The gun companies are really pushing the 3.5" magnum 12ga shotguns. Some people just don't like the 3.5" shells because of the heavy recoil or maybe they just prefer to use the same gun that they use for skeet, trap, etc. Is it written in stone that you absolutely must use 3.5" shells for hunting ducks and geese or can a person get by ok with a 3" chambered shotgun? What do you guys usually prefer to use? Would I really be handicapping myself that bad if I went hunting geese out in the cornfield with 3" magnum shells?
Question for avid duck and goose hunters
- Thread starter Capstick1
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
IMO: 3 1/2" is not necessary, except for long range pass shooting on high flying geese.
The extra length allows them to hold enough very large size steel shot to make a killing pattern at long range.
I can't even imagine needing them for duck over decoys.
We kill them nicely here in Kansas with 2 3/4" steel loads!
rc
The extra length allows them to hold enough very large size steel shot to make a killing pattern at long range.
I can't even imagine needing them for duck over decoys.
We kill them nicely here in Kansas with 2 3/4" steel loads!
rc
I've never found a need for the 3.5" shells. They were designed back when steel shot 1st came out and was the only realistic non-toxic option. Early steel shot was not nearly as good as is available today and the answer was to simply throw more shot in the air. Today there are other non toxic shot options in standard 2.75" and 3" shells that will outperform 3.5" steel. Plus today's steel is much better. The other non-toxic stuff is more expensive and if you are shooting ammo by the case, then maybe you can justify the cheaper steel shot in 3.5" shells.
The 2.75" and 3" steel shells do anything I need to do. If I ever need more long range punch I'd rather spend the money for better 3" non-toxic shot than put money in a 3.5" gun.
I've yet to see a 3.5" gun that handled light loads as well as the 2.75" and 3" guns. Buying a 3.5" gun means sacraficing reliability with the shells you will use most of the time for a small increase in performance with the shells you will use the least.
The 2.75" and 3" steel shells do anything I need to do. If I ever need more long range punch I'd rather spend the money for better 3" non-toxic shot than put money in a 3.5" gun.
I've yet to see a 3.5" gun that handled light loads as well as the 2.75" and 3" guns. Buying a 3.5" gun means sacraficing reliability with the shells you will use most of the time for a small increase in performance with the shells you will use the least.
Telekinesis
Member
My friends and I use 3" shells because about half of us have guns that won't chamber 3.5" rounds. This lets us swap ammo should one of us need it and we don't have to worry about accidentally loading up with ammo that won't fit. I don't see it as a handicap at all and have never really wished for the extra bit of shot in the 3.5". Of course, I only hunt duck, so high flying geese might be a different story.
HarcyPervin
Member
Most of my waterfowl hunting is geese over fields, I have very rarely thought that 3.5" was that much of a better option. My shotgun is capable of it, but I don't think its necessary. My buddy shoots T shot out of 2.75" shells and does quite well. We really don't pass shoot geese though until the flocks from way up north start passing through, geese aren't the smartest but when you call/shoot at the same mix of local birds, you'll educate them in a hurry. Call 'em in, shoot 'em with whatever you got. You can get by just fine with 3" in BB or BBB or anything in that range. I started shooting with a 20 ga. with 2 and 4 shot, just to have more shot in the air, FWIW. If you're unable to get birds in close, and you're taking shots at high, passing birds, the 3.5 might be a better option, but a little practice on your calls and decoy setup is usally cheaper.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Pass shooting geese at 70+ yards sounds like great fun.
But there aren't too many once-a-year goose hunters that even have a clue how far lead one that far away.
rc
But there aren't too many once-a-year goose hunters that even have a clue how far lead one that far away.
rc
I use 2.75 over decoys for ducks, 3 as a main stay for jumping ponds and when the ducks just want to pass by but when the geese are around everyone of us switches to 3.5. I was one of the last hold outs but time and again just could not get enough steel in them to drop regularly as I do with the 3.5. Nowhere does it say you have to use the same round all season, so why limit yourself. If the birds don't want to come in just change shells to match conditions. I use a Bakail 453 with an adjustable gas system and it feeds the lightest 2.75 through the heaviest 3.5 with no problems. I back it up with a Benelli Nova which also handles the rounds perfectly, although the Benelli kicks like a mule even with the 2.75 loads.
I guess that is what living in the bottom of the US gets you, birds with more muscle mass and harder to knock down
I guess that is what living in the bottom of the US gets you, birds with more muscle mass and harder to knock down
Jeff F
Member
My buddy has a BPS 3.5 inch 12 guage. It does not pattern 3.5 inch loads very well.
I have both 3 and 3.5 for various reasons. If you're rationalizing a new gun, consider simply buying some hevishot or other similar equivalent in 3". The knock down power is greater then steel shot. And a bit softer on the wallet then plopping down serious change on a new or even used gun.
If you are in a field w/decoys your 3 shell in steel 1s or BBs will do just fine. Harder to pattern larger shot then that without $pecialty choke$.
If you're still rationalizing a new gun, may heaven help you. We all suffer from the same symptoms from time to time
.bernie
Member
I have never owned a 3.5" gun and I have killed lots of waterfowl in my time. And I have never duck hunted where I did not have to shoot non-toxic, so I only go back duck hunting so far, I am not truly an old fart, but more of a middle aged one.
JohnBT
Member
Years ago I bought a used 2003 model 3.5" Win SX-2 and it's even cycled low brass 1 1/8 oz. field loads. I bought it because I liked the fit, the grippy DuraTouch camo finish and the price. I've never fired a 3.5" shell in my life.
dprice3844444
member
i get my duck at the market,less work
JohnM
Member
The 3 1/2s are just too much IMO.
I think it leads to too much air shooting and lost birds.
I had a 3" once and got rid of it.
Use a 2 3/4 and shoot when the birds get in close.
I think it leads to too much air shooting and lost birds.
I had a 3" once and got rid of it.
Use a 2 3/4 and shoot when the birds get in close.
Virginian
Member
I was using a 10 gauge with steel, but after tungsten came along I went back to a 3" 12 and have no plans to change again. I did/do not care for the 3-1/2" 12s.
krimmie
Member
You can get a case of clays at Walmart, break them with a hammer at home...less work, and less misses!
MCgunner
Member
3.5" is definitely nice to have on a Texas snow goose hunt. It tosses enough steel T to get the job done on birds that won't come down to 40 yards on a clear day. That is the 3.5' gun's only application of note, though some would add Turkey. It's a specialist load for steel shot regs, but it sure is handy for that. Me, I got a 10 gauge, talk about specialization! But, I hunt geese enough to justify the purchase and that 10 does pattern awesome. Oh, sure, I could still be using the tungsten stuff, but the price went up with gold and I find loading steel T much more to my budget.
Ducks, I hunt ducks with 2 3/4" fasteel loads, number 3 or 2. They work fantastic, but a 3.5" gun will shoot those, too.
As for buying ducks at the market, they ain't the same thing. Wild ducks are darker and much, much leaner. Mama didn't raise no wusses in MY family. J/K, I'm just a life long addicted waterfowler. There is only one cure, DUCK SEASON!
Ducks, I hunt ducks with 2 3/4" fasteel loads, number 3 or 2. They work fantastic, but a 3.5" gun will shoot those, too.
As for buying ducks at the market, they ain't the same thing. Wild ducks are darker and much, much leaner. Mama didn't raise no wusses in MY family.
J/K, I'm just a life long addicted waterfowler. There is only one cure, DUCK SEASON!
DeepSouth
Random Guy
I shoot the 3.5's mainly because I am a bad shot and the more shot in the air the better my chances. As far as recoil it just ain't that much difference, a little but not much. I have mixed up 3's and 3.5's before and when the shooting gets good I can't even tell a difference. We also hardly ever shoot over decoys, we do 90% of our hunting out of a boat at the river, not a lot options in this part of AL. I'm not a huge duck hunter but my son and brother are, I do enjoy it but I've never got "Buck Fever" shooting at a duck.
BTW: I have one "main" shotgun that I use for everything, deer, turkey, skeet, duck, coyote, dove, and pretty much everything else.
BTW: I have one "main" shotgun that I use for everything, deer, turkey, skeet, duck, coyote, dove, and pretty much everything else.
MCgunner
Member
I didn't know .410 was available iin steel shot nor guns rated to shoot it.
If you weren't shooting steel, hope it was before 1980. I wouldn't be braggin' about breaking the law.
Gordon
Member
I shoot 3.5" 10 ga. with T or lots of BBs for geese (or turkey) that won't land. The 3" 12 1100 Rem and 3" 20 ga A5 gets the most use however with steel 3s over the ponds with deeks. I shoot a flat each of 12 and 20 3" fast steel 3s and maybe 100 10 ga. BBs (which I load) a year during water fowl season.
IdahoSkies
Member
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To join the chorus, I think the 3.5" is overkill. I don't hunt geese as a stand alone hunt (usually just ducks with a lucky shot at a goose sometimes) but for a long time I used a 3" 20 ga. Which is real similar load to a 2 3/4 12 ga. It killed decoying ducks without a problem. I upgraded to a 12 gauge this year but had no desire for 3.5" shells. They are very brutal to shoot.
I think the purpose for a 3.5" shell is #1 to sell more guns and #2 to take the place of the 10 gauge in pass shooting geese. Other than pass shooting those big b52s a 3" 12 ga. will do everything you want (as long as you do your part, if you can't hit the bird with a 20 gauge you wont be able to hit it with a 12 3.5" either). My $0.02
I think the purpose for a 3.5" shell is #1 to sell more guns and #2 to take the place of the 10 gauge in pass shooting geese. Other than pass shooting those big b52s a 3" 12 ga. will do everything you want (as long as you do your part, if you can't hit the bird with a 20 gauge you wont be able to hit it with a 12 3.5" either). My $0.02
MCgunner
Member
Hunting Texas snows, you don't need to be pass shooting to need 3.5" T shot. On a clear day, you'll be shooting at 50 to 60 yards lots of times, won't come any closer. There are other species of geese than Canadas, ya know, and I bet you northern guys never hunted over rags before. So, just because YOU don't need more, don't mean someone doesn't. You might not necessarily have ever hunted game where a 60 yard shot was the best you could get even over decoys, but hey, it's a big country out there and there's lots of species of game and they all don't act alike just because they're all GEESE..
I cannot get a 20 gauge 3" steel load to pattern for squat. I've tried, they all suck. I quit trying to use my 20 on ducks and just stick to what works for me, my 12s in 2 3/4", for ducks. Fasteel loads in 12 gauge just plain work. My 20 is reserved for doves and 7/8 ounce 7 1/2 lead loads. that gun is quick to the shoulder, would be a killer quail gun if I hunted quail.
So, just because YOU don't need more, don't mean someone doesn't. You might not necessarily have ever hunted game where a 60 yard shot was the best you could get even over decoys, but hey, it's a big country out there and there's lots of species of game and they all don't act alike just because they're all GEESE.. I cannot get a 20 gauge 3" steel load to pattern for squat. I've tried, they all suck. I quit trying to use my 20 on ducks and just stick to what works for me, my 12s in 2 3/4", for ducks. Fasteel loads in 12 gauge just plain work. My 20 is reserved for doves and 7/8 ounce 7 1/2 lead loads. that gun is quick to the shoulder, would be a killer quail gun if I hunted quail.
A yeh a long time before 1980 !!!!!! You will be lucky if you can even find #2`s for a 410 anymore !I didn't know .410 was available iin steel shot nor guns rated to shoot it.
MCgunner
Member
I used to shoot a 16 with 2s for geese. Can't easily find THOSE anymore, either.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
MC, even back in the day, it was easier to find 3s in 16 gauge hulls than 2s. I preferred 2s, and had some Winchester 1 1/8 oz loads. Are those the ones you mention?
I do not have a 3.5" shotgun and find 3" Hevi-2s sufficient for me here and now. If that changes, I'll get a 3.5" gun or stop goosing.
I did stop for a good long time because early steel loads were seemingly made by Nerf. Things have improved now but for the little bit of goosing I do the Hevi shot will be OK.
I do not have a 3.5" shotgun and find 3" Hevi-2s sufficient for me here and now. If that changes, I'll get a 3.5" gun or stop goosing.
I did stop for a good long time because early steel loads were seemingly made by Nerf. Things have improved now but for the little bit of goosing I do the Hevi shot will be OK.
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