#7 1/2

[Iglow]

What's the opinion of #7 1/2s? Ive got some copper plated factory super high speed 1 3/8 oz that shoot like crap and was thinking of scavenging the shot and loading some slower 1 1/2 oz . That's 525 pellets, I was thinking at the ranges I'd shoot (30yds or so) it would just overwhelm ones head and neck with shot?

 

[ROVERBOY]

I would imagine it would probably be ok at about a max of 30 to 35 yards. Do you have any of the buffering stuff? Whatever it's called.

 

[Remington700]

I've only shot smaller shot in TSS. When I shot lead I found 5's to be very effective. You might reload them and see how it patterns and go from there.

 

[Andy S.]

If your pattern density is adequate (verified via testing), it will suffice out to 30 yards, but I'd personally try to make sure he was 25 or less just to have a margin of error incase my emotions overwhelmed my ability to accurate estimate distance. Good luck!

 

[recurve60#]

My son's first turkey was killed with 7.5 from a modified choke between 30 and 40 yards. Bang flop.

 

[Iglow]

I would imagine it would probably be ok at about a max of 30 to 35 yards. Do you have any of the buffering stuff? Whatever it's called.

No, I've looked at some buffered load data, but would probably try it without first.

 

[Iglow]

If your pattern density is adequate (verified via testing), it will suffice out to 30 yards, but I'd personally try to make sure he was 25 or less just to have a margin of error incase my emotions overwhelmed my ability to accurate estimate distance. Good luck!

I try to use the bead size vs his head to judge distance, if it looks noticable smaller than the bead he's too far.

 

[Setterman]

The only fall turkey I've ever killed was with a 2 3/4" high brass 20 gauge while grouse hunting. Killed him stone dead at 30 ish yards

 

[Iglow]

I've got this book called " Modern Turkey Hunting " by James Brady that was published in 1973 and it said the standard was 1 1/4oz 7 1/2. Said that load was the most powerful for years and had killed thousands of turkeys.

 

[ROVERBOY]

Someone years ago told me they killed one at 25 yards with a #8 load.

 

[knightrider]

Seem like federal used to have a 7.5 2oz load back in the day

 

[Iglow]

Someone years ago told me they killed one at 25 yards with a #8 load.

I shot the oldest gobbler I ever got with a 410 and 3" Winchester lead 7 1/2. There was no calling except before they flew down. I knew their travel pattern and I intercepted them, his lookout crew of 4 hens led him right by me. I never even moved the gun, he just walked in front of it at 18 yds and I pulled the trigger, never beat a wing.

 

[Gravey]

Weren't the 20-gauge federal heavyweights 7's? I've got a box or two but am too lazy right now to dig them out of the safe and look.

 

[knightrider]

Weren't the 20-gauge federal heavyweights 7's? I've got a box or two but am too lazy right now to dig them out of the safe and look.

Yes they were, but a big difference in heavyweight 7 and copper plated lead 7.5's, but no reason the 7.5 wouldnt work under thirty if the pattern is there

 

[recurve60#]

My son's first turkey was killed with 7.5 from a modified choke between 30 and 40 yards. Bang flop.

Forgot to mention it was a Remington dove shell. It patterned great.

 

[TheLBLman]

Weren't the 20-gauge federal heavyweights 7's? I've got a box or two but am too lazy right now to dig them out of the safe and look.

The original Federal "Heavyweights" were some type of HTL tungsten, but not as "heavy" as Federal's current TSS pellets. Those original "heavyweights" were closer to a #5 lead in terms of penetration & weight. I saw two longbeards die from them this past weekend.

I've killed either 3 or 4 longbeards with #7 1/2 lead in times long past. My reason for using 7 1/2 lead was because I was using guns more suitable for quail than turkeys. The more open chokes and #7 1/2 lead was very adequate out to about 30 yds (head/neck shots only). And, that era pre-dated today's superior HTL and TSS specialized turkey shells.

IMO, #7 1/2 lead loses too much of its penetration/energy to be very effective beyond 35 yds, although no doubt many turkeys have been killed with it at 40 yds & beyond.

Considering how few shells need by fired for an annual limit of turkey,
the cost of far superior TSS loads seems reasonable.

Save your 7 1/2 lead for smaller birds or sporting clays.

 

[Iglow]

I tried a Winchester super x 2 3/4" #5 - 1 1/2 oz yesterday and got 11 pellets in neck bone and 3 in skull at 40yd. The whole pattern was about the size of a basketball with some flyers.

 

[TheLBLman]

I tried a Winchester super x 2 3/4" #5 - 1 1/2 oz yesterday and got 11 pellets in neck bone and 3 in skull at 40yd.

For many years, that was my exact "go-to" turkey shell.
My first "dedicated turkey" gun was a lightweight side-by-side factory bored (no choke tubes) "extra full" & "full". It had 2 3/4" chambers.

It was basically a European "bird" gun for upland game.
If I could have found a practical way of mounting a low-magnification traditional shotgun scope on it,
that might still be my go-to turkey gun.

 

[Iglow]

Well,…. I believe I'll stick with the #5s

 

[Gravey]

Congrats!