3" vs 3.5"

[Dover_Mike]

3 inch for ducks 3.5 for gobblers

 

[Tiger tail]

3 1/2 for me. There is strength in numbers. The more shot the better but I like bigger shot than most it seems. I don't count holes in papers I just kill turkey's. I shoot the heaviest loads of copper plated #4's I can find in a kicks and don't worry about it. They don't always stand at 15 yards with a perfect head shot, so I carry something to punch through feathers.

 

[Spurhunter]

3 1/2 for me. There is strength in numbers. The more shot the better but I like bigger shot than most it seems. I don't count holes in papers I just kill turkey's. I shoot the heaviest loads of copper plated #4's I can find in a kicks and don't worry about it. They don't always stand at 15 yards with a perfect head shot, so I carry something to punch through feathers.

If you are shooting copper plated LEAD 4's to punch through feathers you are doing yourself a disservice. If you had a BB and a golf ball that weighed exactly the same which would penetrate feathers easier at the same speed? Obviously the BB. That's why we shoot Hevishot 6's and 7's or TSS 8's and 9's. Same weight as your lead #4s but a bunch more of them and the smaller diameter penetrates better. In the days before advanced shot material, 4s might've been the ticket. Technology has given us something much better.

 

[REN]

 

[Southern Sportsman]

For turkeys, I can understand a 3 1/2. But i would shoot 3 1/2s at ducks if you gave them to me for free.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

3" handloads in the 12

3-1/2" handloads in the 10

 

[Tiger tail]

3 1/2 for me. There is strength in numbers. The more shot the better but I like bigger shot than most it seems. I don't count holes in papers I just kill turkey's. I shoot the heaviest loads of copper plated #4's I can find in a kicks and don't worry about it. They don't always stand at 15 yards with a perfect head shot, so I carry something to punch through feathers.

If you are shooting copper plated LEAD 4's to punch through feathers you are doing yourself a disservice. If you had a BB and a golf ball that weighed exactly the same which would penetrate feathers easier at the same speed? Obviously the BB. That's why we shoot Hevishot 6's and 7's or TSS 8's and 9's. Same weight as your lead #4s but a bunch more of them and the smaller diameter penetrates better. In the days before advanced shot material, 4s might've been the ticket. Technology has given us something much better.

I ain't mad enough at them to spend money on those super whammy shells full of #9's. I know that stuff is lethal & I shot it when it first came out but went back to the originals. If turkey hunting was my passion I would go the extra mile I suppose but I will save that extra $$$ and buy a case of steel for winter!!

 

[Spurhunter]

3 1/2 for me. There is strength in numbers. The more shot the better but I like bigger shot than most it seems. I don't count holes in papers I just kill turkey's. I shoot the heaviest loads of copper plated #4's I can find in a kicks and don't worry about it. They don't always stand at 15 yards with a perfect head shot, so I carry something to punch through feathers.

If you are shooting copper plated LEAD 4's to punch through feathers you are doing yourself a disservice. If you had a BB and a golf ball that weighed exactly the same which would penetrate feathers easier at the same speed? Obviously the BB. That's why we shoot Hevishot 6's and 7's or TSS 8's and 9's. Same weight as your lead #4s but a bunch more of them and the smaller diameter penetrates better. In the days before advanced shot material, 4s might've been the ticket. Technology has given us something much better.

I ain't mad enough at them to spend money on those super whammy shells full of #9's. I know that stuff is lethal & I shot it when it first came out but went back to the originals. If turkey hunting was my passion I would go the extra mile I suppose but I will save that extra $$$ and buy a case of steel for winter!!

I understand. I was just pointing out the flaws in your "using 4's to punch holes in feathers" arguement. Comparing shot size between lead, hevishot, TSS, etc. doesn't work. As for steel shot, you can have my share too. If I ever start back duck hunting I will have to spring for hevishot. I HATE steel shot.

 

[callemquacktn]

The fact that my son had killed 16 with his 20ga and 3" #5's proves I don't need 3.5" shells. Lol
Just need to get them in closer

 

[Bone Collector]

Seems like every time this has been discussed the consensus has been with the Longbeard XR 3.5 because it is lead. As far as I know, that is one of the best if not the best lead shell on the market. Seems as i scanned the responses, others are saying they are shooting the 3" shells. Couldn't tell you if the range is effected.

I shoot mag blends. Started with 3.5, hated them, switched to the 3". Same range, less punishment. :tu:

 

[feathersandfur2214]

3.5 " LB XR. In my gun there is a difference in the 3 vs 3.5.

 

[timberjack86]

Re: 3

I prefer the 3.5" for the bigger payload..... I like having as many pellets downrange to the target as possible.... some of my custom loads haul 2-1/4oz to 2-5/8oz of Hevi and/or TSS shot.... Do they kill any deader than a 3" or regular 3.5"...? No, but I like the extra insurance for when things don't go as planned. I'll shoot 3.5" over a 3" for as long as I can stand it....

There's the math and the facts right there.

I have patterned my Mossberg with the 3's and 3.5's and I have come to the conclusion 3.5's just don't pattern well in my gun. I like the math but if it wont pattern worth a darn I will shoot the 3's.

 

[Grandslam11]

I picked up some of the new Federal 3rd degree turkey loads in 3.5 inch today at the convention. Hopefully they will get the job done this year.