indianaboy Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 What is everyones preference for turkey loads. 3 or 3 1/2". Mine is 3 1/2. I thought for years it was silly to shoot 3 1/2s until I tried them last year. IMO they pattern so much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covehnter Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 Bigger is Better in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 You never know until you put each on paper. Sounds like you already did that & drew your own conclusion. I have seen a 3 1/2" gun that patterned 3" shells better. But only one out of all of them. It mighta changed its mind with some different choke tube. Dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterDWL Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 3 im not fawn of the 3 1/2 i dont need it shot a few even owned one for a while gave it to a friend he loves it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need2hunt Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 I used o shoot the 3.5 but the 3" patterned just about the same. Seeing as my average shot has been around 20 yards I didn't see the need for the extra punch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAstringking Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 [ QUOTE ] Bigger is Better in my opinion. [/ QUOTE ]. when is that not the case?? i love my 3 1/2" Win. Supremes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maytom Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 Not a fan of the 3 1/2" shell at all, use to own one of the first 835's when they first came out on the market many years ago. NO fun pulling the trigger on that light pump gun shooting those Howitzer loads!! A 3" shell does the job perfectly, why punish yourself!! The shells cost more too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gobblegobblebang Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 I hear you I have a 835 ultimag and love it. I have a limb saver and it helps alot. When you shoot a bird you want the option to mount it with 3.5 shells your options go down. and the cost wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paintbrush Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 I totally agree with maytom on this one.Why do you really need to shoot a shell that has about the same recoil as a .416 rigby to kill a turkey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutter10x Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 3 patterns better than 3.5s for me..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrelhunter91 Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 I've never shot a 3.5" load. Never cared to. 3" Winchester Supreme #6's pattern fine out of the old 835 out to 45 yards. And trust me.. I've laid birds out at 40 yards no problem with the aforementioned load. It works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 I shot the 3 1/2" last year, and proable will this year too. I like the big BANG! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 Have never tried 3.5 inch loads from my turkey gun, and it is not chambered for 3.5's, so I never will. It does fine with 3 inch winchester high velocity turkey loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 I have a gun chambered in 3.5, I run the 3" though. That 3.5 kills at one end and cripples at the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exturkinator Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 I use 3 1/2 shells cause they pattern better with my gun / choke tube combination. And I like the recoil - remember it's a 1-shot deal so recoil isn't an issue (we use 3 1/2 shells for geese like they're going out of style)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 I don't have this problem. My 870 only shoots 2 3/4" shells. They work just fine for me. I've killed gobblers @ 40 yards --no probelm. To be honest---I'll killed a bunch @ 20 yards & only a couple @ 40 yards. Call them in close. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntnMa Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 3's.....i tried the 3.5 and it knocked me on my butt .....threw me right out of my chair, lol...feet flying , arms flying, i just can't do it...lol.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 I shoot 3"....never have shot 3.5 loads. Cant shoot them anyway the 3" do fine anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Covehnter Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 [ QUOTE ] I use 3 1/2 shells cause they pattern better with my gun / choke tube combination. And I like the recoil - remember it's a 1-shot deal so recoil isn't an issue (we use 3 1/2 shells for geese like they're going out of style)... [/ QUOTE ] I spend Nov. through Jan slingin' 3.5" loads at the fowl, granted they're not quite as hot as the turkey loads. Granted 3" may patterned better out of some guns able to pattern 3.5" shells but in most cases i'd guess that the more shot leaving the barrel pushed by more powder will put more pellets in the paper and have a little more slapping power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowtech Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 [ QUOTE ] 3 patterns better than 3.5s for me..... [/ QUOTE ] Same here and i just didnt like the recoil on the 3.5 especially on some of the lighter turkey guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbreedi1 Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 All I have ever shot are 3"s. Works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 [ QUOTE ] Why do you really need to shoot a shell that has about the same recoil as a .416 rigby to kill a turkey? [/ QUOTE ] Ummm..........not quite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 [ QUOTE ] Not a fan of the 3 1/2" shell at all, use to own one of the first 835's when they first came out on the market many years ago. NO fun pulling the trigger on that light pump gun shooting those Howitzer loads!! A 3" shell does the job perfectly, why punish yourself!! The shells cost more too [/ QUOTE ] Few years ago I fired three 3.5" shells at a gobbler! Never hit him, never felt the gun either! You only feel the recoil when you pattern the gun! Not fun at all, I agree! But when your adenlin is pumping, you dont feel it kick, I didnt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlott89 Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 i use 2 3/4 in shells caus thats all my 12 ga holds but ive killed them out at 54 yards with them so they work best for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Re: 3 OR 3 1/2 3 1/2 for me...bigger, faster, better!!!!!! I have two birds mounted...one flying and one gobbling on the roost. Both shot with 3 1/2" and no probs. with getting them mounted. Cost of turkey loads aren't much different when it comes to 3" or 3 1/2". Most folks won't use a whole box of shells in a few years! As for the recoil compared to a .416 rigby...LOL...pudd and I will let you know which one hits harder...pudd is going first though, its his gun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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