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Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: GeoSwan on January 11, 2025, 01:55:25 PM


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Title: Non toxic turkey shot through my gun. Opinion wanted
Post by: GeoSwan on January 11, 2025, 01:55:25 PM

I've been using 3" Longbeard XR through a Carlson's Longbeard XR choke that patterns very nicely, but this spring I will be hunting in an area that requires non toxic shot. My turkey gun is a 1987 1187 and I am afraid to shoot tungsten out of it as I think my barrel may be too low tech for that hard shot.
I've been looking at the Hevi-Shot Hevi-Metal Turkey load which is steel coated in bismuth as a tungsten and lead replacement.
Do you agree with my hesitation to shoot tungsten?

What is your non tungsten, non lead set up if you have one, including choke?

Obviously when you switch ammo you should re pattern, but do you think that my choke which is a .660 would do poorly with this new ammo?

Thanks
Title: Re: Non toxic turkey shot through my gun. Opinion wanted
Post by: Ridgeratt on January 11, 2025, 02:00:50 PM
What did Remington say when you contacted them?
Title: Re: Non toxic turkey shot through my gun. Opinion wanted
Post by: GeoSwan on January 11, 2025, 02:08:57 PM
What did Remington say when you contacted them?

Great question. They were unable to give me an answer. Likely because Remington back then and Remington now as far as I know are basically different companies.
Title: Re: Non toxic turkey shot through my gun. Opinion wanted
Post by: duckmen1 on January 11, 2025, 04:14:39 PM
I would see about some type of bismuth option available. Bismuth is so soft yet acts similar to lead. Very easy load shot on any barrel. If you can find a load for turkey that would be a safe option for nontoxic shot.
Title: Re: Non toxic turkey shot through my gun. Opinion wanted
Post by: GWP on January 12, 2025, 08:18:59 AM
The tungsten matrix (ITX) shot is made to be able to shoot through older tight fixed choke guns. If your choke is mod or looser you should be able to shoot the harder stuff like HeaviShot if you want. That is my understanding.
I have put a lot of the premium non tox through a variety of older (oldest was 1924) shotguns of various barrel and action styles with no ringing in front of the choke area or in the case of SxS and OU, no barrel separation.
Like I said, that is my understanding and experience.
Title: Re: Non toxic turkey shot through my gun. Opinion wanted
Post by: EnglishSetter on January 12, 2025, 10:37:27 AM
All 1187's are rated for steel (or any other hard shot).  Any Remchoke barrel is rated for steel. 

Your choke?  Perhaps not and the super tight turkey chokes are generally not required nor recommended for tungsten.

Tungsten is a revelation for turkey hunting.  Pricey, but shoot very few rounds. 

Personally, Id pattern it with more open chokes, progressing to your desired pattern.

A call to Carlson may be in order.  Remington can't help other than to say their barrel is rated for steel shot.
Title: Re: Non toxic turkey shot through my gun. Opinion wanted
Post by: metlhead on January 12, 2025, 03:01:18 PM
Grab a box of biz 5s. Work great and reasonably priced
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