Ivalue everyones prefernce, I just understand why it seems to make you insufficient if you use 3.5 inch shell. I am taking two 12 year olds on the first Turkey hunt and they will be using 20 gauges. We will be spending alot of time at my shooting range patterning these guns. I think any gun/shell combo is only as good as the person behind it if they know there affective range and pattern. I agree with STRURBPS just because we choose a 3.5 inch shell, I am not afraid to take a 50 yard shot, because I know what my gun will do, And yes I can call them in so close I can count the little hairs on their head. I guess in my opinion I'll take my 3.5 inch shells to my personal turkey war, I hunted the first week last year with a bow and I will be spending some time with it again this year, it has no kick and has a maximum range of 35 yards.