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Suppressors 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

Walsh

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 5, 2009
754
0
39
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Hi, thinking about getting a shotgun (500, 590, or 870) for ultility use being mostly deer and HD.

So here is my question, is getting a 3.5" chambered 870 going to make that much of a difference then a 3" 500 or 590?

Just like the idea of a 3.5" for more power and versatility.

So is it worth it?

Thanks,
P.B.Walsh
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

I have (2) 870's with the 3" chamber. I don't think for deer & HD it'll make that much difference. For HD I have went to shooting the 2 3/4" low recoil 00 buck shot. For hunting you can get some hot 3" mag ammo of your choosing. The only thing I see 3 1/2" ammo being a advantage is if your turkey, duck and goose hunting. But they still hav e good 3" ammo for these also.

I choose the low recoil stuff for HD after I shot some and seen my times drop in my follow up shots. Not a lot put the timer don't lie.
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

I see little reason for anything beyond 3". I have an 870 Super Mag and I never use it. My 1100 gets way more use, and it is 2.75" only.
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

In my opinion, the 3.5" isn't an advantage unless you are using steel shot, the extra volume lets you put a little more weight in the loads. 3", 2 oz, 12 gauge loads work fine for Turkey, for me. Unless you plan on doing a bunch of Goose hunting with large steel shot, I just don't see the need for 3.5".

Cheers,

Bill
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

In an 870 3.5" and a 500 3" were the same price, then which one would you get for my stated purpose.

Duck hunting power is probally never going to be needed.

I just like versatility.

Thanks,
P.B.Walsh
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Walsh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In an 870 3.5" and a 500 3" were the same price, then which one would you get for my stated purpose. </div></div>

That's kind of a Ford vs. Chevy question.... Ford's are my preferene, so I'd probably opt for the Rem, but not <span style="font-style: italic">because of</span> the 3.5" chamber. I've had/shot 870s, and currently shoot a 590 in Multi-gun - both are fine guns that have been very reliable....

Cheers,

Bill
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

I would go with the 870 over the Mossberg pump guns. I just hate the play in the forearm that rattle you get, but thats just me they are good pump guns. I however really like the looks of the 930 SP autoloader.

If you go with the 870 with the 3 1/2" chamber then you can do what ever with it.
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

I have a Benelli Nova with a 3.5" chamber. I've used the whole chamber a total of 25 times, just for fun, with a box of turkey shells. If you're just going for practicality, a 3.5" chamber isn't going to do you any more good than a 3" chamber. I personally just like the fact that I <span style="font-style: italic">can</span> shoot 3.5" shells if I feel like it. I just don't feel like it.

I read an article recently (sorry, I can't remember the source - maybe Field & Stream) about 3" shells vs. 3.5" for waterfowl hunting. The consensus was that you actually get less hit with the 3.5" than the 3" shells most of the time. This is due to the fact that the 3.5" shells have more shot and less muzzle velocity, when at distance the velocity will serve you better than the amount of shot you're putting out.

If they were the same price and all that, I'd buy the 3.5" just because. It's a lot of fun to shoot <span style="font-style: italic">a</span> box of 3.5" shells. FWIW, I keep mine loaded with 2.75" 00 buck.
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

I think for the use you describe a 3" chamber would be more then enough. For defense 2 3/4" buckshot should do the trick and like mentioned above some of the hot 3" loads surpass the 3.5".

I've got a couple older guns that are 2 3/4" (lightweight Franchis) chambers and most of my modern are 3". The only 3.5" gun I own is a Nova Tactical that I've used in 3Gun when I chose to shoot HM division. Granted, I run a 2 3/4 field load so I have to cycle the action farther then what's actually required by the shell. I have an 870 that is setup for 3Gun but haven't used it in a match setting yet. The shorter action feels a little quicker to me but I won't know until I shoot them side by side on the timer.
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

How often are you really going to be using a 3.5" shell?

If you don't ever use a 3.5", you're just wasting effort racking that super magnum every time.

And I don't know if it is true, but I posed a similar question to a friend who obsessed with duck and deer hunting. Here was his response:

"Why would I run a 2 3/4" slug out of a 3 1/2" magnum chamber? Would you expect pinpoint accuracy running a .308 in rifle chambered in 30-06?"

He also insists on using the full chambering for maximum range and pattern efficiency.
 
Re: 3" vs. 3.5" is the chamber difference worth it?

I had a 3.5" 870 and sold it to get a 3". 3.5" makes no sense unless you are bird hunting with steel shot.

The only thing a 3.5" gets you is extra pump travel which slows you down and may lead to one of the most common pump shot gun malfunctions (short stroking).

I'd get the 3".

-dan