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

[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.