Just a dumb question but if your trying to get the most out of a .410 it's best to go ahead and get the 3" chamber right ?

Yes … what are you trying to kill ?

I've shot both 3 inch and 2 1\2. The 3 inch definitely is the way to go. I always used 6 shot of bigger if you can find it. I shot many ducks with my .410 when I was a kid.

Yes, but it's almost impossible to pack in enough pellets to hold patterns much past 35 yards without going to the heavier than lead($$) shot.

Agree 100% with all above. 3 in is the only way to go

Yes

3” with a xtra super full choke did well on turkey for me this year. Eric

Yes but I don't feel a .410 is really designed to be a long range gun. Even when shooting slugs out of them.

A .410 with Zeb’s Headhunter 2x full choke with Rough 3” #9 knocks turkeys dead at 40 yards.

I'd probably go with 3", but there's really not much difference. They're both light payloads.

Heavy loads...fast loads won't make up for someone being a bad shot.

If you don't mind me asking, what are you trying to accomplish, WD?

…. I already asked him that and he didn’t answer

… gettin too good to talk to us I guess

I use both 3" and 2 1/2" .410 shells based upon what I'm hunting. 2 1/2" #4s are the cats meow on running rabbits, I like 3" 7 1/2 shot on pheasants. Waiting on an opportunity to shoot a coyote with some #000 buck.

... but if you won't answer what you're hoping to accomplish it's tough to give info...

Buy a 28 gauge

Not sure I've ever seen a .410 not chambered for 3" shells. We've got a bunch of .410s around here. Grandkids don't much care if they are 2.5" or 3" as long as they go bang and break an occasional clay pigeon.

There's plenty of old ones out there that are short chambered, as well as some modern handguns.

My Remington 870 is chambered for 2 1/2 inch only as I recall.

The lever guns and many revolvers are 2.5 only.

I stand corrected. I knew about the handguns, but the long guns surprise me.

I’ve always wanted a Winchester 42 but they’re just crazy expensive.

OP the 3” with the right load and an extra full has some reach. Also lots of guys use the 410 as a slug gun. Mount a scope on it and use brass cases and cast bullets with no choke and get surprising accuracy out to
100yrds.