The death of the 12 gauge Magnum!

Not quite up to 7 shotguns, but ore than 1. I THINK some of them can hold 3 inchers. I have never fired them or felt the need to. I have done quite well with loads that have less lead and more velocity for long range shots. I have not gone Goose hunting, so maybe if I do...
 
I bought an 870 (first shotgun) super mag this past Christmas. I had very little experience in shooting shotguns. By the time I got used to shooting 2 3/4" bird shot, my buddy "encouraged" (eg: deceived) me into shooting a 3" turkey load. "Ohhhh, it's barely any different than what you've been shooting" :) Surrrreee

It was tolerable, but I lost my whole sight picture after firing. I can't imagine the need for anything larger than 3". If you can't kill something with a 12ga 3" shell, then you're using the wrong gun all together. You might have brought your shotgun to a rifle hunt, if ya know what I mean. But that's just my opinion.

Though I will shoot a super mag round through it one day, just to say that I did it and, ya know, "prove" my manhood. I will then proceed to whine when it kicks the crap out of me...
 
My Browning gold shoots 3.5" and for "fun" one day while shooting clay pigeons I bought some 3.5" turkey load. Needless to say shooting it was brutal, but I was able to maintain site picture well enough to shoot a few doubles. I usually use 2 3/4 for upland bird and use 3" for water fowl (geese mostly). Maybe there's a benefit for 3.5" when shooting Turkey, but I'm not spending the money on 3.5" for anything else (haven't been out for Turkey). I think 2 3/4" and 3" both have their place and utility.
 
Don't make the funeral arrangements yet.....

The 3.5" 12 gauge was created for two reasons.

The first, to pack more steel shot into a shell for greater effectiveness on waterfowl, especially bigger geese. Steel loads of the time came up rather short against geese if over 30 yards.

The second, to sell shotguns to folks with perfectly good shotguns at home.

Recent improvements in non toxic ammo reduced the "Need" for the 3.5" hull.

New stuff, like Hevishot 2s, is as good as lead or better. Better loads come out every year, and these are capable of being fired in 3 or 2 3/4" guns.

I do a fair amount of shotgunning, and so far I've not needed a 3.5" load.

Maybe half the shotguns here handle 3". None have 3.5" capabilities.

I have shot a few Supermags. With 2 3/4" loads, they work well......
 
12 Guage 3-1/2"

I've fired exactly 3 shots of 3-1/2" Mag from my 870. I remember each and every shot and it's been a few years. F...That!
It's one of those rare occasions where it might really hurt me as much as it hurts you! :eek:
 
I've shot a fair amount of 3 1/2" buckshot and turkey loads from a Mossberg 835. The buckshot isn't so bad. The turkey loads are hell incarnate. I've killed just as many deer and turkeys with 3" and probably more deer with 2 3/4".

I rarely shoot it anymore as I've passed it down as a loaner to others who feel they need more lead to kill their intended game. my 19 year old nephew in particular is fond of it and has killed quite a few deer with it. He can shoot it all he wants to as long as he buys his own ammo. :D
 
With modern non-toxic materials now available, there is no reason in the world anyone needs a 3.5" 12 gauge shell...

...Unless they are a really bad shot. More open chokes and more shot in the pattern can help compensate for poor marksmanship.
 
Might be time to bring back the 10 gauge's. My dad had one. But they stopped making them I guess. So how bout a super magnum in a 10 gauge.
Click to expand...

Really?????????? Because Browning, H&R, NEF and Remington still make 10 gauge guns...



I don't see the need 3.5 mags...
 
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