This question may have been asked before so it if it has a link to that thread would be appreciated. Is there a real difference in ballistics and killing power between 2.75",3",3 1/2" shells? I know logic would tell you bigger is better but like anything else the truth may surprise you. Is there a good study out there or do you guys have experience with it? Im fairly new to duck hunting and want to make the best decision as far as shells to make humane kills but also not buy more shell than I need as we all know they are getting awfully expensive. Also, I will be shooting mostly ducks and the occasional goose.

It's all about the amount of powder and shot.

Bigger is not better. If you are shooting 3 1/2s at ducks you are wasting your money.

Gun mags have had a few good articles on this subject over the last 20 years. Basically, it all comes down to velocity and how well your gun patterns with a load. Early 3.5" guns tended to not pattern well, for example. After market chokes can fix that.

Also, that has to do with pellet size. The 3.5" is supposed to handle the bigger shot better. Does it in reality? Oh man... post this question on a serious duck hunting forum and wait for the replies! Some guys love them, some guys hate hate hate them.

For me personally, the extra recoil from the roman candles isn't worth any performance increase I might get. If I start flinching, I start missing. But, hey, that's just me.

I don't find the 3 1/2's all that useful. I shoot high 3" at ducks and have no trouble with it.

The size of the shell matters little. At the end of the day, it's how many pellets are out there, how fast they are traveling, and how consistent the pattern is. If you look, you will find the same ounces of shot in some 3" shells that are in some 3.5 inch shells. There is no standard answer.

General consensus says that 3.5 inch shells are unnecessary for the average duck hunter. But then again, so are alot of these jacked up diesels that you see guys driving around.

more important is the Indian not the arrow

Yeah, if the pellets aren't on target, nothing is gonna help you.

[quote=duckboy007]The size of the shell matters little. At the end of the day, it's how many pellets are out there, how fast they are traveling, and how consistent the pattern is. If you look, you will find the same ounces of shot in some 3" shells that are in some 3.5 inch shells. There is no standard answer. /quote]

What duckboy007 said. I've had just as much luck shooting 2 3/4's at ducks as I have 3's. And I've never used a 3 1/2.

Best shell I've shot were some old 2 3/4's with with 1 1/4-1 3/8 oz shot.

Over 150 ducks last year with 2 3/4 inch shells. Almost no lost cripples.

^^sounds like the indian and not the arrow

Im definitely going to experiment and pattern the gun alot more than in the past for sure and just use what works.