3" v 3.5" and barrel length

[Cocker Dave]

I want to get a gun that will break clays, down pigeons and when i get a chance, be able to tackle wildfowl.

 

A few questions

 

Am I asking for too much from one gun?

 

I think I'm going to get a Browning Maxus. However should I go for the 3inch or 3.5 inch?

 

Is barrel length just personal preference or is there some science behind the choice of length?

 

Cheers

 

CD

[chrispti]

I want to get a gun that will break clays, down pigeons and when i get a chance, be able to tackle wildfowl.

 

A few questions

 

Am I asking for too much from one gun?

 

I think I'm going to get a Browning Maxus. However should I go for the 3inch or 3.5 inch?

 

Is barrel length just personal preference or is there some science behind the choice of length?

 

Cheers

 

CD

 

Will you use 3.5'' cartridges?

 

I had a good look at the maxus at Chichester Armoury this week, and I have changed my mind about them.

 

The grip, feels like there is a ridge running down it and can be felt in the palm of your hand, which I found a bit annoying.

 

I got the staff to adjust the stock to its highest position and I still couldn't see the rib/bead.

 

So for me, the gun is no good

 

I have also read about a few people having problems with the trigger, which you can read for yourself if you search the net for ''Browning Maxus problems.''

 

PS,

 

Where in Hants are you mate

 

Cheers

 

Chris

[Dekers]

I want to get a gun that will break clays, down pigeons and when i get a chance, be able to tackle wildfowl.

 

A few questions

 

Am I asking for too much from one gun?

 

I think I'm going to get a Browning Maxus. However should I go for the 3inch or 3.5 inch?

 

Is barrel length just personal preference or is there some science behind the choice of length?

 

Cheers

 

CD

 

I know very little about the Maxus specifically, but unless you intend to keep the gun for a lifetime and expect to major on wildfowling then stick with a 3" chamber and enjoy every type of shooting....and...have you checked out the prices of 3.5inch carts???

 

28 or 30 inch barrel will do whatever you want, multi choke, unless you rise to Olympic standards....and hopefully you will get some sponsorship then so who cares!!!

[bigmick11]

I've just got myself a Beretta A400, and like it a lot, hardly any recoil and it fits me well. 6'2" 16 1/2 stone.

[Dekers]

I've just got myself a Beretta A400, and like it a lot, hardly any recoil and it fits me well. 6'2" 16 1/2 stone.

 

Is it designed for overweight tall people then, Beretta normally design them for Italian fit, slim and not too tall...

 

Sorry, couldnt resist it...slap me !!

[mudpatten]

My Benelli SBE 2 and Supernova pump both have 26" barrels. With the extra length in the action a 28" is too long for my preference and, to me, a 30" is positively unwieldy.

 

But barrel length is just a matter of personal preference and shooting style, there are no discernible differences in the different barrel length`s ballistic performance.

 

I think the SBE2 handles superbly, I have a fairly quick shooting style, and I use it for clay, pigeons and wildfowl. There are plenty of other good guns out there but I have`nt yet found one that I`d want to trade in the SBE2 for.

 

Chamber length is a bit of a thorny question, dependent on the nontox shot you intend to use. If like me you take the cheaper steel route, then there is a case for the 3.5", especially if you intend to shoot geese. If geese are not high on your list, or you can afford to use some of the more exotic, and effective, NTS then a 3" gun will serve you well.

 

Even in steel some factory loads such as the 3" Gamebore Mammoth perform well on duck as far as most people can hit them and they work on geese at sensible ranges.

 

At the end of the day it`s down to personal preference, but if your gun is chambered for 3.5", you can at least use them if required.

[UK fowler]

if you should get into reloading there are some good loads in 3" that finish with a roll turn over but there to long to go through a 3" auto you need a 31/2" to fire them

[Cocker Dave]

Cheers for the advice guys. 3" it is for me then then.

 

Chris, I'm based in Southampton. Heading down to Chichester Armoury to look at both guns. Forewarned in forearmed as they say.

[Guest cookoff013]

3.5" only came about to satisfy shooting steel shot. big cartridges for big geese, if you were to get a dedicated goose gun, then get the 3.5"

however modern nontoxic shot types are better than ever, bringing back 2.3/4" cartridges, and the smaller gauges.

 

i think a 3" is more than enough.

 

3.5 would be for a dedicated goose gun firing big loads.

[chrispti]

Cheers for the advice guys. 3" it is for me then then.

 

Chris, I'm based in Southampton. Heading down to Chichester Armoury to look at both guns. Forewarned in forearmed as they say.

 

Its worth giving them a call first mate. Im sure the maxus has been sold