3-1/2” + bad shoulder

[konradcountry]

I work 9-5, have a family and drive 3-4 hours to hunt, what's your point?

If someone has family obligations they can't just take every free weekend to drive 6-8 hours. They might only have a free morning and in such cases the local wetland is the only way they will be hunting. So it's either public warfare or nothing. 

I saw an article I believe at Field and Stream that talks about your success rate and yardage. Like everyone would assume the farther the bird is out the less of a chance you are at killing it which in turns leave more wounded birds. I hunt with a buddy who likes to shoot 3.5 inch at big geese and I'm fine with it and would never mock him for it. He doesn't kill any more geese than he would with 3 inch and really probably the same amount if he used 2 3/4 but it gives him confidence. I hunt high winds all the time and still shoot 3's or 2 3/4. It's all about shot selection.

Yes the farther out a bird is the less chance you have of killing it. Odds of killing an 60 yard bird are much worse than a 6 yard bird. 

More pellets = increased kill probability assuming everything is equal. Go to tungsten or bismuth and that still remains true. It's not like you are forced to always use 3.5. Like I said earlier I don't use it for decoying ducks. But for turkey and crowded public you might as well shoot the extra pellets if everything else is equal.

But 3.5 isn't for everyone, there are definitely people that flinch on the recoil and would be better shooters with 3 or even 2.75. There is some video of a guy shooting 3.5 turkey and busting his nose.

[EWUeagles]

I work 9-5, have a family and drive 3-4 hours to hunt, what's your point?

If someone has family obligations they can't just take every free weekend to drive 6-8 hours. They might only have a free morning and in such cases the local wetland is the only way they will be hunting. So it's either public warfare or nothing. 

I saw an article I believe at Field and Stream that talks about your success rate and yardage. Like everyone would assume the farther the bird is out the less of a chance you are at killing it which in turns leave more wounded birds. I hunt with a buddy who likes to shoot 3.5 inch at big geese and I'm fine with it and would never mock him for it. He doesn't kill any more geese than he would with 3 inch and really probably the same amount if he used 2 3/4 but it gives him confidence. I hunt high winds all the time and still shoot 3's or 2 3/4. It's all about shot selection.

Yes the farther out a bird is the less chance you have of killing it. Odds of killing an 60 yard bird are much worse than a 6 yard bird. 

More pellets = increased kill probability assuming everything is equal. Go to tungsten or bismuth and that still remains true. It's not like you are forced to always use 3.5. Like I said earlier I don't use it for decoying ducks. But for turkey and crowded public you might as well shoot the extra pellets if everything else is equal.

But 3.5 isn't for everyone, there are definitely people that flinch on the recoil and would be better shooters with 3 or even 2.75. There is some video of a guy shooting 3.5 turkey and busting his nose.

I don't know what your obligations are and don't want to make judgement but if something is your passion you find time. I live within 3 hours of good hunting and feel lucky about that, but  if I lived farther I would go less but still find the time to make a good hunt or two. If you feel more confident in your 3.5 shells that's awesome, I still don't believe they are needed unless you're sky blasting then yep every pellet matters. Please keep buying them because they cost more and that's good for economy.

You're right there are more pellets in a 3.5 inch shell than a 3 inch but if you're shooting at 30 yards it really doesn't matter that much. Shooting a bigger shell also includes bigger recoil which makes it tougher to get on a second shot. I don't recommend them because people think more pellets means I can shoot farther out which injures more birds. If those birds you clip on the coast sails how do you retrieve them? If you're taking the same shot no matter what shot shell you're using than you're doing it right.

I'm hunting the "Wild Turkey Capital of Washington" this next week and shooting 2 3/4 shot, why? Because I enjoy working birds in close and that's what I want out of my hunt. In 25 years of hunting I have yet seen a situation where I thought "Hey I would have got that bird if I was using a bigger shot shell".

[gaddy]

I really have no debate with shorter shells. My deadliest shotty was a worn out 2 3/4 wing master fixed choke I went to the 3/12 when they switched to steel shot figuring i could open up the choke a bit and deliver more pellets on target. Steel didn't hit as hard as lead and I thought a couple more on target wouldn't hurt. Never increased my range at all. When steel first came out it sucked.

[konradcountry]

If you feel more confident in your 3.5 shells that's awesome, I still don't believe they are needed unless you're sky blasting then yep every pellet matters. Please keep buying them because they cost more and that's good for economy.

Well sky blasting implies people just randomly shooting at birds regardless of range. I don't agree with that but it happens and people were doing it before 3.5 existed. There are public areas where a lot of shots are at 40/50 on flying birds that already went over someone else's decoys. Not ideal but 3.5 is useful there.

If those birds you clip on the coast sails how do you retrieve them? If you're taking the same shot no matter what shot shell you're using than you're doing it right.

There are spots where if you don't drop the duck from the sky then it will go in a slough or be a huge pita to retrieve. Got to be really careful in some of those areas since the mud can be very dangerous. You won't get them all. I agree that too many people think 3.5 automatically means more range but that isn't why I buy it. I want more hits in the kill zone. You can probably find hot 3.5 that has more powder / fewer pellets to extend the range but I'm not looking for it.

I'm hunting the "Wild Turkey Capital of Washington" this next week and shooting 2 3/4 shot, why? Because I enjoy working birds in close and that's what I want out of my hunt. In 25 years of hunting I have yet seen a situation where I thought "Hey I would have got that bird if I was using a bigger shot shell".

But you have probably passed on turkeys that were at 50/60 yards that someone from the West side would have taken and that is where the 3.5 can make the difference. Since you are in Spokane it isn't as far of a drive which lets you scout and be more selective. If I lived that close I'd probably take a bow or ultra light semi 20 most of the time.

[AWS]

To me the 3.5" magnum is much like a longrange big game rifle, buying the ability to take game at longer ranges rather than learning the skills to get closer to game.

[RubblesPH]

“does the 3.5 demo auto rock your shoulder pretty bad?”

I shoot the Berta A400 and cant say enough about it.  Great recoil reduction system which enhances comfort, control and target acquisition.  Beretta claims up to 70% recoil reduction.  Never had a problem with any load or mixing loads.  Really enjoy shooting it.  Their pretty expensive, but well worth it..IMO. 

[Dan-o]

I work 9-5, have a family and drive 3-4 hours to hunt, what's your point?

If someone has family obligations they can't just take every free weekend to drive 6-8 hours. They might only have a free morning and in such cases the local wetland is the only way they will be hunting. So it's either public warfare or nothing. 

I saw an article I believe at Field and Stream that talks about your success rate and yardage. Like everyone would assume the farther the bird is out the less of a chance you are at killing it which in turns leave more wounded birds. I hunt with a buddy who likes to shoot 3.5 inch at big geese and I'm fine with it and would never mock him for it. He doesn't kill any more geese than he would with 3 inch and really probably the same amount if he used 2 3/4 but it gives him confidence. I hunt high winds all the time and still shoot 3's or 2 3/4. It's all about shot selection.

Yes the farther out a bird is the less chance you have of killing it. Odds of killing an 60 yard bird are much worse than a 6 yard bird. 

More pellets = increased kill probability assuming everything is equal. Go to tungsten or bismuth and that still remains true. It's not like you are forced to always use 3.5. Like I said earlier I don't use it for decoying ducks. But for turkey and crowded public you might as well shoot the extra pellets if everything else is equal.

But 3.5 isn't for everyone, there are definitely people that flinch on the recoil and would be better shooters with 3 or even 2.75. There is some video of a guy shooting 3.5 turkey and busting his nose.

I don't know what your obligations are and don't want to make judgement but if something is your passion you find time. I live within 3 hours of good hunting and feel lucky about that, but  if I lived farther I would go less but still find the time to make a good hunt or two. If you feel more confident in your 3.5 shells that's awesome, I still don't believe they are needed unless you're sky blasting then yep every pellet matters. Please keep buying them because they cost more and that's good for economy.

You're right there are more pellets in a 3.5 inch shell than a 3 inch but if you're shooting at 30 yards it really doesn't matter that much. Shooting a bigger shell also includes bigger recoil which makes it tougher to get on a second shot. I don't recommend them because people think more pellets means I can shoot farther out which injures more birds. If those birds you clip on the coast sails how do you retrieve them? If you're taking the same shot no matter what shot shell you're using than you're doing it right.

I'm hunting the "Wild Turkey Capital of Washington" this next week and shooting 2 3/4 shot, why? Because I enjoy working birds in close and that's what I want out of my hunt. In 25 years of hunting I have yet seen a situation where I thought "Hey I would have got that bird if I was using a bigger shot shell".

I hunt turkeys exclusively with 3.5" shells.

I think about 95% of my turkeys could have been cleanly killed with a trap load of number 8's since most are within 15-20 yards.

But aint nobody taking my 3.5" shells!     

[EWUeagles]

Konrad 50 yards at passing ducks is sky blasting and if not it’s walking the line. Don’t believe me stand underneath a 150 ft tree and look up.

You’re 100% right I won’t take a 60 yard shot on a turkey and I encourage you to become a better hunter and sportsman so you don’t have to take those shots too. Please stop using excuses for taking questionable shots, everyone has been in the situation when we didn’t have a boat and didn’t live close to our favorite areas but still practiced ethical shooting.

Maybe my stance on 3.5 wasn’t made very clear. I don’t hate 3.5 but I don’t think they are needed and too many people think well bigger shell equals more range. This is incorrect because of ones skill. One can not consistently make shots at 50 plus yards. They may not even realize they hit the bird but the bird flies a mile away and dies or is wounded. I know multiple people that have to walk with their dogs on leashes because they can almost pick up a full limit of wounded birds on the walk in. Now if you like the extra payload of a bigger shell and an ethical range like Dan-o that’s awesome and it’s how the shells should be used. I still know guys who shoot 10 gauges.

[konradcountry]

Konrad 50 yards at passing ducks is sky blasting and if not it’s walking the line. Don’t believe me stand underneath a 150 ft tree and look up.

I know exactly where 50 yards is. I have a 75 yard archery target in my back yard.

You’re 100% right I won’t take a 60 yard shot on a turkey and I encourage you to become a better hunter and sportsman so you don’t have to take those shots too. Please stop using excuses for taking questionable shots, everyone has been in the situation when we didn’t have a boat and didn’t live close to our favorite areas but still practiced ethical shooting.

Well there you go being insulting again. Maybe I should assume that anyone who doesn't buy 3.5 is just poor and has to make excuses. How does that sound?

I use a carlson turkey choke and with a 3.5 shell and I can put multiple hits on the neck of a turkey target at 60 yards every single time. It isn't questionable. I'll do it 10 times in a row if you want to pay for the ammo. I haven't taken a turkey at 60 but I wouldn't hesitate. I'll probably have a bow next week which is more likely to wound a turkey at 20 yards than a properly patterned shotgun at 60. But I'm guessing you wouldn't insult me over that.

I know multiple people that have to walk with their dogs on leashes because they can almost pick up a full limit of wounded birds on the walk in. Now if you like the extra payload of a bigger shell and an ethical range like Dan-o that’s awesome and it’s how the shells should be used. I still know guys who shoot 10 gauges.

If you use a 3.5 properly you are less likely to have crippled birds. The guys that just shoot at anything are probably using the cheapest 2.75 and 3" shells. That's what I see littering most areas.

[rasbo]

Dang, I've only used 2 3/4 hunting ducks and geese,been yrs but what's changed? More pressure,bigger geese,..

[AWS]

He probably uses a 416 Cheytac for deer hunting too

[konradcountry]

He probably uses a 416 Cheytac for deer hunting too

Who me?

Actually I'm in a gun thread here where I said I would take a 7-08 over a 300 magnum. Only magnum I own is a 22.

This reminds me of a Glock thread where the people that don't own one really, really want you to know why they didn't buy one. Kind of weird if you ask me.

[Bullkllr]

Dang, I've only used 2 3/4 hunting ducks and geese,been yrs but what's changed? More pressure,bigger geese,..

Me too. Too many 3" shells give me a headache.

Geese and ducks both have gotten way bigger and tougher. I blame climate change.

[EWUeagles]

Konrad 50 yards at passing ducks is sky blasting and if not it’s walking the line. Don’t believe me stand underneath a 150 ft tree and look up.

I know exactly where 50 yards is. I have a 75 yard archery target in my back yard.

You’re 100% right I won’t take a 60 yard shot on a turkey and I encourage you to become a better hunter and sportsman so you don’t have to take those shots too. Please stop using excuses for taking questionable shots, everyone has been in the situation when we didn’t have a boat and didn’t live close to our favorite areas but still practiced ethical shooting.

Well there you go being insulting again. Maybe I should assume that anyone who doesn't buy 3.5 is just poor and has to make excuses. How does that sound?

I use a carlson turkey choke and with a 3.5 shell and I can put multiple hits on the neck of a turkey target at 60 yards every single time. It isn't questionable. I'll do it 10 times in a row if you want to pay for the ammo. I haven't taken a turkey at 60 but I wouldn't hesitate. I'll probably have a bow next week which is more likely to wound a turkey at 20 yards than a properly patterned shotgun at 60. But I'm guessing you wouldn't insult me over that.

I know multiple people that have to walk with their dogs on leashes because they can almost pick up a full limit of wounded birds on the walk in. Now if you like the extra payload of a bigger shell and an ethical range like Dan-o that’s awesome and it’s how the shells should be used. I still know guys who shoot 10 gauges.

If you use a 3.5 properly you are less likely to have crippled birds. The guys that just shoot at anything are probably using the cheapest 2.75 and 3" shells. That's what I see littering most areas.

I have been insulting you are right but only because you talk about how great you are at non ethical shots. Would you take a 600 or 700 yard shot on a buck?. If you want encourage more people to take longer shots feel free but so far it seems like most people on here talk about working birds in close and taking ethical shots. As far as bow hunting goes it seems like a lot of people switched to heads shots because shooting turkeys in the vitals are tough and it leads to higher probably of injured birds.

You asked why people bash 3.5 inch shells and I said because I believe it leads to more unethical shots. Also thank you for proving my point 100%. Good luck on turkeys and if you head west this weekend I’ll buy shells and the beer.

[konradcountry]

I have been insulting you are right but only because you talk about how great you are at non ethical shots.

No I actually haven't. I said I wouldn't hesitate to take a turkey at 60 and that isn't bragging. A lot of people are patterning to 60 with the latest ammo/choke combos. It's really nothing to brag about.

Would you take a 600 or 700 yard shot on a buck?.

No I wouldn't. Too much wind variability at that range.

You asked why people bash 3.5 inch shells and I said because I believe it leads to more unethical shots. Also thank you for proving my point 100%. Good luck on turkeys and if you head west this weekend I’ll buy shells and the beer.

I think your concern about 60 yard shots doesn't take modern ammo or chokes into account. I'd suggest reading about it and if you are still skeptical I'd be happy to come by some time when I am out that way and shoot some targets.
https://www.wideopenspaces.com/winchesters-long-beard-xr-turkey-loads-perfect-60-yard-shot/