what size shot do you use?

[BHC]

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?

 

[TheLBLman]

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.

 

[REN]

Wes pretty much summed up mine as well!

Except replace Indian Creek with SumToy and that's about the only difference

 

[deerhunter10]

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

 

[Gravey]

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.

 

[JAY B]

Mag Blends

 

[Uncle Jesse]

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.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

#8's

 

[ruger7mag]

3 1/2 in. Hevi 13 7s, .660 jelly head, average 320-330 in a ten inch circle at 40.

 

[paradis1142]

Mag-blends

 

[TheLBLman]

#8's

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.

 

[FARMTOFIELD]

#8's

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.