OT-Rechambering 3" 12ga to 3 1/2"

[shawn_c992001]

I just picked up a Stoeger Condor 28" 12ga 3" and I've been wanting a gun that will shoot 3 1/2" shells for geese. Can the Condor be rechambered to a 3.5" shell?

[iceman]

I'm no expert, but if there is enough metal around the forcing cone and it is long enough you should be ok. Does it have extractors or ejectors. the spring for the ejectors may be an issue, if extractors no big deal. I bought a Mossberg 535 pump and really like it, no issues with 3 1/2" shells, not expensive either.

[Modoc ED]

I don't know the answer to your question but you don't need a 3½ shell to kill geese -- even with steel shot. I just used some Winchester X-Pert 3" Steel #4s for duck this past couple weeks and I've got some Winchester X-Pert 3" Steel BBs to use along with the #4s for geese this Dec/Jan.

Get the most out of your shotgun that you possibly can before you go to the expense of rechambering it. Heck buying a couple boxes of Hevi-Shot or some similar heavy shells in 3" or even 2¾" shells would do the trick for geese and ducks and be cheaper than rechambering your shotgun.

[shawn_c992001]

It has extractor. No ejectors.

[Idiot]

Chamber pressures of a 3.5 inch is pretty steep and the barrel steel treatment may not be up to it. In addition, if it was designed for 3 inch, don't expect it to feed and function correctly with an additional half inch shell. I think you would be better off finding one chambered for 3.5 inches instead of wrecking this one.

[shawn_c992001]

Just wondering if it was possible, I'm going to trade it for a 835 Mossberg any way. The Condor is an over/under.

[Idiot]

Just wondering if it was possible,

I've been down that road too. I finally had to lay out the cash for the chambering I wanted.

[Mike D.]

I could never figure out the 3 1/2" shell. A 3", or a 2 3/4" for that matter, 12 GA will cleanly kill dicks and geese at REALISTICranges just fine. We don't get many Canadas on our place, but steel 4s slay Specks all day long at the 40 yard maximum range that any sensible hunter would try to shoot them. It really gripes me to see fools blasting away with their 3 1/2" cannons at birds that are 60, and sometimes many more, yards above them. Longer shells DO NOT extend the range, they merely carry a larger volume of shot along with the extra powder required to push it. "Skyscraping" only results in more wounded birds that fly for long distances before succumbing to the effects of immediately non-lethal hits.

[2ndovc]

Why in the world would you want to abuse yourself like that?

I fired a 3 1/2" shell once. Won't do it ever again.
I've never used anything more than a full choke
Model 12 twenty gage and have taken just about everything
that flies in this part of the world. Including Canada geese.


jb

[shawn_c992001]

I'm kinda used to it with a few calibers that I shoot. ie: .416 Rem Mag, .500 S&W Mag, .405 Win, and .50 Alaskan in an Encore, 8mm Mag, and hot 45-70 out of a 1895 Marlin. I don't thing there is much of a differance with a 3.5" and those calibers. All of them have some pretty fierce recoil. I think with the steel loads a 3.5" doesn't have as much recoil as a turkey load does.

[CEMENTHEAD]

I would'nt bother. Not enough gain in my opinion to warrant the expense.

I could never figure out the 3 1/2" shell. A 3", or a 2 3/4" for that matter, 12 GA will cleanly kill dicks and geese at REALISTICranges just fine. We don't get many Canadas on our place, but steel 4s slay Specks all day long at the 40 yard maximum range that any sensible hunter would try to shoot them. It really gripes me to see fools blasting away with their 3 1/2" cannons at birds that are 60, and sometimes many more, yards above them. Longer shells DO NOT extend the range, they merely carry a larger volume of shot along with the extra powder required to push it. "Skyscraping" only results in more wounded birds that fly for long distances before succumbing to the effects of immediately non-lethal hits.

+ 1 I'm with MikeD on this one.

Grandaddy always told us kids, if you can't see their eyes they're too far off.

Thanks, Tom

[2ndovc]

I'm kinda used to it with a few calibers that I shoot. ie: .416 Rem Mag, .500 S&W Mag, .405 Win, and .50 Alaskan in an Encore, 8mm Mag, and hot 45-70 out of a 1895 Marlin. I don't thing there is much of a differance with a 3.5" and those calibers. All of them have some pretty fierce recoil. I think with the steel loads a 3.5" doesn't have as much recoil as a turkey load does.

Wow!

Didn't know there were that many rhino and other dangerous game runnin' around WV!

jb

[shawn_c992001]

I'm kinda used to it with a few calibers that I shoot. ie: .416 Rem Mag, .500 S&W Mag, .405 Win, and .50 Alaskan in an Encore, 8mm Mag, and hot 45-70 out of a 1895 Marlin. I don't thing there is much of a differance with a 3.5" and those calibers. All of them have some pretty fierce recoil. I think with the steel loads a 3.5" doesn't have as much recoil as a turkey load does.

Wow!

Didn't know there were that many rhino and other dangerous game runnin' around WV!

jb

Oh man let me tell ya!........ It's like a zoo here! How needs Africa, just come to WV, we got's Bigfoots, lions (Search for the lion sighting in Greenbrier County), wallerbies, wompus cats, and a few other dangerous critters here!

400+ lb. black bears aren't that uncommon around here where I live though. I always wanted to go to Africa though and wanted to have enough gun when I did.

[375hh1973]

Why bother. Have killed a ton of geese with 3" over the years. Recently have been shooting Federal Black Cloud 3" #3 shot and have been killing geese at 50 yds. Save your money and go shoot more skeet!

[Buck Elliott]

For steel shot, you need more speed, not more shot.

Any 3" shell can be loaded to give you optimum performance with steel.bismuth/hevi-shot/&c....

I cut my 12-ga. double out to 3 1/2" for Ursine-elimination duties.