turkey harvester

I was wondering what everyone else uses in their 835 ulit mag. I've heard that the 3 1/2's don't shoot as well as the 3 inch. I've shot mine with both and I think the 3" shot better, but I think I pulled with the 3 1/2 anticipating the recoil. 3 1/2's are #5 and 3" #6. What do you shoot in your 835. Any input is very appreciated. Thanks

Todd1700

I've heard a lot of people say that 3 inch shells patterned better than the 3 1/2 inch shells in their guns. But I have never had a 3 inch shell outshoot a 3 1/2 shell of the same type in any shotgun I own. And believe me I have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on chokes and shells seeking the ultimate turkey patterns.

Hurricanespg

You will more than likely get better patterns with the 3.5" shell due to a larger payload.
Of the loads you shot you probably had more pellets in the 3" #6 shell vs the 3.5" #5 shell which would help to explain a better pattern from the 3" shell.
Lastly, the only time I have ever had 3" shells pattern "better" than a 3.5" shell is when the shooter talks about percentage of pattern in a 10" circle vs actual pellets in a 10" cirlcle. Of course you have to compare the same shells to each other, for example Winchester HV 3" 1.75" #6's vs Winchester HV 3.5" 2oz #6's.

Hope that helps.

BOWHUNTERCOP

I use hevishot 13 3.5", 2.25oz., # 6, with a Indian creek choke

Bernie P.

IMO you really don't need 3 1/2" shells for anything except maybe distant shots on waterfowl.I use 3" for turkeys now simply because I wanted to see how they pattern in my 835 but most of the turkeys I've taken over the years was with 2 3/4 shells using 4 shot.

Thunderchicken217

I use hevi shot 13 #7's in a 3' shell with a hevi shot choke and it out shoots the 3 1/2'" shells I have shot. Granted I am shooting win, fed, and rem hevi shot. I have not yet shot the hevi shot 13 in 3 1/2" yet.

kdsberman

Nitro H517 4x5x7 Hevi
3.5" 2 7/16oz
Jellyhead choke

Incredible pattern.

Brad C.

I would like to see a 3" Hevi-13 shell shoot better than this.



Or this.

John Deer

I just took my bird last week at right near 50 yards with my 835 using 3 1/2" #5. I personally wouldn't switch to a 3" shell mainly for the distance you get from the
3 1/2's.

NCRemington700

I was getting in the 160s in a 10" circle at 40 yards with 3" 2 oz 6s out of my 835. I switched to 3.5s and now I'm getting 215-225 in a group. That sold it for me. I'm shooting a 24" barrel with a Jelly Head .690.