I shot some Winchester supreme HV 3" no. 5 today at 40yds and it put 99 pellets in a 10" circle and 13 in the brain/spine area. I would like to have a few more hits on target but I'm not willing to fork out the extra money for some HTL loads and I'm not really interested in going to the LBXR loads b/c they pattern too tight inside of 20yds. So my question is, is it worth the extra pain to step up to the 3.5 mags as far as recoil?
No not worth a flinching problem!
I have a combo that puts up about the same pattern and ain't a turkey one ever escaped it. Sometimes I wonder if 3 inch is worth it...heck, 12 ga period. I can easily get that from my 20 and it's a whole lot more pleasant to shoot.
If I were you I'd call it a day and hit the woods.
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story. So I prefer to have them just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I did take a gobbler at nearly 65 yards Tuesday afternoon with 3.5" longboard XR. I don't like shooting that far but he didn't leave me much of a choice.
My Vote would be "No"
I have never needed it, have more than 225 birds now taken under the 20 yard mark and to date exactly 1 bird over 40 yards... and that was with my 12ga 3"...
MK M GOBL
Most of my birds have been taken with lead, under 30 yards, 2 3/4 inch shell.
I'll take the extra pellets for now...
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Just depends on the gun. I use a lead sled sighting in and when I shoot a bird I never feel recoil.
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Do you wanna know why I shoot a 3.5" shell?.............cause they don't make a 4" shell!!! :z-guntootsmiley:
Quote from: SEMO on March 17, 2016, 05:50:36 AM
Do you wanna know why I shoot a 3.5" shell?.............cause they don't make a 4" shell!!! :z-guntootsmiley:
That's funny. The only time 3.5 are a pain is on the bench. No person feels the 3.5 shooting at a turkey. Good Luck this season.......
I've been shooting. A 31\w shell for long time. I'm now patterning and buying 3 inch.
They're not necessary. The extra payload is nice for the times that you misjudge yardage a bit but otherwise not necessary. Heck, I've had a couple guns that have patterned better with the 3" than they did with the 3-1/2". Maybe all the extra shot trying to cram itself into the tube blew the pattern. I don't really know but they're certainly not necessary.
Every guy has his own preference and mine is a bps 10 ga! If a guy wants to shoot a
.410 that's his choice.. But anyway I like the 300 pellets in a ten inch circle at 40 yrds
Talkem into given up!!!
99 pellets w lead in the 10" at 40 indicates to me that you should really only be shooting at birds 35 yards and in. 13 pellets in the head and neck is a very low number considering that some of your pattern will be consumed by branches/leaves/etc unless you're shooting at birds in a field or completely open timber.
I don't understand why guys will pay 800-1500 for a shotgun and pull the cheap card on the price difference between a box of lead and a box of hevi shot. As far as longbeards go, why can't you just bring your aiming point down into the feathers below the base of the neck to avoid missing?
I may be way of course here but I would personally never carry a gun that shot less than 200 in the 10" at 40.
NO not in the case of my 3.5' guns .
Both will throw a better pattern with 3" shells.
1187 Rem. SM and a SBE2 .
Straight answer I'll give you is no, 3.5 inch is not needed based on how far ammo has come today. I would be reluctant to shoot over 35 yds though with 99 in 10 inches at 40. But also...
In my opinion, there shouldn't be pain with 3.5 inch loads. In my experience the majority of the time I watch someone shoot they are not holding the shotgun tight enough. A professional shooter taught me a long time ago, that you need to hold that gun as tight as hell. The hotter the loads, the tighter you hold it into your shoulder. Maybe I just have a really tough shoulder, but by doing this recoil does not bother me. I can target shoot a box or two of 3.5 inch loads and feel no soreness/bruising. Not saying it would be this way for everyone obviously, but just offering as a tip to make sure you hold as tight as possible. Other people have said that their guns pattern better with 3 inch, so need to take that into consideration too. My gun has always preferred 3.5 inch, better pattern/more pellets. Because of this and the fact that they don't bother me, I subscribe to the "more is better". Good luck!
I want all the pellets I can send his way, I use a lead sled to pattern my guns and when he is standing out there recoil is a non issue!!
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story. So I prefer to have them just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I did take a gobbler at nearly 65 yards Tuesday afternoon with 3.5" longboard XR. I don't like shooting that far but he didn't leave me much of a choice.
65 yards! because "he didn't leave me much of a choice." that's a really long shot. glad it worked out for you. :TrainWreck1:
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story. So I prefer to have them just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I did take a gobbler at nearly 65 yards Tuesday afternoon with 3.5" longboard XR. I don't like shooting that far but he didn't leave me much of a choice.
Glad you got him but remember, you always have a choice. Let him walk!
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story. So I prefer to have them just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I did take a gobbler at nearly 65 yards Tuesday afternoon with 3.5" longboard XR. I don't like shooting that far but he didn't leave me much of a choice.
Choice is pretty simple, don't shoot.
For me, the answer is YES! I've yet to walk away from killing a bird with the thought of how hard my gun kicked on my mind. When I do, I'll change. Til then, 3.5" it is for me!
Many 3-1/2" guns aren't actually set up to throw great 3-1/2" patterns. Too much shot in a reg barrel can distort the shot n be counter productive, hence many guns like 3" better. I've never seen an 835 do that though anything is possible but that gun was made for bigger loads. Bigger loads simples math wise have more pellets n had the shot not been banged around 3-1/2 should be better.
That being Dias the new loads have changed everything
Quote from: TauntoHawk on March 17, 2016, 09:18:30 AM
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story. So I prefer to have them just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I did take a gobbler at nearly 65 yards Tuesday afternoon with 3.5" longboard XR. I don't like shooting that far but he didn't leave me much of a choice.
Choice is pretty simple, don't shoot.
:agreed: Don't take the chance on wounding an animal. Let him walk and get back on him in the morning. As for the 3.5 in shells, in my 870 and Stoeger 3500, I use the 3.5 because they throw more pellets down range and pattern fine but I will say that my Win 1300 has killed more birds using 3 in shells than both my 870 & Stoeger 3500 combined.
Quote from: Browning4140 on March 16, 2016, 11:30:46 PM
I shot some Winchester supreme HV 3" no. 5 today at 40yds and it put 99 pellets in a 10" circle and 13 in the brain/spine area. I would like to have a few more hits on target but I'm not willing to fork out the extra money for some HTL loads and I'm not really interested in going to the LBXR loads b/c they pattern too tight inside of 20yds. So my question is, is it worth the extra pain to step up to the 3.5 mags as far as recoil?
I shot longbeard XRs for a season before trying the HEVIs again. The reason being, the longbeard XRs have less total pellets in them than the HEVIs when using same sized shot which could hinder performance AND they do throw REALLY tight patterns so inside 20 yards you better be a great shot and know where your pattern is going. Mine was the size of a softball which makes for an easy miss up close. I would aim at the base of the turkey's neck but this also gives many more pellets in the breast meat. Have you tried Hevi 6s or even 7s or even the mixed ones (5,6,7)? Unfortunately all they have around me are those mixed magnum loads but for me I get 130-150 pellets in 10" circle at 45 yards so I know I am likely good at 50 yards. I will test it again this summer. The HEVI 7s are said to hold their energy to kill a bird at 50 yards and should get you considerably more pellets on target. Now as for your original question about 3.5s. I say WHY NOT? If you have the money for the rounds then yes they are worth it. More pellets only equals better as long as you spend a little time patterning it. In my case, my set-up works fine so I am not really looking to up my pellet count but I have heard 3.5s getting 200+ pellets in 10" at 40-50 yards which is great! As for recoil...wear a towel or some padding on that shoulder while sighting the gun in or patterning. During the season when shooting a turkey you will NOT feel the shot. maybe afterwards your arm will be a little sore. Everyone used to tell me the kick of a 300win mag is not worth it for shooting 400 yards but I have NEVER "felt" it shooting a deer. YES I feel it at the range but like I state above, use some padding or a folded towel on your shoulder at the range. Just my two cents.
Honestly, maybe it's because I'm only 28, but 3.5's don't really bother me. I shot 40 of them at the range not long ago an never even got sore. Now I know if I shot 100, it'd be different. Idk, maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but they dot bother me.
That being said, do I NEED them, no. Do I want them, yes. The extra pellets and down range energy I like. If I was worried about the recoil I could kill turkey's with a .410 if need be.
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I used a Mossberg 935 (3.5) pump for several years. I never noticed the kick much unless while patterning, then it was significant. However, I did come away with a bloody lip more than once while shooting a bird! Last spring I bought a Mossberg 930 (3.0) auto. Due to the three inch shell, plus being an auto, the kick is quite a bit less. Patterns are as good as they need to be. The 935 has been relegated to a backup status.
Quote from: perrytrails on March 17, 2016, 01:22:05 AM
Most of my birds have been taken with lead, under 30 yards, 2 3/4 inch shell.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ :icon_thumright:
Bob
Quote from: Browning4140 on March 16, 2016, 11:30:46 PM
I shot some Winchester supreme HV 3" no. 5 today at 40yds and it put 99 pellets in a 10" circle and 13 in the brain/spine area. I would like to have a few more hits on target but I'm not willing to fork out the extra money for some HTL loads and I'm not really interested in going to the LBXR loads b/c they pattern too tight inside of 20yds. So my question is, is it worth the extra pain to step up to the 3.5 mags as far as recoil?
Just switch to #6's.
I never shot a 3.5 inch shell & haven't needed to. I've only shot at one turkey beyond 35 yards in 30+ years of hunting turkeys because that's just how I learned to hunt. If he's not in sure thing range, let him walk. I mostly hunt in fairly close cover in the woods, so when he's coming to find the hen, he's usually going to be pretty close before I drop the hammer. I've had 2 surgeries on my shooting shoulder, so I don't need to pile on any more abuse than the 3 inch shells already inflict.
I switched to Hevi shot several years ago and really like how it performs compared to lead. It is definitely worth the expense to me because it absolutely slams the turkeys. About any size and type of shot would work as close as I let 'em get, but the Hevi adds extended range if I ever need it.
Good luck whatever you decide to go with.
Jim
The reason being, the longbeard XRs have less total pellets in them than the HEVIs when using same sized shot.
[/quote]
Maybe I'm just missing something but I don't see how. If HEVI is heavier than lead than the way I see it is an ounce of hevi 6s would contain less pellets than an ounce of lead 6s. Now if it were measured by volume than sure but by weight...well someone's gonna have to shine some light on it for me. What I do know is you can go to a smaller shot with Hevi , giving you more pellets and still have the energy needed.
Quote from: born2hunt on March 17, 2016, 02:35:58 PM
The reason being, the longbeard XRs have less total pellets in them than the HEVIs when using same sized shot.
Maybe I'm just missing something but I don't see how. If HEVI is heavier than lead than the way I see it is an ounce of hevi 6s would contain less pellets than an ounce of lead 6s. Now if it were measured by volume than sure but by weight...well someone's gonna have to shine some light on it for me. What I do know is you can go to a smaller shot with Hevi , giving you more pellets and still have the energy needed.
I think he was comparing payloads. 2oz vs 1 3/4oz.
Quote from: stinkpickle on March 17, 2016, 02:38:42 PM
Quote from: born2hunt on March 17, 2016, 02:35:58 PM
The reason being, the longbeard XRs have less total pellets in them than the HEVIs when using same sized shot.
Maybe I'm just missing something but I don't see how. If HEVI is heavier than lead than the way I see it is an ounce of hevi 6s would contain less pellets than an ounce of lead 6s. Now if it were measured by volume than sure but by weight...well someone's gonna have to shine some light on it for me. What I do know is you can go to a smaller shot with Hevi , giving you more pellets and still have the energy needed.
I think he was comparing payloads. 2oz vs 1 3/4oz.
Gotcha :icon_thumright:
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story.
Oh you feel it, you are just not consciously aware of it... The excitement takes over and you do not feel it (similar as when someone punches you in a fight).
Shooting those loads, your body will learn to react to it (in the form of a flinch)... I have seen a handful of shooters that can shoot these stout loads without developing flinching issues, but the vast majority of shooters (in my opinion) will develop some degree of flinching by shooting such loads on a frequent basis.
As primarily a wing and clay shooter, flinching is something I want to avoid at all cost. A 3" load comes with a 2 oz payload in lead or Hevi-shot type material... Personally, I do not care for such a heavy payload, and cannot imagine wanting to increase it from there... Especially for shooting a target that is generally around 30 yards or less for me.
Bottom line is that I do NOT feel that it is worth shooting 3.5" loads, and would shoot 2 ¾" loads over 3 ½" loads... For now I will stick with my 3" 1 5/8 oz loads in Hevi-shot... I can consistently kill birds over 40 yards with these loads, and without a scope or sight, I really would not want to shoot much further anyhow...
I like my 20 ga. Of course I don't like to shoot them outside of 30 yards. If he is that far out I didn't when regardless of whether I have my 12 ga, 20 ga, or bow.
I personally like my 12 gauge and like others never, ever feel the recoil when a bird is down range. I made up for the felt recoil sighting my gun in by purchasing a lead sled, which I use to sight in all my guns, put a simms limbsaver on it and since I have a scope a beartooth comb raising kit for that noticeable cheek slap, which now I don't notice. I say to each his own, don't know if the 3.5" gun will ever die. They perform to well.
Only you can decide if the extra recoil is worth it. No one else can decide that for you. I killed a lot of birds with cheap 25 round box 2 3/4 and 3 inch before the whole turkey specific load craze started. Now I shoot 3 1/2 loads. Why? Because I get a few more bb's and I don't mind the recoil. I don't need them but use them because for me the trade off is worth it. For some others it might not be. Its like deer hunting. I use a 300 win mag but at the ranges I shoot a 243 would work just fine. Its all in what you like and feel confident in. If it gives you confidence and piece of mind, then its worth it!
The extra recoil is well worth the difference in the patterns IMO.
For me yes.
My 3.5" 835 turned into a youth 870 20 gauge running Federal HW 7's. I'll be danged if I'll let "high prices" keep me from shooting good ammo. If I can afford a $400 shotgun and gas to put in a hunting vehicle I can pay $20 for good ammo. I ain't shooting skeet with it.
Quote from: Marc on March 17, 2016, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story.
Shooting those loads, your body will learn to react to it (in the form of a flinch)... I have seen a handful of shooters that can shoot these stout loads without developing flinching issues, but the vast majority of shooters (in my opinion) will develop some degree of flinching by shooting such loads on a frequent basis.
You hit the nail on the head. you may not think your flinching but I'll put money on the fact that you are,even if just a little. I learned this YEARS ago from shooting 3" deer slugs. Have someone else load your gun when you are patterning and you will see how much you flinch,trust me.Your brain knows those big hot loads kick and you jerk.
To me the assurance that I'm rock solid when I pull the trigger gives me more confidence that a little extra horsepower
I shot my 12 with 3in. turkey load and then my .410 before the fall season. You bet I flinched while shooting the .410....had to laugh about that.
Quote from: wmn2 on March 17, 2016, 10:51:55 AMThe extra pellets and down range energy I like.
Actually, given the same shot size, material and speed, all pellets will have the same energy down range regardless of shell length. A 3" lead #6 with a 1500fps muzzle velocity will have the same energy at 40 yards as a 3.5" lead #6 with a 1500 fps muzzle velocity. Only way you get extra energy is if your shells are a higher velocity, which most I shoot aren't.
I shoot 3.5 because my guns pattern them well and it adds to he pattern. If my gun didn't shoot them well, I'd be shooting a 3". I look at the extra shot in the same manner I do HTL shells. They add something positive to my pattern - I'll continue to shoot them.
Signed, stepping down to a 20ga with Fed HW #7s when my 3.5" shells are gone ;)
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I haven't lost a bird since I switched to Hevi 13 Mag Blend 3.5" and wouldn't consider going back.
They don't kick when shooting a bird.
Quote from: ilbucksndux on March 17, 2016, 06:39:24 PM
Quote from: Marc on March 17, 2016, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story.
Shooting those loads, your body will learn to react to it (in the form of a flinch)... I have seen a handful of shooters that can shoot these stout loads without developing flinching issues, but the vast majority of shooters (in my opinion) will develop some degree of flinching by shooting such loads on a frequent basis.
You hit the nail on the head. you may not think your flinching but I'll put money on the fact that you are,even if just a little. I learned this YEARS ago from shooting 3" deer slugs. Have someone else load your gun when you are patterning and you will see how much you flinch,trust me.Your brain knows those big hot loads kick and you jerk.
To me the assurance that I'm rock solid when I pull the trigger gives me more confidence that a little extra horsepower
I have to argue with that thinking. If you're fully concentrated on killing a bird then your mind isn't thinking of the recoil you're about to receive. And to say that only a few people can keep from flinching when shooting high recoil loads is nonsense. I agree that recoil sensitive folks(and those that realize that you don't need 3 1/2" to kill turkeys) are probably better of with 3" or less shells. Lord knows they work just as well. But to say that most people can't handle a 3 1/2" without flinching is just bull. I know that I personally have a slight flinch on the bench whether I'm shooting a 3 1/2" turkey load or a 243 varmint load. That doesn't mean I can't be solid when in the field and my mind is on the task at hand. Use whatever load you want, I have said many times that I was as successful with 2 3/4" and 3" loads as I am with 3 1/2". But don't try to say that only a few can do it without flinching. There's a pretty fair number of us out there that can use them just fine!
Quote from: omegafoo on March 17, 2016, 07:02:31 PM
Quote from: wmn2 on March 17, 2016, 10:51:55 AMThe extra pellets and down range energy I like.
Actually, given the same shot size, material and speed, all pellets will have the same energy down range regardless of shell length. A 3" lead #6 with a 1500fps muzzle velocity will have the same energy at 40 yards as a 3.5" lead #6 with a 1500 fps muzzle velocity. Only way you get extra energy is if your shells are a higher velocity, which most I shoot aren't.
I shoot 3.5 because my guns pattern them well and it adds to he pattern. If my gun didn't shoot them well, I'd be shooting a 3". I look at the extra shot in the same manner I do HTL shells. They add something positive to my pattern - I'll continue to shoot them.
Signed, stepping down to a 20ga with Fed HW #7s when my 3.5" shells are gone ;)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
^^^^ You got me on that one. I guess I should have left the energy aspect out of it and just said the extra pellets. My gun patterns them very well too. I attribute part of that to having an overbored barrel, which was touched on a little in this thread. I appreciate the correction for me.
My Benelli SBE I is a 3.5" chamber as is my Remington 870 SM. If I wanted to go with 3" I would have bought a M2. I don't care about recoil and both my SBE and 870SM shoot amazing patterns with 3.5" shotshells. I will stay with 3.5"ers.
Recoil, that's up to you. I like the extra pellets and good patterns. I also use the lead sled at the bench, worth it multiple times over.
i feel it comes down to personal preference i shoot 3.5s myself.
I shoot 3.5" for extra pellets. When sighting in/patterning, I use my lead sled. It's not the kick that gets me, I guess it's the concussion! After a couple mag blends, I have a terrible headache.
Speaking of mag blends, I shot one Tuesday while trying a new choke. Y'all would have laughed at me!! I had my gun set up in lead sled ready to go with my ear muffs on. That's all you need right? Well apparently the edge of my ear muff was on the back cradle of the sled or something, I don't know. But wherever it was, when I slowly squeezed that trigger, the hammer dropped, and that explosion went off, it blew the ear muffs right off my head and sent them rolling across the yard!! I was a little dazed at first but would be pretty funny to watch.
All that being said, the kick doesn't bother me. It's worth it to me. I just shoot only a couple before my headache gets too bad
Quote from: Browning4140 on March 16, 2016, 11:30:46 PM
is it worth the extra pain to step up to the 3.5 mags as far as recoil?
Like they say "No pain, no gain" ;D
To be honest with certain guns, no. I only shoot 3.5 because to me, my autoloader seems to kick less then the 3in. shells I shot from my mossberg pump that I use to shoot. So in my case, the extra bb's at no extra cost of shoulder punishment is worth it. If that cheap Mossberg could shoot 3.5 in shells, no way would I even attempt a 3.5 out it, my shoulder was always black and blue after 6, 3in. loads.
Again...try the 3" HV #6's instead. You might get the higher pellet count you're looking for, and the price will be the same.
I've been hunting turkeys since Reagan's first term. For the first 15 years, I was using 2 3/4" Remington high brass. I switched to 3" Federal #4 brass in 1996 and never thought to change since.
I can truthfully say I have never missed a turkey for want of range, pellet count, or tight enough pattern. What I HAVE had trouble with was missing easy inside 15 yard shots because pattern was too tight, or taking stupid panic shots that turned out to be WAAAY too far out of range.
Bottom line, my answer is 3.5" is totally superfluous to my needs.
3.5" is great. If they come out with a 4" chamber, then I will shoot those! More shot the better.
Boom
Just out of curiosity, how many of you 3.5 inch shooters are over 50 years of age? I believe with age comes a desire to avoid self-inflicted pain. I'm sure I would have shot heavier payloads when I was younger just because it was possible, but since no such thing as that big a shell existed at the time and I was able to kill plenty of turkeys with 2&3/4 inch shells when I started. My Ithaca 37R only had a 2&3/4 inch chamber, so it was do with what you've got, or don't hunt. When I switched to hunting with a single shot that had a 3 inch chamber, I started shooting 3" Federal copper plated #6s (when copper plated lead was a new thing) because I could. Even though I could go back to 2&3/4 inch shells, I'm accustomed to what a 3" turkey load will do.
Jim
Quote from: Farmboy27 on March 17, 2016, 09:00:02 PM
Quote from: ilbucksndux on March 17, 2016, 06:39:24 PM
Quote from: Marc on March 17, 2016, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story.
Shooting those loads, your body will learn to react to it (in the form of a flinch)... I have seen a handful of shooters that can shoot these stout loads without developing flinching issues, but the vast majority of shooters (in my opinion) will develop some degree of flinching by shooting such loads on a frequent basis.
I have to argue with that thinking. If you're fully concentrated on killing a bird then your mind isn't thinking of the recoil you're about to receive. And to say that only a few people can keep from flinching when shooting high recoil loads is nonsense. I agree that recoil sensitive folks(and those that realize that you don't need 3 1/2" to kill turkeys) are probably better of with 3" or less shells. Lord knows they work just as well. But to say that most people can't handle a 3 1/2" without flinching is just bull. I know that I personally have a slight flinch on the bench whether I'm shooting a 3 1/2" turkey load or a 243 varmint load. That doesn't mean I can't be solid when in the field and my mind is on the task at hand. Use whatever load you want, I have said many times that I was as successful with 2 3/4" and 3" loads as I am with 3 1/2". But don't try to say that only a few can do it without flinching. There's a pretty fair number of us out there that can use them just fine!
We all react with our bodies to the anticipated recoil. Our bodies push forward in anticipation to the recoil. When I talk about flinching, I am talking about jerking, head lifting, and often eye closing during the trigger pull.
Granted, most of my experience shooting hot or "high base" loads is waterfowling... But I get to watch enough people shooting right next to me (i.e. bird comes in on their side), that I see a lot of flinching...
Waterfowl is obviously much higher volume shooting, and recoil being cumulative, 3.5" shells are going to cause flinching issues much more quickly... But I have only seen one shooter that did not have a distinctive flinching issue after shooting a diet of these shells... Always fun to watch during a malfunction just how much of a flinch there is.
And having associated with a number of pretty good clay shooters, most shoot light recoiling 1 oz loads... Clays are very high-volume, and flinching from recoil is very undesirable... You just do not see many competitive clay shooters shooting stout target loads. Obviously there would be an advantage as far as breaking targets, but the disadvantage is that hotter loads will inevitably cause flinching issues.
Being a wing and a clay shooter myself, I am fought flinching issues in the past. I have never noticed recoil while shooting game, but when shooting high-recoil loads, I inevitably begin to flinch. Were I primarily a turkey shooter, I would possibly be shooting 3.5" shells, but as it stands currently, I do not wish to face the consequences of such in my own wing and clay shooting.
Quote from: ilbucksndux on March 17, 2016, 06:39:24 PM
Quote from: Marc on March 17, 2016, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story.
Shooting those loads, your body will learn to react to it (in the form of a flinch)... I have seen a handful of shooters that can shoot these stout loads without developing flinching issues, but the vast majority of shooters (in my opinion) will develop some degree of flinching by shooting such loads on a frequent basis.
You hit the nail on the head. you may not think your flinching but I'll put money on the fact that you are,even if just a little. I learned this YEARS ago from shooting 3" deer slugs. Have someone else load your gun when you are patterning and you will see how much you flinch,trust me.Your brain knows those big hot loads kick and you jerk.
To me the assurance that I'm rock solid when I pull the trigger gives me more confidence that a little extra horsepower
Great tactic. Thx.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Cut N Run on March 19, 2016, 05:22:00 PM
Just out of curiosity, how many of you 3.5 inch shooters are over 50 years of age? I believe with age comes a desire to avoid self-inflicted pain. I'm sure I would have shot heavier payloads when I was younger just because it was possible, but since no such thing as that big a shell existed at the time and I was able to kill plenty of turkeys with 2&3/4 inch shells when I started. My Ithaca 37R only had a 2&3/4 inch chamber, so it was do with what you've got, or don't hunt. When I switched to hunting with a single shot that had a 3 inch chamber, I started shooting 3" Federal copper plated #6s (when copper plated lead was a new thing) because I could. Even though I could go back to 2&3/4 inch shells, I'm accustomed to what a 3" turkey load will do.
Jim
I will be 56 on May 1 and I still like 3.5" shotshells. I must be a glutton for punishment! :z-dizzy:
I had a pinched nerve in my neck 2 years ago. Lost some strength in my arm too. I still fought through the pain and kept duck hunting, but I would pay for it when they were flying.
So I went to a 20 auto for turkey hunting. Thoroughly enjoyed the sighting in process and shooting a little pop gun. High 160s in the 10" circle at 40 yards and no hole in the pattern with Fed HW #7. Plus I love shooting it.
Shoot what ya enjoy is my motto, as long as it has the #s and the energy to kill at the ranges you are using it. And leave the 65 yard shots to deer hunting. The 3.5" will get you more pellets on target with the right combo.
Lots of opinions expressed here but the truth is I've killed a lot of birds at and a few yards over with my old 3.5" 870 shooting Win HV #6 in the 3.5" load. Best I ever got was 120 on paper. Anyone who tells you that 99 hits is good for only 35 yards has read more on the forums than they've shot turkeys. Your good to 40 and maybe a couple of unintended steps.
To address your concerns on shells if you're wanting to extend your range and still maximize your 20" I would just shoot hevi 6 and be done with it. Find a choke that puts up 175-200/10" and your golden. To many people chase numbers on paper.
A 3 inch 12 does everything thing i need it to do, especially with the federal hw 7's.
heck with the same load so does the 20.
With a standard lead load going back to a 3.5 might be tempting for pasture and field hunting.
But with the longbeards 3" would be fine.
Quote from: Cut N Run on March 19, 2016, 05:22:00 PM
Just out of curiosity, how many of you 3.5 inch shooters are over 50 years of age? I believe with age comes a desire to avoid self-inflicted pain.
54 here, like I stated some auto loaders are not that bad. Some of you using light pumps with 3in. High vilocity rounds probably get beat up more than I do with 3.5. This is what I noticed going to an auto loader, and I'm sure the sure shot stock makes a big difference too.
I shoot a few 3 1/2 duck loads every year(not many cause I really have no need for them) and dont notice them at all.Of course I'm shooting them thru a gas gun. When I shoot/did shoot a auto gun at turkeys I didnt notice it really,even when patterning . When I went back to the 870 I noticed the kick. Do I flinch bad enough to not shoot them ? Dont want to take the chance when I do alright with 3's.
No they are not worth it. For all you people saying you shoot them for higher pellet count. Why not handload tss. A lead #6 2-1/4 oz load is 506. I have an average of 630 pellets in my 1-5/8oz tss load that will pattern tighter and hold its tight pattern further. All this from a 20 gauge. So for you guys that say you want the extra pellets I say why are you not loading tss and getting more pellets with less recoil.
Quote from: Cut N Run on March 19, 2016, 05:22:00 PM
Just out of curiosity, how many of you 3.5 inch shooters are over 50 years of age? I believe with age comes a desire to avoid self-inflicted pain.
I'll be 50 a month after our spring season closes.
In my guns..............YES, they are worth it !!!!!!!
Now................. I shoot them out of a SX2 and an SX3. So the recoil is not at all hateful and is a non-factor. But if I had a little 870 Super Mag or a NEF 3.5" single and I got great patterns AND got the snot kicked outta me............ I'd still do it. Granted, I've never been very recoil sensitive. But I also don't seem to be getting any smarter with age either. :goofball:
Quote from: tomstopper on March 17, 2016, 10:20:45 AM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on March 17, 2016, 09:18:30 AM
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story. So I prefer to have them just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I did take a gobbler at nearly 65 yards Tuesday afternoon with 3.5" longboard XR. I don't like shooting that far but he didn't leave me much of a choice.
Choice is pretty simple, don't shoot.
:agreed: Don't take the chance on wounding an animal. Let him walk and get back on him in the morning. As for the 3.5 in shells, in my 870 and Stoeger 3500, I use the 3.5 because they throw more pellets down range and pattern fine but I will say that my Win 1300 has killed more birds using 3 in shells than both my 870 & Stoeger 3500 combined.
I misjudged the distance a little on him, but knew that I had a set up that could reach out there. He was stone dead. Where I hunt you may not get the chance on him again, so I took it. Sorry to ruffle some of you boys' feathers, but I was pumped to take him. Good luck to y'all the rest of the season
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 21, 2016, 09:11:57 PM
Quote from: tomstopper on March 17, 2016, 10:20:45 AM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on March 17, 2016, 09:18:30 AM
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story. So I prefer to have them just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I did take a gobbler at nearly 65 yards Tuesday afternoon with 3.5" longboard XR. I don't like shooting that far but he didn't leave me much of a choice.
Choice is pretty simple, don't shoot.
:agreed: Don't take the chance on wounding an animal. Let him walk and get back on him in the morning. As for the 3.5 in shells, in my 870 and Stoeger 3500, I use the 3.5 because they throw more pellets down range and pattern fine but I will say that my Win 1300 has killed more birds using 3 in shells than both my 870 & Stoeger 3500 combined.
I misjudged the distance a little on him, but knew that I had a set up that could reach out there. He was stone dead. Where I hunt you may not get the chance on him again, so I took it. Sorry to ruffle some of you boys' feathers, but I was pumped to take him. Good luck to y'all the rest of the season
Not getting the chance again is part of the game. Welcome to the forum and you may want to read the rules before you go off posting about any shot over 40 yards on here.
I got the same pellet count with 3" and 3.5" longbeards in all 3 sizes. The recoil isn't a factor but a few bucks for the same pattern didn't makes sense. And this was with an 835.
Quote from: snapper1982 on March 20, 2016, 09:50:52 AM
So for you guys that say you want the extra pellets I say why are you not loading tss and getting more pellets with less recoil.
For as many shells as I shoot a year, no need to get into reloading, and I have other hobbies I put more time any money into. So I basically buy the best pellet count/pattern available, which works good enough.
Quote from: snapper1982 on March 21, 2016, 09:24:15 PM
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 21, 2016, 09:11:57 PM
Quote from: tomstopper on March 17, 2016, 10:20:45 AM
Quote from: TauntoHawk on March 17, 2016, 09:18:30 AM
Quote from: MShillhunter on March 17, 2016, 12:22:05 AM
I hardly feel the kick of 3.5 while shooting a bird. Shooting at a target is a different story. So I prefer to have them just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I did take a gobbler at nearly 65 yards Tuesday afternoon with 3.5" longboard XR. I don't like shooting that far but he didn't leave me much of a choice.
Choice is pretty simple, don't shoot.
:agreed: Don't take the chance on wounding an animal. Let him walk and get back on him in the morning. As for the 3.5 in shells, in my 870 and Stoeger 3500, I use the 3.5 because they throw more pellets down range and pattern fine but I will say that my Win 1300 has killed more birds using 3 in shells than both my 870 & Stoeger 3500 combined.
I misjudged the distance a little on him, but knew that I had a set up that could reach out there. He was stone dead. Where I hunt you may not get the chance on him again, so I took it. Sorry to ruffle some of you boys' feathers, but I was pumped to take him. Good luck to y'all the rest of the season
Not getting the chance again is part of the game. Welcome to the forum and you may want to read the rules before you go off posting about any shot over 40 yards on here.
Once again, I apologized for ruffling feathers. Only reason I posted anything was to say I was glad to have the extra pellets. Hope I didn't get off on the wrong foot with some here. Seems to be a place with a wealth of knowledge.