HTL or Lead?

[Andy S.]

Do you turkey hunt with lead or heavier than lead (HTL)? If your answer is lead, please state whether or not you have ever tried HTL shot when turkey hunting.

The other topics made me wonder how many turkey hunters still use lead? And of those, how many have tried HTL but switched back. Not that lead is a bad thing or inferior, just wondering because I can only think of one guy in my circle of friends/acquaintances who has tried HTL, and then reverted back to lead only. Not sure of his reasoning, but I know he only shoots lead #4s nowadays.

 

[woodsman87]

I use both. I like the HTL shots better because of course they pattern better. But the plus of lead is definately the price.

I have used HTL about every year since they came out with them until last year, when I killed 4 birds with lead. The only reason I had lead was because I ran out of HTL, had to have something quick, during mid season, so I got some Federal Flight control wad lead #5s. Shot 4 gobblers with them also patterned them before and almost as good as HTL.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

I started with lead.... killed 6 turkeys in 2 springs.... Missed one due to mis-judging distance and my pattern spread out too much.... It was a great bird and I was a little mad at myself.

Hear how good the HTL stuff was, so I went with the Hevi loads in #6's & #'7's.... and the 5,6,7 Blend... all in 3.5" loads.

I found I got a better (tighter) pattern with the HTL @ 40 yards.... so if I fudged the distance a bit I would still be good to 45 yards or so.... hopefully not depending on the magic pellet to drop a turkey..... hunting large open fields, sometimes the distance is more due to not having something to compare or judge distance with.

I have a guy that loads some handloads using the H-13 shot.... but with the price of HTL getting higher, I have some lead from before that I plan on using if need be.... just have to be more sure of my distance when field hunting.

 

[Layne]

I use the HEVI-13 myself but did switch back to Winchester double X magnums when I ran out and couldn't find the HEVI locally.
I missed a couple birds and quickly found a box of HEVI... because it had to be the shells... :grin:

I really think the HTL pattern better in my gun.

 

[REN]

HTL and have no plans to go back to lead anytime soon.

 

[catman529]

Never shot HTL myself, lead gets the job done for me

 

[Bullfrog]

Hunted with Hevi Shot for a few years and went back to lead after I watched a couple of birds walk off. I'm shooting a cheap Undertaker choke now, along with Flight Controls, and don't plan on changing.

 

[Lawrence]

HTL for me
I shot lead for years and had good results and killed a ton of birds I guess I'm just changing with the times
My favorite lead load was the Remington High Velocity 3-1/2" #4's

 

[Roost 1]

@Grizz... Use a rangefinder!!! Lol

 

[knightrider]

magblends are the stuff!!!! no more lead for me

 

[Boll Weevil]

Both actually. I shoot an over/under with two different chokes; top barrel for way out there and bottom barrel for when he's right in my lap. HTL on top and copper-coated lead on the bottom.

 

[Andy S.]

@ Roost 1 - your comment about 45 yards and shooting lead is what sparked this question. What say you?

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

I use both. When i bought my 10 ga. I started stockpiling shells. Started with hevi 5. Killed some birds but have moved to federal heavyweight #7. When i hunt certain places such as a few patches of woods on our farm i load up with lead because i will not have a shot over 20 yds.

But i dont see myself going straight lead for a ling time

 

[8 POINTS OR BETTER]

My kids are going to shoot Pixie Dust (tss #9) out of their 20ga this year. Its supposed to out shoot any 12 ga shooting heavy shot. :grin:

 

[Roost 1]

@ Roost 1 - your comment about 45 yards and shooting lead is what sparked this question. What say you?

I wont have a gun that wont consistently kill at 45yds with LEAD....However I really just like stirring the pot.

 

[Andy S.]

My kids are going to shoot Pixie Dust (tss #9) out of their 20ga this year.

Nice, look forward to hearing your opinion of it. Are you loading it or getting it from someone?

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

@Grizz... Use a rangefinder!!! Lol

I have been..... says Hevi-13 on the side....

 

[8 POINTS OR BETTER]

My kids are going to shoot Pixie Dust (tss #9) out of their 20ga this year.

Nice, look forward to hearing your opinion of it. Are you loading it or getting it from someone?

I'm loading it. And maybe a few .410 loads also.

 

[Andy S.]

I have been..... says Hevi-13 on the side....

LOL :grin:

 

[Roost 1]

@Grizz... Use a rangefinder!!! Lol

I have been..... says Hevi-13 on the side....

I like that.......

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

@Grizz... Use a rangefinder!!! Lol

I have been..... says Hevi-13 on the side....

I like that.......

 

[timberjack86]

After shooting and the looking at the htl shot patterns how could I go back to lead?

 

[catman529]

@Grizz... Use a rangefinder!!! Lol

I have been..... says Hevi-13 on the side....

I like that.......

mine says Supreme 5 on the side longest kill shot 45 yards but I prefer less than 20.

 

[Andy S.]

I'm loading it.

If you are willing to share it, I'd be interested in knowing approximate cost per shell when reloading your own TSS loads. I have always wondered what the cost would be to shoot it, assuming one already has the reloading equipment etc. Shoot me a PM with that info if you will. Thanks Chris.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

Another pm sent andy

 

[Andy S.]

Got it RH, thanks again.

 

[8 POINTS OR BETTER]

Andy I'm reloading them from scratch. I will be roll crimping them so about the only equipment you have to have is a roll crimper and a drill to spin it. I use new primed hulls, wads, shot card , and tss #9. The tss was around $54 a pound delivered. I figure I will have $8 to $9 per 20ga shell starting out, but it will give the kids the killing power of 12ga 3" heavy shot load in a 20ga 2 3/4".

 

[Andy S.]

Sweet deal Chris, sounds like a great plan.

 

[Uncle Jesse]

I shot Remington hevi shot for several years when it first came out, but went back to 2 3/4 lead in 08. I don't want a tight pattern anymore because I miss too many when they get close. Now, I wouldn't hesitate at all to walk into the spring woods with one shell. If Mr LongTom steps inside 40, he's riding home with me.

I did kill 2 turkeys this fall with my 20 gauge and Hevi shot though. I feel a little different about lead in a 20.