Shotgun: 3" or 3.5"? Is it worth the extra money?

Question

For any semi auto 12 ga i have looked at there is big price difference. For the Browning Gold Hunter Classis its a $150 difference!!! Is it worth it?
FYI: I will be hunting turkey, skeet shooting, and possibly duck hunting. Does the extra 1/2" make that big of a difference? I have heard that you can get heavy and powerful 3" loads that will give 3.5" a run for their money.. THANKS!

Answer 1

Your info is correct. You can buy loads for the 3" that will run right with the 3.5". For what your using the gun for it makes no sence to buy a 3.5" shotgun. Personaly I think the design of the 3.5" was to only allow the shotgun makers to increase sales. I have shot both, although the 3.5" will get a little more distance, I see no gain that requires the price you have to pay for them.

Good Luck & Happy Shooting !

Answer 2

I shoot A Rem. 11-87 with 2 3/4" or 3" shells. I've killed everything I hit with the 3" loads and don't remember ever not with 2 3/4". This includes deer,turkey, ducks, geese, pheasant, quail, coyotes, sqirrel, rabbit and Mako shark. I'm not a great shot and don't need the extra reach ( or kick ) on long waterfowl. I've also sat withguys with 3.5" duck hunting and have never seen them reach anything I couldn't. I think here type of shot is the key (steel, lead, Tg, Bi, etc.) Unless your an avid goose hunter I think its overkill.

Answer 3

it makes sense it you'll be goose hunting and want the reach out and touch them loads to run through it. Duck, Skeet, na. Turkey? not really, 3" is adequate. 3" is generally the largest load you can get turkey loads in anyway. 3-1/2" shell are pretty pricey compared to the 2-3/4" or even 3".

I shoot 2-3/4" even in my slug barrel for deer. As someone said it's not a matter of size, FPS at the end of the barrel is consistently about 1200FPS.
Marksmanship goes along way in paying for shells.

Answer 4

No its not worth it. The only thing you might need a 3 and 1/2 for is turkey, but it doesnt hold that many more pellets than a 3'' and will just send a couple more pellets out. Look into the Tungsten loads. They are more dense than lead loads and if you get a higher pellet number, then it will shoot just as good as a 3 and 1/2 inch shell.

Answer 5

I agree there is not enough difference to justify the extra cost for the gun and for the ammo. Use the savings to buy a good skeet thrower, good camo, or to spend more time at the range perfecting your shot with the 3in shells. Also, 3.5in shells are sometimes harder to find at Wal-Mart and similar stores.

One thing to consider is to buy a Benilli or other gun that will take 3 and 3.5 in shells, so you have the option to shoot both.

Answer 6

A 3 1/2 in shell will do everything a 3 in shell will do for more money and with more recoil.

Answer 7

If you are going to do lots of duck hunting, the extra expense of the 3.5" chamber MIGHT be worthwhile. The 3.5" shell was designed for waterfowlers, to add more shot to their patterns.

If duck and goose hunting are going to be a sometime thing, I'd say go with the 3" chambers.

Doc Hudson

Answer 8

Don't go for the cheap ones that they sell at Target or Walmart. But you do not need the expensive CHI either. I went middle of the road and got a Paul Mitchell and it's outlasted any other straightner I've ever owned! My friend has a CHI and it was apples to apples in comparativeness. My hair straightner ran around 80.00 and it's the best investment ever!

Answer 9

it depends but i would go with the 3" cause im a money saver. The only thing it does is give a little more BB's per shot. For turkey use steel 3" shells

Answer 10

Yes a 3.5 chambered shotgun is worth the money. Your talking about more shot and powder..... a.k.a. more pellots downrange and more push behind them.

I have a Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag pump that is chambered for 3.5 shells and I love it. It will shoot 2.75, 3 and 3.5 shells.

The 3.5 shells are great for ducks, turkey and deer.

So yes the extra money is worth it.

Miketyson26