Browning4140

Which she'll do you prefer for turkey hunting?
3" or 3.5" and which brand and shot size?

Oldtimr

3 inch, while my gun takes 31/2 inch, I see no need for them.

RPD63

I'm with Oldtimer. I just don't find the need for the 3 1/2. Heck, I still hunt ducks with 2 3/4.

RPD63

Forgot the other part of your question. I use Hevi Shot Mag Blend.

JW

I actually went to 2 3/4. But do use 3 inch at times too.

3.5 inch didn't kill them any deader than a 3 inch. I couldn't see the benefit for using them. A Pro was 3 inch was cheaper.

JW

Game Stalker

I don't have a 3 1/2 gun. 3" has proven effective w/various loads, so I won't change.
Currently have 3" Winchester Supreme 1 5/8 oz. #6. Not done w/load experimentation.

Finepoint

I have very limited turkey hunting experience with only four birds to my name (one each with a .32 S&W revolver and a 308.rifle and two with a 3" 12 Ga and Federal copper-plated #6's). I now have picked up a 12 ga which turned out to have a 3 1/2" chamber and I'm thinking of using the long shell with larger (#4 or5) pellets to retain the pellet count with more mass per pellet than the smaller shell. Any thoughts? Oh, and yes, handguns and rifles are legal for Rio Grande Turkey in Texas but not Eastern turkeys.

Oldtimr

You are better off with #6 shot than #4 or 5 if you gun is patterning well. Shotguns kill with multiple wounds and there is more shot in a #6 shell than in a #4 or 5.

Topgun 3006

I use mostly #6s and once in a while #5s in my old Model 1200 Winchester that I bought new in 1967 and it has a 2 3/4" chamber. Last year I bought a box of the new Winchester 3" Longbeard loads in #5s and shot a bird with the Benelli I keep up here for my buddy that lives in FL. Both kill a bird deader than dead at 40 yards and with the pattern the Benelli puts out I could kill one a lot further, but I choose to try an bring them in closer.

Mojotex

Killed a many with my "old" cheapo Savage Fox Model B SBS, 30" full. Several years ago I used years of service award to by a Benelli Nova pump that handles up to 3.5" shells. I tried a few of the 3.5" shells including some of those high dollar shoulder crusher loads. Not for me. The Remington 3" Magnum, copper plated lead No.5 shot group the best out of my set up and have done fine as far as killing.