Fellas fillings are expensive to replace.Do any of you feel undergunned with 3 inch shells? Its just a 1/4 of an ounce difference going out the barrel but on the other end thats a different story with the 3 1/2 inchers. How much are we giving up in distance.
I used to shoot 3.5" shells but have since found a gun, shell & choke combination that allows me to shoot 3" that throws a pattern that satisfies my needs. I'm not mad enough at turkeys to shoot 3.5" - ers at them.
I don't think I've ever felt undergunned shooting 3"ers.
I'll shoot 3's at them no problem, hell i started out smackin everything with a 2 3/4 wingmaster. But turkies do make me angry so i preferr me some 3 1/2 2 1/4oz 6's :fud:
Quote from: Shellwaster on March 10, 2012, 02:55:24 PM
I used to shoot 3.5" shells but have since found a gun, shell & choke combination that allows me to shoot 3" that throws a pattern that satisfies my needs. I'm not mad enough at turkeys to shoot 3.5" - ers at them.
Are ya gonna tell us you hot set-up?????? :funnyturkey:
Quote from: Half fast on March 10, 2012, 03:40:39 PM
Quote from: Shellwaster on March 10, 2012, 02:55:24 PM
I used to shoot 3.5" shells but have since found a gun, shell & choke combination that allows me to shoot 3" that throws a pattern that satisfies my needs. I'm not mad enough at turkeys to shoot 3.5" - ers at them.
Are ya gonna tell us you hot set-up?????? :funnyturkey:
I wouldn't call them hot but they work for what I need to do. Some may want a more dense pattern.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,18228.msg201457.html#msg201457
And most recently
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,20232.0.html
Do you "need" 3 1/2 inch shells to kill turkeys? Naaa, you can certainly find a 3 inch shell and choke combo that will give you a good killing pattern at 40 yards.
That said however, I have never personally witnessed the often internet repeated phenomenon of a 3 inch shell out patterning a 3 1/2 inch shell of the exact same type from the same gun and choke. Not saying it hasn't ever happened but through 4 different guns, 20 different chokes and Lord knows how many different turkey shells loaded with lead or denser than lead shot I have never seen it happen once in any of my shooting. And that encompasses hundreds of shots down range over the years. Never witnessed it happen with any of my friends turkey guns either.
I didnt buy a Benelli SBE to shoot 3" shells! :lol:
I shoot 3.5, but I wouldn't have a problem going to the woods with 3" if I had patterned my gun with them prior.
I hunt with a Stoeger M2000 and Stoeger M3500 so the 2000 only shoots 3" and the 3500 i shoot 3.5 from. I use the 2000 more often then not while turkey hunting and the 3" does fine for me.
If you have a 3" shell that will throw a good killing pattern then there is no real NEED to shoot a 3.5 shell.
I do for some reason have my own issue with shooting a 3" shell from a gun that can shoot a 3.5 but thats just me, just something mental about it to me for some reason.
when I was mostly hunting with my 835,I bought it ti throw the most pellets you could throw at the time,so it got feed 3.5" shells,you don't feel them when you shoot at a bird anyway
Turkeys will have to get 30 pounds heavier and stand 2 feet taller before I'd get a 3.5" 12 ga. to kill them. My 3" 12 ga. hits me hard enough as it is!
If I were trying to put 300 holes in a ten inch circle at 40 yards I'd feel under gunned with a 3" vs 3.5. However, you can kill turkeys with a 410 if need be as long as you limit your range. I've limited out 3 years in a row with a 20 GA while limiting my range to 40 yards which is what most people do with a 12 GA. So to answer your question no I wouldn't feel under gunned with a 3" vs 3.5". Not sure why anyone ever thought it necessary for turkeys. If I remember correctly, the 3.5 came on the scene when steel shot became manditory for migratory birds; steel shot sucked so bad initially that a 3.5 was needed for heavier payloads.
Shoot whichever one you like. Both acount for more birds than you can count each saeson. Personally I will usually use 3.5 in my "big" gun and 3" in my other gun because that's what chamber each of them has got.
U only give up a handfull of pellets, but I cant seem to make myself buy or even shoot a 3" shell at turkeys. All my guns are 3.5" magnums. I guess its a mental block, but I feel better slinging more pellets. :fud: :OGturkeyhead:
I use both. But I will be the first to admit from my findings that 3.5" loads with 2.25oz of shot will put more shot downcentral at 40yds inside the 10 and 20" more times than not. Those that say otherwise more than likely aren't shooting the right choke for the 3.5" loads. That's coming from doing a lot of shooting with each.
For turkeys 3 inch for me one shot one dead bird each time less recoil. Now I do take my time and place the shot properly.
Like everyone else said. 3 1/2" will put more pellets down range Than the 3" and either extend your range a little or give you a larger pattern with more wiggle room. With today's HTL offerings a 20ga also makes a great turkey gun. A semi can tame a lot of that 3 1/2" recoil (especially a gas gun). But it is relay a personal choice. Some guys like maximum power other guys will give up a little performance for a lighter gun or one that kicks less. Just choose the gun that you feel suits your needs and know your limitations. A 10ga and a 410ga both have limitations. As long as you know them you will be fine.
Quote from: beaverslayer on March 10, 2012, 10:25:04 PM
If I were trying to put 300 holes in a ten inch circle at 40 yards I'd feel under gunned with a 3" vs 3.5. However, you can kill turkeys with a 410 if need be as long as you limit your range. I've limited out 3 years in a row with a 20 GA while limiting my range to 40 yards which is what most people do with a 12 GA. So to answer your question no I wouldn't feel under gunned with a 3" vs 3.5". Not sure why anyone ever thought it necessary for turkeys. If I remember correctly, the 3.5 came on the scene when steel shot became manditory for migratory birds; steel shot sucked so bad initially that a 3.5 was needed for heavier payloads.
I dont feel undergunned at all shooting 3s. I know I can kill with a 3" so why the extra killing power on my end lol
I am curious if the pattern would be degraded in a 3 1/2 gun shooting a 3" shell when compared with the same brand gun chambered for 3" and shooting the same brand 3" shell. Might the distance between the end of the shell and the forcing cone make a difference (which also brings up the issue of lengthend forcing cone changing the pattering ability, but that's another post waiting in the wings) ?
Actually that question has been answered a few times on here if you read back through some of the old posts. Try doing a search on it.
My 835 likes the 3.5" shells better so that's what I shoot.
I check patterns, try new shells and sight in each year, shooting from 6-12 shots usually. I use a shoulder pad there to reduce felt recoil. Why take the recoil if you don't have to?
I figure the three or four shots fired at turkeys each year isn't too much to handle. I don't feel recoil when shooting a bird. :fud: I just want to make clean kills at ranges to 40 yds or so.
The way I see it you can definitely kill turkey up to 40 yds with a 2 3/4 in shell. So the amount of shot in a 3 inch is bonus to put more pellets on target which would effectively increase your odds of lethal pellets. So by using a 3.5 inch you are using more pellets than the 3...so it would make sense you have improved odds with a 3.5 over the 3. However, you also have to draw the limit at some point in the size of shells at some point. Of course there are many things to consider with a particular load--faster loads, more shot, blends, lead vs hevi. This is not evidence based on any work that I have done, but makes sense.
ive killed them with 2 3/4 in remington duplex 4x6 shells, 3in winchester high velocity #6's, and 3 1/2in winchester hv #6's...going to try the 3.5in mangum blends and hevi 6's this year.
3's will get the job done nicely......especially in the Hevi #7's. I got Hevi 3-2-6 to shoot 167@40 out of my 870 SM. 3.5-2.25-6 only put up about ten more in the circle at 40, so no real drop off there for the 3 inch version.
Been killing them for years with a 3" 20 Gauge so no a 3.5" mag is not needed. That said, I still have a hankering for an Sp-10 or an SX3 running Nitros for those cursed field birds that I just couldn't tell you how far I really shot them on OG.
I can say shooting 3" HEVI's.. undergunned has never entered my mind
I dont think a bird can feel the difference between 40 or 44 pellets smacking him upside the head
I Bought a Mag shotgun to shoot 3.5" But i dont believe its needed,But i Will not be going back to 3" Ever again.
I really thought there would be more pattern information in this post.
I have limited experience to the guns I have on hand but this is what my results have been:
Browning A5 w/ 24" Hastings Straight rifled barrel
Carlson .665 choke
3" Mag Blend
212 pellets
Benella SuperNova with 24" barrel
Jelly Head Choke
3.5" #6 hevi 13
222 pellets
So in my case, the 3.5" shot 10 more pellets. That was not enough for me to justify the shoulder raping of the 3.5". I may get another 3.5" gun one day but there is absolutely no need in it.
Quote from: rebelman on March 14, 2012, 02:19:05 PM
I really thought there would be more pattern information in this post.
I have limited experience to the guns I have on hand but this is what my results have been:
Browning A5 w/ 24" Hastings Straight rifled barrel
Carlson .665 choke
3" Mag Blend
212 pellets
Benella SuperNova with 24" barrel
Jelly Head Choke
3.5" #6 hevi 13
222 pellets
So in my case, the 3.5" shot 10 more pellets. That was not enough for me to justify the shoulder raping of the 3.5". I may get another 3.5" gun one day but there is absolutely no need in it.
i understand what you are saying, however what i dont get is that is not really a comparison. what does the 3" #6 shoot from the Nova ect...ect.. that would give you the actual comparison.
again i see what you are getting at between the 2 just an odd comparison to me.
for example i have a stoeger M2000 and Stoeger M3500
same shell, same choke shoots below.
2000 - 3" Magblend = 220 at 40yds
3500 - 3.5" Magblend = 268 at 40yds.
fairly big difference but BOTH will kill them dead so i hunt with the M2000 most of the time.
Why would you compare a 3" magblend to a 3.5" 2.25oz #6 load? Keep the load the same.
I'll give you an example.
Moss 835 with Hevi-13 3" #7 Star Dot choke- probably around 260 shot or so on avg 10" @40yds
Same gun an choke and 3.5" 2.25oz #7 typically 320 or so and sometimes as high as 360
Now do the math on why I shoot 3.5" shells in this load.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on March 14, 2012, 03:06:56 PM
Why would you compare a 3" magblend to a 3.5" 2.25oz #6 load?
I agree however, I never shot a 3.5" Mag Blend out of the Nova before I sold it. I would bet you $20 however, the number of hits would not have increased from the 3.5" #6's.
It's all gun specific when we talk about most factory loads. With handloading you can get the efficiency up to where 3.5" wins hands down every time.
When Factory loads are concerned, here's a couple of examples where it's a toss up:
My 1187 and two of my 870s put up 190-210 with the H13 3-2-6 with various chokes. The same guns would only do 160-175 with H13 3.5-2.25-6 loads. In that case, the 3" was hands down the winner. The next lot of ammo could have been a different story.
With lead I have been able to get 115-135 hits with various 3" Win #6 loads in multiple guns. With some of the same guns I've achieved the same number range with 3.5" Winchester #6 lead loads. No need in the 3.5s in that case.
Let your guns and chokes tell you what they like.
Quote from: rebelman on March 14, 2012, 04:01:42 PM
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on March 14, 2012, 03:06:56 PM
Why would you compare a 3" magblend to a 3.5" 2.25oz #6 load?
I agree however, I never shot a 3.5" Mag Blend out of the Nova before I sold it. I would bet you $20 however, the number of hits would not have increased from the 3.5" #6's.
I would almost take that bet, both of my guns the magblends outshoot the 6's # wise. may not have in your gun or set up but the Mags do put up some very good numbers.
Well I'll say this in my experience of owning 2 3.5" guns the 3.5" shells with the heavier payloads smoked the 3" lighter loads everytime. I know some say the 3" shells will pattern better, but I haven't seen it.
:TrainWreck1:
I'm with ILIKEHEVI13....I shoot an 835/Star Dot/Hevi13, 3.5" # 7's . Where I hunt it is all fields so I regularly take really , really long shots (40yds) and cleanly put the birds down. I'm a big guy 6'1" 250 lbs so I don't mind the recoil from the small sticks of dynamite. I'm sure 3" sticks of dynamite would work too...I just like to use all my guns capability.
Thanks. If you choke a 3.5" load correctly, you will see the added benefits more times than not over a 3" shell downrange. But again 3" shells will give great results as well. But having said that, I don't see much reason to own a 3.5" gun if your only going to shoot 3" loads. The kick doesn't bother me when shooting a turkey anyway.