According to Table R602.3(1) of the International residential code (IRC), you have to use two 16d (3 1/2" x 0.135") fasteners to end nail the top or sole plate to a stud. If the studs were toe nailed to the sole plate, then either three 8d (2 1/2" x 0.133") or two 16d (3 1/2" x 0.135") fasteners would be required.
International Residential Code 2012
Chapter 6 Wall Construction
Section R602 Wood Wall Framing
R602.3 Design and construction. Exterior walls of wood-frame construction shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and Figures R602.3(1) and R602.3(2) or in accordance with AF&PA’s NDS. Components of exterior walls shall be fastened in accordance with Tables R602.3(1) through R602.3(4)...
If by some chance these screws are equivalent to 16d nails, then they should be acceptable. However, I doubt they're equivalent, and therefore should not be used.
There's no specific fastener schedule for interior nonbearing walls, while interior load-bearing walls are required to be framed the same as exterior walls.
R602.4 Interior load-bearing walls. Interior load-bearing walls shall be constructed, framed and fireblocked as specified for exterior walls.
R602.5 Interior nonbearing walls. Interior nonbearing walls shall be permitted to be constructed with 2 inch by 3 inch (51 mm by 76 mm) studs spaced 24 inches (610 mm) on center or, when not part of a braced wall line, 2 inch by 4 inch (51 mm by 102 mm) flat studs spaced at 16 inches (406 mm) on center. Interior nonbearing walls shall be capped with at least a single top plate. Interior nonbearing walls shall be fireblocked in accordance with Section R602.8.
There are various reports and documents available online that should cover this. See the ICC-ES ESR-3201 report from this year on GRK screws or the same document, but embedded in ICC-ES's website.
The tables from the ICC-ES documents are too large and comprehensive for me to transcribe here, but as official documents from code governance bodies, those links should be reliable... here is a screenshot of one of the first tables, which includes shear strength for various screws, including the R4 model you mention in your question:
And from GRK's own webpage on compliance:
Having an ICC-ES ESR report means fasteners have ICC approval. GRK fasteners are ICC code approved for exterior use in ACQ pressure treated lumber and have the strength to meet all your general construction needs. A building inspector will be able to use an ESR report to code approve your construction projects.
[...]
- ESR 3201: R4 multipurpose screw, FIN/Trim screw and Kameleon screw are code approved for the IBC and IRC for structural strength and corrosion resistance. They are the most popular screws for installing decks.
Given that the shear strength of a 16d common nail is 120 to 150 lbf (depending on the material it is nailed into), it looks like GRK's R4 screws—in any length—are roughly 3x as strong in terms of shear strength, assuming I'm interpreting the table correctly.
