im 13 and my dad said if i want to start shooting big rifles i should shoot 3.5" shells. I want #4's in either winchester or heavyshot. So if you can tell me whats the best.
Don't know why a 13 yr old needs to be shooting 3.5 inch? I agree that no one needs thats really. If you like a big gun and big load then sure. Whatever is your fancy I guess but I'd have to respectfully wonder why your dad says that. Lots of debate on #4 versus #6 as well. More knockdown in #4 but more pellets in #6. I've dropped gobblers like a rock at 50 yds with #6 so I'd take more pellets personally.
I shoot your gun and I can tell you that even the same brand of shells from different years will pattern differently with my gun. I have an Indian Creek Choke and can get unbelievable patterns with white shell Hevi-13 in 1 7/8 oz. I switch to the Hevi-13 in red 1 5/8 or bronze 2 oz load and I get crap patterns.
Winchester X-tended was always the most consistent regardless of what choke I had in and what length barrel etc. If you only want to buy one box I'd get that load. Split the difference and go #5 and see what you get.