how much better is the 3 1/2 in. mag for goose?

I think the 3" will do but I have never used a 3 1/2" mag so I dont know how much better it is.

The 3 1/2 in. shell will put more shot out in your pattern. Personally I feel like the more shot you can put out the better chance you will have. The real question here should be what shot size would be best suited for taking down geese.

i use 3 inch and hunt with a bunch of guys who use 3.5's and have never seen a real advantage with killing birds at longer ranges or killing them more dead. as chaselton said... its all about shot size AND shot placement

After patterning 50+ shotguns for customers this year
To fine the best shells for their guns ( yes I get well paid to do their dirty work )

I have found MOST 3.5" loads don't quite pattern as high % as a comperable 3" shell
But the extra pelles in the load more than make up for the lower %

But you still have to pattern your gun / load / choke
Because I just patterned a 3.5"B gun that would notshoot a 50% pattern with any of the factory chokes with 1 3.5" load
Changed loads and it patterned fine
Not sure just why you need 1 3/8 oz of #2 for ducks
But the customer is happy

John

What John said, BUT with my overbored barrel the 3.5" shells with 1 9/16oz of BBB really patterns awesome, blew me away the first cardboard shot i took.

3.5 pounds geese.. There is a considerable difference in shooting it against a 3 inch... I hate steel shot, the more power I can possibly get... I use

None at all.

3" pattern much better, but it's all about how you shoot, shot size, choke, and distance the birds are you are shooting at. I am a terrible shot with a shotgun, because I am left eye dominant and shoot right handed. I cannot tell the difference between kent faststeel 3" and 3 1/2', with an improved choke. Lately I have been shooting Blackcloud in 3 1/2" with a modified choke andI have been doing much better. Today I shot Blackcloud 3" 2's out of an improved choke and shot like chit. I've still got some work to do, but I'm definately leaning towards 3 1/2 out of a modified choke. I've always preached that improved is good enough for decoyed birds, but I'm starting to change my tune. Good luck!

I know some guys that still use 2.75 and they kill geese. it's all about getting them close and making a good shot.