Post by: 7mmstalker on January 06, 2013, 11:20:22 AM
My young son, however, has the wide-open, anything goes plan when it comes to when and what we hunt. So we are going to try to bring home one or two of those birds we see so often when in the northeast corner.
We put a proper choke on an 870 12ga. , now I'm excited to check how it patterns.
Wondering what the experienced hunters are using for shot size. I see the regs. dictate #4 or smaller, trading more hits with #6 for bigger hits using #4 has me wondering.
He has been getting a few pintail and similar sized birds. Using steel, of course, #6 doesn't seem as lethal as #4.
Yes, I'm over-thinking this, but loosing wounded game, or slow death are near the top of the list for fouling a hunt and the memories we are building.
Thanx to all who can share some experience.
7mmS
Post by: ellensburgpo on January 06, 2013, 11:26:44 AM
Post by: turkeyfeather on January 06, 2013, 11:39:14 AM
Post by: dawei on January 06, 2013, 12:16:17 PM
Post by: Dhoey07 on January 06, 2013, 12:33:58 PM
Post by: turkeyfeather on January 06, 2013, 01:08:38 PM
Don't fall for the "turkey load" advertising. You will end up paying twice as much for the same thing. That being said, any high base between 4-6 will kill turkeys. :tup:I have to disagree with you a bit. It's not a huge difference, but I do think a magnum turkey load packs a bigger punch than a standard shot load.
Post by: 7mmstalker on January 06, 2013, 02:22:22 PM
I use the Federal Premium magnum turkey loads in a #5 shot. With a Jellyhead choke in my 870 I put 13-14 pellets in the head at 50 yrds.
That seems pretty darn good.
Using the factory Rem. "extra full lead shot only" ported choke for starters. I'm quite happy to spend a few bucks more on shells, 1 box may last years! Getting a head start with some recommendations so I don't have a shelf full of expensive shells that give average performance. Nor a collection of tubes, though I have 2 870s so, again, hoping to find some shells that are good for both of us.
Sounds like a 3" load of #5 will be a good load to try couple of brands.
We don't bird hunt every weekend, I still get frustrated with the limits of steel shot performance, especially wingshooting. 3" steel loads don"t provide the "bump" that I remember from the days of old when lead was legal!
As rank amateurs at locating and calling, I need to be getting good range/pattern from our guns.
Maybe we will be lucky, and get great patterns from standard 3" lead loads..........surely my boy will have a good time testing!
Post by: packmule on January 07, 2013, 07:54:30 AM
www.oldgobbler.com (http://www.oldgobbler.com)
There are many downloadable targets on the web. I like the following one the best because it is the closest in size to a real turkeys head and neck.
http://nssf.org/hunting/news/turkey-target.cfm (http://nssf.org/hunting/news/turkey-target.cfm)
I've read that studies have shown that at least 3 pellets have to hit the head and neck of an adult turkey to result in an instantaneous kill so once you shoot at this target a few times you'll get a good idea of how various load choke combinations are working. Personally I look for a setup that will give me 10-12 head/neck hits consistently so that I'm certain to make a clean kill. A lot of this has to do with range as well (i.e., 30 yards is better than 40 yards).
Personally I've found 3" loads of 5 shot from Winchester and Federal to be perfect for my turkey hunting. The 3.5" loads give you more shot, more recoil, and maybe a bit more range. I'm happy to have less recoil and wait for closer shots.
Shot quantity is also a variable that can affect your patterning. I tend to like the 2 oz loads but testing last year showed that Winchester 1 7/8 oz loads and 1 3/4 oz loads also patterned very very well. Less shot doesn't necessarily mean poorer patterns.
Good luck!
Post by: turkeydancer on January 07, 2013, 08:40:26 AM
You want to try 4, 5, & 6's to see what patterns best with your shotgun and your choke. Three identical setups can yield different results. In addition one manufacturer will yield better results in one shotgun while another manufacturer yields better results in another identical setup. Try at least every 5 to 10 yards between 15 yards on until you find out what works best in your shotgun and what your effective range is ... NWTF says 6 hits minimum, but I perfer 10 - 12 as mentioned above (never depend on the "BB gods" to guide a magic pellet into the brain pan).
:twocents:
Post by: 7mmstalker on January 07, 2013, 06:54:03 PM
Post by: Lcl 66 Tinner on January 07, 2013, 10:03:12 PM
Post by: Gobble Doc on January 07, 2013, 10:26:52 PM
Post by: yelp on January 08, 2013, 07:29:53 AM
It focuses your eye to the target and by inserting a different angled light pipe it will bring your pattern up or down and it has windage adjustment.
I use #5's for all my hunting. I shoot 3.5" however.
Post by: turkeydancer on January 08, 2013, 01:54:16 PM
I found my eyesight was starting to make either my front or rear sight fuzzy looking/blurry, so I went to an adjustable open reflex sight with 4 different reticles and 7 light settings. I use the simple dot (that projects onto the "screen") which allows me to just put the dot on where I want to hit without any worry about parallax ... this is in lieu of lining up the front and back beads and then onto the turkeys head/neck ... it's fast and deadly accurate, only cost $50, and it allows me to watch the turkey walk into where I want to shoot (just like having a little TV sort of). My friends daughter was missing a lot trying to get everything aligned, so I showed him what I had, he set her up, and now she's deadly accurate.
As far as shot size, better knock down power with #4's, more BBs with # 6's, and 5 is a great compromise between those two ... but I would still go with what patterns the best. I have had really good luck with Federal #6 flight controls, but I had one close shot that left the shot cup sticking out of the bird's neck just below his head ... that was definitely different.
:twocents:
Post by: packmule on January 08, 2013, 02:54:02 PM
but I had one close shot that left the shot cup sticking out of the bird's neck just below his head ... that was definitely different.
:twocents:
That's funny! I hadn't used those FliteControl Wads until last season, when I started testing them. I can believe what happened to you. They are very tough and are quite a projectile in and of themselves.
Post by: turkeyfeather on January 08, 2013, 03:09:56 PM
. I have had really good luck with Federal #6 flight controls, but I had one close shot that left the shot cup sticking out of the bird's neck just below his head ... that was definitely different.That is funny stuff. :chuckle: I have wondered if that wad would do that.
:twocents:
Post by: C-Money on January 08, 2013, 03:14:01 PM
Post by: gaddy on January 08, 2013, 03:22:18 PM
from a jellyhead in a benelli nova. has a slight curve to the pattern but is the best combo i have tried & as long as i shoot & pattern some before season i know where to put the shot. never let me down.
Post by: turkeyfeather on January 08, 2013, 03:28:29 PM
i found that winchester supreme 3 1/2" #6 work best as far as pattern density goesI don't think I hate anything enough to shoot it with a 3 1/2 shell. :chuckle:
from a jellyhead in a benelli nova. has a slight curve to the pattern but is the best combo i have tried & as long as i shoot & pattern some before season i know where to put the shot. never let me down.
Post by: gaddy on January 08, 2013, 03:51:11 PM
no offense ment but iv'e seen guys that thought thier stuff was better & i was overkill & the end result was a wounded, lost birds. i dont over shoot my range & i know that when i do drop the hammer i will have a pattern, shot density & load to dump that bird right there.
after chasing a couple of partners cripped birds, i dont want to do that with any of mine.
Post by: turkeydancer on January 08, 2013, 04:36:27 PM
After counting the number of BBs in the vitals of my turkey target, I turn it around and look up at the sun or any light so I can see how even the shot was distributed (ie - no holes in the pattern) and whether I'm hitting high, low or dead on.
Post by: turkeyfeather on January 08, 2013, 04:56:28 PM
Post by: gaddy on January 08, 2013, 05:20:10 PM
like said they work for me & i know where i hit & i hit hard.
i also know a guy that uses a 20g & says thats enough. another used a 10 one year & i was helping him chase.
i'll stick with what works for me.
i think that as long as you pattern & know your distances & practice a bit you will be ok.
Post by: kevinlisa06 on January 09, 2013, 08:23:43 PM
Post by: turkeydancer on January 10, 2013, 08:00:15 AM
Post by: turkeyfeather on January 10, 2013, 08:13:16 AM
Post by: mossy8352 on January 10, 2013, 08:14:25 AM
Post by: huntingfool7 on January 10, 2013, 08:34:00 AM
I have shot and patterned hevi shot, lead turkey loads and various lead and steel loads.
Hevi shot always patterned tight for me. I have killed a pheasant or two with HS #9's. That's not a typo, #9's are no longer on the market.
The main difference I've seen between turkey loads and PREMIUM lead loads is how heavy the shot load is. Good quality lead and turkey loads have high antimony (5%ish) making the shot harder and load for load the shot is consistently round. All lead (or steel) is not created equal.
Shot size #6 will have about 50% more shot in it for the same weight of #4's.
Shot size is the reason steel sucks. Everyone knows you have to move up two sizes to get the same energy. Most people ignore that you are hitting every bird with less than 2/3 of the pellets.
If I was going turkey hunting with a kid, I might steer clear of 2 oz turkey loads and look at something like Federal Premium 1-1/4 oz of #6 shot. Or fork out the extra $ for hevi shot #6's. Lead 6's will break heavy wing bones. I would not be worried about them drilling a turkey spine or skull.
(Guess that last comment negates my intro :chuckle:)
Post by: passhooter on January 10, 2013, 09:40:28 AM
Post by: shotgunner on January 21, 2013, 11:23:27 PM
Post by: Wacenturion on January 25, 2013, 09:46:49 AM
:yeah:
You want to try 4, 5, & 6's to see what patterns best with your shotgun and your choke. Three identical setups can yield different results. In addition one manufacturer will yield better results in one shotgun while another manufacturer yields better results in another identical setup. Try at least every 5 to 10 yards between 15 yards on until you find out what works best in your shotgun and what your effective range is ... NWTF says 6 hits minimum, but I perfer 10 - 12 as mentioned above (never depend on the "BB gods" to guide a magic pellet into the brain pan).
:twocents:
:yeah:
Spend the time doing the above and you will see the difference. My gun loves 6's (plain old 6's...not heavy shot etc.). Coupled with a Gobbling Thunder choke, it is instant death. I never shoot a bird over 35 yards...ever. Most are under 15 yards. Turkey guns, chokes, magnum turkey loads etc., does not mean you have a long distance killing tool. Ethics are far more important. There is already enough of what I would equate to being sky busting types out there. Wounded birds are wasted birds. :twocents:
Post by: Hangfire on January 25, 2013, 02:32:00 PM
Post by: Smossy on January 25, 2013, 02:45:32 PM
He just chops off turkeys heads with his sword, quick humane kill!
Post by: turkeydancer on January 25, 2013, 05:03:52 PM
Post by: shotgunner on February 10, 2013, 10:35:55 PM
Post by: Limhangerslayer on February 11, 2013, 03:17:39 PM