heavy recoil

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:43 pm

Do 3 1/2' shells have more pellets and more powder?

Is there a further killing range with 3 1/2 shells?

Boo · Post by **Boo** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:07 pm

It's a double edged sword. You get more pellets at a slower velocity. More pellets mean more density but more pellets mean more deformed pellets. Slow pellets do not kill as well but more density kills better. At longer distances you get more pellets but at a longer range. The longer your choke the more dense your patterns are.
Are 3 1/2" shells better? The answer is it might be. You have to try them in your gun.
It may use more powder but the powder is probably a slower burning powder so more powder is immaterial.

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:44 am

The longer your choke the more dense your patterns are.

The theory behind it being that a longer choke eases the transiton and causes less pellet deformation. Same idea holds true for lengthening forcing cones. Deformed pellets do not fly straight and tend to become "flyers" leaving holes in your pattern. Not an issue if you're shooting steel waterfowl loads but it could be a consideration with lead turkey loads.

Back the original question about porting. One consideration I have not seen mentioned here is re-sale. Anytime you do an aftermarket alteration to any gun that can't be easily altered back you limit the number perspective buyers if you try to sell the gun. I know from my gun dealing days that there are people who love porting and people who hate it. A non ported gun may appeal to both sides as a fan of porting can have the gun ported. A ported gun will not appeal to anyone who does not like porting. I wouldn't say the gun would have any less resale value in terms of dollars but I know from experience ported guns are harder to sell.