3" a little tighter pattern than 3 1/2"

[DirtNap647]

has anyone seen that the 3" will throw a tighter pattern than the 3 1/2" with almost any given shell i know it might not always be true but it seems the 3" does throw a little tighter pattern

[Skeeterbait]

When that happens it is often an indication that you need a slightly more open choke for the 3.5" shell. 

[Oconeeguy]

What gun are you using?

[savduck]

I had a Remington that would do that years ago. It was very evident from the 35 to 40 yard range. The pattern would just fall apart in the 3.5. I owned 13 aftermarket chokes all the way from 675 down to 655. This was shooting Winchester extended range loads.

[DirtNap647]

mossberg 835 i have went more open of a choke the ic .675 usually wins in my gun i also own a star dot jelly head  i duno what else to try...

[chaz_Z7]

my remington does the same thing....its very consistant too...and ive tried alot of chokes from a 660 to  670 ..which im not complaining at all...but my 3 inch shells gets 200 + at 40 and 3-1-2 jus get 160 to 180

[DirtNap647]

even when you talk to some of the better choke companies they will tell you 3" pattern better than 3 1/2"

[chaz_Z7]

yea pure gold recommends a 3 inch shell everytime i talk to them...

[TauntoHawk]

for me the advantage to a 3.5 isn't getting more in the 10 its opening up the choke keep the 10 numbers roughly the same and makeing higher more even numbers in the 20in circle

an even 20 really gives that confidence that even if the bird moves at the trigger pull you're still going to dust him good

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

If you choke a 3.5" load right, I'll take it over a 3" shell anyday as long as it has a larger payload. 

[goblr77]

If you choke a 3.5" load right, I'll take it over a 3" shell anyday as long as it has a larger payload. 

[Gold Spur]

If you choke a 3.5" load right, I'll take it over a 3" shell anyday as long as it has a larger payload. 

X2

[hunter-b]

  X3

[Reloader]

It depends on the gun, choke, and lot of ammo, but yes, I have seen some guns pattern better with 3" loads than 3.5"

[fletchy]

My 870 super mag and ic choke get better numbers with the 3.5 at 41 but the 3inch has a softball size cluster dead center but is very patchy every where else in the ten ring. I stick to the 3.5 mag blend due to the even pattern.