I have shot a rem 870 3'' for the past 10 years and loved it, it patterned great I thaught, until yesterday. I bought a mossberd 835 that a guy let me go pattern before I bought it. I am getting about the same pattern at 40 yards with 3 1/2'' win xtended #6's that I was getting at 30 yards with the 3''. So I am a firm believer in the 3 1/2 shells the only bad thing is they kick a whole lot more, but when shooting at a turkey I don't think it will HURT as bad. I like the 3 1/2'' better but 3'' will kill them just as dead.