Ammo recommendations

[OakHillHunter]

Im going to have to buy some ammo before turkey season starts. I have thought about switching to TSS. Ill be using a Mossberg 835 shooting 3.5s.
What size shot do you use with the TSS and what size choke have you has good results with. I'm not looking to shoot distance most areas where i hunt the max shot I'm going to have is 30yrds.
If you don't use TSS what lead loads do you have good luck out of.

 

[Creek bottoms]

3.5s are overkill for tss. If you use 3.5s, get some Winchester Long Beard lead.

 

[OakHillHunter]

3.5s are overkill for tss. If you use 3.5s, get some Winchester Long Beard lead.

What size shot?

 

[Carlos Viagra]

What size shot?

In my 835 the #5 longbeard XR's do best.

 

[knightrider]

#5 in longbeards with a 670-675 choke in a 835 is murder in em. My son shoots #9 tss out his 835 with a 670 pure gold choke and its unreal at 40 . If shoot 40 and under and just have to shoot a 3.5 id go with longbeard xrs in the #5 just for cost effectiveness

 

[Winchester]

If your max shot distance is 30 yards I would buy the cheapest 3" turkey loads that you can find that will pattern good in your gun setup. at 30 yards it simply wont make a bit of difference as even the cheapest loads out there will destroy a Turkeys head and neck at 30 yards.
That said, if your looking to extend your distance the TSS loads are the way to go, I shoot 8's or 9's with great performance out of my Benelli but all guns and chokes can vary as to what they like best.

 

[Gravey]

In my 835 the #5 longbeard XR's do best.

I don't have an 835 anymore but thats what I shot in mine too. No need for tss in a 12ga unless you want to kill one at 70-80 yards and in my opinion thats not what turkey hunting is about.

 

[deerhunter10]

I'll never own or shoot a 835 ever again. But I shot magnumblends with mine. Best pattern I've ever had from a shotgun. Went through a frw different chokes mine loved a jelly head
Just didn't like getting punched by Mike Tyson every time I shot it. 3.5 tss well the turkey will no doubt be dead really dead. I shoot a lot of different tss. I like apex the best but been impressed with the federals as well. I shoot nothing but 20 gauges and just got a 28. Never shot any out of a 12 gauge. You can play with it.

For 30 yards long beards will suit you well I'm sure.

Imo tss is more geared towards the sub gauge shooters and making them very deadly.

 

[drake799]

For 30 yard max shots buy the cheapest turkey loads you can find and you'll be fine.

 

[Carlos Viagra]

I always shoot the 3.5" anyways, because I shoot at least 1 coyote every year during Turkey season. They seem to be very active that time of year.

 

[knightrider]

I always shoot the 3.5" anyways, because I shoot at least 1 coyote every year during Turkey season. They seem to be very active that time of year.

7/8 of tss out of a 410 flat rolls them yotes

 

[MickThompson]

I've seen 3" long beards out pattern 3.5" before. I prefer 6s.

 

[knightrider]

I've seen 3" long beards out pattern 3.5" before. I prefer 6s.

Im my 835's 3 in #5 lbr always outshined the 3.5's

 

[DeerMan66]

I always shoot the 3.5" anyways, because I shoot at least 1 coyote every year during Turkey season. They seem to be very active that time of year.

The yotes come to the turkey call. They like turkey too...

 

[Setterman]

I'm an anomaly. I shoot 3.5" TSS out of my 12 ga. Yes it's overkill, yes the recoil is absurd, but it devastates the bird on the receiving end. It doesn't make sense but works for me

 

[Kevin Snook]

In my old 835 with the factory choke I always used the Winchester Supreme #5 3.5s

 

[knightrider]

I'm an anomaly. I shoot 3.5" TSS out of my 12 ga. Yes it's overkill, yes the recoil is absurd, but it devastates the bird on the receiving end. It doesn't make sense but works for me

Its very devastating!!!

 

[Wrangler95]

I shoot a Mossberg 935 with a 3.5 mag Federal Longbeard in 5 shot!A 935 kicks quite a bit but not near the recoil of a 835!These shells will kill at 50 yards but I never shoot one that far!!

 

[OakHillHunter]

In my old 835 with the factory choke I always used the Winchester Supreme #5 3.5s

That's what i have always shot but I'm down to just a few shells. Do they still make the supreme H.V.? I haven't seen a box locally to me in a very long time.

 

[OakHillHunter]

I'm an anomaly. I shoot 3.5" TSS out of my 12 ga. Yes it's overkill, yes the recoil is absurd, but it devastates the bird on the receiving end. It doesn't make sense but works for me

What shot are you using?

 

[REN]

if you are running lead then shoot 5's or 6's (whichever pattern best in your gun)

TSS shoot 9s. I personally would ditch the 3.5 in either lead or TSS but especially for TSS but to each his own.

If running lead the best patterning ones out there are the Longbeards.

 

[OakHillHunter]

I'll never own or shoot a 835 ever again. But I shot magnumblends with mine. Best pattern I've ever had from a shotgun. Went through a frw different chokes mine loved a jelly head
Just didn't like getting punched by Mike Tyson every time I shot it. 3.5 tss well the turkey will no doubt be dead really dead. I shoot a lot of different tss. I like apex the best but been impressed with the federals as well. I shoot nothing but 20 gauges and just got a 28. Never shot any out of a 12 gauge. You can play with it.

For 30 yards long beards will suit you well I'm sure.

Imo tss is more geared towards the sub gauge shooters and making them very deadly.

I have a 20ga that ill be using some but hopefully the wife will be going with me often this year to kill her first bird, so ill be stuck with the 12 gauge mule.

 

[waterman]

The 3" #5 longbeards patterned better than the 3 1/2" for me.

 

[timberjack86]

#5 in longbeards with a 670-675 choke in a 835 is murder in em. My son shoots #9 tss out his 835 with a 670 pure gold choke and its unreal at 40 . If shoot 40 and under and just have to shoot a 3.5 id go with longbeard xrs in the #5 just for cost effectiveness

I shoot #5 longbeards out of my 835. It's almost unfair to the turkeys

 

[OakHillHunter]

I shoot #5 longbeards out of my 835. It's almost unfair to the turkeys

Key word is "almost" I see a good shot gun shell as a great equalizer to how well they see lol

 

[timberjack86]

Key word is "almost" I see a good shot gun shell as a great equalizer to how well they see lol

The longbeards are a really good load. I've killed hogs with them broadside at 35 yards. They are also excellent in 20 gauge.

 

[Spurhunter]

I shoot 3.5 inch Federal TSS #9 out of my 12 gauge. I limit my shots to 50. I'm not a very good turkey hunter and don't have great places to hunt so if I get one inside 50 I need to know I can drop him like a bag of hammers.

 

[ROVERBOY]

3.5s are overkill for tss. If you use 3.5s, get some Winchester Long Beard lead.

I don't think you need TSS in a 12 gauge, unless you just like spending money. I used to be over on Old gobbler forum some. Guys would talk about using TSS and saying that it was basically a sin to kill a bird over 40 yards. I told them I could kill them all day long, with Long beards.

 

[Setterman]

What shot are you using?

9's

 

[Doskil]

Use a 3" shell

No need for a 3 1/2