3in vs. 3.5in
 

I have a Remington 11-87 with a 3in chamber. Does the 3.5in have enough advantage over the 3 that it would justify buying a new gun?

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

DS22,

Not to me! Does your 11-87 have removal choke tubes? If so, all you have to do is find a good tube that patterns good. To start, just ask for someone on the forum to recommend a tube for your gun and start there.

Just a note! My father hunted turkeys' with an old Rem. 1148, 16 ga., improve cylinder, and killed turkeys' regularly with it. I to started out with an improved cylinder because that's all I had when I started turkey hunting (that was a long time ago). I have two or three guns in my case that were not designed for turkey hunting (dove and quail guns), no camoflage, they have all killed turkeys'. There's no doubt about it today, there's all sorts of guns and choke tubes on the market today, but a 11-87 is a good gun and the 3 in. mag. is fine, just match good shells to it (pattern, pattern, pattern, it.)


dog1

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

I think my hunting buddy put it best when he said 3.5 inch guns are nice for turkey hunting, but don't give you a tremendous advantage over a 3 inch gun. However the real reason for a 3.5 inch is for knockin down big Canadian geese, since I hunt both I own the 3.5 inch gun. But 3 inch should service you fine for turkey hunting, all comes down to how well you call and not fidgit.

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

http://www.ithacagun.com/experience/...ing/myth.shtml

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

I agree with your post as well!!! That's the main reason they came out with the 3 1/2" 12 gauge, for duck/goose hunters!! These guns are much cheaper than a semi-auto 10 gauge!!! The fact that many are now using them for turkey hunting, still doesn't show a huge advantage over the 3" shell pattern wise. I'd stick with what you have and get a Rhino choke and some nitro shells. You'll soon se what that 3" gun can do at the pattern board!!;)

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

What chokes and loads do you guys recomend for my gun?

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

The way I look at it is. I can always use an excuse to buy another gun:D If you can aford it why not. I have 3 turkeys gun right now and it wouldn't surprise me if I buy another... I'm thinking about the Benelli right now...

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

I think 3 1/2" does have an advantage because you throw a lot more lead than 3". I dont know if I would get a new gun just to shoot 3 1/2" or not, thats you decision. If you just want a new gun, it sounds like a good reason to me, but if not then i dont know. You would have more versatility with a 3 1/2" gun...

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

I agree wth you 100%...maytom.
That's the thrill of the hunt, to see how close you can kill it.
Over the years I've killed many turkeys with Win mod 12 26" 20ga 2 3/4"
at a range of 20-25yds.We did't have the 3-3 /12" like today.

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

Some folks think bigger is always better... not always true in the shotgun world. I wouldn't spend the cha-ching, knowing what a 3" shell properly selected with the right choke for the given gun. Having the ability to shoot 3.5" shells is nice, but certainly not required.

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

To be honest with you, the only 20 ga. I've ever owned has been a break open single barrel from New England Firearms. I got it when I was a boy. It holds a 3 inch shell and it is all I'ver ever used. I've never even "patterned" it. I've just used it, and I've taken my share of game with it, including turkeys. They've used 3 inch for a really long time and didn't need a 3.5 advantage until more recently.

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

I bought a Remington 870 SuperMag to shoot the 3 1/2 inch roman candles. They pattern better in my gun than the 3 inch shells do, but it kills on both ends. People say "you never feel it when you pull the trigger on a turkey". BS.....still hurts, got busted in the mouth last spring taking a tom. I love the patterns with that gun, but dread pulling the trigger, even on a tom.

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

12 guage with 2 3/4" will kill a turkey just fine at 33 yds. No kick, nice and easy. That what I have for my wife to use. I'm using the 3" but wouldn't even consider 3 1/2 for turkeys.

You're good to go man! Just pattern that baby and find a bird!

Which choke/load etc. is a tough one. I shoot Hevi #5's with an undertaker. Take my choke off my gun and give you a shell and your gun probably patterns different.

Get what you can afford and determine the range however it may pattern. If it's only 25 then only shoot at birds 25 yds and in. If you don't like that then you may have to spend more $$ to keep trying.

Most expensive turkey you will ever sit down and eat by the time your done :D

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

I use 3 1/2 but I am going to try the 3"s this weekend. BTW, When does the new Ithica gun come out?

RE: 3in vs. 3.5in
 

get a comp-n-choke