Nitro Company 3" 1-7/8OZ. #4 Hevi-Shot. Very expensive but they do all the patterning for you. They tell you which load is best for which gun and which choke would best match the gun and load. I shot it today and at 40 yards with my Benelli M2 and a primos jelly head (the choke they suggested), and got 128 pellets in the kill zone.

I use a benelli sbe 2 and a carlson ported choke tube with hevi-shot 5's and they pattern very well at 40 yds

3 inch Federal Flite Control 5's

I know that knocking 3.5s will automatically label me as a wimp that can't handle the recoil, but here goes.

They are overkill. There is not one good reason to use them on turkeys. Geese are another story. OK, there is one reason to use them for turkeys - if you aren't a very good caller/hunter and can't get them close, you might need 3.5s.

And about me being a wimp...I used to use 3.5s sometimes, and I fired them out of a 5.5 pound single shot. Oh yeah - my friend had 2 6.5 pound single shot 10 gauges that we used sometimes for fun, too. I'm such a wimp that I decided that I would like to save money in these tough times and get 3s.

Additionally, all the turkeys I've shot with 2 3/4 magnums died on the spot just like all the rest with the 3s and 3.5s. If you are worth your weight in box calls and beards, you don't need a lot of power in your gun.

My favorite load for turkeys is Beman ICS Hunter arrows fletched with Bonning Blazer vanes and tipped with Vortex Pro-Series 100 grain 2.25" broadheads. But thats's just me.

hey u guys are gonna think im crazy
but just trust me on this one
i use regular high brass 2 3\4 in express long range shells
and i have had great luck
i shot a gobbler this past year at 50 yrds with them it knocked him out cold
never flopped once
next time you r gonna buy those big expensive turkey load
look on the box the velosity on them are lower than on the remington express long range
plus u get only 10 shells for ten fifteen dollars for turkey loads
and u can get 25 of these
just compare the velocity next time your at the store

3", #5 Hevi Shot deadly at 40 yrds

I too used a 3.5inch for years but I found that my old 1100rem 3inch shot just as good. Most people don't know they lose shot speed with 3.5 and 3" loads. Most 2 3/4" magnum loads are faster than all others. This is always the case with buckshot, check out the powder amount sometime. The more shot the slower the shot.

I have some 3" Remington Hevi-Shot in #5's and #6's. I want to patteran them in my new Weatherby Sa08 with a Carlson Extra Extra Full choke.

I use 3" #5 Hevi Shot currently. Stanleyda hit the nail on the head, the bigger 3.5 inch loads are slower than the shorter loads, so if your gun patterns 2 3/4" loads well then that may be your best option. You get into trouble when your selected load loses energy or pattern density at the edge of its range causing either not enough pellets to the head or inadequate penetration, or both. PATTERN YOUR GUN WITH YOUR SELECTED LOAD! Very important.

12 gauge Winchester 3" extended range #5 XXF choke

I have tried all sizes. I would agree with some on the 3.5" as overkill. The 2 3/4" and 3" pattern a lot better than 3.5" on almost all loads. 3" Hevi-Shot Mag Blend with extra full is my pick. Not only with pattern, but with penetration/down range power as well. Hevi-Shot hits much harder than steel and lead can't hold a candle. Downside is price... but do you really need that many rounds for 1-3 birds/tags?

3" #5 Remington Nitro Turkey and 2 3/4" #5 Remington Premier Magnum

I don't understand why some people shoot 3 1/2" shells or 10 gauges. They are absolutely unnecessary for turkey hunting. That few extra yards of distance may be nice but the recoil is punishing. With a well patterned 3" or 2 3/4" 12 or 20 gauge, you will be just fine to take down that old tom.