3.5" vs. 3" 12 ga.

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Big_Tex22

New member
Hello everone!
I have searched through some old posts on the topic of shotgun loads for coyotes in 12 gauge. From what I've seen, the majority of you feel the #4 buckshot is what you need to reach out and flatten them, which sounds good. From what I saw though, there were more that said they shoot 3" loads. I was wondering if there are disadvantages to the 3.5" that I'm not aware of? I do not reload shotshell, what factory ammo is available and is the best for the situation?
 
I don't know about buckshot,but I do know that 3 1/2 #5 will reach out about 65 yards and knock a turkey on his backside! now I'm sure 3's reach way out there also but not sure if they reach out like the 3 1/2's!
I shot a yote at 15 yards with a 3 1/2 #5's out of a xtra full turkey choke! he rolled up like a booger!
 
Alot of fellas shoot the 3" because that is what they have. The 3 1/2" hulls will hold a larger shot charge, usualy 2 1/4oz. Most 3" hulls are loaded with 2oz. A max dram 2oz load will have a higher MV than the 2 1/4 load. If your shot gun will not put all of the pellets in the critter at a given distance, then what is the use in having the Extra 1/4oz. I would rather have the extra kenetic energy than the fliers. I shoot a Remington 3 1/2" super mag but I use 3" mag copper plated BB loads on predators in tight cover. #4 buck sure messes up those bobcat and fox pelts up close. Besides here in Oklahoma we are not supposed to even be afield with anything larger than BB.
 
I was wondering if there are disadvantages to the 3.5" that I'm not aware of?
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The main disadvantage that comes to my mind is a lot of recoil. I don't use a shotgun for yotes, so I may not be of much help, but I do know that 3.5" turkey loads in my ported pump shotgun (Mossberg 835) has more recoil than my sporterweight Rem 700 in 300RUM :eek: . There's not really a velocity benefit to using the 3.5s, so I'm not sure there's too many people out there who want to put up with the extra recoil just for an increase in pellet count. Of course I'm one of the stubborn ones who likes getting the crap beat out of him, so I go ahead and use the 3.5s for turkey hunting /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I have one 3 1/2" 12 but have never bought the longer shells. With the proper load & choke a 3" will do all that needs to be done. All my latest shotguns have the 3" chamber. If you ever find the need for max range & energy all you need is some 3" Hevi-shot.
 
Big_Tex22,
I have tested a few shotguns in both ten and twelve gauge. All of my testing was done with copper or nickle plated lead shot. I found that Winchester's XX magnum fodder was about as good as it gets. I found no real advantage that a ten gauge has over the twelve. I found that the 2&3/4" magnum's pattern better than the three inchers's. Since the 3&1/2" fodder is really just a ten gauge load being shot out of a twelve gauge, there would likely be no advantage over a 2&3/4" magnum shell. The sure kill range would be approx. the same. Forcing more shot down the barrel causes pellets to deform, which causes more fliers. I mentioned Winchester XX magnum as a good choice, but I need to add that Federal "premium" fodder is also very good. For coyotes I like the BB load the best, with #4 BUCK being just about as good.
 
Well if you got the extra cash or just want a dedicated Turkey gun some of those newer 3&1/2" might be the nuts. If I understand their design these are shot barrels only.
Turkey time I switch barrels, and use a gobble-stopper extreem choke with Federal premium 3"max #4's. Patterns good out to 40 yards.
 
I see little advantage to a 3 1/2" .12 gauge. And one big disadvantage. The actual size, weight, and handling ability of the gun. Why carry an extra half pound gun with a longer receiver that handles like a fence post when the smaller, lighter, more nimble guns will get the job done within effective shotgun ranges?
 
Originally posted by GC:
[qb]I see little advantage to a 3 1/2" .12 gauge. And one big disadvantage. The actual size, weight, and handling ability of the gun. Why carry an extra half pound gun with a longer receiver that handles like a fence post when the smaller, lighter, more nimble guns will get the job done within effective shotgun ranges?[/qb]
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We're definately on the same wavelength. I wouldn't care to own a 3.5" shotgun, unless it was a dedicated goose gun and that was all I had it for. Long receiver and long throw if it's a pump.

I only have one shotgun. It's a Browning auto with a 3" chamber. I live an AZ and don't duck/goose hunt. For the most part all my s-gun sees are 2-3/4" shells. I primarilly hunt dove and quail and assorted critters with it. I do occasionally rip off some 3" mags.

Where I live, having a 3.5" shotgun would be like having a .338 hunting rifle, WTF would I use it for.

Plus I can't imagine that 3.5" ammo is cheap. I trust 3" 00-buck to stop human predators, so I'd think that there's a got to be a decent load for 25lb coyotes.
 
So what I gather is that 1) more kick with 3.5 (which I really don't mind, I kind of like the muscle of a gun sometimes), 2) more shot causes "fliers" from shot deformity resulting in a more scattered pattern (another question, if a shotgun has an "overbore" barrel, would it minimize shot deformity?), 3) less velocity from a 3.5", 4) a 3" gets the job done wonderfully as is.
A couple of additional questions, I've been in 2 3/4" mode too long!
Maybe I should have asked what are the advantages to 3.5" if any? Why is the 3.5" used more than the 3" on geese? What is the price difference between the 3 and 3.5"?
My wife just bought me a Mossberg 935, I shot it a little, I really like it so far, but am about to do some pattern testing for coyote hunting, but the main reason I wanted a magnum is for duck and goose, and the occasional turkey. I've always just borrowed my brothers when hunting the geese.
I'm anxious to put some shot out at some coyotes!
Not that the AR is doing a bad job, just wanting to try something new!!
 
Big_Tex22,
Since you want the big 3&1/2" mag. for ducks and geese, you will probably be using steel shot. Steel is harder than lead, so it doesn't deform as much. This is what the big ten gauge guns and the new 3&1/2" twelves are good at. Throwing large charges of steel shot is where the big bangers really show their stuff. The back bored barrels would be of help, even with lead shot. If I were in your shoes, I would bite the bullet and buy a new Browning "GOLD" in ten gauge. I pity the ducks and geese when you turn one of those buggers loose on em. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
You should try that "Dead Coyote" load by hevishot, it comes in 3" loads. Impressive stuff.

I shot it through my Mossberg 500 with a ported barrel, was pretty comfortable to shoot. Haven't spank any dogs with it yet..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Expensive, like $18 bucks for 10 rounds.
 
I see little advantage to a 3 1/2" .12 gauge. And one big disadvantage. The actual size, weight, and handling ability of the gun. Why carry an extra half pound gun with a longer receiver that handles like a fence post when the smaller, lighter, more nimble guns will get the job done within effective shotgun ranges?
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Now I'm looking at the spec sheet on a Remington 870 EXP (3") now I look at the 870 EXP Super Mag. (3.5")they are the same length the weight differance is 4 oz. So it's really not smaller or more nimble. If you use the same oz of shot the 3.5 will indeed reach out further. And yes a 10 with beat out either because the column of shot is not as tall and my 10 Browning will out pattern my 12 any day. Consistantly will give me 15+ reliable yards over the 12.
 
JJ,
All guns aren't made to the same specs as the one gun you're looking at. In many models there is a more substantial difference between the 3" and the "Super Mag" version. Both in length of the receiver and in actual weight. Even at that, handle a 3" 870 and a 3 1/2" Super Mag and see where the extra 1/4 pound is placed on the gun and how it affects the balance and handling ability. Want to go one better, compare a 2 3/4" to a 3 1/2" shotgun. Granted this is a subjective thing, but I doubt you'll see many grouse hunters prowling the cover with a 3 1/2" chambered shotgun. And most likely you wouldn't see many 3" shotguns in there either. But the 3" inch .12 gauge is a combination most folks can deal with. The 3 1/2" is the stuff if steel shot is the main diet of the shotgun. And then, as you said a .10 gauge is actually a better patterning shotgun because of the length of the shot columns. The stretched .12 gauge is not the best of anything really. In my eye it's the poor bastard child of the shotgun world. Of course, this only my opinion, because the gun makers have sold a bunch of the 3 1/2" guns, so I may well be in the minority.
 


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