Yesterday I was at my local Academy getting some shells for this week's hunting. I have used 3" #4 or #2 for the past 13 years with no issues (except for that one box of Blindside- blegh- but that's a different story all togehter!)

I saw something that was very interseting and am curious about your opinions:

3" #2 - $23 and up
3.5" #2 - Fed $17, Win $16 (1.25 oz) (1650fps)

Usually I find the 3.5" more expensive or about the same price but have never saw the need to even try them since what I have has always worked well for me.

I know it is said that there is not that much gain, if any, in using a 3.5". But if this is just an economical situation, is there really any harm to switching to 3.5"?

Just a topic for conversation. I will more than likely get a box just to see the pattern comparison at different ranges, but it's really hard to break away from something you already know works.

Same shells? Odd...

I find that pricing hard to believe, but no, no problem switching! They will pattern differently, and there is a bigger payload, but that's about it.

I'm all about the cheapest, GOOD way to get it done.

My thinking is I use 3.5" for geese. 2.75" is enough for decoyed ducks.

I still have 4 boxes of 3 1/2 blind nr 2 and absolutely hate them.
Go with 3 inch nr 3 or 4 heavymetals. The 2 3/4 nr 4 kents are really good over decoys as well.

That is probably the best way I ever heard it put.

If an all around shell is needed then 3" is the way to go.

If only for geese then shoot 3.5" if ya can. Not as easy to kill big geese as it is ducks. Of course when I think geese, I automatically think of snows. Canadas that decoy may be a different story.

try it and see how you like it! that's all there is to it!

You get about 10% more in load, but you will pay more than 10% in price. And will you get 10% more birds? Probably not.

Thanks for all the thoughts and views

Here is the link to the shells I was talking about:

Academy 3.5" shells

I will post the results of the pattern test tomorrow

Daffy you can get those same brand shells in 3" for about $12 a box not sure how you can compare this same shell to a $25 box. I would bet a box of 3" hevi metal for $25 patterns better than those 3 1/2" shells. 3 1/2" are more expensive when comparing the same brand or equal brands.

I like to put a 3.5" shell in as my third shot, 3" as my second and 2 3/4 as my first if I am shooting at decoying ducks. This gives me more time to single out each duck to shoot at. I have killed more triples doing this......probably not the shells, just the confidence. And no, I don't triple each time, far from it.