Author Topic: Turkey laods- lead vs steel (Read 6053 times)

nw_bowhunter · « **on:** March 08, 2009, 09:23:08 AM »

Okay, I'm a totally green horn when it comes to turkey hunting, but my bro and I are going to give it a try this year. I was told that steel shot is required on public land, but lead can be used on private.

What do I buy? Lead or Steel? 5 shot? OZ size?

Gutpile · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2009, 09:39:44 AM »

Lead is ok as of yet for turkeys as far as I know.

Nobody uses steel. A lot of guys go to the non-lead loads like Hevi-shot, heviweight, etc etc. I would not recommend steel shot at all.

I'm old fashioned I still use lead shot but many turkey guys love the non tox loads like Hevi-shot.

NWTFhunter · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2009, 12:55:36 PM »

Lead is cool unless you happen to enter a management area where Lead would be banned. Cant really see that happening, but I guess its possible... 1 Big thing is to make sure your using a optimal turkey choke. With that said, I bet it clearly states on the choke, lead only.

Moose Eyes · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2009, 04:10:35 PM »

Copper-plated lead. Chokes specifically designed for turkeys should be able to handle the harder pellets.

nw_bowhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2009, 05:29:29 PM »

okay, thanks for the info

Intruder · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2009, 07:58:45 AM »

You don't want to shoot steel. Lead or one of the tungsten based shots in 6s or maybe 5s. Pattern your gun so you know how it shoots.

turkey slayer · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2009, 11:11:00 AM »

I shoot Remington Nitro Turkey 3 1/2 inch, 5 shot, 2 oz out of my Benilli Nova with a with a undertaker turkey ckoke. I ordered a box of hevi-13 3 1/2, 5 shot so i'll see how they pattern.

My Winchster Model 1300 12 Ga I shoot the the Federal Mag shok loads in the 3 inch, 5 shot. 1 3/4 oz. I use a turkey choke with this gun also

In my Mossberd model 500 20 ga I use the Federal Turkey loads in 3 inch, 6 shot and 1 1/2 oz and I use a ex. full choke.

The Pic was at 10 or so yards with nitro turkey 3 1/2, as you can see their was nothing left of the head.

Jerbear · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2009, 03:49:06 PM »

Winchester turkey loads 2 3/4 inch, #5 lead shot. I have shot the 3 and 3 1/2 inch, and have found the turkeys to be just as dead with the 2 3/4, and with less pain to me.

westcoastsoutherner · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2009, 05:44:35 PM »

Nitro shells are the best but pricey. I rotate with the Nitro and Xtended. I really like the Winchester Xtended 3.5 #6, too. The hevi 13 never patterned good in my setup. I would recommend a good after market choke like Kick's, Comp-n-Choke, Rhino, and Indian Creek. The Indian Creek choke in a 20 gauge is deadly for the smaller frame shooters.

SptnStlk · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2009, 11:43:45 AM »

Any recommendations, Hevi-Shot vs Nitro Turkey loads? I was thinking about going with Hevi-Shot this year, but not sure if there is any real benefit to it? Thanks

Karl Blanchard · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2009, 11:52:43 PM »

The best thing to do is play with different options. Every gun is different. Example my friend has the same shotgun setup as me. Browning bps with a primos jellyhead choke. My gun loves Win. Supreme dblx magnum 3" #5's. His gun doesn't pattern worth a darn with them but shoots exceptional with the 3 1/2" #4's.

turkey slayer · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:37:13 PM »

Wenatchee is out of Remington nitro turkey

and I tried the hevi-13

but I could not get a patern out past 40 yards. So who has tried the Federal 12 3 1/2 mag-shok flitecontrol thinking about buying a box.

yelp · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:40:18 PM »

Buy them they are awesome...I have always used winchester 3.5" #5's but my buddies that use those Federals love them. I am thinking of getting some to try myself. I need to use up my winchester first.

Thenewguy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:43:24 PM »

I heard that 2 3/4 work just as well as 3.5. Did i get bad info?

Phantom Gobbler · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:43:31 PM »

Slayer, By the looks of your headless Tom picture, I'm glad you can't find any more Rem Turkey Nitros...................might give the rest of us a chance!!

turkey slayer · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:49:54 PM »

thanks guys, I have shot the mag-shok in my 3 inch gun but never with this flitecontrol wad.

Phantom Gobbler · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:59:59 PM »

I recommend you use the largest shell/GA combo that you can handle the recoil. Sometimes the 3.5 inch 12 GA can make the difference if a nice tom hangs up.

As you know, like all shells you need to try them out in your specific gun/choke to see what patterns best. Some combinations shoot the Federal Mag-Shok Flitecontrol's really well, other guns/chokes are too tight for the flitecontrol special wad. I tried the flitecontrols in my shotgun/choke and I was picking the wad out of the target at +35 yards.... a little too tight.

I just returned from an ice fishing trip in Minnesota and one of the guys in our party is a ballistics test technician for Federal Ammo. He shoots shotguns and rifles for a living!

He has seen some great results from both the Mag-Shok flitecontrol shells and also the Black Cloud waterfowl shells which use the same wad design.

turkey slayer · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:07:33 PM »

it's past your bed time isn't Phantom?

cougkilr · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:14:34 PM »

what about you thee slayer....didn't know you even knew the night went past 9:00, maybe

one more and i'll head that way

turkey slayer · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:26:06 PM »

yep, what the hell maybe 1 more

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Author Topic: Turkey laods- lead vs steel (Read 6053 times)

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