The Hunting Beast

Jdw wrote:Lots of serious turkey hunters like TTS.

I have been shooting 3”#5 in XR for a while.

I have shot 3.5” and I have no interest in putting myself through that much recoil to kill a turkey.

My son has killed several birds out to 40 yards with 2 3/4” copper plated # 5 pheasant loads.

IMO the key is to pattern your gun with whichever loads you choose and see what you’re maximum range is and not exceed that.

Could not agree more!
The OP asked "Is there a big difference between a 3" shell vs 3.5" shell? 1 3/4 oz vs 2 oz?" There sure is, it a difference of a 1/2" and a 1/4oz!
There's never anything wrong with asking questions!
Do you need a 3.5"? Depends on you, what range are you looking for? What choke do you shoot? It is possible to have too much shell, it can effect shot density down range, cause shot deformation(especially when paired to a extra full or even tighter full choke).
The fact of the matter is you can get the performance that you prefer out of a much "less capable" shot shell.
For example, last year my daughter (9 yo) took her first long bird at 18 yrds shooting a 12ga with 6 low brass small game loads. Now she and I had been shooting these loads all winter and spring so we knew how the load patterned with the shotgun/choke combo we had. My preferred shell is a hornady #6 2--3/4 turkey magnum. It is a slightly beefed up pheasant load. Its lethal to 45-50 yards with my gun/choke. That's about as far a shoot as I be able to take around here anyway. Granted I'd never taken one that far nor would I probably try, I just know the gun has patterned well enough to.
Point being, take a little time shoot a different lighter load or two, save you self some money and shoulder pain!!! Good luck!

muddy wrote:Yeah, about 2 more ibuprofen and extra bag if ice after sighting in.

Make sure you still have all your fillings too, assuming you have some...

Try a 3oz 10 gauge load from nitro company

If it’s a pump gun I only shoot 3s, auto loader 3.5s, cause I’m wimpy and skinny!

And I’m just shooting longbeard XR 5s cause I’m too cheap and miss a bit too much for hevi shot! Haha

Federal premium 3” turkey load number 6 from my 12 gauge rem 870 has worked good for me for years

I also second TSS. Just patterned Apex #9s was so blown away.

I will use TSS forever.

Shot a box of TSS 3” #9 two weeks ago (5 shells for $40), great load and patterns well on paper out to 70 yards. Winchester XR 3” #6, (10 shells for $20) kill turkeys at a 1/4 of the cost! Only downside, your buddys will laugh at you for shooting the cheap stuff...

The difference between a longbeard 3 inch (1.75 ounce) with #6 shot and the 3.5” #6 shot is 83 pellets (579 vs 662)

In general, the accepted lethal pattern is 100 pellets in a 10 inch circle. If you’re getting less than that, you either need a different choke, a different load, or to move closer.