3" vs 3 1/2" Pros and Cons

[icdedturkes]

If one is buying a new gun it is absurd to purchase a 3" model for two reasons. 1. being resale and 2. Twice as many load options.

In some cases when a gun is paired with a particular choke and load, the gun may prefer the 3" over the 3.5. The 3" is more than adequate out to forty yards when paired with proper choke. But with this being said the 3.5 inch shell has more pellets to begin with thus the chances of producing more pellets in your favorite sized circle is better when properly matched to the choke tube.

As for the recoil aspect, yes on average their is increased recoil. But with this being said there are some 3" shells on the market that kick harder than some 3.5 inch shells. The black WIN HV SUPREME 3" shell kicks more than some 3.5 inch loads I have fired. The recoil from the bronze 2.25 oz Hevi shotshells in 3.5 is not bad at all due to the low velocity. Buy yourself a lead sled for patterning if recoil is a factor they work wonders.

[dtk913]

Thanks for all the info guys. The reason I am asking is because obviously my gun shoots both loads, and I have tried both. I currently shot 3" the main reason being the recoil when trying to pattern the gun. The price wasn't a big difference and they both patterned well, but the beating I took was a lot more with the 3 1/2". I am a pretty big guy and it was still knocking me around enough to where I was unable to be comfortable shooting. That situation does not lead to a nice pattern.

Like any one else I never feel the recoil when shooting at a turkey, but there is a lot of time put in shooting before I ever get to that point and I prefer to not be beat up during that time. Which brings me to this:

ORIGINAL: icdedturkes
Buy yourself a lead sled for patterning if recoil is a factor they work wonders.

I now have a Lead Sled. That is what got me thinking about this in the first place. So I am wondering do I put in the extra time to try 3 1/2" again or is it not really worth it if I am getting a good pattern with the 3" I shoot now? Heck, I might even try some 2 3/4" now also. From everything I have read so far I don't think that I need to spend the time and money on 3 1/2", but I do think I will try some 2 3/4".

Again, thanks a lot for all your help and keep the info flowing. I will take all the help I can get.

Dan

[Duke0002]

Doesn't hurt to try the 2 3/4s and see how they perform.

[thunderchicken]

My old shoulder cant take the aftermath of the 3 1/2 inch turkey loads!

[nhtrkybstr]

ORIGINAL: thunderchicken

My old shoulder cant take the aftermath of the 3 1/2 inch turkey loads!

Amen to that, brother!
I shot a 3.5 shell. Once.
 
Mike

[charlie elk]

I agree 2 3/4 is sufficent, not once have I wished for a 3+ in the field. 
 

[charlie elk]

Has anyone been starting to have problems finding 2 3/4 turkey loads?
 
Many stores in my area are only carrying 3+
 
Even the mail order places.

[Duke0002]

Charlie, I just use the 2 3/4 Win Xpress game loads -high brass #5s.  Same shell I use for pheasant.  I have some 3" turkey loads that I use as back up for the second shot, if needed.  I think the Win Xpress high brass is up to $12 - $13 a box now. 

[Cut N Run]

I like the 3' Winchester express loads. My gun just didn't pattern a 3 &1/2 as well as a three inch.  I don't need the extra recoil either.
 
Jim

[Ozarks Hillbilly]

Charlie Elk, Remington Nitro Pheasant loads make good turkey loads as well.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10201662_425004003_425000000_425004000_425-4-3