For turkey we hunt the Winchester XR shells exclusively in 2 3/4 or 3" because of the results on long-range birds that hold up at the 50 yard line or so.
A couple of years back I took a Jake at a measured 66 yds yards hitting him with at least 4 pellets, breaking his wing and thigh bones 1" down from the joint at the body, with 1 pellet found in the breast and 1 in the neck. The pellet that was found in the breast cavity lodged against keel and bruised the heart!! I was amazed the way that bird dropped when he was hit.
We use the Carlson XR choke tubes or other tight tubes like the Promos "Tightwads" measuring in around .675 - .660 and seriously pattern our guns before season. The only draw backs are on closer shots where the patterns are TOO tight. When the birds are under 25 yards its best to aim for the base of the wattles so you don't shoot over top of their heads.
BTW the 3 1/2" shells are TOO much and a pain to pattern and shoot.
