Really like LB 4,5,and 6. However, I consider these to be for longer range. What does every one use for shorter ranges of 10 - 25 yards? I have been practicing with a modified choke and federal lead 6's with fairly decent patterns but not as even a pattern as I would like. I'm looking for a wider pattern at the closer ranges. Appreaciate your feedback!
Inside 35 yds, look no further than a quality trap load, not cheap box store target fodder. Winch, Remmy, or Fed. 3-1&1/8-7.5s (1200 fps) will flat smoke a turkey with dense, even patterns.
Load never changes for me... Now I don't take 40 yard shots, my game is 20 and under and more in the 15 yard range. My gun and load will kill at 40 without a problem, only thing that I do is sight my scope in Dead-On at 15 yards, I patterned out to the 40 mark and all good from there. As long as you have accuracy up close that bird is just plain dead once you squeeze the trigger.
I call it "The Circle of Death"
MK M GOBL
Quote from: BandedSpur on January 27, 2018, 08:00:46 AM
Inside 35 yds, look no further than a quality trap load, not cheap box store target fodder. Winch, Remmy, or Fed. 3-1&1/8-7.5s (1200 fps) will flat smoke a turkey with dense, even patterns.
Trap load? Never thought of that and never shot much trap. 7.5 now that is interesting. Is this comparable with the 7.5 Hevi that is posted about on this post?
Quote from: mtns2hunt on February 03, 2018, 09:28:20 PM
Quote from: BandedSpur on January 27, 2018, 08:00:46 AM
Inside 35 yds, look no further than a quality trap load, not cheap box store target fodder. Winch, Remmy, or Fed. 3-1&1/8-7.5s (1200 fps) will flat smoke a turkey with dense, even patterns.
Trap load? Never thought of that and never shot much trap. 7.5 now that is interesting. Is this comparable with the 7.5 Hevi that is posted about on this post?
No, not directly comparable, but you asked about a short range load. I would not consider HS 7s to be "short range". A 1.125 oz load of hard lead 7.5s (trap load) contains 393 pellets and at 1200 fps MV yields 1.25" of gel penetration to 35 yds. A 2 oz load of HS 7s contains 549 pellets (in a perfect world) and maintains that same level of penetration to beyond 40 yds (not allowed to say how far by site admin).
Used to have a pic posted on here before Photobucket got greedy of a trap load through my 1187 / IC .665. It put 164 evenly spaced pellets in the 10" circle at 30 yds and has the horsepower to kill to 35. And does so for very low cost with very little recoil.
A few years back i was shooting some different turkey loads to see which one pattern best with a 665 choke, after I was though I decided to try a couple others. The Win AA trap 7.5 shot very well, at 30yds it went 140's in the 10" with good even pattern, but at forty you could say it fell apart. At 30yds I would not hesitate one second at blasting a big ole tom with that load!
Thanks guys, Weather here stinks at the moment. So I am going over to Sportsmans to pick up Trap 7.5 and HS if they have any. Snow, rain and sleet supposeed to let up this afternoon so I'll try to test these loads.
Odds and ends of old turkey loads that didn't produce the best at 40 yards is what a guy could try too. Many people probably have a few of them around .
I did shoot some Federal prairie storm out of a fixed full that definitely opened up, 20 gauge though.
Bandedspur trap loads were real though, I remember seeing that pattern on here. Good stuff.
Quote from: mtns2hunt on February 04, 2018, 10:50:56 AM
Thanks guys, Weather here stinks at the moment. So I am going over to Sportsmans to pick up Trap 7.5 and HS if they have any. Snow, rain and sleet supposeed to let up this afternoon so I'll try to test these loads.
BTW, they will not be labeled "Trap Loads", rather "Heavy Target Loads". Look for 3 dr, 1&1/8 oz, 7&1/2. Those will be 1200 fps. Winch also makes a "Super Sporting Clays Load" that clocks 1300 and patterns very well also with a little more umph.
Suggest Win Rooster 2 3/4" #6.
Started this thread almost a year ago. You may want to take a look;
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,71993.msg706204.html#msg706204
In case you have never heard of them;
http://www.winchester.com/library/news/Pages/new-rooster-xr-ammo.aspx
The Indian Creek (.665) and Carlson Long Beard (.660) (creamator design) worked best. But, if you are interested in a 10-25 yard choke, the Creamator Long Range (.025) or Mid Range (.015) might be the ticket (?)
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/400238/carlsons-cremator-extended-ported-waterfowl-choke-tube-remington-rem-choke-combo-12-gauge-pack-of-2
Quote from: Loose Wire on February 10, 2018, 01:32:31 PM
Suggest Win Rooster 2 3/4" #6.
Started this thread almost a year ago. You may want to take a look;
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,71993.msg706204.html#msg706204
In case you have never heard of them;
http://www.winchester.com/library/news/Pages/new-rooster-xr-ammo.aspx
The Indian Creek (.665) and Carlson Long Beard (.660) (creamator design) worked best. But, if you are interested in a 10-25 yard choke, the Creamator Long Range (.025) or Mid Range (.015) might be the ticket (?)
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/400238/carlsons-cremator-extended-ported-waterfowl-choke-tube-remington-rem-choke-combo-12-gauge-pack-of-2
Some good info on the old post. I have never heard of Rooster xr. I will look around and see if I can pick some up. I am currently using factory chokes and a couple of kicks chokes and working with some trap loads.. Might pick up an Indian Creek. Not worried about recoil as I never feel it. Tss in a 2 3/4 shell sounded interesting but I don't plan on reloading shotgun shells. Basically looking for a shell that will give good patterns closer up. I have the field hunting covered. I really appreaciate all the answers.
The Winchester super sporting clays load mentioned above is a good one. 3 1/4 dram, 1 1/8oz,. 7.5 shot. I patterned these in my 2 3/4" fixed modified choke 11-48 last week. Great patterns to 35 yards. The pattern fell apart at 40 though.
a good target load of 1-1/8 oz of 7-1/2 or 6's will take a turkey out to 30 yds all day long
Quote from: surehuntsalot on April 23, 2019, 01:21:39 PM
a good target load of 1-1/8 oz of 7-1/2 or 6's will take a turkey out to 30 yds all day long
Thanks for all the feedback. I'll try some of the loads mentioned in my 12g. I have actually switched to a 20g with TSS for this season. A very potent combo as I am already 2 for 2 with one tag left.
I've be surprised how well light 2 3/4" target loads patter out to 30 yards. #7.5s could easily kill a bird at that distance.
Good short range shell would be a 1 1/4oz 7.5 load.
Sent from my moto g(6) (XT1925DL) using Tapatalk
Quote from: edward.penny on April 29, 2019, 08:55:01 PM
Good short range shell would be a 1 1/4oz 7.5 load.
Sent from my moto g(6) (XT1925DL) using Tapatalk
Agreed!
Quote from: limbhanger777 on April 30, 2019, 08:19:07 AM
Quote from: edward.penny on April 29, 2019, 08:55:01 PM
Good short range shell would be a 1 1/4oz 7.5 load.
Sent from my moto g(6) (XT1925DL) using Tapatalk
Agreed!
I'll pick up a box and pattern. Only have one tag left so the pressure is off. My only concern is wounding one but my range will be 20 yards or less as I will be woods hunting now that the fields have grown up.
Kicks .655, .660 out of my 870's with Winchester XX and Super X lead loads are awesome inside 35yds.
Just got back on this site, and reading these post, have got. Me wanting to get out there and testing some shells
And chokes again.
Yesterday I had to hit the brakes on my truck, two long beards were kicking the feathers out of each other.
I had to blow the horn, to make them move.
Quote from: twoanthree-quarters on March 05, 2020, 02:30:40 PM
Just got back on this site, and reading these post, have got. Me wanting to get out there and testing some shells
And chokes again.
Yesterday I had to hit the brakes on my truck, two long beards were kicking the feathers out of each other.
I had to blow the horn, to make them move.
Welcome back. I basically finished my testing of shells for short range and found some of the trap shells work very well but would not trust them to 40. My 20g with #9's TSS is working very well I doubt that I will shoot the 12 at Turkeys anymore. Solved the short range dilemma by putting a 1.5 scope on the 20g. Problem with 12 was open sights and if the site picture was not perfect I some times required a second shot. Hate that. but then eyes are getting old.
Quote from: mtns2hunt on March 06, 2020, 11:15:02 PM
Quote from: twoanthree-quarters on March 05, 2020, 02:30:40 PM
Just got back on this site, and reading these post, have got. Me wanting to get out there and testing some shells
And chokes again.
Yesterday I had to hit the brakes on my truck, two long beards were kicking the feathers out of each other.
I had to blow the horn, to make them move.
Welcome back. I basically finished my testing of shells for short range and found some of the trap shells work very well but would not trust them to 40. My 20g with #9's TSS is working very well I doubt that I will shoot the 12 at Turkeys anymore. Solved the short range dilemma by putting a 1.5 scope on the 20g. Problem with 12 was open sights and if the site picture was not perfect I some times required a second shot. Hate that. but then eyes are getting old.
Agreed about not trusting trap loads to 40, but they are deadly to 30.
Anyone ever try the remington shurshot heavy dove loads? I got a box of the 20ga 1oz #6 for my young son to use as Turkey loads in his 1187. I thought is that they will be fine out to 25yds, which is all the farther I'd let him shoot.
They will do fine to 25 yds, but they will not pattern nearly as well as a 7/8 oz load of high antimony 7&1/2s like you will find in a high quality target load.
Old post..but i've had great results with the 3" #5 1 7/8oz super X turkey loads. Cheap and throw a good pattern out to 40 and not too tight close
To this day, my deadliest load has been straight 7 1/2 "dove loads". This is out of an older beaded, stock, full choked 12ga 870 magnum. When I set down on one, I try to be within 30 steps of where I think he will come into view. Old gobbler would be hard pressed to walk out of that pattern if I do my part.
the Federal High Brass 2-3/4" 1-1/4oz #7-1/2 makes a great short range load out to 35 yds
Agree. Beat close range <25yd loads I have seen are trap loads. Btw,trap loads are typically high velocity loads because they are intended for high speed targets. That extra velocity really makes those smaller shot sizes hit with authority. Don't be afraid to drop down to even #8 or #9 lead for close range. Experiment with some dove loads. You may be pleasantly surprised. My son whacked his first bird when he was 8 years old with a single shot 20 ga with a fixed modified barrel and a dove load at 8 yards.
Quote from: jakebird on March 19, 2024, 05:56:17 AM
Agree. Beat close range <25yd loads I have seen are trap loads. Btw,trap loads are typically high velocity loads because they are intended for high speed targets. That extra velocity really makes those smaller shot sizes hit with authority. Don't be afraid to drop down to even #8 or #9 lead for close range. Experiment with some dove loads. You may be pleasantly surprised. My son whacked his first bird when he was 8 years old with a single shot 20 ga with a fixed modified barrel and a dove load at 8 yards.
I would not personally go smaller than 7.5s. Any smaller and you are really talking "short" range. Launched at 1200 fps 7.5s will penetrate 1.25" of 20% BG to 35 yards. 8s to 30 yards, and 9s to only 20 yards.
I had a gunsmith friend that I called turkeys for over many years. He restored old Parkers and smiths and many others, including making high end custom stocks. He always carried a side by side (usually a smith ) and he never used the new high pressure loads coming out. His choke combo was full and modified. I watched him kill 18 straight birds without a cripple or miss. He finally missed one but it wasn't his fault. It was at <10 yards and the bird looked over a stump and as he shot it pulled it's head down, because it was already spooked. I hunted some with my O/U and my choke was full and Imp. Cyl. If a bird got inside 20 yards I used the IC. I only shot high brass pheasant loads when I carried that. I killed every bird I shot with it easy. It actually made me a more disciplined shooter knowing I had less error. Some of the hardest hit birds I ever shot were with that IC barrel and a load of lead 6s or 7.5s, inside 20 yards they wouldn't even flop.
I think the ammo companies are laughing all the way to the bank. We don't need high end loads if we are disciplined with our shots. However, most of us want that little extra range for those times old tom is cemented to his spot at 45 yards or even more. I am guessing 80 to 90% of the birds we kill could all be killed with lighter loads. Sure there's going to be that one bird we have to let walk away every once in a while, but they'll be another. I haven't bought the high priced shells for years. I shot Remington nitros in 5 shot for years and now shoot Winchesters in 5 shot. I can't remember which shell without looking, but they're $15.00 - 20.00 a box. I still kill my birds cleanly. When I sit down I pick landmarks as my circle of death (typically 30 yards) and I do my best not to shoot outside that circle....of course I get antsy sometimes and shoot sooner, but mostly I stick to it.
Quote from: eggshell on March 19, 2024, 07:59:55 AM
I think the ammo companies are laughing all the way to the bank. We don't need high end loads if we are disciplined with our shots. However, most of us want that little extra range for those times old tom is cemented to his spot at 45 yards or even more. I am guessing 80 to 90% of the birds we kill could all be killed with lighter loads. Sure there's going to be that one bird we have to let walk away every once in a while, but they'll be another. I haven't bought the high priced shells for years. I shot Remington nitros in 5 shot for years and now shoot Winchesters in 5 shot. I can't remember which shell without looking, but they're $15.00 - 20.00 a box. I still kill my birds cleanly. When I sit down I pick landmarks as my circle of death (typically 30 yards) and I do my best not to shoot outside that circle....of course I get antsy sometimes and shoot sooner, but mostly I stick to it.
^^^^
Absoutootly! I couldn't agree more with this. When you sit, plan your work and work your plan. It definitely isn't supposed to happen every hunt. They'll always be another chance.