grahamch Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 Apologies if this has been done to death..... Am looking for a new fowling gun and cant decide between q 3 or 3.5 inch version. Are there any real advantages in having a 3.5 other than a greater flexibility in cartidge choice and load? Cheers G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 (edited) Well if you are buying factory ammo not many advantages, heavier payload more lethal size pellets perhaps in the heavier payloads, but thats about it. but if you reload too you can used the extra pressure to good effect and translate that into Speed if you want or heavier payloads etc . . Its not a huge advantage perhaps but i like having the option, it incvreases versatility, and has little if any downside to it. If you flat out never shoot geese then perhaps a 3 inch will do you, but i feel if geese are in the offing you can use the extra pressure and performance with ubiquitous steel shot to your advantage. 3 inch will do the job and a lot of the time its all you will need, but 3.5 inch is worth the little extra they cost i feel, and you have the option available to you if you need it, thats just not the case with a 3 inch. Edited June 9, 2016 by TONY R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomaddy525 Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 Why wouldn't you get 3.5"? I presume you're looking at an auto, and all modern ones are more than capable of shooting smaller loads as well as a 3" version will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabbit warren Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 (edited) if its a hatsan your getting ive been told the 31/2 inch cambered ones are more prone to jamming ive got a 3 inch hatsan and its fine why do you need a 31/2 inch. ive shot geese , pigeons, rabbits and ducks all with loads from 28g to 36g and its never missed a beat and ive never felt under guned Edited June 9, 2016 by wabbit warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 I would always get a 3 1/2" chambered gun over a 3". The option of bigger shells is always there. I probably wouldn't use one if I didn't shoot geese regularly on the marsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 Lighter gun for a start. Cheaper cartridges,not having to load your own. Romantics about Big Bore guns on the marsh, its all in books.. Lugging great guns about is not all its cracked out to be.. If you carry a lighter load on the way out,it will be easier on the way back or off a lot easier, Ducks and Geese are no light wheight.. It all makes sense cost wise and, and the load you carry.. 3.5" is all that is needed on any shore or wetland, Motty is right,, you can also choose if Geese are not about use 3",Another saving onwhieght and cost,Leave the really big guns to Romantics.. Today the days of Free marsh and free Duck and Geese shooting almost were you like has gone.. Did enjoy it for some years when I was younger... Get a 3.5" it is what it was designed for, Cracking tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted June 10, 2016 Report Share Posted June 10, 2016 I've had a couple of 31/2" autos and have now gone for a 3" chambered Benelli M2 as i can't see the advantage of the bigger carts to my bag and the carts were a lot more money and getting harder to find in the shot sizes I wanted. My goose loads are now 36g number 1 shot rather than 42g of number 1 or BB. I didn't reload so bought factory carts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted June 10, 2016 Report Share Posted June 10, 2016 3" and tungsten loads are very good. 3.5" should really be confined to big steel shot, as that is what it was designed for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamch Posted June 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2016 Thanks for the comments, no idea what sort I want maybe an OU would be best as am left handed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted June 10, 2016 Report Share Posted June 10, 2016 I had a 3" webley and Scott auto it was very good for the money now have a Winchester sx3 3.5"the grey one,it's very good in the salty environment. I use 70mm and 67.5mm in it all the time with no issues, and if I desire to go after geese I can use 3.5" cartridges. I did want a browning waterfowl 3.5" o/u but the price and the weight put me off. Just remember if your not a good shot the 3Rd shot with an auto is usually in frustration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted June 10, 2016 Report Share Posted June 10, 2016 Thanks for the comments, no idea what sort I want maybe an OU would be best as am left handed Dont get hung up about the Lefthanded aspect, you will be fine with a Right port auto. Lots of 3.5 inch 12s out there, its down to personal preferences in the end. In autos i favour Several makes and models more than some others, these in no specific order are. Baikal MP153 i have one of these myself had it over ten years its good. Winchester SX3 fantastic gun and not too expensive for a popular brand semi. Remington Versamax and versamax sportsman Modern inovative and Tough i want one of these. Supervinchi they are fantastic shotguns the best semi Benelli ever made in my opinion, and i have had a SBE and still have a Breda Grizzly which is a cammo SBE clone of an SBE. As for OUs again just two interest me Beretta steel 3.5 inch, and Browning 425 Waterfowl, i have a 425 Waterfowl had it 7 years i cant see me ever selling it. Just my opinions here others may feel differently about some or all of the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchy trigger Posted June 11, 2016 Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 I also shoot left handed, I bought a LH Hatsan Escort 3" magnum, use it on the pigeon with 28g 7's, on the crows 32g 4's, on the geese with 36g steel 1's, cannot fault it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted June 11, 2016 Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 Itchy Trigger for the money the Escorts are good vallue for money, at 295 For a new why buy an old one. i am getting two new escorts for the two youngest lads for wildfdowling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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