3-1/2” + bad shoulder

[KB88]

Shoulder issues started after hunting season and is related to work. However at end of last season my gun was kicking my butt at the end of the weekend. I shoot 3” and 3-1/2” as most areas I hunt have random goose flights.

I’m not looking for speed or extreme range, I am purely seeing how others fair with 3.5” in an auto loader.

Thanks for input on gas vs inertia. I spoke with a salesman about inertia and he said sbe has a recoil spring in stock (comfort tech?) while the franchi has it in the forearm which creates different recoil. More research on my end req’d.

Something more for me to look into as I also want a gun capable of every size shell without changing pistons or springs. . .

Thanks again

[EWUeagles]

Shoulder issues started after hunting season and is related to work. However at end of last season my gun was kicking my butt at the end of the weekend. I shoot 3” and 3-1/2” as most areas I hunt have random goose flights.

I’m not looking for speed or extreme range, I am purely seeing how others fair with 3.5” in an auto loader.

Thanks for input on gas vs inertia. I spoke with a salesman about inertia and he said sbe has a recoil spring in stock (comfort tech?) while the franchi has it in the forearm which creates different recoil. More research on my end req’d.

Something more for me to look into as I also want a gun capable of every size shell without changing pistons or springs. . .

Thanks again

Sorry about the shoulder problem. I hope it won't slow you down too much in hunting. Everything I have heard is Beretta A400 is it has the least amount of felt recoil. I have shot them from time to time and they do feel good shooting them.

Seriously if it's a big issue I would look into Boss shotshell (I have never shot them because I'm cheap haha) but they claim 2 3/4 5 shot and 3" 2 or 3 shot is all you need for duck and geese respectfully. That would reduce felt recoil quite a bit. If my shoulders ever started taking too much of a beating I would look into it even though they cost about 250 a case.

Also if you're shoulder is really killing you don't get scared about a 20 gauge. They work great and would also help with felt recoil. Good luck this next season and I hope you get the right combo for your shoulder.

[Henrydog]

http://www.slickslide.net/recoil_systems.htm

If recoil is a real issue it might be worth the phone call.  I shoot ATA trap all over the Western States, a standard day is 300-400 rounds.  Quite a few guys have some type of system installed, I am not at the point yet, but I have personally seen Tulley's work and it is top notch.

 He is based out of Lewiston Id.  Shotgun smiths are very hard to find in this area.  There is also Soft Touch in the Portland metro area.

  Above is his price list.  He could likely reduce the recoil in a new gun or at least point you in the right direction

[h2ofowlr]

http://www.slickslide.net/recoil_systems.htm

If recoil is a real issue it might be worth the phone call.  I shoot ATA trap all over the Western States, a standard day is 300-400 rounds.  Quite a few guys have some type of system installed, I am not at the point yet, but I have personally seen Tulley's work and it is top notch.

 He is based out of Lewiston Id.  Shotgun smiths are very hard to find in this area.  There is also Soft Touch in the Portland metro area.

  Above is his price list.  He could likely reduce the recoil in a new gun or at least point you in the right direction

These are good systems.  We use them in our trap guns.  Only because of the amount of rounds we shoot.  Keeps your shoulder from becoming tenderized.

[Birdgetter]

Do you shoot any PITA events or only ATA?

[Henrydog]

Do you shoot any PITA events or only ATA?

ATA a lot in Mt because of the added money, Idaho, Eastern Or and Wa.  Only PITA event I have shot was Yakima a month ago.  Wenatchee-Yakima is as far west as I will go, I feel safer on the right side of the Cascade curtain   From what I saw in Yakima the PITA is stacked.  Sunday morning in singles I shot a 98 and was low man on my squad of 5

[Birdgetter]

You are talking about the spring yak right? Pomona is my home club. And yeah there were some pretty good scores.

[Henrydog]

You are talking about the spring yak right? Pomona is my home club. And yeah there were some pretty good scores.

Yes Sir...Very nice club. My home base is Hauser Id, I'm a Wa resident but live really close to the line

[HaydenHunter]

Also if you're shoulder is really killing you don't get scared about a 20 gauge. They work great and would also help with felt recoil. Good luck this next season and I hope you get the right combo for your shoulder.

I have a buddy down in California who shoots a 20 ga and is deadly on the ducks and even the geese if shot within reasonable range.  He generally shoots Kent #2 shot through it. 

[ian_padron]

Why on Earth do people shoot 3 and 1/2 inch shells? Ballistically, a 3 inch shell out of a 12 gauge with a good forcing cone will do the same exact thing and burn way less powder and kick a whole lot less.

Heck, my duck gun of choice is a 20 gauge. Whenever I pick up my 12 gauge I shoot two and three quarter inch number threes LOL

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[konradcountry]

Why on Earth do people shoot 3 and 1/2 inch shells? Ballistically, a 3 inch shell out of a 12 gauge with a good forcing cone will do the same exact thing and burn way less powder and kick a whole lot less.

No it will not do the exact same thing. A 3.5 inch shell has more pellets which improves the pattern at longer ranges.

@EWUeagles Unfortunately I didn't use a 3.5 on the turkey I got last week. Had a problem with my 3.5 gun so I took the 3" semi and nailed a turkey a 15 yards. Was hoping to get a 50 or 60 yard shot for you 

Hopefully I can go again this season.

[EWUeagles]

Why on Earth do people shoot 3 and 1/2 inch shells? Ballistically, a 3 inch shell out of a 12 gauge with a good forcing cone will do the same exact thing and burn way less powder and kick a whole lot less.

No it will not do the exact same thing. A 3.5 inch shell has more pellets which improves the pattern at longer ranges.

@EWUeagles Unfortunately I didn't use a 3.5 on the turkey I got last week. Had a problem with my 3.5 gun so I took the 3" semi and nailed a turkey a 15 yards. Was hoping to get a 50 or 60 yard shot for you 

Hopefully I can go again this season.

I saw the picture of a turkey and congrats it looks like a beautiful Tom.

 I shot my with 2 3/4 5 shot this weekend. No need for a 60 yard shot ever but it is clear me and you will always disagree on that point.

[konradcountry]

Why on Earth do people shoot 3 and 1/2 inch shells? Ballistically, a 3 inch shell out of a 12 gauge with a good forcing cone will do the same exact thing and burn way less powder and kick a whole lot less.

No it will not do the exact same thing. A 3.5 inch shell has more pellets which improves the pattern at longer ranges.

@EWUeagles Unfortunately I didn't use a 3.5 on the turkey I got last week. Had a problem with my 3.5 gun so I took the 3" semi and nailed a turkey a 15 yards. Was hoping to get a 50 or 60 yard shot for you 

Hopefully I can go again this season.

I saw the picture of a turkey and congrats it looks like a beautiful Tom.

 I shot my with 2 3/4 5 shot this weekend. No need for a 60 yard shot ever but it is clear me and you will always disagree on that point.

Yea we probably won't agree.

Congrats on the bird though!

[ian_padron]

Plenty of YouTube videos and articles debunking the virtually non-existent advantage you are claiming.

3.5" shells drop off after 50 yards...at the same rate as a 3".

From 20-40 yds, a few extra pellets don't make a difference compared to selecting the right choke, shot size, and accurate shooting.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/4/18/3-12-inch-turkey-loads-worth-the-recoil/

Every gun/shell combo I have patterned has generated similar results to the authors, waterfowl and turkey loads.

Given the new tungsten and bismuth shot materials available, the already weak argument for 3.5" shells has become laughable.

Why on Earth do people shoot 3 and 1/2 inch shells? Ballistically, a 3 inch shell out of a 12 gauge with a good forcing cone will do the same exact thing and burn way less powder and kick a whole lot less.

No it will not do the exact same thing. A 3.5 inch shell has more pellets which improves the pattern at longer ranges.

@EWUeagles Unfortunately I didn't use a 3.5 on the turkey I got last week. Had a problem with my 3.5 gun so I took the 3" semi and nailed a turkey a 15 yards. Was hoping to get a 50 or 60 yard shot for you 

Hopefully I can go again this season.

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[Pegasus]

Plenty of YouTube videos and articles debunking the virtually non-existent advantage you are claiming.

3.5" shells drop off after 50 yards...at the same rate as a 3".

From 20-40 yds, a few extra pellets don't make a difference compared to selecting the right choke, shot size, and accurate shooting.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/4/18/3-12-inch-turkey-loads-worth-the-recoil/

Every gun/shell combo I have patterned has generated similar results to the authors, waterfowl and turkey loads.

Given the new tungsten and bismuth shot materials available, the already weak argument for 3.5" shells has become laughable.

Why on Earth do people shoot 3 and 1/2 inch shells? Ballistically, a 3 inch shell out of a 12 gauge with a good forcing cone will do the same exact thing and burn way less powder and kick a whole lot less.

No it will not do the exact same thing. A 3.5 inch shell has more pellets which improves the pattern at longer ranges.

@EWUeagles Unfortunately I didn't use a 3.5 on the turkey I got last week. Had a problem with my 3.5 gun so I took the 3" semi and nailed a turkey a 15 yards. Was hoping to get a 50 or 60 yard shot for you 

Hopefully I can go again this season.

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

The article you cite shows the 3.5 did better at 40 and 50 yards and does not even identify what choke the author used. Chokes obviously make a huge difference in range and patterns. The article is germane to only one gun with an unidentified choke and thus qualifies as junk science and is worthless in proving your opinion.