What do you shoot. 3" or 3 1/2" shells

[Craig]

What do you like for Turkey? 3" or 3 1/2". and why?

[lokidog]

3" or even 2 3/4", I see no reason to shoot the more expensive, higher recoiling rounds, but I'm not trying to take turkeys at 45+ yards either.

[The Gobble-stopper]

Inches don't matter no matter what your wife says...  What you need to do is see what load works best in your gun. Some guns shoot better with 2 3/4 some 3 etc. Some will shoot better with 4 shot in 3 but not in shorter or longer but. Or vise versa. Try different brands, different lengths, and different shot sizes. You might be surprised at the difference, when shot through a tight turkey choke. Or even through regular choke or modified. Just use what your gun shoots best with. Earn confidence in the gun. Then don't over shoot your range.

[mossy8352]

I have used both and they were just as dead with the three inch Mag Blend as with the 3 1/2 inch mag blends and my shoulder likes the lighter recoil (not). Like the previous post stated pattern your shells and use the one that gives the best pattern at a reasonable range from your shotgun for your area.

[CP]

Usually, you will get the best pattern if the shell length = the chamber length.  If the shell is shorter than the chamber it allows the shot to expand a bit before being forced together in the forcing cone and choke.  That usually produces a more open pattern than when the shell length is the same as the chamber length.

[CedarPants]

The only noticeable difference between a 3 inch shell and a 3 1/2 inch shell in my experience has been shoulder thump and price.  Outside of that, the birds fall down all the same 

[CP]

No argument that a 3” or a 2 ¾” or even a 2 ½” shell will kill a turkey.  But if you want to squeeze the most effective pattern out of your gun your shell length should be the same as your chamber length.  That’s why you won’t find any 3” or 3 ½” chambers on competitive trap or skeet guns. 

Do you need the most effective pattern to kill a turkey, no you don’t, but it doesn’t hurt either.

[CedarPants]

No argument that a 3” or a 2 ¾” or even a 2 ½” shell will kill a turkey.  But if you want to squeeze the most effective pattern out of your gun your shell length should be the same as your chamber length.  That’s why you won’t find any 3” or 3 ½” chambers on competitive trap or skeet guns. 

Do you need the most effective pattern to kill a turkey, no you don’t, but it doesn’t hurt either.

Agreed.  I should clarify my statement to include that the birds killed with 3 inch shells have been shot from a gun chambered for 3 inch, and the birds killed with 3 1/2 inch shells have been shot from a gun chambered for 3 1/2 inch.

[Jonathan_S]

No argument that a 3” or a 2 ¾” or even a 2 ½” shell will kill a turkey.  But if you want to squeeze the most effective pattern out of your gun your shell length should be the same as your chamber length.  That’s why you won’t find any 3” or 3 ½” chambers on competitive trap or skeet guns. 

Do you need the most effective pattern to kill a turkey, no you don’t, but it doesn’t hurt either.

Agreed.  I should clarify my statement to include that the birds killed with 3 inch shells have been shot from a gun chambered for 3 inch, and the birds killed with 3 1/2 inch shells have been shot from a gun chambered for 3 1/2 inch.

Hey CP! Good to see you on here, been a minute.

[mossy8352]

No argument that a 3” or a 2 ¾” or even a 2 ½” shell will kill a turkey.  But if you want to squeeze the most effective pattern out of your gun your shell length should be the same as your chamber length.  That’s why you won’t find any 3” or 3 ½” chambers on competitive trap or skeet guns. 

Do you need the most effective pattern to kill a turkey, no you don’t, but it doesn’t hurt either.

Agreed.  I should clarify my statement to include that the birds killed with 3 inch shells have been shot from a gun chambered for 3 inch, and the birds killed with 3 1/2 inch shells have been shot from a gun chambered for 3 1/2 inch.

Never noticed that on the pattern board but it does make sense.

[wadu1]

No argument that a 3” or a 2 ¾” or even a 2 ½” shell will kill a turkey.  But if you want to squeeze the most effective pattern out of your gun your shell length should be the same as your chamber length.  That’s why you won’t find any 3” or 3 ½” chambers on competitive trap or skeet guns. 

Do you need the most effective pattern to kill a turkey, no you don’t, but it doesn’t hurt either.

All my competitive shotguns all shoot 3" with the exception on my Browning 525? Bottom line shoot what every patterns the best in your gun. YFI my Winchester SX2 target gun likes the Remington 3" turkey loads the best with a X-full choke.

[Craig]

Trying to figure out what new gun to buy. One only shoots up to 3" shells and one will shoot up to 3 1/2" shells.  So I can't check patterns yet.  Most likely stick with 3" unless there is a huge difference in the 3 1/2 if I choose the Remington.

Remington Versa max - up to 3 1/2"
Benelli M2 field gun - up to 3"

[lokidog]

If I was purchasing a new gun, I would go 3" not 3 1/2".  I've actually not noticed an appreciable difference in two of my guns on how different rounds pattern. Full choke seems to be effective for everything I have tried, maybe I'm just lucky.   

[Dan-o]

I always shoot 3 1/2" for turkey for one simple reason.

[tgomez]

3" #5s with a modified choke has never let me down out of my Remington 870.

[WAPatriot]

The only reason I shoot 3 1/2 inch shells is cause they don't have 5 inch shells yet

[Wacenturion]

3" or even 2 3/4", I see no reason to shoot the more expensive, higher recoiling rounds, but I'm not trying to take turkeys at 45+ yards either.

Completely agree.  Any decent shotgun shooting 2 3/4" and 3" shells that one has patterned and knows the gun's limitations, will effectively make clean kills on turkeys.  Aftermarket chokes are a good investment.

I sometimes think that the bigger is better option is a path to thinking one can make, as Loki said, 45+ yard shots.  Many of which can result in crippling.  So many times the desire to harvest seems to override the thought process.  If the bird is coming in, let him come to a clean kill range.  If not, let him play again another day.
 

[Stickerbush]

I don't turkey hunt but federal did a study of 3.5 and they basically have 50% more recoil with negligible ballistic benefits. Food for thought

[270Shooter]

Trying to figure out what new gun to buy. One only shoots up to 3" shells and one will shoot up to 3 1/2" shells.  So I can't check patterns yet.  Most likely stick with 3" unless there is a huge difference in the 3 1/2 if I choose the Remington.

Remington Versa max - up to 3 1/2"
Benelli M2 field gun - up to 3"

I shoot a left hand m2 exclusively. It's a far superior gun than the versamax. I haven't cleaned it all duck season and I hunt a lot. Killed a lot of birds and it just keeps on banging. I usually clean it once or twice a year and it's good to go. I've never had a problem with 3" 2 Oz 6's for turkeys with it.

[kevinlisa06]

All I shoot anymore is3" my shoulder can't handle the 3.5" shells. I get a great pattern with the 3" shells I shoot so no need to shoot the bigger shells.

[Fishnfowler]

I pattern tested my turkey gun and got my best pattern out of 1-1/2 oz of #6 going 1200 fps in a 2-3/4" shell.  I tried dozens of loads and really wanted the bigger shells to work better.  At 45 yards that pattern is as tight as the bark on a tree.  The faster I pushed a load, the more I put into it, and the bigger the shell, all contributed to a blown pattern.  I know tungsten would give me a better pattern with a bigger shell, but I don't need it.  If you want to shoot a giant shell and tell yourself it must work better, go for it.  It just might in your gun.  If you really want to know, take it to a pattern board.

[RadSav]

My first two turkey were taken in Texas.  One taken at 10 yards with a .410 and the other taken at 12 yards with a 10 gauge.  Recovery distance was the same   Unless you are sky busting geese I don't see much benefit to 3.5".

[Wanttohuntmore]

I recently got a 3.5.  I really don't notice a difference in kick or patterns.   That being said, it takes one bb to kill a turkey.  More bb's=more chances

[Jonathan_S]

What do you like for Turkey? 3" or 3 1/2". and why?

I prefer a longer beard than 3.5"     

Truthfully I've only taken turkeys with archery tackle but in general, I have found that the 3.5" loads are crazy expensive and not much better than the 3" at killing crows.  I coyote hunted with 2.75" and 3" loads for a long time before 3.5" became the standard.

[follow maggie]

2-3/4" out of my 20+ year old 870. Was going to get a new turkey gun this year, but medical bills are making that a pipe dream

[Teachers Pet]

835 Mossberg...the wife shoots 3" #5 Federal, I shoot 3 1/2" #5 Winchester. Extra full choke for both. We patterned #4, #5 and #6 with 5 being the best.

[carpsniperg2]

3" #5 shot 2oz.

[ICEMAN]

3.5, cause they are so cool. Heavy long shell.

Been shooting in my driveway lately with my daughter, readying for the season. My 3.5 shells today put 30 pellets in the bird at 40 yards today. Not too bad. I am thinking of backing up to 45 and 50 just to see what it can do. I was happy with my pattern at 40....

[C-Money]

3" 2oz, or 1 7/8oz. Shot them with 4, 5 & 6, killed them all equally dead. I prefer the Federal or Remington turkey loads.

[The Gobble-stopper]

I don't turkey hunt but federal did a study of 3.5 and they basically have 50% more recoil with negligible ballistic benefits. Food for thought

I was with Federal in Texas when we were patterning shells, verses length and gun. We shot Remington, Benelli, and Beretta. We took virtually a whole day shooting thousands of rounds. 2 3/4. 3, 3 1/2. At ranges from 20 to 60 yards. We had the same results. No difference as a whole between the 2 longer shells. Other than recoil. Although there were some loads that shot better in each gun. Some shot better with larger loads. Some smaller. My personal Rem. 870 shined during all the tests. And came out near the top. In fact part of the trip was a turkey hunt. And they had me shoot a turkey at 102 yards. And 1 3/4 ounces of lead, in a 3 inch shell. Put it down without a wiggle. So I still believe that patterning a gun might improve you shots at longer ranges. Because we saw a diversity at longer ranges. With sometimes holes in the patterns. And to really kill a turkey you need to put as much shot in the neck to head area as you can. Heart and lung shots are just to hard to get to through all those feathers and meet. And such a small target. And sure you can break wings or legs and chase the turkey down. But why not do it right? Closer shots though would not matter, they are going to blow his head off. So Length doesn't really come into play. Only practice will help you there.

[270Shooter]

102 yards? Did I read that right? How tight is your pattern at 40 yards?

[cowboycraig]

3 1/2 because I can.

[jasnt]

2 3/4" or 3"  in #5 or 6

As said what ever patterns best in your gun is the right answer

[Ghost Hunter]

Gonna stick with 3 1/2" till the gun is broke in or I'm broke.  So far the Winchester loads are a better pattern that Remington. 

[Dhoey07]

2 3/4 out of my 12 gauge, 3" out of my 20. 

[ICEMAN]

3 1/2 because I can.

[Eric M]

I shoot 3". My Stoeger uses 3" shells. Shot my first turkey with it last year.