Mossberg 835 loads 3 or 3 1/2
 

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Incredible pattern.

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



Or this.

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.

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.