because it says 3 1/2 all it is ,is a larger load in the shell..
3inch is lots for any turkey in North America...
01-02-2010, 07:39 AM
#4
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 7,436
To back up Adrain -
Difference - you take more abuse from the increased recoil and it costs you more per round vs a 3 inch round.
Other than that offers no more distance (should call them up close & personal anyway)
JW
Difference - you take more abuse from the increased recoil and it costs you more per round vs a 3 inch round.
Other than that offers no more distance (should call them up close & personal anyway)
JW
01-02-2010, 08:18 AM
#5
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: WC FL
Posts: 26,323
The only advantage of 3 1/2 in shells is you have a much wider pattern when hunting flying waterfowl.
The reason they brought out the 3 1/2 was wingshooting. There really is no need to take the aduse of recoil of a 3.5 unless your gun will not hold a pattern at all and that is very unlikely. This shell will not give you anymore range just because it says 3 1/2 all it is ,is a larger load in the shell..
3inch is lots for any turkey in North America...
The reason they brought out the 3 1/2 was wingshooting. There really is no need to take the aduse of recoil of a 3.5 unless your gun will not hold a pattern at all and that is very unlikely. This shell will not give you anymore range just because it says 3 1/2 all it is ,is a larger load in the shell..
3inch is lots for any turkey in North America...
01-02-2010, 12:19 PM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: North Louisiana
Posts: 3,050
Well, I shoot 3 1/2's. I'm not a sissy like the rest of you fellows. I can take a little extra kick.
You don't notice the kick when you shoot at a gobbler. I have to disagree a little. I think you do get a little more range. You also get more pellets, which could increase your odds of killing one at longer distances. I will agree there is not a whole lot of difference, and JW is right, it's all about getting them close, but if a bird is hung up at 50 yards, I have complete confidence my 3 1/2's will do the job. They will drop them dead well past 50, but that's about as far as I want to go.
You don't notice the kick when you shoot at a gobbler. I have to disagree a little. I think you do get a little more range. You also get more pellets, which could increase your odds of killing one at longer distances. I will agree there is not a whole lot of difference, and JW is right, it's all about getting them close, but if a bird is hung up at 50 yards, I have complete confidence my 3 1/2's will do the job. They will drop them dead well past 50, but that's about as far as I want to go.
01-02-2010, 04:22 PM
#8
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Indy
Posts: 728
I actually patterned 3.5 and 3's last year with arrowmaster and the 3's held the pattern much better. Shot #6 3" federal's w/ 45+ bb's at 40yds. Now for me that was great. I shot 3.5's in my previous gun. The 3.5 kick like a mule; except when you smack down old tom and then you don't feel a thing 
