3" vs 3.5" shells

[vandeman17]

I currently shoot a Benelli Nova that takes up to 3.5" shells. I am going to order a case of shells for the season and am trying to decide what to get. I used to only shoot 3.5" shells but they can punish your shoulder over the course of a day if you are shooting alot (some days I can't hit the broad side of a barn) My question is if you think it is worth the extra $$ for the shells and the extra punishment on my shoulder for the increased shell size?   Oh and I mostly shoot puddle ducks at our spots but will shoot about a half dozen to a dozen geese per year as well.

[Black Plague]

the very absolute best thing to do would be to learn how to shoot. my comment is not meant to be offensive in the very least.  I would highly recommend taking a few courses on shooting and spend your money on that instead...because if you cant hit the broad side of a barn with a box of 10 dollar shells then you still wont be able to with a 16 dollar box of shells.....However, the math makes sense...more pellets and powder can mean more energy and more chances to hit something.   if you have the cash to burn though.....I would try buying a few boxes and just use them for geese ....not on teal, gadwalls or snipe etc...   

[vandeman17]

the very absolute best thing to do would be to learn how to shoot. my comment is not meant to be offensive in the very least.  I would highly recommend taking a few courses on shooting and spend your money on that instead...because if you cant hit the broad side of a barn with a box of 10 dollar shells then you still wont be able to with a 16 dollar box of shells.....However, the math makes sense...more pellets and powder can mean more energy and more chances to hit something.   if you have the cash to burn though.....I would try buying a few boxes and just use them for geese ....not on teal, gadwalls or snipe etc...   

I see where you are coming from and when I say that I can't hit the broad side of a barn I mean that there are those days that it takes me a shot or two for one duck. I have had plenty of days where I can go out and shoot 10 shells and come back with 5-7 birds. What I did last year was that I bought a case of 3" inch shells and a few boxes of 3.5". I would load my first two as 3's and my last would be the 3.5.

[ducksdoom12]

im my opinion 3.5 inch shells are a waste of money, shot, and powder. go 2 3/4 or 3". if you shoot decently accuratly and stay in front of the bird it only takes 1 pellet to hit one. save your money from the 3.5's and buy some patterning boards and pattern your gun and then pattern some more. u would be amazed with the difference between shells, or even the same shell with a different choke or barrell. if you find a shell that does not have any holes it it with ur gun then u dont need the extra pellets.

[Gringo31]

3.5 inch shells are IMHO very overrated.  One thing is for sure though, they WILL cost you more.  Other than that, I never saw much difference.  If you want to see a difference, go to a 10 gauge.

[jordano]

3" is PLENTY for puddle ducks! that is all you will need to shoot! and 2 or 3 shot is plenty good as well! You don't need to go too big, just fast! 3.5" shells are way over kill for ducks, the only reason you would need these are for VERY large birds. Just my 

[General Disarray]

Buy some 2-3/4" shells, 1-1/8oz and take the money you saved and buy all the calling cd's you can.  If you're still not killing them clean, be more patient and get them closer. 

It amazes me how many people think you're getting extra pellets, powder and range out of 3-1/2" shells.  It's the same as saying that "speed kills".  Speed only helps those who never learned proper shooting techniques and a little thing called "leading your target". 

[carpsniperg2]

i use 3 inch for ducks and 3.5" for geese. 

[D-Rock425]

I can't shoot 3 1/2 shells out of my 11-87 so I shoot 3 inch in shot sizes all the way from 4's to BB

[Superhunter333]

ive had trouble with 3.5s cycling through my SBE II plus the shoulder punishment i dont even buy them anymore 3" 2's work all around for me

[steeleywhopper]

In my 20's I shot 3.5in. shells, now that im in my mid 30's I shoot 2 3/4 or 3inch. I kill just as many ducks with the 3in. shells as I did with the candlesticks. Lesson learned. I used to pay upwards of $25 a box for the 3.5, now I buy 3inch when they are on sale and spend half of that.

[ducks55]

I just picked up 6 boxes of 2 3/4" shells for $9 a box... that's pretty cheap and they still kill birds just as good as 3" or 3 1/2".. to me the shell doesn't really matter. Yes Black Cloud, Heavi-Metal  and all of the other different shot types other than steel are supposedly better but I've killed just as many ducks as guys who use those shells that cost twice as much. Get them in close with their feet down and all you will need is 2 3/4" steel shotshells to kill ducks.

[boneaddict]

I think ducks55 has it figured out.   Many and I mean many ducks have been killed with 2 3/4.  Grnated that was with lead but.....
I think I have used them all.   I like Tungsten Iron 3.5 for anything bigger than a waterbuffalo

[WDFW-SUX]

3.5 were designed for condors.

[Dustin07]

I plan to move to hevi metal this year and see if anything changes. I have shot plenty of ducks with 3.5" that flared, threw feathers, and fluttered away. I think the steel is a bit of a hinderence more than the size of the shell.

but good shooting can play a role too.