3 is better than 3.5?

[bowhunter2k9]

I've been noticing more more that these turkey thug shells are doing significantly better with 3 in shells.... why could this be?  I will probably pick some up and run them through my JH .660 and let yall know what kind of numbers i'm hitting.

I have also noticed that H13 has very close patterns between 3.5 to 3.... it's weird

[01Foreman400]

I haven't seen any 3" shells getting numbers I'm getting with 3.5". 


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[bowhunter2k9]

I haven't seen any 3" shells getting numbers I'm getting with 3.5". 


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what load?

[decoykrvr]

Over the years I've patterened several gun/choke combinations in which the 3" loads outperformed 31/2" shells or the differences in the patterns were negligible.  IMO unless the performance between 3" and 31/2" shells out of a given gun is substantial, I would opt to go w/ the 3" shell. 

[R AJ]

Watch for the tendency for the 835-935 and invector+ barrels to perform better in the 3.5" loads.
In most cases the 3.5" shell carries about 1/4 oz. more shot than the 3" shell and in standard barrels the extra shot charge doesn't mean a significantly better pattern plus the velocity of the load may be diminished somewhat.
Clark Bush has been a supporter of the 3" over the 3.5" for years and the recovery from recoil is better with the 3".
Again, there are few absolutes in shotgun patterning and this complicates things and drives the logic thinkers nuts at times. Same gun, same shell, same choke, same day,etc. often does not equal same results.

[01Foreman400]

I haven't seen any 3" shells getting numbers I'm getting with 3.5". 


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what load?

SBE 2 24" Nitro 3.5" 2 7/16 oz. #7's Rhino .670.  I shot this target yesterday at a taped 40 yards. 




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[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Well I can tell you in the 835 with the Star Dot choke and Hevi-13 #7's 3" vs 3.5" is nite and day difference.  I will show you in person if I can.  Now I don't have the 3" pattern I shot with the Star Dot choke, but I can assure you it was right at 250 something and looked like this one that I shot out of my 870 and Pure Gold choke.  And I have shot more than one just to see.  I didn't even bother counting the others.  They just won't compete with the 3.5 loads.



Now why settle for that when you can have your cake and eat it too with the 3.5 #7 loads that will look like this?







I have yet to see a 3" load out of this gun and choke or any choke out pattern a heavier payload in the 3.5".

[bowhunter2k9]

thats true guys, Nitro company will always be in a separate category. and those #7's are awesome!

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Over the years I've patterened several gun/choke combinations in which the 3" loads outperformed 31/2" shells or the differences in the patterns were negligible.  IMO unless the performance between 3" and 31/2" shells out of a given gun is substantial, I would opt to go w/ the 3" shell.

Well I hope what I posted is substantial enough. 

Now remember we are only talking about a 1/4oz heavier payload.  Hard to believe that it can give you upwards of 100 more shot in the pattern on some of the shots now, but that is what I get on the upper end.  And even on the lower end its still nite and day difference in this combo.

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

thats true guys, Nitro company will always be in a separate category. and those #7's are awesome!

That's why I tell guys to shoot them over the 6's.  6's just won't come close to the patterns the 7's will produce.  And 6's won't kill them farther than the 7's either.  A matter of fact the 7's will shine over the 6's with more lethal hits and give you added insurance on shots if you do misjudge your yardage some.  I can personally tell you that 7's will blow plum through a gobbler head and neck at 40yds with a smidge factor of a few yards and they will do so with ease.

Guys that say the 3" pattern better need to do some soul searching and find the right choke and load more than likely and they won't say that 3" shells pattern better is what I honestly believe. 

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

And all those patterns above were tape measured exactly to 120ft from tip of choke to cardboard.  No guessing, no stepping off, or no laser rangefinder.  And you can take my word on it the results are very much repeatable with those shells. 

[bowhunter2k9]

thats true guys, Nitro company will always be in a separate category. and those #7's are awesome!

That's why I tell guys to shoot them over the 6's.  6's just won't come close to the patterns the 7's will produce.  And 6's won't kill them farther than the 7's either.  A matter of fact the 7's will shine over the 6's with more lethal hits and give you added insurance on shots if you do misjudge your yardage some.  I can personally tell you that 7's will blow plum through a gobbler head and neck at 40yds with a smidge factor of a few yards and they will do so with ease.

Guys that say the 3" pattern better need to do some soul searching and find the right choke and load more than likely and they won't say that 3" shells pattern better is what I honestly believe.

I feel like you're going overboard with my post... I never said the H13 #7 3 in were better than 3.5...  IN SOME LOADS, ESPECIALLY THE NEW TURKEY THUG (as stated in first post) the 3in are extremely comparable if not better.

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

No I think your not getting what I have said.  I have owned another 3.5' Browning.  What I am telling you is just because you shoot a particular brand of 3" and 3.5" loads in a gun with a certain choke and the 3" pattern better vs the 3.5" then you need to find some other chokes to try and if you do this you will see more than likely that the 3.5" loads will beat the 3" lighter loads whether that be lead or htl.  That's not saying that 3' loads can't pattern better, but if you do your homework and buy several chokes and different loads that you more than likely will find the heavier payloads will in fact shoot better than the lighter loads in more chokes and in different loads.  I have been there and done that. 

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

I haven't seen any 3" shells getting numbers I'm getting with 3.5". 


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what load?

SBE 2 24" Nitro 3.5" 2 7/16 oz. #7's Rhino .670.  I shot this target yesterday at a taped 40 yards. 




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That is downright wicked! 

I am mind boggled on that pattern.