Study on 3 1/2" duck loads

[duramax]

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.

[chopper30]

Not to steel your post, but I'd like to also see what size shell our gun can shoot.

I shoot 3", but my gun will shoot them all 2 3/4" - 3 1/2"

[teul2]

Up untill this uear all i shot was 2 3/4 in shells. But, i changed guns and went ahead and bought a case of 3in.
I will be going back to the 2 3/4's next year. Cheaper and just as effective.

[Greenhead22]

3 1/2" loads leave no doubt. You don't have to worry about chasing cripples all over the place. The more pellets that are flying, better you chances are of hitting the bird and hitting him hard. I do agree that 3 1/2" and 3" shell are overkill to some degree early in the season. However, when the birds start skirting the dekes, wanting to land 10-20 yds the other side, refusing to come below treetop high, etc........the 3.5's come into play big time.

Why would I want to buy a case of 2 3/4" shells when I can buy 3.5's $20 cheaper per case? I'd like for someone to stand right beside me on a sporting clays range shooting 2 3/4" while I shoot 3.5". We'll shoot at passing targets upwards of 40-50 yds and lets see who wins the contest.

As for hevi, 2 3/4", 1 1/4" #6's produces the best pattern of any of their loads made.

[QUACKERS]

i shoout 3" #3's and Tuel you might need to check in on some 5" shells, I've seen you shoot

[teul2]

I'd like for someone to stand right beside me on a sporting clays range shooting 2 3/4" while I shoot 3.5". We'll shoot at passing targets upwards of 40-50 yds and lets see who wins the contest.

I'll take that bet.
I have out shoot ya before and can do it again.

[duramax]

3 1/2" loads leave no doubt. You don't have to worry about chasing cripples all over the place. The more pellets that are flying, better you chances are of hitting the bird and hitting him hard...

That was my thoughts before I saw this. But the science of it proved me wrong. If you get a duck coming straight at you, then it doesn't apply. But if you get a shot, like 99% of them are, where the bird is passing or flying at an angle, you will only hit the bird with a very small % of the shot that leaves the barrel. Approx the same % of the pellets that hit when you use 3 1/2" as if you were to use 3" shells, making the 3 1/2" overkill. I was very suprised by the results, to say the least. Like I said, when you see the actual results, you will understand. I contacted Briley to send me the information.

[cwink]

IMO it is not the size of the shell your shooting it is the shooter. I have shot a 20 Guage at ducks before and done better than with my 12 guage. You don't need 500 pellets to kill a duck. 4 or 5 pellets in the right place will do just fine.

[GulfCoast]

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.

[Chad Manlove]

I always lead off with 2 3/4 6s...

Back it up with 2 3/4 3s...

[tunica]

My wife sometimes astounds me with the ducks she can kill with a 1 oz 20 guage load.

cause like all wives the sight picture is not a duck...its her other half

[hencutter]

3" #4's Kent Fasyeel on ducks, if i am in a goose spread, 31/2" BB's

[GordonGekko]

Gulfcoast beat me to the punch about steel having a shorter shot string (steel pellets don't deform so they all have similar aerodynamic properties), and the shot string being "dynamic" as well....

but, to add another note...I fail to see how a 1 &3/8 oz. load from a 3.5" shell will have any different shot string than one from a 3" shell. The shot column has the same dimensions, only the velocity differs, and I don't believe that would have a significant effect on a shot string.... but I do know this, faster steel loads are effective.... And when you kill as many geese during the year as I do, that extra speed is a plus....

[Greenhead22]

I'd like for someone to stand right beside me on a sporting clays range shooting 2 3/4" while I shoot 3.5". We'll shoot at passing targets upwards of 40-50 yds and lets see who wins the contest.

I'll take that bet.
I have out shoot ya before and can do it again.

Oh I'm sorry, I left out the main part. We will be shooting steel shot so just bring it.

[duramax]

The wads are different. They don't add a half inch of powder in the shells and put the same wad as a 3" shell.
However it works, it is different.