Hi folks. I tend to spend a good bit of money on turkey hunting every year. Turkey calls, decoys, hunting apparel, vests, and shells. As I reflect on the spending over the past few years I've decided to take a more minimalist "make do" approach. Last year I used APEX TSS, and while I was able to kill a few turkeys with it, I didn't feel they were as necessary as I once thought. All of the turkeys we shoot are in the 20-40 yard range, so I don't think I need TSS. Some birds are so close that I feel that Winchester Longbeards, which I've used before, "may" lead to close range misses. We shoot Mossberg 835s so I tend to gravitate towards 3.5" shells. What are some tried and true, run-of-the-mill shells that you've had good luck with? Something I can pick up at any decent sporting goods store.
I've gotten solid patterns from the 3.5" version of this Winchester Double X load out of my Indian Creek .665.
Wal-Mart often sells 10 shell boxes for at little as $10...if they have them.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900113645
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Federal grandslams , the older ones were great. Strut shok loads were good too. No flight control was in these.
Winchester XX or supreme were a good load.
It's good to be thinking about this now. Ammo availability being what it is.
Of course you could wait and see if bass pro and cabelas makes the TSS mistake of pricing loads over half off.
Clark did one heck of a deal last year for hevishot loads on this forum .
And many individuals sale ammo here. You can get good deals from them as well.
Good luck in your search.
Winchester HV black box, not longbeard, those a perfect hunting shells for ethical hunting ranges out to 40yds, and there's no need for 3.5" shells, i have had great luck with #5 and #6 shot
Winchester Supreme HV 12ga. 3.5" 2 oz. #6 shot. I have used these for quite some time in my Benelli SBE I. Killed a number of birds with this load. Works great!
I guess if I was taking a minimalist/make do approach I would just shoot left over shells from previous years or ammo tests. 2021 ammo cost $0. I don't know of a single turkey hunter that doesn't have at least a couple boxes of random shotgun shell laying around. At 20-30 yards any shell will do.
Quote from: jrmcclure on January 08, 2021, 11:07:21 PM
I guess if I was taking a minimalist/make do approach I would just shoot left over shells from previous years or ammo tests. 2021 ammo cost $0. I don't know of a single turkey hunter that doesn't have at least a couple boxes of random shotgun shell laying around. At 20-30 yards any shell will do.
Absolutely. We all have preferred loads, but that in no way means that those are the only shells that will work. I've got a couple of others besides my Hevi-13s that, while maybe not putting quite as many holes in a paper target at 40 yards, I'm confident would do the job. How many pellets does it take to kill a turkey anyway?
I quit buying the expensive shells several years ago. I shoot Remington Nitros 5 shot for the last 10 years, probably. They average 10-12 dollars a box of 10. They are what pattern best in my browning, so pattern your gun and just go with what patterns best. I went through the long range shell fixation too and I think what it done was make me take a few shots I shouldn't have. After, having to chase down a couple birds and missing/wounding a couple I started realizing I still was better off letting them get inside 40 yards. An Old buddy of mine handed me some nitros one day when I forgot my shells on an out of state trip and I killed two birds with two shots. His first comment was, hey those only cost me $7.00 (been a few years). After thinking about it I realized knowing what I had in the gun made me wait for a closer shot. I went out and bought a few boxes of them after I seen the pattern and never looked back. Now, I have become accustomed to not shooting any birds over 40 if I judge right, but prefer 25-30. I kill birds stone dead in their tracks most times. When I think back to my early years, i realize I killed my first several birds with 2 3/4"magnum field loads in a 20 ga. Then I went to a 2 3/4" Remington 870 and standard magnum load. So I had to seriously ask myself, "why am I paying $3.00-4.00 a shell, when $1.00 shells will do just fine? I didn't have a good answer. Sure, I suppose the TSS and long range premiums will kill me that occasional hung up gobbler at 50+ or 60 yards, but I am not that desperate. I am retired and have all season to hunt, they'll be another day or another bird and just more hunting. I say go for the cheaper shells
I had a few hang up around 50-60 yards last year and I still didn't shoot, even though I had Apex TSS in the gun. It doesn't take much for me to feel uncomfortable about the shot.
I don't want to but new chokes and I have Indian Creek chokes in both guns. Which shells are safe for ported chokes like I have?
I'm an 835 guy as well. I shoot 3 1/2 Hevi 7's through a .670 Pure Gold and they are lights out in my gun. With that being said, that IC .675 in that gun is an awesome setup. It sounds as if you want an inexpensive round that will close the deal at 40 and in. I would recommend the Winchester Double X's in 4's or 5's. One step up would be the LB's in 6's. With that .675 IC, she will be tight with about any shell inside 20. If you have the .695 Super Full that should have come with your 835, I would recommend giving it a try and see what kind of pattern you get at 20. Aim Small, Miss Small and Good Luck.
I can load my tss load for $5. Winchester longbeards in my area are $2. There are other places I guess I could cut corner to make a hunt cheaper, but I guess if $3 was a deal breaker for me I should probably stay home or go to work an extra shift. At the end of the hunt the only thing between you and the bird is a good shell you have 100% confidence in.
I don't use the tss as a long range shell, but more as an insurance policy if I misjudge distance. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has wanted a bird to be 35 yards then after the fact realized I was wrong. A good hevi-shot or tss load provides some room for error I didn't see 10-12 years ago with the cheap $8 a box of 10 walmart lead loads.
Quote from: jrmcclure on January 09, 2021, 02:38:37 PM
I can load my tss load for $5. Winchester longbeards in my area are $2. There are other places I guess I could cut corner to make a hunt cheaper, but I guess if $3 was a deal breaker for me I should probably stay home or go to work an extra shift. At the end of the hunt the only thing between you and the bird is a good shell you have 100% confidence in.
I don't use the tss as a long range shell, but more as an insurance policy if I misjudge distance. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has wanted a bird to be 35 yards then after the fact realized I was wrong. A good hevi-shot or tss load provides some room for error I didn't see 10-12 years ago with the cheap $8 a box of 10 walmart lead loads.
I won't argue your point at all. You bring up some good observations, but I fear some are using the shell simply to try a longer shot and take chances. On the other hand if I can save a few dollars and still accomplish the same thing, I'll save the money. It's not that I can't afford the higher priced shells, I think it makes me more disciplined knowing the cheaper ones are in the gun. I am less likely to take a chance shot....yes we've all done it or at least most of us
Quote from: eggshell on January 09, 2021, 03:24:34 PM
Quote from: jrmcclure on January 09, 2021, 02:38:37 PM
I can load my tss load for $5. Winchester longbeards in my area are $2. There are other places I guess I could cut corner to make a hunt cheaper, but I guess if $3 was a deal breaker for me I should probably stay home or go to work an extra shift. At the end of the hunt the only thing between you and the bird is a good shell you have 100% confidence in.
I don't use the tss as a long range shell, but more as an insurance policy if I misjudge distance. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has wanted a bird to be 35 yards then after the fact realized I was wrong. A good hevi-shot or tss load provides some room for error I didn't see 10-12 years ago with the cheap $8 a box of 10 walmart lead loads.
I won't argue your point at all. You bring up some good observations, but I fear some are using the shell simply to try a longer shot and take chances. On the other hand if I can save a few dollars and still accomplish the same thing, I'll save the money. It's not that I can't afford the higher priced shells, I think it makes me more disciplined knowing the cheaper ones are in the gun. I am less likely to take a chance shot....yes we've all done it or at least most of us
There is no way I`d take a 50-60 yard shot at a turkey, I don`t care if had a bazooka. Common sense will tell you that the farther out, the more the chance for cripples. If I can`t get him inside of 40 yards, he wins. Just me, but a crippled bird would pretty much ruin the season for me. They are just too special to take the chance and I don`t need to kill one that bad anyway.
turkeytider, I hope you don't think I was advocating taking 50-60 yard shots. I wasn't in any way. I kill my birds at 25-30 and occasionally I am off 5-10 yards, but still within 40 if I wait until I judge he's 25-30. I don't like closer because the pattern gets awful tight, but if it's not clean I'll wait until he's closer.
Let's not derail the thread into a distance debate....it's about shells. The cheaper shells will do the job if you know your pattern and distance
Quote from: jrmcclure on January 08, 2021, 11:07:21 PM
I guess if I was taking a minimalist/make do approach I would just shoot left over shells from previous years or ammo tests. 2021 ammo cost $0. I don't know of a single turkey hunter that doesn't have at least a couple boxes of random shotgun shell laying around. At 20-30 yards any shell will do.
Honestly I think that's exactly what I'm going to do. I have a few Longbeards, Remington Nitros, Apex TSS, and Winchester XX. After I clear those out I may go looking for some decent shells at a decent price.
Quote from: eggshell on January 09, 2021, 06:39:17 PM
turkeytider, I hope you don't think I was advocating taking 50-60 yard shots. I wasn't in any way. I kill my birds at 25-30 and occasionally I am off 5-10 yards, but still within 40 if I wait until I judge he's 25-30. I don't like closer because the pattern gets awful tight, but if it's not clean I'll wait until he's closer.
Let's not derail the thread into a distance debate....it's about shells. The cheaper shells will do the job if you know your pattern and distance
No, no, not at all my friend! Sorry if I left the impression that I did. Mine are usually in that same range (20-30 ). I agree, LOTS of shells can work out to 40, just need to make sure they`re patterned first. Longbeards are excellent lead loads IMO. Wouldn`t hesitate to use them even though Hevi-13 6`s are my favs.
I have been using Winchester Double X HV Turkey Loads since Federal change to the "Flite Control" wads (screwed up the patterns I would get from my gun/choke) I hunt up close and kill in the 15-17yard range and have a scope on my gun for accuracy. What I have also seen (I work for Outdoor Retailer) is a lot of hunters using Federal Prairie Storm pheasant loads, for the price of these at a box of 25!
MK M GOBL
I have run a lot of different shells through my mossberg 835. Using a star dot choke the federal 3.5" #6s shot the best for me as far as plain Jane lead leads went. However I have found that the 2oz. 3.5" longbeard #5's give me a volleyball sized pattern at 20 yards and still a certain kill pattern at 40. It drops off pretty fast after 40 though. With my gun the tighter chokes seem to open the longbeard pattern up more at closer ranges than the more open chokes. My theory is that the tighter chokes fracture the resin more completely and open it up more. However that is just my theory and probably wrong.
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Word of advice , never wait until you need shells to try and find or purchase them, if you see then duing the year, you better purchase those shells NOW.. No one KNOWS what the future holds with buying ammo. just look around now at trying to find center fire ammo.. Just some friendly Advice.. I wouldn't look at shooting up all my old ammo , before thinking i will buy new ammo LATER... just my opinion..
Quote from: Greg Massey on January 10, 2021, 12:05:59 PM
Word of advice , never wait until you need shells to try and find or purchase them, if you see then duing the year, you better purchase those shells NOW.. No one KNOWS what the future holds with buying ammo. just look around now at trying to find center fire ammo.. Just some friendly Advice.. I wouldn't look at shooting up all my old ammo , before thinking i will buy new ammo LATER... just my opinion..
It's an election year and due to covid the demand for ammo is a perfect storm. I'm all for buying ammo If needed, but I think people buying up every round they come to regardless of price fuels the fire. Shotgun shells are still on the shelves in my area, but like most I haven't seen a center fire round on a big box stores shelf in a while. The local Walmart had two 10 round boxes of 338 lapua that were $80 apiece before the shortage hit. They sat there for about a year and I laughed everytime I seen them thinking they would never sell. I was wrong.
Ammo prices will come back down. May take a year, but shooting old stock for a season or two doesn't seem like a terrible idea to me. Turkey and deer hunting combined I shoot less than 10 shells a year. I see no reason to panic buy 100 rounds at price gouging prices.
Quote from: jrmcclure on January 10, 2021, 01:26:06 PM
Quote from: Greg Massey on January 10, 2021, 12:05:59 PM
Word of advice , never wait until you need shells to try and find or purchase them, if you see then duing the year, you better purchase those shells NOW.. No one KNOWS what the future holds with buying ammo. just look around now at trying to find center fire ammo.. Just some friendly Advice.. I wouldn't look at shooting up all my old ammo , before thinking i will buy new ammo LATER... just my opinion..
It's an election year and due to covid the demand for ammo is a perfect storm. I'm all for buying ammo If needed, but I think people buying up every round they come to regardless of price fuels the fire. Shotgun shells are still on the shelves in my area, but like most I haven't seen a center fire round on a big box stores shelf in a while. The local Walmart had two 10 round boxes of 338 lapua that were $80 apiece before the shortage hit. They sat there for about a year and I laughed everytime I seen them thinking they would never sell. I was wrong.
Ammo prices will come back down. May take a year, but shooting old stock for a season or two doesn't seem like a terrible idea to me. Turkey and deer hunting combined I shoot less than 10 shells a year. I see no reason to panic buy 100 rounds at price gouging prices.
Like i said most all of us turkey hunters shop year round for our turkey needs , i have plenty of ammo myself because i shop year round and I'm not panicking myself, because during the off season you can get some pretty good deals on ammo.. again it's all about opinions ..
Quote from: Greg Massey on January 10, 2021, 12:05:59 PM
Word of advice , never wait until you need shells to try and find or purchase them, if you see then duing the year, you better purchase those shells NOW.. No one KNOWS what the future holds with buying ammo. just look around now at trying to find center fire ammo.. Just some friendly Advice.. I wouldn't look at shooting up all my old ammo , before thinking i will buy new ammo LATER... just my opinion..
Good post, this ammo situation is way beyond the normal election year scare.
When I first got my 835 years ago. I tried many a choke. Stayed with the Ulti-full choke and Federal 3 inch#4. The older ones worked great. Shot flight control wads well also. This past year I went choke and load chasing again. Settled on LB #5. Well I found a deal on Strut Shok which always shot well and i`m back to stock choke and Federal #4. The new load Federal has out just will not cut it. Im back to old school. It will kill cleanly 40 plus. I like to call them in close though. Good luck!
I have accumulated a lot of turkey ammo over the years from pattern and choke testing. I probably could never buy another box and not run out lol! I have no qualms about shooting regular old lead turkey loads. Once i finish off my stock of magblends and htl, i'm switching back to lead. I'm not a long range shooter, and my choke/ammo/gun combinations pattern well at 40 yards and a little cushion with lead turkey loads.And i can spend the money on gas and scouting. I enjoy the challenge and thrill of getting a gobbler up close, and for me, i just don't feel a sense of accomplishment popping one half a football field or further away. Not judging what others want to shoot, just for me i like inside 30, preferably 20ish. I love turkey hunting and hunting in general, and hope folks don't forget it is a sport, and that it is truly one in which it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it is how you play the game. But i still want to win lol!
There has been a big pile of gobblers taken way before TSS came to light. I agree that you can save money and may even get that gobbler in closer for a shot if you know you got other shells in that gun. I shoot 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge copper plated #5 or #6. Never feel under gunned so why spend more?
Quote from: Cowboy on January 17, 2021, 07:29:45 PM
There has been a big pile of gobblers taken way before TSS came to light. I agree that you can save money and may even get that gobbler in closer for a shot if you know you got other shells in that gun. I shoot 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge copper plated #5 or #6. Never feel under gunned so why spend more?
If you can get him in close enough and the pattern is good , you can kill him just as dead with a dove load.
For my 835 the Win. HV 3.5 5's are the ticket, patterned much better than the 6's. I have a star dot in mine. Only reason I was shooting 3.5" was I found 10+ boxes at wally world a few years back for $10 a box on clearance, bought them all!
Quote from: trkehunr93 on January 19, 2021, 10:23:12 AM
For my 835 the Win. HV 3.5 5's are the ticket, patterned much better than the 6's. I have a star dot in mine. Only reason I was shooting 3.5" was I found 10+ boxes at wally world a few years back for $10 a box on clearance, bought them all!
LOL!! Understand the deal on the shells, but 3.5s out of a pump? A tip of the cap, my friend ! You`re either a better man than I am, a masochist, or maybe both!
I shoot 3.5's out of my Remington Model 870 Super Mag. Not that bad, just hold on tight.
If you have not bought your shell for this year you may be out of luck. None available in my area.
Quote from: Turkeytider on January 19, 2021, 12:44:27 PM
Quote from: trkehunr93 on January 19, 2021, 10:23:12 AM
For my 835 the Win. HV 3.5 5's are the ticket, patterned much better than the 6's. I have a star dot in mine. Only reason I was shooting 3.5" was I found 10+ boxes at wally world a few years back for $10 a box on clearance, bought them all!
LOL!! Understand the deal on the shells, but 3.5s out of a pump? A tip of the cap, my friend ! You`re either a better man than I am, a masochist, or maybe both!
No doubt turktider. Imagine the 3.5" shell out this little thing. I fired exactly 4 rounds - two with #5 and two #6 and was black/blue across my chest, shoulder and upper right arm.
Never again. The 3" are bad enough. I'd shoot the 2.75" with TSS if I didn't have boxes of Hevi 13 #7s already.
To the OP - Winchester Double X in #6s would be just fine.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4327/35839032461_be768e3c67_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WAYpJM)
Quote from: paboxcall on January 19, 2021, 04:03:07 PM
Quote from: Turkeytider on January 19, 2021, 12:44:27 PM
Quote from: trkehunr93 on January 19, 2021, 10:23:12 AM
For my 835 the Win. HV 3.5 5's are the ticket, patterned much better than the 6's. I have a star dot in mine. Only reason I was shooting 3.5" was I found 10+ boxes at wally world a few years back for $10 a box on clearance, bought them all!
LOL!! Understand the deal on the shells, but 3.5s out of a pump? A tip of the cap, my friend ! You`re either a better man than I am, a masochist, or maybe both!
No doubt turktider. Imagine the 3.5" shell out this little thing. I fired exactly 4 rounds - two with #5 and two #6 and was black/blue across my chest, shoulder and upper right arm.
Never again. The 3" are bad enough. I'd shoot the 2.75" with TSS if I didn't have boxes of Hevi 13 #7s already.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4327/35839032461_be768e3c67_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WAYpJM)
When I first shot a 3" Hevi-13 out of my 870 Super Mag turkey gun, my buddy said I made kind of a funny sound! Kind of a squeak, he said. He still laughs about it. Just kicked the snot out of me! Recoil had never bothered me before. Put a slip on Limbsaver on it and that calmed it down. As I like to say, I don`t dislike myself enough to shoot 3.5s. Not a turkey on the planet that a 3" won`t kill at the ranges I shoot ( 40 and in only ).
Quote from: Turkeytider on January 19, 2021, 12:44:27 PM
Quote from: trkehunr93 on January 19, 2021, 10:23:12 AM
For my 835 the Win. HV 3.5 5's are the ticket, patterned much better than the 6's. I have a star dot in mine. Only reason I was shooting 3.5" was I found 10+ boxes at wally world a few years back for $10 a box on clearance, bought them all!
LOL!! Understand the deal on the shells, but 3.5s out of a pump? A tip of the cap, my friend ! You`re either a better man than I am, a masochist, or maybe both!
I put a limb saver recoil pad and a beartooth comb raising kit on the stock(added a scope too), first time I shot it with a 3.5" shell (without the limb saver pad and stock kit) the stock hit my cheekbone and it hurt for two weeks. Lesson learned but maybe I am a better man or just a glutton for punishment but the additions to the gun made all the difference in the world.
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Quote from: trkehunr93 on January 20, 2021, 09:37:39 AM
Quote from: Turkeytider on January 19, 2021, 12:44:27 PM
Quote from: trkehunr93 on January 19, 2021, 10:23:12 AM
For my 835 the Win. HV 3.5 5's are the ticket, patterned much better than the 6's. I have a star dot in mine. Only reason I was shooting 3.5" was I found 10+ boxes at wally world a few years back for $10 a box on clearance, bought them all!
LOL!! Understand the deal on the shells, but 3.5s out of a pump? A tip of the cap, my friend ! You`re either a better man than I am, a masochist, or maybe both!
I put a limb saver recoil pad and a beartooth comb raising kit on the stock(added a scope too), first time I shot it with a 3.5" shell (without the limb saver pad and stock kit) the stock hit my cheekbone and it hurt for two weeks. Lesson learned but maybe I am a better man or just a glutton for punishment but the additions to the gun made all the difference in the world.
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I just don`t know how somebody shoots 3.5" shells out of a fixed breech gun like a pump, double or break open single without doing SOMETHING to the gun. Good Lord! It hurts just to think about it! I think I recall reading somewhere where the recoil on those things is similar to the heavy big game guns used in Africa! Not my personal idea of a good time!!
I shoot 3.5's out of a mossy. Ain't that big of a deal. I did shoot once shoot a gobbler one handed that came in to my extreme right. Notice I said once. I think I bled as much as the turkey.
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Quote from: AppalachianHollers on January 08, 2021, 02:54:10 PM
I've gotten solid patterns from the 3.5" version of this Winchester Double X load out of my Indian Creek .665.
Wal-Mart often sells 10 shell boxes for at little as $10...if they have them.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900113645
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Had to double take on the date. Xx supreme have been out of existence for a couple years. I'd never recommend it because of that even if a few boxes were found.
I've had good luck with grand slam by federal. Op to be honest you ain't gonna find many if anything it seems. Use what you have if you have enough.
I'm no TSS guy. I think it's ridiculous for the most part. The $3 point was silly to me. No disrespect to the man who said it. Even if it was only $5 bucks a shell, you pattern some, check every year a couple shots. It's a bunch of money. Why spend 2-1/2 times as much to shoot birds within reasonable range. Regular turkey loads are cheaper than that anyhow. I guess if we have the God forbid one gets away mentality we need it.
I consider myself a little more realistic in what I need.
That being said given the climate right now I reload everything save turkey and waterfowl loads. . Considering trying to find a load I can make myself with copper plated lead or else to be honest actually loading TSS just because ammo is impossible to find. Stock piling supplies is easier. Right through the Obama era I never had to even slow down shooting. This compromised guy we have in now may make things tough again. May be best to think about that.
Quote from: Turkeytider on January 20, 2021, 02:20:28 PM
Quote from: trkehunr93 on January 20, 2021, 09:37:39 AM
Quote from: Turkeytider on January 19, 2021, 12:44:27 PM
Quote from: trkehunr93 on January 19, 2021, 10:23:12 AM
For my 835 the Win. HV 3.5 5's are the ticket, patterned much better than the 6's. I have a star dot in mine. Only reason I was shooting 3.5" was I found 10+ boxes at wally world a few years back for $10 a box on clearance, bought them all!
LOL!! Understand the deal on the shells, but 3.5s out of a pump? A tip of the cap, my friend ! You`re either a better man than I am, a masochist, or maybe both!
I put a limb saver recoil pad and a beartooth comb raising kit on the stock(added a scope too), first time I shot it with a 3.5" shell (without the limb saver pad and stock kit) the stock hit my cheekbone and it hurt for two weeks. Lesson learned but maybe I am a better man or just a glutton for punishment but the additions to the gun made all the difference in the world.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I just don`t know how somebody shoots 3.5" shells out of a fixed breech gun like a pump, double or break open single without doing SOMETHING to the gun. Good Lord! It hurts just to think about it! I think I recall reading somewhere where the recoil on those things is similar to the heavy big game guns used in Africa! Not my personal idea of a good time!!
You boys need to drink some milk and eat some wheaties lol! All I've shot since they were available til recently was 3-1/2 12ga out of pumps. As a young man in the 80s it was a 10 ga. I'll never get how a few shots hurt someone. To me it's about unfathomable. Hold the gun properly. Let it move you. An old karate phrase, water flows, ice breaks. Don't try and be rigid with gun.
QuoteYou boys need to drink some milk and eat some wheaties lol! All I've shot since they were available til recently was 3-1/2 12ga out of pumps. As a young man in the 80s it was a 10 ga. I'll never get how a few shots hurt someone. To me it's about unfathomable. Hold the gun properly. Let it move you. An old karate phrase, water flows, ice breaks. Don't try and be rigid with gun.
In my old age I may be a woosie, but it has also taught me I don't need a two handed claymore sword to cut off a mushroom.
Quote from: eggshell on January 21, 2021, 07:44:22 AM
QuoteYou boys need to drink some milk and eat some wheaties lol! All I've shot since they were available til recently was 3-1/2 12ga out of pumps. As a young man in the 80s it was a 10 ga. I'll never get how a few shots hurt someone. To me it's about unfathomable. Hold the gun properly. Let it move you. An old karate phrase, water flows, ice breaks. Don't try and be rigid with gun.
In my old age I may be a woosie, but it has also taught me I don't need a two handed claymore sword to cut off a mushroom.
Amen, brother!! More power to you boys that shoot those things! LOL! Seriously, I don`t feel " under shelled " shooting 3" shells, particularly since I self-impose pretty rigid range limitations on myself.
I shoot TSS for one reason and one reason alone. So I can hunt with a 20g. It hasn't changed my range or how I hunt other than now I have less weight to carry and less recoil on my shoulder.
I do have a stash of the Federal copper plated 6s from the 1990s that I would not hesitate to take out on a hunt.
Quote from: CALLM2U on January 21, 2021, 09:22:42 AM
I shoot TSS for one reason and one reason alone. So I can hunt with a 20g. It hasn't changed my range or how I hunt other than now I have less weight to carry and less recoil on my shoulder.
I do have a stash of the Federal copper plated 6s from the 1990s that I would not hesitate to take out on a hunt.
A good reason for TSS. If I had more seasons than I probably do to turkey hunt, I'd seriously consider transitioning to a 20 and TSS. As it is , I'll just stick with with my already set up well padded 870 12 and Hevi-13s.
LongbeardsXR
Quote from: longbeards on January 22, 2021, 01:46:03 PM
LongbeardsXR
Certainly the best lead load you can buy, IMO.
Quote from: Turkeytider on January 22, 2021, 02:08:53 PM
Quote from: longbeards on January 22, 2021, 01:46:03 PM
LongbeardsXR
Certainly the best lead load you can buy, IMO.
If the run on ammo continues, it may soon be the best shell you can't buy.
Quote from: Spurs Up on January 22, 2021, 06:19:29 PM
Quote from: Turkeytider on January 22, 2021, 02:08:53 PM
Quote from: longbeards on January 22, 2021, 01:46:03 PM
LongbeardsXR
Certainly the best lead load you can buy, IMO.
If the run on ammo continues, it may soon be the best shell you can't buy.
In one store saw 3 boxes of 20 gauge 5 shot . Out of 4 stores today.
Quote from: Spurs Up on January 22, 2021, 06:19:29 PM
Quote from: Turkeytider on January 22, 2021, 02:08:53 PM
Quote from: longbeards on January 22, 2021, 01:46:03 PM
LongbeardsXR
Certainly the best lead load you can buy, IMO.
If the run on ammo continues, it may soon be the best shell you can't buy.
You're absolutely right! None of us have ever seen anything like this.
think about this what did the old timers kill turkey with before the 3 inch and 3.5 turkey loads came out???????
Quote from: captfire on January 31, 2021, 10:08:31 PM
think about this what did the old timers kill turkey with before the 3 inch and 3.5 turkey loads came out???????
This old timer started with a 20 ga in 2 3/4" high brass magnum shells in 4 or 6 shot. Turkeys dies just the same, flopping on the ground. You just had to be sure of range
that's my point eggshell
I switched to TSS for two reasons. 1. The consistency of longboard XRs has been poor as of late. I'm not into chasing lot numbers. Using TSS allows me to hunt with a light Benelli 20 or even a 410 and compromise nothing killing power wise.
Those of you thinking you can reload this year due to loaded ammo shortages are in for a shock. Yes there is no loaded ammo on shelves. There are no components to hand load either. Hoarders and scalpers have it all cleaned up and the waiting lists are insane. Much of what I needed I picked up last summer and am some kind of happy I did.
Quote from: captfire on January 31, 2021, 10:08:31 PM
think about this what did the old timers kill turkey with before the 3 inch and 3.5 turkey loads came out???????
I started in the early to mid 1970's with 20 ga. Winchester Super X 3" 1 1/4oz. #4 shot. Oh yeah and they only came in 25 round boxes!
Yall are TRYING to make this harder than it needs to be... a 3" load of copper plated 5's or 6's will stack them up to 50 yards with a good choke. I use Longbeards when I hunt fields and might need to shoot a couple of yards further. For 20-40 yards out of a 12 gauge, any lead shot and good choke will work...
Smaller gauges are where the exotic shot shines and makes it as good as a 12 gauge. If you primarily shoot a 12 gauge, you are throwing your money away with super shot. And ballistically speaking, most all 3" loads will print better than the 3.5" loads... and kick less and be less expensive.
Quote from: Sasha and Abby on February 03, 2021, 09:20:08 AM
Yall are TRYING to make this harder than it needs to be... a 3" load of copper plated 5's or 6's will stack them up to 50 yards with a good choke. I use Longbeards when I hunt fields and might need to shoot a couple of yards further. For 20-40 yards out of a 12 gauge, any lead shot and good choke will work...
Smaller gauges are where the exotic shot shines and makes it as good as a 12 gauge. If you primarily shoot a 12 gauge, you are throwing your money away with super shot. And ballistically speaking, most all 3" loads will print better than the 3.5" loads... and kick less and be less expensive.
All good points here. I think he means they'll do the job at 50, not necessarily recommending it. Point is, know your range, let them come in and all is good with lead.
Quote from: shatcher on February 03, 2021, 10:10:27 AM
Quote from: Sasha and Abby on February 03, 2021, 09:20:08 AM
Yall are TRYING to make this harder than it needs to be... a 3" load of copper plated 5's or 6's will stack them up to 50 yards with a good choke. I use Longbeards when I hunt fields and might need to shoot a couple of yards further. For 20-40 yards out of a 12 gauge, any lead shot and good choke will work...
Smaller gauges are where the exotic shot shines and makes it as good as a 12 gauge. If you primarily shoot a 12 gauge, you are throwing your money away with super shot. And ballistically speaking, most all 3" loads will print better than the 3.5" loads... and kick less and be less expensive.
All good points here. I think he means they'll do the job at 50, not necessarily recommending it. Point is, know your range, let them come in and all is good with lead.
Heartily concur with everything here. To tell the truth, with the range limitations I put on myself ( 30-35 yards max ), I`m probably over shelled with my preferred load (12 gauge, Hevi-13, 2oz #6 , .660 Jellyhead ). I have a mortal fear of crippling one of these magnificent birds. I don`t want him to know what hit him.
Yep.. I run a 835 w 3.5's and a Hevi 13 or Jellyhead choke.
I can use any ol' cheap box of shells that has a turkey on it.
But if I were hunting with a .410 I'd be shelling out some duke for some shells.
Quote from: RiverBuck on February 03, 2021, 03:14:02 PM
Yep.. I run a 835 w 3.5's and a Hevi 13 or Jellyhead choke.
I can use any ol' cheap box of shells that has a turkey on it.
But if I were hunting with a .410 I'd be shelling out some duke for some shells.
Most definitely on the sub gauges. TSS. I would feel I was doing the birds a disservice without it.
I have also been shooting lead loads the last few years and carrying my 20" barrel 835 all the time. My favorites are the winchester supreme black 3 1/2" 2oz 5 and 6 shot and the double X magnum red 3 1/2" 2 1/4oz 6's. Which are both labeled as double X now but still different shell colors. I pick them up any time I can find them. They do very good for me in a kicks GT .670 with the 6's shooting a little better than the 5's. At some point i'm gonna try the 5's in a kicks .680 and see if it does a little better with them. Might try the federal lead loads at some point too. I never take long shots and if I have time when setting up on a gobbler I'll range three or four trees at 38-40 yards so I know when he's in the sweet spot for sure.
The old Mossberg 835 with stock .695 choke and tried and true 3 inch Federal #4`s. :newmascot: