#3157363 - 02/09/13 01:35 PM
what size shot do you use?
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BHC
4 Point
Registered: 09/16/11
Posts: 384
Loc: Wayne Co. , Tennessee
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More specifically what choke tube do you use,shot size, and shell length? Hw far are you comfortable shooting one, and at what range are you still holding say a 30% pattern in a 10" circle?
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#3157376 - 02/09/13 02:03 PM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: BHC]
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Wes Parrish
16 Point
Registered: 06/12/02
Posts: 16955
Loc: Knoxville-Dover-Union City, TN
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I've recently become a big fan of #7 size shot, as I only go for a head shot on a turkey anyway. My 2nd choice is the Hevi-13 "blends" which are 1/3 #7 shot. If I were reloading, I'd probably be using #8 or #9 TSS shot (which is much "heavier than even Hevi-13).
I'm using more than one turkey gun, but most of my hunting is done with an extra-full after-market turkey choke, which I absolutely would not advise without an optical sighting system. It's just too much like shooting a rifle instead of a shotgun. Classic Spring turkey hunting is more about getting them up close. You can do just fine, many would do better, just using a factory modified or full choke and limiting your shots to under 40 yards (especially if you're using #7 "heavier than lead" shot).
With my most dedicated turkey gun, Indian Creek choke, HTL shells, optical sight = I try to limit my shots to 45 yards. Most shots taken are under 35. It's irrelevant to me that a single pellet is capable of penetrating a turkey's head at 60 yards, as that remains a low-probability shot with more probability of putting a pellet in his gut than his head (turkey dies unrecovered).
This set-up is capable of high-probability kills out to 50 yards. My 45-yd limitation is because I frequently misjudge range by 5 yards (or more) at 50 yards, and cannot range every turkey with a rangefinder immediately before shooting. My goal is always to get the bird under 40 yards, then see how close I can get him before he turns to go away. If I start hand-loading the TSS, I will likely go back to a factory full or modified choke for it's advantage of wide pattern at close range.
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#3157650 - 02/09/13 06:11 PM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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REN
Good ol' Boys "Team Grizzly"
10 Point
Registered: 10/24/07
Posts: 3811
Loc: Wilson County, TN
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Wes pretty much summed up mine as well!
Except replace Indian Creek with SumToy and that's about the only difference
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#3157700 - 02/09/13 06:41 PM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: REN]
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deerhunter10
8 Point
Registered: 08/21/12
Posts: 1069
Loc: maury county tn
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Hevi-Shot, Hevi-13 Magnum Blend 12 Gauge 3-1/2" 2-1/4 oz #5, #6 and #7 out of a Mossberg 835 with a rhino choke
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#3157715 - 02/09/13 06:52 PM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: deerhunter10]
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Gravey
16 Point
Registered: 07/20/05
Posts: 16102
Loc: Rutherford / Wilson County Lin...
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Hevi-Shot, Hevi-13 Magnum Blend 12 Gauge 3-1/2" 2-1/4 oz #5, #6 and #7 out of a Mossberg 835 with a rhino choke
Same for me except my choke is a Primos Jellyhead.
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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#3158109 - 02/10/13 12:22 AM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: Gravey]
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JAY B
6 Point
Registered: 07/09/07
Posts: 912
Loc: Meigs Co.
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Mag Blends
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#3158142 - 02/10/13 03:16 AM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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Uncle Jesse
4 Point
Registered: 04/04/11
Posts: 143
Loc: Estill Springs
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I'm using more than one turkey gun, but most of my hunting is done with an extra-full after-market turkey choke, which I absolutely would not advise without an optical sighting system. It's just too much like shooting a rifle instead of a shotgun. Classic Spring turkey hunting is more about getting them up close. You can do just fine, many would do better, just using a factory modified or full choke and limiting your shots to under 40 yards (especially if you're using #7 "heavier than lead" shot).
Good advise. I finally realized I'm not good enough to hunt with a super tight pattern and currently use #5 lead in a standard full choke. Try my best to keep my shots inside 40.
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#3158234 - 02/10/13 07:36 AM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: Uncle Jesse]
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Rockhound
8 Point
Registered: 04/04/11
Posts: 1940
Loc: Lawrence Co. TN
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#8's
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#3158401 - 02/10/13 09:59 AM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: Rockhound]
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ruger7mag
6 Point
Registered: 12/21/08
Posts: 536
Loc: tn
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3 1/2 in. Hevi 13 7s, .660 jelly head, average 320-330 in a ten inch circle at 40.
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#3158471 - 02/10/13 11:14 AM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: ruger7mag]
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paradis1142
10 Point
Registered: 11/25/04
Posts: 3836
Loc: crossville tn
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Mag-blends
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#3158502 - 02/10/13 11:41 AM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: Rockhound]
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Wes Parrish
16 Point
Registered: 06/12/02
Posts: 16955
Loc: Knoxville-Dover-Union City, TN
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Ha! 
But you need to qualify that as a very special #8 TSS!
Regularly #8 lead pellets would not be very good, imo, although I've killed a few turkeys with copper-plated #7 1/2 lead.
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#3158639 - 02/10/13 01:25 PM
Re: what size shot do you use?
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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Rockhound
8 Point
Registered: 04/04/11
Posts: 1940
Loc: Lawrence Co. TN
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Ha! But you need to qualify that as a very special #8 TSS! Regularly #8 lead pellets would not be very good, imo, although I've killed a few turkeys with copper-plated #7 1/2 lead.
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