3" vs 3.5"

[Grandslam11]

I didn't look terribly hard in the forums to see this comparison. The last time I shot my 3.5" I swore I wouldn't shoot it again until there was a turkey in front of me. I felt like a mule had kicked me in the shoulder. Now I may have not a steady grip or something, but it definitely got me gun shy. How many of you shoot 3" vs 3.5" in a 12ga? I am thinking of shooting a different load this year and am really dreading patterning the gun. I'm thinking the 3" may take a little heat off.

 

[knightrider]

i will never shoot another 3.5 long as I live!!! no need for them for me 3 in works just fine, I bought up 2 cases of long beard xr last year in 3 in so im good until I leave this world :tu:

 

[Hunt 365]

3 in. The 3.5in are too punishing

 

[muddyboots]

3 1/2 all day long.

 

[huntinkev]

3" but I was looking for some 2 3/4" the other day to compare patterns and couldn't find any.

 

[REN]

Re: 3" vs 3.5"

Gave up 3.5s for good last year. Prior to HTL and Long beards I can see the advantage but these days I just don't see it or see the point. Those things are punishing even in an auto


Proverbs 3:5

Sent from my phone using Technology

 

[Boll Weevil]

Both. I shoot an over/under so drop a 3.5" in my "long" barrel and a 3" in my "close" barrel.

 

[ruger7mag]

3.5 for me out of my 12 gauge. Get a lead sled to use when you shoot paper. I've shot as many as 25 3.5 inch turkey loads in one sitting(deciding on choke and zeroing scope) and didn't even have a bruise the next day.

 

[duckriver]

3's for ducks

3 1/2's for turkey

 

[Grandslam11]

3.5 for me out of my 12 gauge. Get a lead sled to use when you shoot paper. I've shot as many as 25 3.5 inch turkey loads in one sitting(deciding on choke and zeroing scope) and didn't even have a bruise the next day.

What is a lead sled? Anyone shoot the Hevi-Shot magnum blends in either?

 

[TnTurk]

I have killed plenty with both in over 30 years of turkey hunting and I can honestly say that I have never shot a turkey with a 3.5 that I could not have taken with a 3" gun. Maybe I am getting soft, but with the new ammo available today for turkey hunters I believe the 3" loads are more than enough.
God Bless

 

[ruger7mag]

3.5 for me out of my 12 gauge. Get a lead sled to use when you shoot paper. I've shot as many as 25 3.5 inch turkey loads in one sitting(deciding on choke and zeroing scope) and didn't even have a bruise the next day.

What is a lead sled? Anyone shoot the Hevi-Shot magnum blends in either?

Caldwell lead sled, the gun rests that you add weight on.

 

[Spurhunter]

Re: 3" vs 3.5"

I shoot 3.5 only because they don't make a 4". I use a lead sled to shoot paper and never feel the recoil when shooting a gobbler.

 

[stik]

i have seen the lead sled bust a stock on a hard kicking gun.

 

[REN]

i have seen the lead sled bust a stock on a hard kicking gun.

I actually found last year that I had much different patterns when shooting from a sled and not shooting from a sled. Actually was dramatic to.

Just the example. Had multiple shots that were about the same as this one




Then took it out of the sled and had multiple shots with these numbers. Same day and same box of shells cleaning the barrel between shots the same way. POI and pattern was better out of the sled for some reason

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

3.5" for me until I break a bone..... my wife started shooting a 3.5" last year too.

 

[TLRanger]

I have used the 3.5 in since they came on the market. I started out using 2 3/4 in because that was all I had when I began turkey hunting and had no trouble killing turkeys with them. I used #2 shot in the 2 3/4, and yes, it was legal. Finally bought a shotgun that would shoot the three inch and switched to it then to the 3.5 in. The 3.5 does not shoot any farther or harder than the 2 3/4, it just has more pellets. The 3.5 has more powder and lead than the 2 3/4, therefore more recoil.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

 

[Spurhunter]

i have seen the lead sled bust a stock on a hard kicking gun.

I have always heard this but I'll believe it when I see it. I don't lock my sled down so it is static. It still moves some. If the ShurShot breaks Remington will be replacing it.

 

[Spurhunter]

my wife started shooting a 3.5" last year too.

:super: Your sweet wife shoots a 3.5" and these men can't take it? :rotf: oke:

 

[Roost 1]

my wife started shooting a 3.5" last year too.

:super: Your sweet wife shoots a 3.5" and these men can't take it? :rotf: oke:

Kinda what I was thinking..... op:

 

[hayman]

I have shot both and killed turkeys with both 3 inch seems to be more uniform of a pattern to me in my guns.

 

[wlf89]

3" seems to be plenty to for me and its all my gun will take

 

[7mminatree]

I have shot both and killed turkeys with both 3 inch seems to be more uniform of a pattern to me in my guns.

^^this^^

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

I have some 2-3/4" Hevi Shot #6 ammo if anyone is interested in it..... :tu: :stir: oke: op:

 

[darn2ten]

I've shot plenty of both. One of my guns is a 3" and the other a 3.5". I usually grab my A5 3" stalker, have shot 203 in the 10 @ 40 with 3" #5 LB. However my 3.5" gun doesn't kick any harder than the Browning due to the recoil system of the 3.5. With all that said, I really see no need in 3.5" in the woods. Just a little funner to count holes in paper with.























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[Recoil]

I use 3" Hevishot blend and haven't had the need for anything more since they all pretty much die when I shoot them, but I only shoot if they are within 50 yards.

 

[tickweed]

3"is all you need.

 

[PalsPal]

my wife started shooting a 3.5" last year too.

Your sweet wife shoots a 3.5" and these men can't take it? :rotf: oke:

I can take it, but there is no advantage :mrgreen: !

 

[TboneD]

I've only had one shotgun chambered for 3.5" and you would have had to pay me pretty good to shoot one of those long shells in it. It was a very lightweight New England single shot with a turkey barrel and it kicked PLENTY with just 3" shells. My Mossberg 500 doesn't kick as bad, but I don't think I'd shoot 3.5" shells in it even if they did fit.

 

[muddyboots]

I have several buddies who say 3 inch is all I need. I have handed my 3 1/2 gun to them a few times they did need it. Lol