Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

I have read @ Lightfield's homepageand other sites that you should shoot the longest slug you can in your gun. This makes sense to me becauseif you use a slug that is shorter than the length of your chamber the slug has to "jump" that extra distancetowhere thebarrel is rifled. I shoot a Mossberg 835 which is chambered to 3-1/2". I knowa lot of people don't follow thisrule but if you want max accuracy then doyou agree I should shoot 3-1/2"?

Here is the link. Almost at the bottom of the page.

http://www.lightfieldslugs.com/lightfield/index.cfm?pageid=94&id=2&cfid=19388098&amp ;cftoken=95345467

RE: Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

Smoothbore guns aren’t accurate enough to notice that kind of difference. I sure wouldn’t want to be the one patterning that gun. Anything over 2 ¾ is a waste of energy.

RE: Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

I am not using a smooth bore. I have a 24” rifled barrel that I put on my 835.

RE: Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

I shot a 3-1/2" magnum once. Way too much recoil for the very little energy/velocity gained.

RE: Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

I don’t think this is about velocity or energy. This is about a smooth transition between the chamber and the barrel of the gun

RE: Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

If all you are concerned with is the small accuracy gain then yes you are correct in choosing a 3 1/2" Slug. Yet if you are planning on sighting the cannon in be prepaired to pay in the morning.

RE: Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

You know I don't get it. Just because your Mossberg is an action that can take 3 1/2" shells in it's turkey/goose barrels does not mean their slug barrels are chambered for 3 1/2 inch slugs, does it? I know most people use 2 3/4 " slugs and most surely don't use anything longer than 3", so where does this assumption come in that the slug barrel has 3 1/2 inches before the rifling starts? I would like to see some proof of this.

RE: Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

No, you're absolutely correct.

RE: Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

I will look when I get home from work but I am almost sure the barrel is stamped 3-1/2".

That is my question. The engineer in me says what lightfield says makes sense. But this is not the norm for most hunters. Why? and what should I do?

RE: Using 3-1/2" Slugs?
 

I honestly don't think that extra space before the rifling starts will make a bit of difference in hunting accuracy, that is if there indeed is 3 1/2" before the rifling starts. I wouldn't worry about this in the least. If you aim as you are supposed to at your deer, he will be yours!