I agree.. Only buy what your going to use. I shoot a 3 1/2 for geese down here. But if I didnt hunt geese I'd stick with a 3".

If you are shooting at 35 yds a good 3 in shell will do the job. I have a Mossberg 835 but I'm thinking about selling it, my problem is the at 5' 7'' I have short arms so I grab the forearm at the end of it. The balance is all off and last year a couple of times my gloves jammed forearm when I pumped it.

If you have not bought your gun yet then go ahead and buy one chambered for 3 1/2 in. THEN PATTERN YOUR GUN. You may discover that a 3 in load patterns better or a 3 1/2 load is better. Every shotgun that is chambered for 3 1/2 will also shoot 3 in. shells as well.

As most said they are not necessary especially if you are shooting ducks at 35 yards and under. With the introduction of hevi-shot a 3 in. will perform for you really well.

Nemont

Personally I’ve used 2-3/4” and 3” shells for a long time and wouldn’t hesitate in using them at 35 yards and that’s not very far especially over decoys but if I had to buy a new gun I would probably buy it with a 3-1/2” chamber just in case.

3's work good for me. Even though I am using an extra full choke. I shoot 3's at ducks and 3's at turkeys.

Both work.

tell it like my dad told me. "i been useing 2 3/4 to hunt ducks for years and have killed as many birds as anyone i hunt with". kinda hard to beat the logic. BUT if your gettin a gun get the 3-1/2 why not have th enewest thing going, and be able to shoot ANYTHING in the blind.

I shoot a 10 gauge so obviously I like the 3.5.....I like the heavier gun more than anything. As far as the shells go not alot of difference between a 3 and 3.5.