Seeing is believing and the proof is on the paper target.It works for me so that's what I shoot.

I purchased a Mossburg 3.5 several years ago. It was fun to shoot at all. Then I got a Sims Vibration Lab butt plate for it. Made all the difference in the world. But, I still don't turkey hunt with it any more. My 3 in magnum Mossburg still does just fine.

3.5 for me, if you can not handle the recoil, go get a Sims Limbsaver Pad. I have one on my 870 and I love it alot.

I shoot the 3 1/2 out of my 870 SM because it patterns better than the 3 inch. I don't see a problem with recoil now. Yeah the patterning process was painful but it's over now and I have never noticed recoil when I shoot a gobbler. Besides it's not like the 3 inch magnum turkey loads are a joy to shoot either.

And I do not own a 300 win mag. My two primary deer rifles are a 25-06 and a 7mm-08. LOL!

I've only shot two calibers of rifle;a 243 and a 270.

It is generally just a matter of time before you feel it, apparently you are not there yet.

3.5 for me too, I shot many 3 & 3.5's. the 3.5 patterned better. I never feel the recoil when shooting at a turkey, but at the range it's real bad.

Which ones?

That is a stretch even for you. I have never even shot a 300, I know I won't own one.

I bet you squat to pee, dont you. All this talk about a 10 gauge. The 300 has got nothing on the big ten.

You have to look at some of the people saying that a 3.5" kicks to hard, is to heavy, etc.

I have never noticed a kick when shooting at a bird, deer, rabbit, duck, any living animal for that matter.

Sometimes, but usually because I am to drunk to stand up or there is no urinal in the bathroom. I didn't say the 300 kicked hard because I do not know. My .338 does just fine on the long shots anyways.

lead sled, I use it on just about everything these days at the range.

I agree, perfect for the shotguns. Also helpful on the rifles.

i agree. with the lead sled it's not bad at the range no matter what i'm shooting!

Talking about the kicks: even a 3" can hurt if you "forget" to seat the butt right. Last week I promised my 5 yr old daughter that we would blow up a leftover pumpkin if I got home from work in the daylight. Well I did, kept my promise, and pulled out my new (to me) Win 30-30, set up the pumpkin 40 yds away and blew a hole clean through the middle. Let her shoot at it with my 22; then decided to get my 870 (w/ extra full choke) and shoot it w/ 3" 00 buckshot. Just threw it up and turned the pumpkin into pie filler. Then I realized that dummy me seated it on my shoulder bone. Hurt to move my shoulder for about half an hour. My wife called me a wus for the rest of the night. LOL

I can honestly say I dont think theres much difference in the kick of a 3" or 3 1/2.
When I pattern I sit on the ground kinda leaned back & let them kick me back. Shooting at a turkey I dont notice the kick at all.
One big mistake ive done is laying one across the tool box of the truck & leaning in like I would a rifle. That will leave a mark.

i had a 835 i shot 3" out of and it kicks harder than my 1187 does with 3.5" loads.

i have a 300 win mag and a 300 wsm and i like them both. the recoil on them are not as bad as a 3" turkey load IMO.

>>>Boy & Girls, this is what your Dad was talking about when he said, "mind over matter".
Anything is possible, if you believe strong enough.<<<

This from a guy that deer hunts with a .500 Magnum!

When you do an apples-to-apples comparison of the 3.5 and the 3, the difference in recoil and performance is minimal, but real. The Winchester Supreme lead load is good for comparison. Both the 3 and the 3.5 are rated at 1300 fps, though both will often be faster when shot thru a turkey choke and checked with a chrony. So there is no difference in velocity.

The only difference is in the payload. You get 1.75 oz in the 3", and 2 oz in the 3.5. That's a 14.3% increase in shot, and theoretically should also be a 14.3% increase in recoil. You should also have about 14% more shot in your kill pattern if you are using the right gun/choke combo, so that should give you a few extra yards of killing pattern. It might be less, might be a little more, but the 3.5 has what essentially amounts to a 14% head start. It might someday make the difference in killing a turkey or not killing him, so why not take advantage of it?