3" or 3 1/2" 12 Gauge Loads, Comparisons

[Sportdog]

Is the 3 1/2" 12 Gauge load worth the extra recoil (I assume)? I have a Remington 870 Express 3" and it boots back pretty well. Have any of you guys used the 3 1/2" guns/loads and saw an improvement in your ability to hit shots at more extended ranges/higher kill ratios or is it hype? Just looking for some "real world" opinions please. :confused: Thank you!

[Webleymkv]

A 3 1/2" 12ga Mossberg 835 is the hardest recoiling gun I've ever personally shot. My NEF 10ga is actually quite a bit more pleasant due to the added weight (a bit over 9lbs). If I were to do any hunting that required more than a 3" 12 ga, I believe I would just go straight to a 10ga and be done with it (they usually pattern better with steel shot anyway). Besides the NEF single-shots, the only other relatively affordable 10ga available is the Browning BPS. Wal-Marts website lists them for $524.92 (as compared to $1500 for the last Remington SP-10 I saw) or, if one shot is enough, I got my NEF brand new for $185 OTD.

http://www.walmart.com/search/browse-ng.do?ic=12_0&ref=125872.257843+500500.4294044055