3" or 3 1/2" Hevi-Shot?

[chatterbox]

I think both sides of this argument have been well represented, and people are going to have strong opinions on what they feel is the best for killing turkeys.
I just think we need to look back and see that truckloads of birds were killed with 12 ga, full choke, shotguns shooting #4 lead shot. This was perfectly acceptable.
Now, I'm not advocating going back in time, but we all need to still remember that 100 evenly spaced pellets in a 10" circle at 40 yards is still the minimally accepted standard.
I myself prefer to have a bit more insurance than that, but that number still stands.
So whether it's a 3.5-2.25-7 with 300 pellets, or it's a 3-2-7 load with 200 pellets, these shells are still way more than our predecesors had to kill turkeys with.
Point is, if you use either shell, dead is dead.

[runngun]

Why not step up to the 10 gauge??? And NITROS, I did and ain't looking back!!!  I prefer turkeys be real dead!!!   

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Why not step up to the 10 gauge??? And NITROS, I did and ain't looking back!!!  I prefer turkeys be real dead!!!   

And I see your point. 

[Uncle Tom]

If you take that 10" pattern at 40 yards of say 175 to 225 hits out of a 3" or a 3.5" gun that has a gun/choke matched up to do this every shot, and YOU can do this every shot...well you are ready for the turkey woods as far as shooting him and killing him is concerned. I mean there are no 1.5" inch areas on that pattern where you could miss that head entirely...never --every time you pattern that gun there are no spots where that pattern is not covered with enough pellets to kill that bird. Now, this same 3" or 3.5" gun is going to kill that turkey at probably 50 and maby 55 yards. Many on here have done this with 3" and 3.5" guns and probably many have done it most every year. Now,get this...if you have the confidence with your gun..whether 3" or 3.5" gun... and you know you are going to kill him when you pull that trigger..and I mean you KNOW he is going down. ONLY way he don"t go down...you fired and missed. Ever happened...has to me...and I can shoot...and I can miss. Point is, if I missed him with my 10" pattern of above said # of pellets--whether 3" or 3.5" gun it probably dosen't matter if a 3 or 3.5 because the pattern of 10" is there--in both guns--this makes me think that both guns are going to put him down if you can shoot. Think about it, at even a 20 to 30 inch good pattering gun..that bird goes down. Especially with Hevi-13--one bad shell. Expensive--yes--but that's what it is.Good hunting all.

[vaturkey]

I once had a guy ask me why I shoot a 3 1/2" shell ! My answer was :

Cause I cant get a 4" shell !    

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

I once had a guy ask me why I shoot a 3 1/2" shell ! My answer was :

Cause I cant get a 4" shell !   

Well said Ricky. 

Have you shot any 3.5" 2.25oz #7 loads out of that Benelli and new .670 Haymaker(Indian Creek)choke yet?  I was just curious.  That was a killer Magblend pattern you posted. Your probably content with that load.  That's one of the better Magblend pattern I have seen. 

[budtripp]

I used it for illustration purposes only.  I think it makes a lot of sense to most.

Yep, but mine does too 

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

I used it for illustration purposes only.  I think it makes a lot of sense to most.

Yep, but mine does too 

That's true.  And your example probably was better than mine.  I know I had a 30-06 and 7mm Rem Mag at one time.  Both killed deer.  The 7mm Rem Mag seem to kill them deader.  But the 30-06 was a great gun. 

[Tom Foolery]

30/06 is the bestest most goodest, don't be hatin' on my /06's.........

[30_06]

30/06 is the bestest most goodest, don't be hatin' on my /06's.........

Yessir!