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.