need HELP findin perfect ammo for takin down tom; got pattern tests?

[Gobble]

use 3" Hevi-Shot #5's or #6s They will work just fine

[PA BEN]

She doesn't want to break the bank. The only thing Hevi-shot will do for you is make your wallet liter.

[Gutpile]

I set my daughters 20 gauge up with a Jellyhead and #6 Hevi-shot. The pattern was dense and uniform. 35 would be the max though and thats all I'd recommend for a 20 ga. anyways.

If you want to use cheaper shotshells see if Federal offers the flight control wad in 20 ga. If so buy a box of flight control lead 6's and see how they pattern. I use the Flight Control 6 in my 12 ga. and they pattern very very well. I opted for Hevi shot in the 20ga just for a little extra punch.

You should try different loads because who knows what will work in your set up. Good luck.

[Intruder]

As has been mentioned you need to pattern your particular gun/choke combo to find out what will shoot the best.  My suggestion would be to start with 6s just for pure pattern density.  I've had great luck w/ the Winchester Turkey loads in my 12.  In recent years I've shot some heavy shot with good results too.  I've always found that 6s patterned the best.  Be careful that you don't focus entirely on maximizing range at all costs.  I've seen several guns (12s) that shoot great patterns out beyond 40 yards but they are so tight at the ranges where you kill a lot of birds that your margin for error is very small.  I've killed 75% of my birds at less than 25 yards.  Make sure that your pattern in that 15-25 yard range isn't too tight.  I'd rather sacrifice shots way out there than have an unreasonably tight pattern in the range where you shoot the majority of birds.  I too, tend to think that the practical range limit for a 20 gauge is usually around 35-40 yards. 

[NWTFhunter]

Gobble, please dont assure her that that paticular shot will work in her gun.  They are not all the same.  My buddies Mossberg does very well with 4x5x7's but the Moss that I used to have didnt do as well.  Identical guns, different patterns.

Intruder, great thought involving close in shots.
I like a tight shot that reaches out there, and I have missed birds in tight because the shot was too tight and went right on past them.. Ya I missed a couple...
With a tight shot group at close range it only takes a very small margin of error to miss em.

[Gobble]

Gobble, please dont assure her that that paticular shot will work in her gun.  They are not all the same.  My buddies Mossberg does very well with 4x5x7's but the Moss that I used to have didnt do as well.  Identical guns, different patterns.

Intruder, great thought involving close in shots.
I like a tight shot that reaches out there, and I have missed birds in tight because the shot was too tight and went right on past them.. Ya I missed a couple...
With a tight shot group at close range it only takes a very small margin of error to miss em.

Obviously you will want to pattern it. All I was stating is the round has the smack to bring a gobbler down, It worked in my sons break action very well 

[PA BEN]

Here's what my kid's use for turkey. They pattern very will in my REM. 870 youth 20 ga.

[strutnrut1984]

ive had great success with federal premium mags in 5 and 6 shot. my personal setup is a customized mossberg 835 ultimag. triported 22 in barrel. hastings x full choke tube. and prodiamond 2x turkey scope with the federal premium mags in #5 shot. killer patterns out to 60yds

[strutnrut1984]

my oldest son started out with that same youth model mossberg 500 20 ga. we patterned #4,5,and 6,s with a full choke tube. the 6 threw the best pattern at 35 yds. i would not recomend a shot much past 40 with the 20 gauge. we used the federal premium mag 3in 1 1/4 oz #6. he killed his first 3 or 4 birds with that setup.

[jdb]

so anyone ever tried a turkey with a .410?

[NWTFhunter]

I heard of a guy who dropped a Grizz with one, but never have I seen anyone hunt turkey with one.  Guess if it was close enough it would do the trick.

[strutnrut1984]

i killed a nice tom in 94 in pa. with a .410 my grandfather had given me. i had vowed that season to kill one with it. i knew i was good to about 20yds. i dropped him at 18yds with a 3 in #6 shot 9in 20lb. i won a bet with one of my colleagues.

[NWTFhunter]

I am sure a 410 would do the job if they were close.  The only downfall to it is its leathal range is very limited.

[Intruder]

Kenny Morgan routinely uses a .410.  Never takes a shot longer than 15 yards or sumthing like that.  Too limiting for my tastes but the idea that you "Have" to have a 45+ yard gun is kinda silly to me.  I've killed a handful of birds out there a ways but the lion's share have been within 30 yards.... many w/in 20.  Seems like a lot of folks spend a lot of time and money trying to eek out that extra 5-10 yards.  Often times it's just a matter of your setup....

Overall, a 2 3/4" 20 gauge is pretty much the small end of practical.

[yelp]

I don't give them a chance. Decapitation is my goal every time. 3 1/2" 12 gauge #5 Winchester, Mad Max Choke Mossberg 935, Tri-viz sight.  I also mounted a lazy leg....awesome invention.  I have a range from 10-55 yards. No problem.