Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: brokentrail on September 24, 2025, 07:14:32 PM

Title: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: brokentrail on September 24, 2025, 07:14:32 PM: As most of us know, when you start trying to work on a new/different gun or choke, some shells just shoot better than others. My oldest son has started hunting with me every year and I am going to let him continue using my turkey gun that he has become comfortable with, and has had success with, and start work on a different one for me.

If you are a turkey hunter that shoots a 20Ga, are somewhat close to me in Graham, and would allow me to buy one of your rounds to pattern with, that would be great and keep me from buying boxes that I won't end up using. Feel free to post here or reach out via PM, whatever works best for you.
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: ASHQUACK on September 24, 2025, 08:31:37 PM: I'm in Shelton, have a couple boxes of different loade that I used to pattern my 20. Anything you're looking for in particular?
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: brokentrail on September 24, 2025, 08:34:37 PM: Not specifically, no, although I have had great luck with Winchester Longbeard XR in my 12 gauge and that is still what I shoot. Would you be willing to sell me an individual shell of each to see how they pattern?
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: EnglishSetter on September 24, 2025, 09:17:53 PM: 1 shell isn’t gonna tell you much.

In today’s world I’d just buy a box of TSS and call it good. It’s not like you go through the ammo turkey hunting.
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: brokentrail on September 25, 2025, 07:17:39 PM: Quote from: EnglishSetter on September 24, 2025, 09:17:53 PM
1 shell isn’t gonna tell you much.

In today’s world I’d just buy a box of TSS and call it good. It’s not like you go through the ammo turkey hunting.

Why do you say that? Every turkey gun I have ever had I can sight in with standard loads and then pattern with a single turkey load. I don't expect a pattern to change much between multiple of the same rounds if POI is the same.

Not all chokes and guns shoot TSS all that great tbh. I have a Mossberg turkey gun that absolutely hates them.
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: hughjorgan on September 25, 2025, 09:10:33 PM: I run a 20 gauge for turkeys with TSS , use a kicks choke tube with .560 constriction and run 3” #9s from salt creek customs or verdict. I’ve ran federal TSS with good results as well. I found that the tighter choke constriction of .555 didn’t pattern as well. They say TSS works best with a constriction between .555-.565

I’ll be in Puyallup around Christmas if you want to try a verdict #9s I could give you one just let me know.
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: ASHQUACK on September 25, 2025, 09:20:21 PM: I'll look at my shell stash, I think I only have tss loads maybe a few tss/lead federal shells. I know i have several boxes of hevi metal 20ga turkey loads.
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: brokentrail on September 26, 2025, 10:33:48 AM: Quote from: hughjorgan on September 25, 2025, 09:10:33 PM
I run a 20 gauge for turkeys with TSS , use a kicks choke tube with .560 constriction and run 3” #9s from salt creek customs or verdict. I’ve ran federal TSS with good results as well. I found that the tighter choke constriction of .555 didn’t pattern as well. They say TSS works best with a constriction between .555-.565

I’ll be in Puyallup around Christmas if you want to try a verdict #9s I could give you one just let me know.

Absolutely. Im not against using TSS if that gets me the pattern I am looking for.
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: brokentrail on September 26, 2025, 10:34:17 AM: Quote from: ASHQUACK on September 25, 2025, 09:20:21 PM
I'll look at my shell stash, I think I only have tss loads maybe a few tss/lead federal shells. I know i have several boxes of hevi metal 20ga turkey loads.

Sounds great, thanks!
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: hughjorgan on September 26, 2025, 02:49:28 PM: Quote from: brokentrail on September 26, 2025, 10:33:48 AM
Quote from: hughjorgan on September 25, 2025, 09:10:33 PM
I run a 20 gauge for turkeys with TSS , use a kicks choke tube with .560 constriction and run 3” #9s from salt creek customs or verdict. I’ve ran federal TSS with good results as well. I found that the tighter choke constriction of .555 didn’t pattern as well. They say TSS works best with a constriction between .555-.565

I’ll be in Puyallup around Christmas if you want to try a verdict #9s I could give you one just let me know.

:tup:

Absolutely. Im not against using TSS if that gets me the pattern I am looking for.
Title: Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
Post by: brokentrail on October 03, 2025, 03:34:56 PM: bump in case anyone else has some loads I could test.