3 1/2 lead only. 2 Oz vs. 2 1/4.

[10gaugemag]

I have never messed with the 3.5" 12 gauge much and especially haven't since the "newer" 2 Oz HV loads came out even though its been 20+ years ago now that they came around. Do the 2 Oz loads seem to pattern as good as or possibly better than the original 2 1/4 Oz loads? Do the 2oz in 3.5" pattern much better than a 3" with 1 3/4-2 Oz of shot?

I actually have no need for a 3.5" load but want to play with the new to me Super X2. I am sitting on nearly 130 3" mags of various flavors.

I do have a XXX Comp n Choke, original Star Dot and a .680 Hastings. All of these have done pretty good with the Hastings doing best with 4s.

 

[Happy]

Don't know what gun you're using, but my 3.5" mossy really likes the 2.25 oz longbeards through the original star dot choke.

[Ihuntoldschool]

To your question.
The 2 ounce can pattern just as good as 2 1/4 ounce loads in 3.5 inch. In some guns they will pattern better, other guns prefer the heavier loading.

2nd question,  A 3.5 inch shell pushing 2 ounces will shoot better than a 3 inch shell pushing 2 ounces or 1 3/4 ounces.  ( assuming apples to apples comparison).

Not tremendous when you consider recoil is brutal but you can certainly get a denser pattern and couple/ few more yards with 3.5 inch.

This applies to lead shot .

[GJ12]

My SXP shot longbeard 2 ounce loads better than 2 1/8. Carlsons LBXR .665.