Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

thanks guys, just wondering every ones prefference, i shoot 3 i dont see the added advantage compared to getting the snot kicked out of me by a 3.5. :z-guntootsmiley:

Over the years, I've hunted turkeys w/a 10 gauge, 12 gauge 31/2" and now primarily w/ a 3".  The innovations during the last 10 years in shotshells and choke tubes for turkey hunting have elevated the performance level of the 3", 12 gauge to the point that a 3" load is all I need for a light run n' gun shotgun. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot at a gobbler @ 45-50 yards w/ the patterns I get w/ Hev-13, 7's and 6's, and have killed birds stone dead at those ranges.

I use a 20 most times but if I use a 12 it will be a 3.5.

well besides patterning, I never feel the added kick.  When I'm hunting I never feel the kick unless its like 5 shots ha. So 3.5 is worth the extra umph for the added pellets

I have em but the 3" does all I need and more. 3.5 in my Baikal MP-153 is like a dream compared to my Rem 870 SM.

3.5 here.  Like has already been said, while hunting, the kick doesn't bother me.  Sighting in you'll start to feel it, but if you have a good pad or shooting rest, it isn't bad.  I like sending those extra few pellets at them.

My Turkey shotgun has a 3.5" chamber, but most often, I shoot 3" shells.    It's nice to have that ability to shoot the longer shells and not be stuck with a shorter chamber.   

I mostly shoot 3" shells, but will shoot 3.5" shells if the pattern is better.     It just depends on shell and choke selection.

3" 12 Gauge offerings cover the full gamut of applications very well.  Plus, the recoil isn't abusive.

I marked 3.5" which is what I shoot in the 10 GA. and the 12 GA. But if the kids are with me, they will be shooting a 3" so you need to add a both choice  :angel9:

 :popcorn:

2.75   :fud:

3.5'' for me. I like having the snot kicked out of me. The reason I shoot 3.5'' is because they don't make a 4''..Ooh Rah..Mike

3.5 inch the kick does not bother me and it has more pellets

my gun wont handle 3.5, so i shoot 3"

3.5. More pellets at the same velocity.

I shoot the 3-1/2" as well, the recoil doesn't bother me really +I like to throw more lead at them for a better chance of bagging that bird with the first shot,oh and yes I also like watching the underbrush sapplings completely "DISINTEGRATE" to a 12ga. 3-1/2" load too so yeh I want the extra shot count!   :fud::gobble:

3.5"......I like the added payload.

As far as the kick, the HV winchesters stomp me in the ground when I'm shooting targets, so I don't do it much.  I shoot a few rounds before season to make sure all is still well.  Shots at turkeys are barely noticed.

Quote from: njdevilsb on February 15, 2011, 01:28:54 PM
3.5 here.  Like has already been said, while hunting, the kick doesn't bother me.  Sighting in you'll start to feel it, but if you have a good pad or shooting rest, it isn't bad.  I like sending those extra few pellets at them.

X2 :icon_thumright:

I am using a mossberg 500, my first shotgun, which only has a 3 inch chamber, so that is what I use. Next year however I plan on getting the 835 tactical turkey and I will shoot 3.5s.

3"       not so much kick, does the job without the jolt!

I do use 3.5 inch shells, and I did vote for 3.5. However, I am actually finding that the 3inch pattern better than the 3.5 inch out of my gun. I realize there is more shot, but if that shot isn't getting into the kill zone....whats the point?

3.5" for me. I like the extra down range payload.

i have always hunted turkeys with a 3.5"???? dont know why just love it when she goes boom :z-guntootsmiley: :lol:

3 1/2 patterns much better out of my gun,  semi-auto=what kick?

I shoot 3 1/2 inch shells because they pattern better out of my gun. Yeah they kick harder but now that I have patterned them and got my sight set I rarely shoot them at anything other than a turkey. And I have never noticed recoil when shooting a turkey. Besides it's not like the 3 inch shells are a joy to shoot either.

  3.5 I want all the help I can get, I hunt mostly field turkeys so the extra payload an shot helps more than you think...

3.5 for me,i want the biggest payload i can get.

I have convinced to go back to 3" #6 lead due to my past success with it. But chances are, I will have a few 3.5's backing it up just in case.  :)

You guys are making me glad I started with 3" shells. I carry a box of 3.5 but have not used them as of yet. The 3" mag blend did the job last year and I still have four boxes of them. Might see how the 3.5 H13 #6 do when I sight in the new Mueller sight system.
:fud: :gobble: :newmascot: :newmascot: we need a dead turkey icon!!

Quote from: Gobble! on February 15, 2011, 03:37:16 PM
3.5 inch the kick does not bother me and it has more pellets

X2 :icon_thumright:

I shoot 3", I don't like dealing w/ the recoil from a 3 1/2" and a 3" kills 'em just as dead. ;D

Chose 3" cause even thinking of shooting 3 1/2" makes me pull my mouse to the right!! :fud:

My gun will shoot 3.5 but I shoot 3.  My hunting buddy shoots 3.5 but I get as many turkey as he does, so until I see a advantage in the field I will stick with my 3". 

I shoot both.  Depends on what gun I have.  The 835 shoots the 3.5" Hevi-13 7's better than the 3" load.  No comparison.  But it does have more shot in that load. 

3 for me, thats what my gun will hold

charlie

Kick don't bother me, so i like the 3.5 inch here for the extra pellets. But its whatever patterns better in your gun. Me and my nephew i hunt with, both had mossy 835's. His gun did not pattern well with 3.5 inch shells it liked the 3 in better, where as mine was total opposite. My gun patterned better with the 3.5in and not so much the 3 inch

                                                           

                                                                 Happy Hunting this spring...
                                                                                  Justin

I shoot 3", the 3.5 never patterned good for me. I,ve always thought it blows the pattern apart. Maybe with the right choke who knows.

3.5 Most deffinatley. Really depends on what your gun likes.  :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:

I've shot it all pretty much.  Even shot the 3oz Nitro 10 gauge from my now sold BPS.  I've bought 50+ chokes, and spent maybe $3000+- on ammo in the past 10-12 years.

Sure, I'll keep some 3.5" in the vest, but I've found a few pet 3" loads that really have caught my attention lately, 3" MB being one of them.  3" H-13 #7's is another pet load that just seems to work well in my guns.  My new 870 SM likes 3" H-13 5's for some bizarre reason, and that load sounds like a Nebraska prairie hunter's dream!

Of course, there will always be 3.5" H-13 5's & 6's on hand, but I really want to work with these 3" loads for awhile, so much more enjoyable to shoot...

mudhen

I shoot a 3 1/2 in for turkey cause they dont make a 4in yet. :goofball:

Quote from: SR1 on February 22, 2011, 11:49:17 PM
I shoot a 3 1/2 in for turkey cause they dont make a 4in yet. :goofball:

Exactly why I shoot a 3.5" :you_rock:

I shoot 3.5" because my gun will.  I bought the gun because I wanted the 3.5" capability and after settling on the load, I found them at half price at the end of the season a few years back.....so I stocked up. ;D  I will probably stick with them though, after shooting with a buddy and seeing how the 3.5" performed against his 3".  I'm not a guy that gets wrapped up in more expensive = better or bigger is better either.  But we both shot the same patterning board and the board fell after he shot.  When I shot the 3.5" it blew it down.  Same brand shells.

3" for me.  Less recoil, less expensive!

I voted 3.5".  I'm gonna throw as many projectiles at him as possible.

3.5 in my mossberg 835 for me...