3" vs 3 1/2" shells
 

I'm new to waterfowl hunting and have gone goose hunting in farm fields a few times, and will be doing some more here this fall. The other guys I hunt with all have Benelli Super Black Eagles and use 12 ga. 3 1/2" shells. I have a Benelli M2 that shoots 12 ga. 3". Am I under gunned or am I ok? I shot one duck so far but have not had a chance to shoot at any geese yet. I have been carrying 3" Black Cloud BB.

About the only advantage to the 3.5 is you can add more shot and not loose the velocity.So you will be fine.

3.5 are considerable more expensive, and a waste of $$$ IMO, Ive killed geese pretty easily w/ 3" #1,#2,and even 4shot

i agree 3" bb or bbb is good, even 2 3/4" bb are good

The last time I hunted ducks and geese was before the 3 1/2" shell was invented. In those days, a 3" shell was the big one, and my old man used to talk about the days when it was invented. He started hunting ducks and geese when 2 3/4" was the biggest shell one could buy.

...and I bet he killed the hell out of them. Everyone always wants the biggest and baddest gun. There was a time when I was the same. Nowdays, my waterfowl kills come more from knowledge than the gun I am carrying or the shells it is loaded with.

He's looking for experience. Please, let's not talk about hearsay and let's talk about past experience. Does a 3 & 1/2 shell have spread and velocity over a 3" shell? Maybe Spread losing velocity inside 40 or vice versa? Someone willing to share your youth with youth help out here. In our day and age, hunting is starting to be fround upon than being looked up too. This might be my own hunting area but it's real here.

It doesn't matter what length of shot you use. Whereas you will get a bit more shot for the same kick with the longer loads it's all about where you put your shot. I like using 3" #4's for duck and 3 1/2" #2, bb, or 3 bb for geese. However yesterday when I went to restock shells and every where was out of stock. I ended up having to pick up 2 3/4 #4s which is all they had. Despite the smaller loads I was still able to bring down ducks and a goose. I would just make sure to try and get the ducks closer to you before I cut 'em. I have a buddy who uses 2 3/4 #7 Steel in his first two shots and follows up with a 3" #4 . Basically he drops the bird then kills it after it falls. I may not agree with his method but it is very effective as he downs more birds than I do. The best advice I can give is to figure out what exactly what works for you and the conditions/type of bird you hunt. Just remember that steel is not as dense as lead so you are loosing a lot of punch compared to other types of shot you may be used to.

I've been going through the process of buying my first Semi and this is one of my hot topics. My buddies and myself all hunt ducks with 3" #2,3, or 4's. We also carry rather cheap 3.5" BB loads for Geese when they fly by. I've spent countless hours thinking about how big of a deal this is to me, and I've been able to completely convince myself either way.

I've spoken to lots of people that have been doing this for years and they all say the same thing, it can be done with 3's without a problem. If the gun that feels the best in my hands only takes up to 3" shells then get it, you will shoot a comfortable gun more accurately and with more confidence than one that shoots 3.5's just because it shoots 3.5's. Now that being said if the gun that fits you shoots 3.5's then why not, but since you already have a great shotgun keep it and use it. I think you wouldn't have any problems with the 3" BC BB's dropping geese like rain.

Here's my rule of thumb...

If you buy your shells by the box, get a 3" gun.

If you buy your shells by the case, get a 3.5" gun.

Last month I bought 2 cases of steel for this season, it's all 3.5"