3 1/2 INCH MAGNUM?

[yllowfin]

Anyone have anything good or bad to say?I am looking at the remington 870.

[h2oboss]

I don't use a 3.5" gun, but if I was buying a new one the SBEII is the only way to go IMO. I've shot several 3.5's and plain and simple it's the best handling, shooting, cycling and operating gun I've shot. Over the past few years I've shot freinds guns at the range and in the feild. I've shot the 935 Ulti-mag, Extrema and Browing as well as the x-2. The SBE was by far the best. It just felt great, TO ME. For a pump gun I'd go with the Binelli again.....NOVA.....again it jsut felt great...very comfortable. That being said, all my exp is based on my prefernaces. Betwqeen shooting a few models and some advice from the TF brotherhood I'm sure you'll find the right gun for you.

The SBEII is pricey, no doubt but when I can afford it I'm getting one[grin]

[pbramble]

I am from the school that believes 3.5" is unnecessary (ask my girlfriend[grin])

Seriously though, 3" shells more than adequately get the job done, and if you are shooting the hevishot, Bismuth or matrix, 2 3/4" knock em dead no problem.

[rapprunner]

I have two Browning Gold Hunters----I would not recommend them. No matter how clean this gun is it is prone to jamming. Go with Benelli Super Black Eagle as H2O said. My Dad has one and it is yet to jam.

[Red]

I have shot 3 1/2" guns since they hit the market many years ago. I now own a Benelli Nova and like the way it fits me. As far as over kill, I don't think so. I still wate until my target is in range,
I now have very few cripples and down birds on my last shot on a regular bases. I shoot my Nove for all of my shotgun hunting, I think I shoot it better because of this. Just because you own a 3 1/2" gun you don't have to shoot the big shells. I shot a limit of teal with it opening day shooting 2 3/4" #3's. I do not like the semi autos, the owners of them tell you they never jam. Hunt next to one for several days in below freezing weather with spray hitting you in the face and you will see some jamming by the semis. Its tough to beet a pump gun.

[trex]

For turkey hunting I'd say yeah it's nice to have. For anything else including ducks, deer, and geese. I'd say it's not really necessary. I've got a 3 1/2" 870 w/ a 23" barrel. Great gun for everything! Shoots both 3" and 3 1/2" oo buckshot great. Shoots 2 3/4" & 3" steel very well also. For the money, shooting size BB and less in steel, I dont see much difference in killing between 3" and 3 1/2" steel. With the bigger BBB and such the more pellets in the 3 1/2" could very well make a difference.

[TIDECRUIZER]

I had a Benelli SBE for a couple of weeks. I had 7 choke tobes and could not get it to pattern worth a crap. I tried all the tubes with everything from turkey loads to buckshot. With the buckshot at 25 yards, 18 pellets I was getting 2 in a full sheet of newspaper.

Dude at Greentop told me two things...if you shoot buckshot in a SBE you need a aftermarket tube for $130, and to only shoot 2 3/4" shells. I took that beeatch right back and got a Rem SP 10. And have been mowing them down ever since.

I do have two other 3.5" guns though. I have a Mossburg 835 that isnt worth 835 cents. I also have a Charles Daly 3.5 that I really like. It has a good feel just like the SBE but was about half the price. Been mowing them down with it too. It shoots one hell of a pattern, and is fairly light. It wont shoot 2 3/4 low brass though. It has a lot of interchangeable parts with a Rem 11-87.

[earlyriser]

IMO I like the 3.5 inch gun because it gives you versatility. I have the 835 mosseberg and mine is awesome. I have killed a couple of gobblers with this gun at a long distance. The 3.5 is awesome on turkeys. I loved shooting it deer hunting, but went to a lighter gun and now shot 3" shells.

[crow]

I've got a browning hunter gold, never had any problems with it. Don't really shoot a whole of 3.5's. I find 3's will do the job just as well.

[eastduck]

3.5" Benelli Super Black Eagle is a good gun and have never had any problems shooting full choke. In fact I had shot many birds, even though I usually don't, at 70 yrds. I have found some some shells are longer than 3.5 such as wichester. The kent tungsten 3.5 are good shells and worth the cost as long as you limit your shooting, which is hard sometimes.

Eastduck

[FSHNT]

I have been shooting a 3.5 since i was 15. I got an 835 for christmas when they came out with the 3.5. yeah i took some black shoulders but i killed alot. Now i have the winchester super-x2. I love the 3.5 load especially for ducks. Anyone that says a 3in will kill a duck the same, does not hunt big water. We hunt open water with long shots on tough canvasbacks, plain it simple it kills. My buddies in the blind with lesser loads wound alot of ducks we never find. Last year i went to hevi-shoot for geese and the range was incredible. Good luck to everyone this season.
Daniel

[Bass_hunter]

I've never shot a 3.5 but i've talked to a few guys that stopped shooting 3.5 shells. They said they kill on both ends of the gun LOL
With Hevi shot i've never seen that i needed anything but a 3" for field geese and puddle ducks over decoys.

[cskiff]

Just my opinion but if you shoot mainly steel like myself you need the 3 1/2 fast loads if you hunt big water, if you can afford hevi-shot or tungsten you probably dont need anything more than 3 inch, deer on the other hand if you have shot a deer with OO 3 1/2 buckshot you wont buy 3 inch buckshot anymore!!!!!!!!

also I have shot a box and a half a few days and steel is expessive, but hevi shot would have been almost a $40 dollar day, the way I shoot I will stick with steel[grin]

[interface]

This my 2nd season with a browning gold 3.5 and have NEVER had a jam. ANY gun will jam if it is not cleaned. That is the former Marine in me. Can't go wrong with an 870 either! I agree with Paul 3.5 is not needed.

[Big DV]

I shoot an 870 3" Love it. Actually the 3 1/2" shells aren't any faster than the 2 3/4 and 3" shells. They just have more pellets in them and more kick. My buddies have shot the 3 1/2 inchers and say the only difference they notice is the bruise on there shoulder. Like an old wiseman said " people have been killin ducks with 2 3/4 shells forever"

[frayedknot]

Goose huntin maybe 3 1/2! Turkey 6 shot 20 gauge will get the job done 30 yards! 870 3" is plenty! just for the record 2 3/4 has more down range power![wink]

[HI TIDES DRIFTER]

yllowfin, Don't own a 3.5 gun and don't really want one. I use 1 gun for everything, and 3.5's are too heavy to walk with much. Check out the Franchi I-12, it is only made in 3" but is made by benelli. It has the same inertia system as the SBEII but is 1/2 the price. The black synthetic gun sells for $579, and the 2 camo models are a little higher. I've shot remington's all my life, but this gun is really nice, and i'm going to get a Maxx4hd camo one as soon as they are available.

Good Luck,
BILL

www.franchi.com

[pbramble]

I shoot over a lot of open water for cans, scoters, old squaws, bluebills, etc. 3" kills 'em dead. If you can't kill with 3", it's not because you are missing 1/2", it's because you probably need practice.

[BYRD]

I have a 935 ulti mag. It is an awsome gun. I mostly shoot 3inch#4 and #3 steel shot. It is a great gun. Would recomend it to anyone except dove hunters it don't like the light loads. I shoot 3.5 00 buck while deer hunting. Put 14 pellets at 30 yards into a paper plate with a full choke. I love mine and wouldn't trade it at this point in time.

[done workin]

Anything over 2 3/4" is more bang with only a little more benefit in the end. If you want to beat up your shoulders, go for it, but everything I've read said 3 1/2" is more waste of money and 3" is questionable. Read something a few years again that said that alot of that extra length is wadding.

Like someone said, 2 3/4" has more down range energy. That's the critical part. How does it carry, NOT muzzle velocity. Remember, you have a bigger shell with more pellet weight to be pushed, They almost cancel each other out. Only difference is you might be slinging more pellets at the same velocity.

Get a gun that patterns well and make the shots count and you won't need to beat up your shoulder as much.

Just my opinion.

[RYASON]

YELLOW FIN

YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH THE 870. ITS A WORKIN MANS GUN. YOU CAN BEAT THE HELL OUT OF IT AND IT WILL STILL HUNT FOR YOU. LOOK AT DICK SPORTING GOODS, I THINK THEY HAVE A DEAL RUNNING ON THE 870 SUPER MAG 3 1/2". THATS THE PUMP ACTION. MY FIRST WAS A 870 EXPRESS, 17 YEARS OLD NOW AND NEVER A PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE THE 1187 SUPER MAG IN 3 1/2". ONLY JAMED ON LIGHT LOADS WHEN THE GAS PORTS WERENT CLEAN. FOR THE PRICE YOU CANT BEAT THEM. AS FOR 3 1/2", IN GOOSE LOADS, YOU WONT NOTICE MUCH DIFFERENCE IN RECOIL COMPAIRED TO A 3" SHELL, BUT IT IS NICE TO HAVE IT IF YOU WANT IT. GREAT ALL AROUND SHOTGUN.

[cskiff]

Just like the last guy said, and it says it all, ITS NICE TO HAVE IT IF YOU NEED IT.

[pbramble]

if you don't need it, why pay for it?

[Big DV]

Just another thought. I've been out with my buddies that were shooting thousand dollar semi's and had them jam up on them. Not from being dirty, but in my opinion from being to complicated. My 870 continued shooting and I continued killing ducks while my friends were cursing, getting pissed and raising there blood pressure. Like I said I love my 870 express its 10 years old and "if" I ever need another shotgun it will be another 870. Not a sermon....just a thought.

[Tail Chaser]

Duane,

Great pump gun, can't go wrong w/ the Rem. 870 pump 3 1/2" for ducks, geese & turkey. I shot one for years & switched to Benelli SBE only because its a semi auto.

Russ

[h2oboss]

RYASON originally wrote:
YELLOW FIN

YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH THE 870. ITS A WORKIN MANS GUN. YOU CAN BEAT THE HELL OUT OF IT AND IT WILL STILL HUNT FOR YOU.


Very well said, I myself gave advice on what I would buy if need be.......however, I've been shooting the same cheap mossberg for over 10yrs and have never had one once of trouble with it. It's been everything from a paddle to a pillow and as any duck gun should it just keeps on trucking. I know it's not glamorious and I'D LOVE TO HAVE A BINELLI (man they are SWEET) but I've got no use/need right now. As I said earlier whatever works for you man, good luck on your choice!

[RYASON]

WHAT EVER WORKS FOR YOU AND DOESNT PISS OFF THE WIFE WHEN SHE SEES THE CHECK BOOK!!!

[HI TIDES DRIFTER]

The 870 is great gun if you like pump guns, but for duck hunting if I were going to buy a pump, it would be a Browning BPS. Basically because it ejects shells out the bottom, so your partner beside you doesn't get an empty up side the head.

There are many nice auto shotguns out there and I have owned every model Remington has ever produced. I still shoot an 1100, 3in, many of my friends are hooked on the gold hunter Browning, but after wrapping my hands around that big heavy thing, I was less than convinced.

Considering the fact that most guns today are either made by Benelli, or Beretta, there isn't much choice. Remington has not come up with a new design since the 1100 except to change very little and call it a 1187. They are on their way out because they can't compete with Beretta and Benelli.

From my earlier post I stated no desire for the 3 1/2 simply because of the weight difference. After looking at the Beretta's, and the Benelli's, I picked up the new Franchi I-12 and man does it swing good. Not many people have heard of these guns unless they quail hunt, but this Italian made gun has been around for a long time. I've had an A-48 20ga. for 35yrs, and at a little over 5lbs, it's my first choice for rabbit, and upland hunting.

Good luck in whatever you decide to buy, and remember a man can never have too many guns or fishing rods, at least that's what I tell my wife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Straight Shooting,
BILL

[pbramble]

Franchi autos are basically SBE, just cheaper.

[HI TIDES DRIFTER]

You are right Paul, about 1/2 the price of a SBE. My 12yr old nephew just got a black synthetic, with a 26in barrel, comes w/ 5 choke tubes, and a shim kit for the stock. 579.00+ tax, which in my opinion is the best deal out there. There's about a 30 to 60 day wait on both camo models. The camo models retail for 660.00.

BILL

[pbramble]

Stoeger makes an SBE as well, that's even cheaper than that, I saw the camo model yesterday for $500.00. Franchi, stoeger, and Benelli all share the same owner, but the guns are manufactured in different locations, using different materials, Benelli using the high $, Franchi using the mid range, steoger the low range. however, they are all based on Benelli's action, though does not necessarily mean they all operate as well. I am curious to find out if the stoegers can handle abuse, I shoot a Beretta 391 and would like a backup auto, but don't want to spend an arm and a leg.

[cskiff]

Not being a smart arse but, Qoute: "If you dont need it why pay for it?"
With the prices now your not paying much more to have a 3 1/2 esspecially if you are using a pump. second my wife still doesnt understand why you need a different gun for Doves, ducks, squirell, rabbit, deer, Why because we are men and love our toys,

I know this is just opinions but I prefer 3 1/2, but I also dont shoot any barrel less than 26 in, with most of my barrels being 28in. just my preference, my thing is you can buy a 3 1/2 and use 3 inch shells but you may prefer 3 1/2 for buckshot, I still feel if you need it, you got it. Dont sell yourself short and spend more to get a 3 1/2 later, my 2cnts

[pbramble]

I don't hink your a smart arse, I'm just looking at a Beretta Extrema vs. a Beretta Urika 391, basically a 3.5" gun versus a 3", the cost difference for the plane black synthetic is $200. So, it is a consideration. I would not pay the extra $200 for a half inch I am confident I don't need. Just my opinion.

However, I don't deer hunt all that often, and have never shot buckshot, so I don't know how much of a consideration that is.

[cskiff]

PBramble, just messin with ya, I have heard several good things about both of the Berettas you mentioned, I just got the Franchi 912 variomax this year and love it so far, it has a semi humpback and shoulders very well I paid $650 for all black synthetic, I did use it verses my 20ga 1100 for doves and it shot the lightest to the heavy dove loads without missing a beat, I looked at the Beretta extrema and the SBEII and the Win X2 but went with the Franchi due to the price difference, I shot the Benelli nova before that and it was great, but I wanted to go semi auto, Like I said before 3 1/2 works well for me because I shoot mostly steel and need that little extra, Hevi shot is just a little to pricey for me.[grin]

[Bay Bob]

The best gun for the money in 3 1/2 inch is pictured below.
http://pages.prodigy.net/randeboyd/rm2.JPG

Tough as nails, cheap as dirt, easy on the shoulder, and you wont worry if it gets a little rust on it.

Baikal MP-153 Remington now imports, warranties, and services them.

The SBE is a nice gun, but it is not 4 times as nice as the MP-153, and it kicks like a mule !

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