The nice thing about getting the 3.5" is that you don't have to shoot 3.5" shells, but the option is available if you feel you need it. I do a lot of waterfowl hunting and on average I like to shoot 2.75" #2's as most of my hunting is done over decoys. On windy days though when the snow geese and specks get closer to the ground I always carry some 3.5" BB's just in case some fly over me