Briley did extensive testing of 3 1/2" loads on pass shooting and found that the shot stream is too long to be more effective than 3" when shooting ducks. They used several testing methods including a "swinging pendulum" style test to see how long it takes for the tail end of the pattern to reach the target and found that it is so long that it makes no sense to shoot them. They did recognize that shooting larger birds, such as geese, there was a potential for it being somewhat effective. This study has the biggest impact on those who use steel, seeing as those who shoot Hevi-shot or Bismuth usually use 2 3/4 or 3".
This does not hold true when it comes to shooting stationary birds (ie turkeys).
I was astounded after seeing this and wouldn't have believed it without seeing all the diagrams and tests.
I assure you that next season I will only be buying 3" shells for duck hunting. The few boxes of 3 1/2" shells I have left over will be saved for sneaking up on geese.
I will try and find an internet link to this study.
Study on 3 1/2" duck loads
Study on 3 1/2" duck loads
Last edited by duramax on Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Greenhead22
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"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them"
-George Washington
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them"
-George Washington
Send me the study info, please. I would love to see it.
Tom Roster has shot more steel at ducks and done more testing than anyone alive on shot stringing. Roster has proven that the shot string with steel is 1/2 the length of lead. Just look at Roster's article in this months "Shooting Sportsman." So, I honestly cannot imagine how a steel shot string could be "too long" to be effective. Especially since high speed photography shows the "shot string" is a swarm like funnel that collapses on itself from back to front, the last pellets to leave the barrel are some of the first to reach the bird......
However, with that said, I have stopped shooting 3.5" shells other than at snows, and shot 2 3/4 all year. I much prefer the reduced recoil, and kill as many or more birds.
My wife sometimes astounds me with the ducks she can kill with a 1 oz 20 guage load.
Tom Roster has shot more steel at ducks and done more testing than anyone alive on shot stringing. Roster has proven that the shot string with steel is 1/2 the length of lead. Just look at Roster's article in this months "Shooting Sportsman." So, I honestly cannot imagine how a steel shot string could be "too long" to be effective. Especially since high speed photography shows the "shot string" is a swarm like funnel that collapses on itself from back to front, the last pellets to leave the barrel are some of the first to reach the bird......
However, with that said, I have stopped shooting 3.5" shells other than at snows, and shot 2 3/4 all year. I much prefer the reduced recoil, and kill as many or more birds.
My wife sometimes astounds me with the ducks she can kill with a 1 oz 20 guage load.
So many ducks, so little time....
HRCH (500) UH Ellie Mae MH (2005-2017)
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