Is there any real advantages to having a 3 1/2in gun if I'm keeping my shots under 35 yards for decoying ducks and geese???? I can probably handle the recoil, I just wanted some opinions..


Thanks,
Cory

I like the 3 1/2" chamber for waterfowling. The real advantage is when shooting steel loads. When shooting steel, speed is an advantage. A 3" shell in steel at 1,550fps has only 1 1/8oz of shot. A 3 1/2" shell in steel at 1,550fps has 1 3/8oz of shot. Pellet count for #2 steel is 140 for 1 1/8oz and 171 in 1 3/8oz. In extrema cold shells can loose velocity as well.
One other advantage is if you run out of shells in the blind. If all of your buddies are shooting 3 1/2" shells and you only have a 3" gun, you're out of business. I don't NEED a 3 1/2" gun just like I don't need a car that is faster than 70mph either.

what Worc said.

If you do your part 1. have a good gunmount and a gun that fits and do alot of clays shooting in the off season 2. use a good quality decoys 3. the knowledge of where and how to place decoys 4. if you done this that means your shots will be 40 yards and under. 3" or 2 3/4 are fine. Spend some time on the patterning board to see what load gives you the best pattern.

I shoot 3.5" steel, hevi-shot and impact out of my nova for geese and ducks. I would go with a 3.5" for a few reasons, 1 there is no limit to what shells you can shoot. 2 Your hunting situation might change and it is nice to be able to adapt. 3 you have more options for shooting, you could use a 3.5" shell and open your choke up or if for some reason the birds are not quite close enough you could put in a tighter choke. The cost is not much different for a 3.5" over a 3". You can get a black Benelli nova for $300 and a camo one for $350.

What Worc said.

I am going to have to subside to what worc said as well.


In my opinion. Is it necessary, NO. Does it make a differnce, heck yeah it does.

And you can use whatever your buddies are shooting as long as its the correct gauge.

Nope.

After patterning 3 inch 3s 1 1/4 and 3 1/2 3s 1 9/16 at 40 yards the difference was only 7 pellets in a 30 inch circle.

Warning: Results may vary with your firearm and shell choke combo so this isn't cut in stone.

there are many naysayers about 3.5" shells, one argument is that such a big payload isn't necessary. i somewhat agree with that.

kent is coming out with a new 3.5" shell. it's 1.25 oz @ 1625fps.

now which would you rather shoot, 1.25 oz poking along in the 1400 fps range or 1.25 oz at 1625 fps?

I must respectfully disagree with the logic. You are running 3.5's and only gaining 1/8 or so oz of shot and the fps advantage is minimal. The question was, 'if i keep my shots under 35yds...'.... I say the 3" is plenty. Sure you can use the 3.5 if you want, do you NEED it...no.
I think too much is being made of fps and loads and not enough on skill. Everyone seems to be trying to gain an edge with technology and speed, a nova or a supernova.....black or camo......who cares? Get yourself a good shotgun you are comfortable with that you can hit consistantly with and go hunting, enjoy yourself and quit worrying about 50fps difference between the load you are using and your buddies.