I was just thinking that I would ask your opinion. I have shot a A303 in a 20ga and a 12ga as my hunting guns for the past 10-12years and I have never had a problem killing birds with 2 3/4" shells. I just ordered a Urika in max-4. I opted not to spend the extra $300 on the Extrema since I didn't see the need for a 3.5" gun. Just thought that I would see what you guys thought on the subject.

Fact of the matter is, you will throw more steel in the air the bigger the shell, so the bigger the shell, the higher probability of downing the bird. Those are just facts. Do you need it? No one needs it. Is it better? Yeah it is better. Is it worth the extra cost? Well that is personal preference. If you hunt a lot and see plenty of birds and you take high percentage shots and you shoot well, I personally would not bother. But that is just me.

I shot 3.5 inch nearly all season last year, but I needed all the help I could get, I did not see that many birds, and I did not mind paying the extra cost. But I took shooting lessons this year for the first time, my shooting has improved big time, so I doubt I will mess with 3.5 this year. But in reality, cost of shells (small vs big) is a drop in the bucket compaired to the overall cost of hunting.

Only reason I have a shotgun that will chamber 3 1/2's is for geese. When we are out hunting we get geese and ducks. When the ducks are coming in, I put in 3" shells. If a flock of geese start to decoy, I will throw in some 3 1/2's. It's just a convenience thing. Nice to just be able to bring one gun on a hunt! Now I will say this; if you need 3 1/2 to shot ducks well you are probably sky busting or pass shooting! 3" steel has more than enough knock down power out to 45 yards!

Geese
If you do nto goose hunt you do not need it. Just like Heat said, I carry them both,and swap around as the different birds work.

Geese and Turkey

I only use 3.5 when my buddies are. If there going to start shooting at birds 60yds out I might as well join them.

It is interesting that you guys mention geese, I guess I should have figured that one would come up. I was an avid goose hunter in my past life. (I grew up in Montana) I Shot 3" for geese as well as ducks. I think what I am realizing is that there is a big difference in hunting "styles" so to speak, directly related to the abundance of hunting stock. The ducks and geese are not nearly as abundant as where I am from and where I hunted a great deal of waterfowl (San Joaquin River Delta in California) So I could see the want for a 3.5" gun, if you are not going to get as many chances you obviously want to increase your chances for a kill shot.

I think to say 3 inch is for ducks and 3.5 is only needed for geese is your typical response you will get from some waterfowlers, probably because that is what their dad taught them. But there are many that use 3.5 for ducks and many that say 3.5 is never needed and they use 3 inch for geese as well. So it is personal preference in reality.

Here are some facts tho to consider. You are going to pay about 31% more in price for 3.5 inch vs 3 inch, but only a 10% improvement in performance. Take Kent Fast Steel 4 shot as an example.

- Price: 3 inch case price is $130 vs 3.5 inch is $170, 31 % more in price

- Velocity: 1425 vs 1550, 9% better

- Pellets: 1 ¼ oz vs 1 3/8 oz, 10% better

Here is all that info if you want to check the numbers. http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0009170214467a.shtml

So you are paying 31% more in price, in return you get a 9% improvement in velocity and you throw 10% more pellets in the air. 10% improvement is not that much to say 3.5 is over kill for ducks, especially for mallards, those suckers are hard to kill some times, even with 3.5 inch.

Another thing to consider is the coolness factor, the smaller shell you use the cooler you are.

Nice Guy, I like it!

Well if you want to really know, we kill plenty of ducks in timber using 2 3/4 shells! Shoot em in the face and they FOLD UP! To each their own. Some use Heavy Shot, Black Cloud etc for ducks. Do I think it's over kill, yep but that is just my opinion.

I have always shot 2 3/4" for ducks; reloads and factory and never had a problem, I will however, use 3" for geese and cranes; snows, sandhills, and the bigger Canadas (not cacklers) get the 3".

IF someone has to use 3.5 inch for ducks. They really need to learn to let em come in before picking up. IMO

I've shot a 3.5 xtrema now for 5 years. Before that it was mainly 3 inch O/U.

What's the advantages? Many. If you hunt Public the birds are tougher to decoy than a private lease where hunting pressure is usually less. The extra pellets cover about the same diameter pattern as a 3 inch, but the density is much greater. This increases your chance for an immediate kill. The velocity advantage is huge. Impact and penetration due to the higher velocity reduced the amount of time I am out of position chasing cripples.

The price is the only down side to 3.5. To offset the price sometimes I use a 3 inch in the chamber and 3.5's in the magazine.(If the birds are relatively close) I will also have a handful of 2 3/4 shells for chasing winged birds.

I've never felt the need for it. I rarely even shoot 3" shells, usually only when I picked them up on sale. It's all I've ever needed.

Why 3.5"? Because they don't offer 4".

Post deleted by Guy

3.5" simply do a better job and if your body, equipment and wallet can handle the shell, by all means use it. You will experience better results.

What about CHL... I suppose you could carry a .22 pistol, or a 9mm, but .40S&W and .45ACP is available and pack a heavier punch. It's all in what you feel comfortable with, and what works for you. If you can knock ducks and geese down with a smaller shell, Good for you- Cheaper in the long run, and your shoulder sure wont hurt as much. I like to have a box of 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2's at the ready when I duck hunt. Now, Home Security is a different story. I prefer the biggest buckshot shell I can find.

They make 'em I love 'em, there fore I shoot them!