Unit width?

I know a lot of people run groups of 6-9 ogres/ironguts 3wide, and I understand this is done to hide chars in the second rank. But at what unit size does it become viable to run a 4wide unit for those extra attacks? And do you do treat ogres and iron guts differently in this regard?

For me it's more of a question of unit role.

If I'm looking for an Anvil, I go three wide and as deep as I can. I wan't to eventually be able to deny steadfast. If I'm looking for a Hammer, I'll go 4 wide for the extra attacks.

I use one unit of 7 Ironguts with 2 characters in a 3x3 formation and 7 Ogres with a Firebelly in 4x2 at 2000 pts.

It depends on role.  If the unit has to take a lot of damage then run it 3 wide.
If the unit has to bash the hell out of everything then run it 4 wide.

My IG usually run 3 wide as they act kinda like a bunker unit, my ME (only 7 big with FB) run 4 wide because they have AhW (or BoP) and that means I get 5 attacks per model.  Their job is to kill stuff, not to survive themselves.

As the other guys have said ti depends on the role.

Something else to keep in mind aswell is the width of your opponent.

If they have a very wide facing unit and you have a unit of say 5 or more mannie with addtional hand weapons/brace of pistols, you maye wish to consider running 5 wide or longer as you will gain attacks(keep in mind the opponent will also of course)

There is also the perspective of losing wheeling move if your unit is too wide compared to having a bellower for  a fast reform. Eg. 3 or 4 mournfang makes hell of a difference when you wheel to be in position for that juicy flank charge.

For normal ogres I often use them as smaller support units and to keep my battleline within the 12" of my gen. and bsb I have to use a 3 wide formation.

Ironguts will need to bring the pain and host my characters (BSB and gen/SM,lvl4; and apparently sword of anti-heroes is missing in my opponents BRB so yay for me) so I deploy then 4 wide to max attacks and still get 2 ranks for my first charge and max attack ouput for when my greatweapons make sure there wont be a second round of combat : )

My meta-game is though very focused on 1+ AS making guts essential and bulls near useless. Luckily a 4-pack of ironguts is dirt cheap so I dont mind. . .

Best of luck!

If the role is character bunker w/ IG (or Maneaters) and I have the FencerFist SL, I'll go 4 wide, cause he can take being in the front.

Also if there's a situation on my turn that I've just crushed a unit and I know I'm going to be charged by a wide flanking unit that I have to widle down (large block, knights, etc) sometimes I'll reform to go wider if I feel I need the extra attrition/CR.

Depends who I'm facing. I go up against a lot of squishy troops, so its usually to my benefit to have more attacks.

I use one unit of 7 Ironguts with 2 characters in a 3x3 formation and 7 Ogres with a Firebelly in 4x2 at 2000 pts.

hmm. it is rather refreshing to see someone else running the exact formations that i have been

I was previously 4 wide (FC + Fencerfist SM up front, with the BSB cowering behind).  Though now I'm leaning towards 3 wide, with both characters making way to the front to present them with a much harder target to beat.