beretta390

i was wondering what some of the experts on this boards opinions were on this hot topic?

Yawk2me

Well, I'm certainly not an expert, but I've heard a lot of my buddies say they are going back to 3". The Ithaca rep at the NWTF convention told me and some friends last year that they won't make a 31/2" gun because there is too much shot and it compresses and deforms as it goes through the choke, causing unpredictable and erratic patterns. Seems to make sense, so I'm also going back to 3" this year in my new browning BPS and compare with the other gun I've been using. Just my thoughts. I would also like to hear from some true experts on the subject.

beretta390

yawk2me, i to have heard the same about there being too much shot in a 3 1/2. but that's not why i went from the 3 1/2 to the 3 inch. the reason was that 3 1/2 could not compare to my 3 inch gun and it kicked the living tar out of you. i like to shoot my gun alot during the off season and enjoy myself in the process.

Adrian J Hare

I high percentage of hunter took the 3.5's for a shell that would travel farther out. this is the Wrong reason, infact the 3.5 was brought out for Pattern dencity in stead of range , it moves slower down the muzzle and deforms at the choke as stated...BT

maytom

I'm no expert either, but I did own a Mossberg 835 Ulti-mag turkey gun and have shot those 3 1/2" "Howitzer" rounds out of it, so I feel that I can add to this topic.
First off, and this is just my opinion, no-one needs a 3 1/2" shell to harvest turkeys with period!! This was a shell that was designed from the start to help out those duck/goose hunters shooting those steel shot loads, that didn't want to use a 10 gauge. Then someone had a idea to use them for turkey hunting. BINGO!! They have all jumped on the band wagon with that gun and shell.
All I can tell you, is that using a 3 1/2&quot; turkey load with 2 1/4oz of shot out of a Mosssberg 835 will just stun you with it's brutal recoil!!!! I'm a big guy, 6' tall at 242lbs., and this gun has made me take several steps backwards and bruised my face and shoulder to the point that I would of given that gun away!! I know, I know, you'll here that old line: &quot;when hunting turkeys you'll never even feel the shot go off&quot;!! Well now, were not talking one shot at a turkey here folks, even I can handle that!! I'm talking about taking many shots at the pattern board trying to find a choke and load combonation while using that gun and those brutal 2 1/4oz turkey loads!!! That being said, a 3&quot; turkey load or even a 2 3/4&quot; turkey load is all you'll ever need!! The name of the game is to call them in close say, 20-35 yards, then aim for the head and the neck area of the bird. If you can do this, you don't need any 3 1/2&quot; gun at all!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

CamoHunter

Last spring, I bought a Rem 870-SPT in 3 1/2&quot;. I patterned and hunted with 3&quot; shells and really liked them. I was looking at a 870 turkey gun from Remington in 3&quot;, in fact it was a NWTF gun. It turned out my SPT came with a sling and 3 chokes for about a hundred dollars less, so I went that way. Who knows, I might want to give the 3 1/2&quot; shells a try.( Just maybe not this year...)<img src=icon_smile_shy.gif border=0 align=middle>

REM74

I guess I will be the odd ball here.I have had nothing but good luck with the 3 1/2&quot; shell and I believe I will stick with it.

paintbrush

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH MAYTOM ON THIS!My gun is chambered for 3 1/2&quot; shells,but I only shoot the 3&quot; shells.I don't see any reason for the extra so called power for a 30 to 40 yard shot at a bird!Take a good clean shot at that range and no bird is walking away.

Deleted User

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hatracked

Ill admit it I am a wuss when it comes to recoil.I shot a friend of mines 3 1/2 several years back and that was enough. I dont care if its the most turkey killing gun at 40 yards ever made I am sticking with my 3 inch loads.I have had occaision in the not so distant past to wish I had an extra bit of power downrange but it just isnt to be. For years i took only 30 yard or closer shots with 3 inch shells and had zero misses. All of the sudden I get a hankering to take em out at 40 with a new super choke and roll but not kill three in one season.Bottom line for me is a 3 inch shell and a 30 yard bird are what I am looking for on my hunt. Im just not willing to punish myself to make up for a skill that I already possess which is to call them in CLOSE ENOUGH for a clean harvest.