Question 3.5 inch mag vs 3 inch
Give me some advice. I just bought a 3 in gun for all around hunting and I have a little buyers remorse because I keep thinking I need a 3.5 inch gun for geese. I will be hunting for geese as much as ducks and will do some clay birds and maybe a few doves. I bought the Browning Silver and thought about trading it for a Gold 3.5. Do all of you guys shoot 3.5s I know there are 2 schools of thought.

You are fine. I have a 3" super X2. I may pick up a 3.5 this summer if I get a new job. I shot a Benelli that was a 3.5" gun in Arkansas and loved it. We were in the timber. That afternoon I killed a spec at 65-75 yards dead with my Super X2 shooting a 3" #2 shot. If you are a good shot you will be fine. I try to shoot all my birds within 20 yards, so I would be ok shooting a 410.. LOL jk I turkey hunt with a 10 gauge though...

I've always looked at it like this, if you can't kill it with a 3" shell you won't kill it with a 3 1/2" shell. If you were to get into reloading you'll find you can get a hotter shell out of a 3" than factory 3 1/2".

Jim,
I just bought a sx2 with the dura touch/ M O break up. It shoots 3.5. I love this gun so far. I havn't had it that long.

The question is: Do you need a 3.5 inch? Probably not, but why not. You probably don't need a V8 in your hunting truck but we all like a little extra. I used a 3.5 last year on turkey and this year on goose. They are still dead. They were as dead as the ones I shot the years before with my 3 inch.

I bought my sx2 for around 800. I felt I got a good deal. This guy has some left at that price.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

RBBH

RBBH,

When you say why not, the reason is i want an all around gun and want to be able to shoot light loads also so in order to have an all around gun. I already have the 3" gun and want to know if it is worth while to either trade it for a 3.5 incher or buy another gun to shoot 3.5. Jim M.

Jim I shoot 3 inch and a few buddies shoot 3 1/2 inch. I have never really noticed a difference in results from the shells. IMO, the shooter is more important than the shell.

One of my buddies has the ability to shoot 3 1/2 but would rather shoot 3 inch because he doesn't think the results are worth the price.

I like RBBH's comparison of the V8 trucks.

I don't know if mine will be an all use gun or not. I was told it will shoot the heavier dove loads in 2 3/4. I havn't tried it yet. I will use this gun for turkey, goose, duck. I use a muzzleloader/bow for deer, My old trusty rem 1100 for dove. Hand spear for gator.

I probably do hunt waterfowel as much as anything right now. When I'm deer hunting I almost always have a bow. I really didn't need the gun I bought, but I was ready for a new toy.

RBBH

I have an X3 3.5, did have an X2. Loved them both. Both of those guns shoot evrything very well, either light dove load to 3.5 high brass for the geese. I just like the little extra you get with the 3.5, but like Bird said there is probably just a little difference in the two chambers. If I were going to be in the market for one, I would go with the 3.5 because you always will have the potential to use that shell if needed, otherwise you can alway use your 3 inch shells. While hunting regular ducks and geese I use the three in shells most of the time while snow goose and turkey hunting I always use 3.5....Just my preference and maybe a little more confidence when reaching out for the sky carp....;)

A 3.5 inch 12 ga will be more useful for turkey than Geese. The bore size of a 12 ga really is not make to handle a 3.5 shell.It will not make your pattern wider it will just make it longer. I have found quite a few istantance where 3 inch shell patterns a whole lot better than a 3.5 inch shell.

If you want something 3.5 inch get a 10 ga.

On the other hand if you shoot those honkers inside 40 yards you can killed with a 20 ga:D

I love my BPS 10. It kicks like a mule with 2.75 oz turkey loads though... LOL

Mountain Man, How does the sx3 do as far as recoil w/ the 3.5 inch shells, I know it is a light weight gun real similar to the Browning gold Superlite. I had some concern shooting that heavy of a load with that light of a gun both on recoil and swing/ follow through? Maybe I am over analizing? Jim