Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: simondude on April 01, 2014, 05:09:48 PM

Title: Turkey loads?
Post by: simondude on April 01, 2014, 05:09:48 PM: Just wondering what people's favorite turkey loads are. What you have had the best results with. I have had the same ammo for like the last 3 years, but not getting a very good group with it.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on April 01, 2014, 07:01:08 PM: Well I have been shooting the same load for about 10 years Remington 3" 4X6. This weekend I am going to try out the new Winchester Long Beard shells in 3 1/2" 6shot hoping for a better pattern than what I'm getting now.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: bowhunterforever on April 01, 2014, 07:18:16 PM: I have had good luck with the Remington nitro turkey loads 3' 1/2', 4 shot and they don't cost that much. Good luck :tup:
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: scottcrb on April 01, 2014, 07:29:09 PM: i love the hevi shot magnum blend #5,6,7 all in one patterns great just haven't had a chance to kill any birds with them yet. this shot was at 45 yards. Carlson turkey choke 12 gauge benelli super nova
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: simondude on April 01, 2014, 07:36:00 PM: That looks like a great pattern. I will have to find those somewhere and check them out. Thanks
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: rittem1 on April 02, 2014, 12:55:32 PM: I just patterned in the new Winchester Longbeard 3", size 6, 1 3/4 oz load. They packed the shot in a resin which is supposed to hold the integrity of the shot and results in a tighter pattern down range. I noticed a substantial increase in pellets within my target at 40 yards. Less than $20 per 10 shell box so it isn't too harsh on the wallet.

There are some youtube vids out there that go into greater detail on the technology but it is pretty cool stuff, I think.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: djnoodle on April 02, 2014, 01:48:58 PM: I just bought a box of Winchester Double-X Turkey Loads in 3.5" No 5 Shot 2 oz.

I'll post results as soon as I can get some down range...
Title: Turkey loads?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on April 02, 2014, 06:09:51 PM: Just shot the Long Beard 3 1/2" 6shot patterned good I got 26pellets in the dot and 55 total pellets in a 4" circle at 40 yards with my 835 with factory choke .695 I pulled the shot a lil bit is my only complaint.(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F14%2F04%2F03%2Fmehabaze.jpg&hash=141291b51a3eb6e0135ac152a0ddf38953137545)

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Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: bearpaw on April 02, 2014, 06:59:11 PM: I've seen hundreds of turkey's killed and the most awesome loads I've seen are 3 1/2" Hevi-Shot #7 1/2, I've seen lots of 50+ yard shots and 3 gobblers dropped at over 60 yards with those loads. Extra tight pattern due to the high shot count and the extra weight of hevi-shot really reaches out there. Been thinking of buying them for myself, in the past I've always recommended and shot 3 1/2" Copperplated #6's.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: simondude on April 02, 2014, 07:56:08 PM: Thanks for the input guys, appreciate it.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on April 02, 2014, 08:18:22 PM: You just have to find a great combination with your gun choke and shell. It can get spendy when you start buing chokes tho.

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Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: C-Money on April 02, 2014, 08:29:07 PM: I have always used Federal, or Remington 3" 2oz loads, in either 4s, 5s, or 6s. Seen them all work, no real preference. I have 5s right now. I shoot the Remington extra full turkey choke, through the 870 or 11-87.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: simondude on April 02, 2014, 08:40:45 PM: I was shooting some Remington stuff that had a flight control wad. I was shooting a remington 887 with a primos jellyhead choke. I got a new shotgun now so need to get a new choke and shells.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: jblackburn on April 03, 2014, 08:58:34 PM: I like 3.5 inch Winchester XX 6s (red shell) out of my 835. My 870 with and Indian Creek choke loves 3 inch Hevi Shot 6s.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: Fishnfowler on April 03, 2014, 09:43:36 PM: I am completely old fashioned. I'm using 2-3/4" shells with 1-1/2 oz high antimony #6. I reload and tried bunches of different magnum loads and found I get my best patterns with this. I'm sure that some heavier-than-lead shot would give me better patterns, but out to 40 yards I'm golden with my current pattern and it is dirt cheap to load.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: MtnMuley on April 04, 2014, 08:52:12 AM: Quote from: kevinlisa06 on April 01, 2014, 07:01:08 PM
Well I have been shooting the same load for about 10 years Remington 3" 4X6. This weekend I am going to try out the new Winchester Long Beard shells in 3 1/2" 6shot hoping for a better pattern than what I'm getting now.

After getting low on shells, I've done a bunch of research lately on the best 3 1/2" turkey load. Not a heavy shot fan at all. I've had better luck with cheap Winchesters and Remington loads. I bought those Long Beards in #6 as well, and can't wait to try them out. All the reviews and videos showed some great down range accuracy. The one video had a 14 bb's in the head at 70yds! I can't even see that far, lol.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: turkeydancer on April 04, 2014, 12:08:42 PM: I like the full show that patience brings, and all but one of my 50+ harvests has been at 7 to 20 yards range ... one only was at approx 35 yards. Although I can still reach out a lot further for a harvest, I prefer not to and have never had to start depending on the BB gods to manuever the magic BB into a turkey's brain pan. :dunno: :twocents:
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: MtnMuley on April 04, 2014, 12:14:02 PM: Quote from: turkeydancer on April 04, 2014, 12:08:42 PM
I like the full show that patience brings, and all but one of my 50+ harvests has been at 7 to 20 yards range ... one only was at approx 35 yards. Although I can still reach out a lot further for a harvest, I prefer not to and have never had to start depending on the BB gods to manuever the magic BB into a turkey's brain pan. :dunno: :twocents:

I totally agree with you. 10 yards is pretty common. I'm a little worried with these new shells at 10 yards. With a turkey choke, I'm guessing I'm going to have a few embarrassing moments.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on April 04, 2014, 12:15:19 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on April 04, 2014, 08:52:12 AM
Quote from: kevinlisa06 on April 01, 2014, 07:01:08 PM
Well I have been shooting the same load for about 10 years Remington 3" 4X6. This weekend I am going to try out the new Winchester Long Beard shells in 3 1/2" 6shot hoping for a better pattern than what I'm getting now.

After getting low on shells, I've done a bunch of research lately on the best 3 1/2" turkey load. Not a heavy shot fan at all. I've had better luck with cheap Winchesters and Remington loads. I bought those Long Beards in #6 as well, and can't wait to try them out. All the reviews and videos showed some great down range accuracy. The one video had a 14 bb's in the head at 70yds! I can't even see that far, lol.

70yds shooting up in a tree at a bird on roost is one hell of a hard shot.... :dunno: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: MtnMuley on April 04, 2014, 12:19:01 PM: LOL, I have no desire to shoot past 40, but just found these new Long Beard XR's impressive compared to most others.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: jasnt on April 04, 2014, 12:20:06 PM: My shot gun patterns best with my extra full choke and win double X 3" 1 3/4oz #5 copper coated.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: MtnMuley on April 04, 2014, 12:24:02 PM: Quote from: jasnt on April 04, 2014, 12:20:06 PM
My shot gun patterns best with my extra full choke and win double X 3" 1 3/4oz #5 copper coated.

I've killed more turkeys with that exact load than any other. :tup:
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: jasnt on April 04, 2014, 12:30:07 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on April 04, 2014, 12:24:02 PM
Quote from: jasnt on April 04, 2014, 12:20:06 PM
My shot gun patterns best with my extra full choke and win double X 3" 1 3/4oz #5 copper coated.

I've killed more turkeys with that exact load than any other. :tup:

I've killed 2 with it, both where 20ish yards and both dropped dead with a few wing flaps. I then learned what jelly head meant!!!
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: The Gobble-stopper on April 04, 2014, 03:40:27 PM: I reload my own, 3" mag, mix of 4,5,6 shot. Pattern similar to Scottcrb's hevi shot loads at 40 yards. 25 shells for about $8 bucks. Didn't seem to make any difference in what wad I used. Shooting from a Remington 870 with super extended turkey choke. I believe that choke is not available anymore. I do not have the recipe by my side, but I got it from Remington. Remington gave it to me and said it will only shoot through this gun with this choke and will blow up all others. It kicks like a mule. But puts the birds down. I won a guided turkey hunting trip to Texas about ten years ago, with the owners of Federal cartridge. And they were amazed at the patterns, out to distances of 100 yards. They let me try some of their Federal premium loads, fresh off the drawing board and not yet marketed. They worked great. I used those for my first bunch of slams here in Washington. As they gave me a bunch to bring home. I finally ran out. And now went back to the loads Remington had formulated for me and reloaded myself.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: jackelope on April 04, 2014, 04:08:04 PM: I shoot 3" Remington Nitro Turkey #5 shot with good results. Have killed 4 turkeys out west with that load.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: simondude on April 04, 2014, 07:28:27 PM: Thanks guys. I ended up getting the hevi shot magnum stuff. Hopefully it works out for me cause that stuff is spendy.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on April 04, 2014, 07:38:25 PM: Good luck to ya sure hope it patterns good for ya!

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Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: dawei on April 05, 2014, 08:46:08 AM: I shot my first turkey in 1978 while stationed in Virginia. As a young soldier I didn't have a lot of money. My shotgun was an H&R® Mdl 058 12ga single shot 3" Mag 28" barrel with fixed MOD choke. This is the load I used.....
• http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/Performance/Super-X-Shotshell/Pages/X12MXC4.aspx (http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/Performance/Super-X-Shotshell/Pages/X12MXC4.aspx)

Beginning in 2000 I hung up my 12ga guns becauce of age, infirmities, and injuries and started using 20ga guns. I killed my last Turkey in 2011 hunting w/Jerbear. My gun was a Mossberg® Mdl 500C 20ga pump 3" Mag 26" barrel with a SWARM™ .555" choke using this ammunition.....
• http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/Advanced/Double-X/Pages/STH2034.aspx (http://www.winchester.com/Products/shotshell-ammunition/Advanced/Double-X/Pages/STH2034.aspx)

I was unable to Turkey hunt in 2012 & 2013 because of family obligations but I am cocked, locked, and ready to rock this year! I'll be hunting the areas Jerbear showed me; and I'll be using the same 20ga & load.

Conventional wisdom is to use smaller shot, for increased pattern density; particularlly when using a 20ga because of smaller payloads. I have always had the best performance however, in my guns using #4Pb.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: chuckster on April 06, 2014, 08:41:22 AM: Just got done patterning. Benelli super black eagle, truglo gobble stopper choke, and 3 1/2 inch Kent diamond shot 2 1/4 oz 5 shot. 102 hits in a 10 inch circle at 40 yards. That should do the trick and not bad for $6.99 shells.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: d.winsor on April 07, 2014, 08:02:22 AM: I have used Winchester supreme High Velocity #5 shells since 1992, no reason to ever change.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: Skylerb on April 08, 2014, 08:28:19 PM: Hey everyone! New to the site and love turkey hunting. Anyway just tried out the newish winchester long beard xr. 3" #6. That is a great round and cheap too compared to the heavy shot. The picture is from shooting at 40 yards. Supernova with the new primos jellyhead maximum choke tube. Also shot at 20 and 60 yards. Both would be dead birds. I'll post the pics tomorrow.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: irishevox on April 09, 2014, 07:58:32 AM: using NITRO TURKEY
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: sabot92 on April 13, 2014, 03:49:05 PM: I shot two different loads yesterday. Winchesters long beard in 3' number 4 shot and Kent's diamond shot in 3' number 5 shot. Both shot really well at 40 yards. Further then 40 yards the long beards produced much better. I was shooting an easy 3 inch group with the long beards at 45 yards with my Benelli Nova and Pattern master full choke.
Title: Re: Turkey loads?
Post by: djnoodle on April 13, 2014, 09:13:55 PM: I had previously patterned my gun out with Remington Nitro 3" #4 1 7/8oz out to 40 yards. At 30 yards it was quite deadly. At 40, it was ok, but clearly reaching it's potential.

Yesterday I shot a Winchester Double-X 3.5" #5 2oz load at 40 yards. I doubled the number of BBs in the critical zone.

I will be hunting with the Winchesters. :tup:

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