3" vs 3 1/2" Pros and Cons
 

I am wondering what people think the advantages and/or disadvantages of each load are?

Dan

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...

Pros = more shot
Cons = Hard on your sholder
If turkeys were killed with black powder guns, with only a 2 in shell,
Why do you need a canon to kill them.

JMHO

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

I carry a 3.5 but shoot 2.75 or 3 in. shells. I just do not like the recoil of a 3.5 in turkey load.

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.:s2: 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.

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 :)

Pro - More pellets can equal better pattern, and extended range.

Cons - More recoil. More expensive.

Try them out and see if you think they warrant the extra recoil.

There's an idea..............did you say try them out !?!?



BTW - Then you'll KNOW.