Turkey Hunting

J

joeseabee

New member
Getting close to turkey season in OH (1 month out) and I am getting ready to pattern my 870.

Here's what I've got:
Gun:
Remington 870 Express Magnum with a 26" barrel and EF Choke

Current Ammo:
Remington Nitro Turkey, 3", 1 7/8 oz 4 lead shot
Remington High Velocity Magnum, 3" 1 3/4 oz copper plated 5 shot

I was wondering what ammo/gun/choke other people are using. What other ammo I should check out when I go to the range.
 
I use a 28in Browning BPS with a TruGlo XXXXFull. The first shell is always a 3in Federal Copper Clad #6 followed by a #4. The 6 patterns really well and the 4 is for if I've goofed somehow and have to actually put a body shot on a turkey.
 
My turkey gun is an old Winchester single shot which patterns Remington 3", Magnum Turkey loads in #5 very well out to 40 yds.

Used to use a Rem. 1100 magnum and had good success with the 3" Remington Turkey Duplex load. Especially in heavier cover.
 
mine

Rem 870 mag, purchased new, 1980. The monster 30" tube was swapped for a 26" after one season. The 26" went after 2-3 for a twenty inch Rem slug bbl w/ rifle sights, and Rem super full choke, the first knurled tube they made.

I have settled on Win 3" 1-5/8 load of #5shot. Basic lead pellets, no space metal. Number #4 shot has always seemed a bit thin in my gun. I shot #6 for quite a few years, usually 2 oz of shot. An article I read a few years back got me doubting #6 lead, past 30 yds or so. I like my shots close of course, but it doesn't always happen, and you can misjudge range sometimes.

My switch to hi-speed #5 lead has been very positive. It seems to hit harder and kill cleaner. Less "floppers" .

Consider some type of sights to improve on the std bead. Pattern whatever you decide.

Be still, he's coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I just shot my turkey gun yasterday to see how it patterns. Im shooting a Benelli M1 Super 90 Field, Indian Creek Black Diamond Strike .665, and Winchester Xtended 3 inch #6 shot. I counted 146 pellets in a 10 inch circle at 40 yards.
 
pretty good

TC that sounds like a pretty tight pattern. A 10 inch circle just is not that big and that's a lot of holes! Forty yards to boot. I doubt that my pet #5 load would do as well.

I shoot 30 and use a std sheet of typing paper for target.

I use #5 these days after the Rifleman ran an article about turkey loads and pellet weights/energy. Truth is, shoot your birds at a reasonable range and #5 v. #6 will not make a hoot of difference. Fooling w/ shells and chokes does give a bit of knowledge and confidence though.

Best pellet count load I ever tested and hunted with was the Activ, 3" 2-1/4 oz of shot #6. It would put 220 pellets on a sheet of paper at 30 yds. I still have a partial box, a guy at work wants them bad.

Best load I ever counted, but have never killed a bird w/, is the discontinued Federal Heavyweight, 3" , 2 oz of ..#7-1/2!!!!! It put 300 + pellets (310 by count) on a sheet of paper at 30 yds. But #7-1/2 seemed very small for a general purpose turkey load. I still keep one in my vest for controlled ambush setup type hunts where I know I won't shoot past 30 yds. (blind hunts).

Finally, isn't it interesting that we have not heard from any of the space metal, tung shot folks yet???????
 
Finally, isn't it interesting that we have not heard from any of the space metal, tung shot folks yet???????
Click to expand...

Well if you're gonna call us out like that. LOL!


do9j0z.jpg


Denser than lead shot = best of both worlds. You can use number 6 shot for inceased pellet count and denser patterns and yet still get the same or better penetration with them that you would with lead 4's.
 
Bamma I think the Federal heavyweight is 33% denser than lead, where the winchester and remington loads are onlr 10% denser. The 10% is similar to the power of ons shot size smaller. So Remmy and Winchester #6 have toe power of #5 lead shot. The Federal is about 2 shot sizes different. So the Federal #7 have the power of lead #5 with alot more pellets on target.
 
I am using a H&R Pardner® Pump Turkey Gun. I have a TruGlo GOBBLE-STOPPER XTREME CHOKE TUBE on it and using 3" Winchester #5 Turkey shot. So far, so good. ;)
 
Here are some Tom pictures to get you excited. Three of them did a dance in the drive way about a week ago.
 

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