3 1/2in shotgun Needed?

But they were allowed to use lead shot on waterfowl.
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Hey, I hunted waterfowl with lead shot before the steel ban and I'm not old enough to be a grandfather! What are you trying to say?:D

OK, I do have some gray hair...:(
 
Globemaster; so am I. Grey hair is hereditary; you get it from your kids. I have quite a bit now; my family tends to go white haired with age. I still don't think you need a 3" or longer 12 gauge unless you're shooting steel shot. Just a waste of money and powder, not to mention the added kicking you take.
 
I have a 870 in 3.5". I hurts to shoot it from a bench. It does not hurt when I shoot game with it.

I only use 3.5's on Turkey and Coyotes. For what you desire to hunt, you do not need a 3.5. If you do not need it now, that doesn't mean you wont need it later, though. Go ahead and buy the 3.5, at least you'll have the capability to shoot 3.5's when find out how much fun coyote and turkey hunting is.
 
3.5 is only for long range geese and duck work with the proper choke (like a pattern master) or for when you really want a sore shoulder :p

also, like others have stated better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I got a smoking deal on my 835 with a pattern master choke and that is the reason I own a 3.5" 12ga. the choke is what makes this gun a super long range waterfowl gun, otherwise with a normal full or x-full choke it is just as good shooting 3" as it is with 3.5" .

at the least get a gun that can handle up to 3" since you never know when you will be in the boonies and run out of ammo and the local gas station might only have 3" (highly unlikely, but never know). If you own a 3.5" then you have no worries at all.


JOE
 
I did not state before that a 3.5" alone will not solve any problems. Chokes are far more important. Here are some examples of 3.5" performance with various chokes at 40 yards. I like the 3.5" and hunt with it often, but a 3" will do everything a 3.5" can do...it just throws a little less lead.


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Factory Benelli Full
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Carlson's Extended Full
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Comp-N-Choke XXX Full
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I don't typically think of myself as recoil sensitive, but the only 3.5" 12ga I ever shot (Mossberg 835) was downright painful. Personally, if I need more than a 3" 12ga has to offer, I'll go straight to my 10ga (it's reciol is much more manageable than the 835 was).
 
the only thing I really want a 3.5 is for turkeys. I use them for waterfowl b/c my dad gives me a case for christmas each year. Never had any problems w/a regular 3" before I got the 3.5 two years ago though. I sure wouldn't pass a good deal on a 3" 870.
 
A 3" 12 gauge will cover most game hunting. However, with steel shot I use a 3 1/2" 12 gauge for waterfowl.

Mossberg 835s are stocked differently than most shotguns and therefore the increased felt recoil. :p I owned one, sold it and purchased a Russian Baikal MP-153 with a 24" barrel (now called the Remington/Spartan 453). The MP-153 is a gas operated and gas a relieved semi-auto and that makes it much easier to handle full house loads of 3 1/2" ammo.

Using Kent 3 1/2" Fast Steel with BBBs at 1550 f.p.s. and an extended Terror choke tube in .675" restriction, I can get a 91% pattern inside a 30" circle at 40 yards. I've dropped geese at 55+ yards and when I pick them up there's holes in their back where the pellets had passed through. :cool:

For all other hunting with a shotgun I use a Mossberg 500 Turkey Special (20" barrel) and choke it according to what I intend to hunt. Outstanding patterns with the factory turkey choke of .650" restriction.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
the 3 1/2 doesn't recoil that much if you know how to hold it right.

Just hold it an inch or two away from your shoulder when you shoot it so that the recoil is absorbed by the time it touches your shoulder.

Let me know how that works out for you.:D
 
the 3 1/2 doesn't recoil that much if you know how to hold it right.

Just hold it an inch or two away from your shoulder when you shoot it so that the recoil is absorbed by the time it touches your shoulder.
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I'll consider that a joke. If you can't shoot a shotgun/rifle from your shoulder you dont need to be shooting it at all.
 
my 835 waterfowl model does not recoil that much. by the way the averager 835 wears the same wood as a 500, the waterfowl and deluxe 835's have better wood and some have different ergonomics (stock design). My waterfowl 835 came with high grade walnut and the buttstock which is factory mossberg has a slightly "european" styling that differes greatly from the average stocks.

I added a knoxx comp stock set for use when I am turkey hunting with full power 3.5" and I am resting against a tree and have to make a shot. the comp stock reduce recoil that is felt down to about what a 20ga with light trap loads feels like.

JOE
 
I suppose 3 1/2" 12GA. has a purpose. I am not quite sure what. For Geese, I use 3 1/2" 10 GA. For Ducks and Pheasant I have a 3" 12 GA. and for quail and dove I use a 2 3/4" 16 Ga. To be truthful, the 16 GA would work on all of them. Shooting a Turkey that is pretty much standing at 35 yds with a shotgun seems a bit much to me, but what do I know. I like to use a 22-250 on them.
 
2-3/4" worked well for generations of my family and I see no reason to change up. I shoot SbS's (personal preference) and have a .410, a couple of 16's and 12's plus a 10. My 16 Fox gets the heaviest workout followed by my 12 Stevens. Don't get on my Stevens, it was my first shotgun and has put in 46 yrs. of triumphant service.
 
needed, probably not. wanted would be better. especially if(from the sounds of it) you don't like your shoulder. i've fired enough 3" buckshot to know that the 3" shells hurt me enough. the 3.5" would really be a kicker.

i've thought about getting a 3.5" chambered shotgun. but i don't do enough goose or turkey hunting to need one. the few extra pellets above the 3" in the 3.5" buckshot loads aren't enough to make me get one for deer use. 3" #1 buck with 24 pellets and 3" 00 buck with 15 pellets are enough for me. i haven't seen any 3.5" #1 buck shells. or 3.5" slugs much less a 3.5" chamber slug barrel. if i was going to need a 3" or 3.5" slug gun. i would use my marlin in .35 rem or a 30-06 (mauser rifle).
 
Ran across a new 835 "Ulti-Mag" at a gun show for $225 OTD. I'd not been looking for a 3 1/2 gun, but for that price, why not? You don't have to shoot the long shells, anyway. I do some deer hunting with dogs, and use that gun. Killed one 4-point last year with it and 3 1/2" 00 buck. Does a good job with 3" and 2 3/4", as well. To each his own, I suppose.
 
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