3 vs. 3.5

[FallRutSpringStrut]

Is there that much of advantage of shooting 3.5 over 3. What does everyone think.

 

[muddyboots]

About 15 yards

 

[go_okfishin]

3" shells cost less. I have shot birds up to 40 yards with 3" shells. It all goes back to how your gun patterns and how much recoil you want to put up with.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Cost's a little more, holds a little more shot....

 

[REN]

To be honest for me it is just a bit more confidence with 3.5 which can mean alot in the woods.

I have not seen a huge difference in my gun between the 2 but i feel more confident with 3.5's

although i have killed them with 2 3/4 - 3.5 any of them will kill them with a good shot

 

[turkeyhunter]

Put them to the test on the range. I have done so. So far the 3.5 has not out done 3inch shells. I spent alot of money testing this.Of course this is out of my 870 super mag.665 mad max choke. I shot all size of winchester turkey loads doing this test. I will keep testing on other brands in the future if funds allow. But right now 3 inch shells do as good or better in my gun.

 

[BV]

The three and a half inch give you a little more shot and a lot more kick
But I still use them.

 

[deerchaser007]

3" just feels better on my shoulder. I tend to flinch alittle with 3.5".

 

[spitndrum]

15 to 20 yards further 3.5 has tighter pattern!!!

Atleast mine do!!!

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

The three and a half inch give you a little more shot and a lot more kick
But I still use them.

3" just feels better on my shoulder. I tend to flinch alittle with 3.5".

Well a 3.5" is a mans gun ya know..... Of course I do shoot a 10ga too... but not at turkey's :grin:

Seriously, try changing the recoil pad, maybe one of those new SIMS recoil pads would help...

 

[turkeyhunter]

I agree captainhook. Most of my shots tend to be much closer than 30 yds. I had always used the 3.5 shells thinking they did much better. I was suprised when I actually got them on the range. All guns pattern differently.

 

[go_okfishin]

Yea I'd say 99% of my shots are within 20-25 yards. But I take my gun to the range and know what it can do at 40 yards so if I need to take a 40 yard shot in the open I do. it's rare though. Lot more exciting to get em as close as you can.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I get just as good of patterns out of 3 inch shells with my setup anyway. Of course I dont often shoot over 30 yards.

 

[deerchaser007]

The three and a half inch give you a little more shot and a lot more kick
But I still use them.

3" just feels better on my shoulder. I tend to flinch alittle with 3.5".

Well a 3.5" is a mans gun ya know..... Of course I do shoot a 10ga too... but not at turkey's :grin:

Seriously, try changing the recoil pad, maybe one of those new SIMS recoil pads would help...

Well ain't you a stud....... :grin:

I did see a new remington sureshot thumbhole stock with the supercell pad and its left/right hand that i would love to put on my 870. I would still use 3 inch shells though. I think thats plenty good enough for 50 yards or closer with the right load and choke.

 

[Trapper John]

In my gun the 3.5 inch shells invariably have a looser pattern. The extra recoil and cost isn't worth it for me.

Try a few through your setup and see if they're worth it.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

I did see a new remington sureshot thumbhole stock with the supercell pad and its left/right hand that i would love to put on my 870.

Tell you what, if you want to hold one to see if you like it FIRST, I could drive out that way and you can HOLD mine and see what you think... I have some friends that live around Beech Grove area and if you want to meet somewhere around there that would be fine with me.... or I could just stop by on the way to their house one saturday.

I might even bring some shells and let you SHOOT it TOO!! :grin:

 

[deerchaser007]

I did see a new remington sureshot thumbhole stock with the supercell pad and its left/right hand that i would love to put on my 870.

Tell you what, if you want to hold one to see if you like it FIRST, I could drive out that way and you can HOLD mine and see what you think... I have some friends that live around Beech Grove area and if you want to meet somewhere around there that would be fine with me.... or I could just stop by on the way to their house one saturday.

I might even bring some shells and let you SHOOT it TOO!! :grin:

You teasing me .....

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

I wouldn't do that to a fellow...

 

[Gravey]

I get about 10 yards more distance out of 3 1/2" than 3".

 

[bogger]

if they made a 4" i would shoot it! by the way got my sureshot stock thanks grizzly

 

[go_okfishin]

 

[baller_9]

3" have always patterned better out of my guns. I have always notice that 3.5"s have thrown inconsistant patterns on paper. I would tell someone to shoot both out of their guns and choke and see what patterns better for your set up. But for me its always been 3".

 

[TurkeyBurd]

depends on the gun, but 3.5 is the better on the longer shot of course. to me it depends on the hunt. if im after that big burd early spring im only shooting 3.5. casual hunt im going to shoot whatever is in my bag. important hunt, big load. but good shot and they all die. good luck.

 

[medwc]

Supposed to be an up close and personal experience where the bird is called down the gun barrel. Please someone explain.

Well,,, that is YOUR "mentality".
Noff said.

 

[Game Eye]

I kilt my first birds many yrs ago with my Grandpa's old Winchester model 12 20 gauge, 2 3/4" high brass 4s. Then went with the 12 gauge with 3" magnum loads number 5s. Now I shoot the Mossberg 835 with the 3 1/2" 5s.
The 3 1/2" will punish you on the range for sure, but they do pattern quite a bit better out of my gun, compared to the 3".

As far as explaining the extra range or firepower. Well, if you hunt turkeys long enuff you'll come to understand that these wary birds are extremely tuff. If you don't break em down they can and will get up and run away. When I pull the trigger I want to be confident the bird goin home with me. I do not shoot at them at 50 yds tho, but that's just me.

 

[Lawrence]

I shoot both 3" and 3-1/2" shells
They both pattern really good out of my two 870's
I know for a fact that if I can get a bird in the 0-40
yard range he's a dead bird.