I'm wondering if it really makes a difference. Here in Virginia the shots I get are always relatively close. What's you're preference?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Love the 3.5" LBXR 12's outta my SX2 and SX3 !!
Most always never needed...............but nice to have just in case.
I shoot the 3 1/2 Hevi 7's and have numerous boxes of 3 1/2 LB's and Turkey Thugs. Are 3 1/2's a requirement, NO but I like the pattern density. You can kill birds out to 40 yards with much less. It's a personal decision.
I shot 3-1/2" as long as I can remember. I like more shot in the air as long as it doesn't blow up the pattern. Some guns are friendlier to the shell. Some it's too much shot.
Just recently started w a 3" though I'm not getting rid of my 3-1/2" guns
Never found the need, we kill them just as easy with a 3" 12 or even a 20ga. Bring them birds in at 15 steps and you can knock them over with most anything :)
MK M GOBL
Quote from: MK M GOBL on January 09, 2017, 12:00:57 AM
Never found the need, we kill them just as easy with a 3" 12 or even a 20ga. Bring them birds in at 15 steps and you can knock them over with most anything :)
MK M GOBL
x2 I have several 3 1/2 inch Guns. I seem to always grab my T/C Encore W/ Nikon turkey pro 3inch chamber. It's easy lights out at 40yds. Part of the fun to me is calling them in close. I think the farthest one this past spring was under 20yds.
I shoot 3" and 3.5" depending on the load because of their pattern density. The pattern dictates the size of the shell for me.
I like the 3.5 , only reason they don't make a 4. Needed probably not neither is $300 dollar boots, $100 calls and $300 dollars worth of camo.
The Hevi #7s 3 1/2s have an incredible number of pellets in but saying that I'm scaling back to the 3" 7s just don't want to shoot that wallop anymore. That's is after all my 3 1/2s are gone! :z-guntootsmiley:
2 3/4s were killing them dead for years. Bubba
I like em yella shells!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I got rid of my 3 1/2 shells. Have a few 3in 12 ga left. Once i started shooting the 20 ga i got hooked and don't know why it took me so long. It is enjoyable to shoot all day long, lightweight to carry all day long and does not beat you up. Lee
3.5's for me when shooting factory ammo, i like lots of pellets.
I like the 3.5" shell. Don't need it but it is what I have always used and my gun shoots them well.
Sent from my SM-G800R4 using Tapatalk
I didn't buy a 935 to shoot 3" @ turkeys. 3&1/2" =More pellets and better patterns in my gun. In my case and I'm sure others can relate, I feel like I need 3.5" turkey loads in my 935 to justify carrying the extra weight of my 12 ga compared to my 20 GA's shooting HW#7s.That said, I know I would be shooting 3" in a lightweight pump gun due to the recoil of those 3.5". Also I know some 3.5" chambered guns that 3" actually pattern better, but that's never been the case with my 935.
3.5 for me since it patterned the best in my shotgun.
Not going to lie about it. Shotguns for turkeys is relatively new to me. Most birds were still killed well within shotgun range. Aside from that, the old H&R Excel Auto I had (3" chamber) shot the old Remington Hevi 13's the best and they were a lighter load than any of their new turkey offerings. They 2 turkeys that I shot with it weren't arguing its effectiveness. When I carried the sx2 I used the 3.5" magblends and those two birds never cared much either. Shot a few with an old NEF single shot 10 ga years back and there were no options for that. Last year, after patterning the gun with the 3.5" LB's, I ended up switching to 3" TSS with much better patterns so I'm sticking with the 3" for now. Plan to run the 20 ga LB's and Hevi 7's with the smaller guns though. Can't wait.
Quote from: wvmntnhick on January 09, 2017, 06:58:09 PM
Not going to lie about it. Shotguns for turkeys is relatively new to me. Most birds were still killed well within shotgun range. Aside from that, the old H&R Excel Auto I had (3" chamber) shot the old Remington Hevi 13's the best and they were a lighter load than any of their new turkey offerings. They 2 turkeys that I shot with it weren't arguing its effectiveness. When I carried the sx2 I used the 3.5" magblends and those two birds never cared much either. Shot a few with an old NEF single shot 10 ga years back and there were no options for that. Last year, after patterning the gun with the 3.5" LB's, I ended up switching to 3" TSS with much better patterns so I'm sticking with the 3" for now. Plan to run the 20 ga LB's and Hevi 7's with the smaller guns though. Can't wait.
Let me know how it goes with the 20ga. The older I get the less things I want to tote in the woods. The weight of a 20 is very appealing.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I carried mine a couple times last year but was unsuccessful on all fronts so can't say for certain. My niece carried it on youth day and didn't complain one bit. She even missed one that I called into spitting distance twice but such is life. I plan to hunt WV, MD, and VA this spring so I'm hoping to get at least one with the 20 and may even try the 410 in VA but I gotta check the regs on that one first. My buddy swears the farm he's got over there is a slam dunk.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
3" is plenty for turkeys. That said, my 835 doesn't pattern 3" well so I shoot 3.5" out of it. Magblends have served me well, as have Hevi 6's.
I'm mostly a 20 gauge guy now tho, but the 835 gets out a time or two each year still.
Quote from: wvmntnhick on January 09, 2017, 06:58:09 PM
Not going to lie about it. Shotguns for turkeys is relatively new to me. Most birds were still killed well within shotgun range. Aside from that, the old H&R Excel Auto I had (3" chamber) shot the old Remington Hevi 13's the best and they were a lighter load than any of their new turkey offerings. They 2 turkeys that I shot with it weren't arguing its effectiveness. When I carried the sx2 I used the 3.5" magblends and those two birds never cared much either. Shot a few with an old NEF single shot 10 ga years back and there were no options for that. Last year, after patterning the gun with the 3.5" LB's, I ended up switching to 3" TSS with much better patterns so I'm sticking with the 3" for now. Plan to run the 20 ga LB's and Hevi 7's with the smaller guns though. Can't wait.
Helping my son pattern his 870 20 g. youth really opened up my eyes . I never thought a 20g. would pattern that good. It really has changed my way of thinking I use to be 3 1/2 inch shells and 12 g. all the way. Then I fell in love with my 12g. 3in.Encore/Nikon setup...light weight,effective,kicks but never feel it when I'm knocking a gobblers noggin. If I was starting from scratch i wouldn't be afraid at all of the 20s effectiveness.
Used to, don't anymore. I only shot 3" HTL though my single is chambered for 3.5" Needless punishment in my opinion.
I've read this thread with a good bit of interest in the comments from those who choose to shoot 3.5" shells. It's so good that there can be this kind of discussion on a subject that I've seen become heated. It just proves once again that the OG family is a very good one capable of discussing an issue without rancor. Way to go!
Thanks,
Clark
Quote from: allaboutshooting on January 10, 2017, 02:45:04 PM
I've read this thread with a good bit of interest in the comments from those who choose to shoot 3.5" shells. It's so good that there can be this kind of discussion on a subject that I've seen become heated. It just proves once again that the OG family is a very good one capable of discussing an issue without rancor. Way to go!
Thanks,
Clark
I must agree, one of the most friendly bunch of guys of all the hunting related sites I have ever been part off.
835....3.5 in longbeard 5's and 3.5 in magblends....great patterns