Gun Question

[jlmustain]

The only shot gun I have is a Remington 870 pump with a full choke (fixed, of course). It's marked for 2 3/4" on the barrel. I don't have a clue what to use for shot size, though. I picked up some of the Turkey Thug shells at Walmart, and realized they were 3" when they wouldn't eject (obviously I wasn't very detail-oriented when I bought them).

I switched to my target loads once I realized it because that was all I had at the range yesterday, and I did my best to pattern and sight with those. It's possible that I could have some time today to go try to pattern and sight again once I get a good recommendation from y'all, but I don't know.

Can I get some advice on this situation, including shot size?

 

[jlmustain]

That may be a broader question than I know it is. This is my first season, and, like everyone else, I'm so stinking busy that I couldn't get out to pattern it and sight my red-dot until yesterday. I'm a little nervous because I don't know what I can do besides take my bow if I'm SOL on my shotgun for the weekend.

 

[REN]

with 2 3/4 id stick with 5's or 6's in the lead shells OR Magblends or 7's in the hevi shot shells.

2 3/4 shells have killed a bunch of birds. What barrel is fixed on it (choke wise) is it full or mod or what?

 

[jlmustain]

Thanks for that, Ren. It's a full choke.

 

[jlmustain]

What is a Magblend?

 

[REN]

Magblends are Hevi shot shells that have 5,6 and 7s

 

[jlmustain]

Thanks, buddy!

 

[booth]

Also take a look at the federal heavweights #7s.

 

[jlmustain]

I live in Mboro. I went everywhere (I think), and I can't find these Turkey loads in 2 3/4. I've checked Mboro Outdoors, On Target, Richard's, and Walmart. Maybe I'm just not going to the right places. I went over to On Target to try to pattern on the 7 1/2 I have in 2 3/4. I did the best I could there with the 25 yard max they have. I had to talk them in to letting me use the smaller shot in there. I may just head out with the 7 1/2. I have a hard time thinking that no one ever killed a turkey with that. Ha!

 

[scn]

7 1/2s will kill a turkey. But, they do lose their penetration quicker than larger sizes. I, personally, wouldn't feel comfortable shooting a bird past the 30 yd range with 7 1/2s.

Most of the stores used to stock some high brass 2 3/4s in 6 shot for late season doves, pheasants, etc. If you make another swing through, make sure they don't have some of those. They probably will be in a box of 25 rather than one of the little box of 10.

The 6s should be even better for you in your gun.

 

[Brad C.]

It's gonna be tough to find any 2.75" turkey loads anymore due to the fact that most are either 3" or 3.5". The best thing I can tell you to do is to get a box of heavy field loads in 1.25oz of #6's and use those.