I use a mossburg 12 gauge, real tree camo, tactical turkey gun,that will take 3-1/2's, and some day I may need to use 3-1/2's. I certainly like the idea that I can if I want to. But I don't remember when I last used even a 3' shell for spring hunting. I use 2-3/4 inch, 7-1/2 shot most of the time for spring birds, cause I'm gonna shoot when they are somewhere between 3-20 feet away. I do pack it full of bigger shells in the fall season for running, or flying turkeys at longer ranges and snap shooting when the sex of the bird makes no difference cause my tag fits them all and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.