Looking for some recommendations on some 3" turkey shells to go out and buy and start patterning with to see what the gun likes best. Anyone have any recommendations on your favorite 3" shells and what shot size is best to go with? Looked at my local store and there are tons of turkey shells. Hate to buy one of every box just to see what goes best, looking for recommendations on 2-4 to start with to see what'll pattern best. Something that would be usable with a full choke.
I do hear a lot about the federal premium 3rd degree.
A few to try are the Winchester Longbeard XR in #5's or #6's. I also like the hevishot hevi 13s in #5's, #6's, or #7's. The hevishot magnum blends are also a contender. It's an expensive undertaking but it's best to grab a box of each and pattern with your gun and choke combo to see what works best. I think it's a lot of fun to test loads and chokes, but it is taxing on the wallet. But then again, we all live to hunt turkeys so what's a few extra bills spent for the cause? Have fun and best of luck finding the right combo for you! :fud:
I shoot the Winchester Longbeards 3" #6 and my brother shoots #5. They throw a great pattern out to 40 yards in my Mossberg turkey thug 835. They're a great price also. $20 for a box of 10.
Grab you some longbeards and go hunt. (After patterning)
Don't know if it matters but gun is a Benelli M2 field 26" barrel using the factory supplied crio flush fit chokes
Poke around in this section.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/board,257.0.html
I did that when I got my TK2000 Muzzleloader and my Weatherby 20 gauge. See what other folks have used and it is a good start.
+1 on reading on here. There's probably an example of what someone else did with what you have. It's a shortcut. Otherwise, factory full choke with Federal 2oz lead #5s with Flite Control seems to work out fairly often.
Quote from: BobWalters on February 20, 2018, 07:57:30 PM
Don't know if it matters but gun is a Benelli M2 field 26" barrel using the factory supplied crio flush fit chokes
You will need to buy an extended turkey choke tube to get a good dence pattern for turkey hunting in my opinion. Probably 99 % or better of members on here do. And your choke will depend on the size and type of shot you choose
G8vet gave some good advice. But most are counting numbers, you may not want such a tight pattern, so ask questions
I have always had good luck with Winchester Longbeard XR 5 or 6 shot. They are also running a rebate on them right now. I've also had good luck with Hevi-shot 6's. I believe they have a rebate too. I've tried Hornady 5-6 in both my Remington 1187 (Kick's GT choke) and Mossberg 500 (Carlson Choke), and it didn't like either one.
I've always wanted to try the 3rd degree. I know the older flite control wad in the 3rd degree wasn't recommended when using a ported choke. Their new wad is apparently compatible with ported or non ported chokes.
I currently use longbeard xr but every year I will buy 1 different box to compare and record the results. Or I will buy the same brand but in a different shot size or length.
I go another route. Figure out what you want to shoot then make your gun shoot it.
So far I've got a box of 3" Winchester Longbeard XR #5, but haven't shot any yet. Found em for $15 for 10 shells. Also looking at the Trulock Longbeard XR choke.
That sounds like a good combination to me cause that choke is designed for the Long Beard shells. And if you want even more shot "density" in the pattern you can move up to the LB 6's without added a whole lot of money
The denser materials tend to pattern a bit better (i.e. tighter) than does lead... I currently shoot Hevi-Shot #6's and they pattern quite well out to 40 yards with a standard full choke... At 30-35 yards (where I shoot a good percentage of my birds) I have a really good pattern.
The denser shot also has better ballistic qualities and will get better penetration down-range than will lead.
I generally pattern with light-recoiling inexpensive target loads to see where the gun shoots, and put a shot or two of my actual turkey loads on paper to see what they are doing...
I have been shooting Federal 3" 12 GA 2OZ #4's since 1996. About a decade ago I started using a Carlson's Dead Coyote. Many gobblers have felt the sting, but not for long. Up until a couple of years ago, I only had taken shot one gobbler at 40 yards. However, in '16, I misjudged one in a field and managed to bag him at 80 yards. It's a long story. I'd expected him at 20 yards. It would not be anything I'd recommend, but the load did knock one over at that distance.
Quote from: shaman on March 25, 2018, 05:55:29 AM
I have been shooting Federal 3" 12 GA 2OZ #4's since 1996. About a decade ago I started using a Carlson's Dead Coyote. Many gobblers have felt the sting, but not for long. Up until a couple of years ago, I only had taken shot one gobbler at 40 yards. However, in '16, I misjudged one in a field and managed to bag him at 80 yards. It's a long story. I'd expected him at 20 yards. It would not be anything I'd recommend, but the load did knock one over at that distance.
Don't mean to be that guy but you might want to read rule 3... Good reminder for everyone. http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,10013.0.html
Quote from: shaman on March 25, 2018, 05:55:29 AM
However, in '16, I misjudged one in a field and managed to bag him at 80 yards. It's a long story. I'd expected him at 20 yards. It would not be anything I'd recommend, but the load did knock one over at that distance.
Is this a joke? Are you saying you shot him at 80 and thought he was 40?????? Not possible.
good insights on this thread thanks for all the contributors! Old Gobbler is a go to place for learning and i have appreciated it!
My favorite 3" shell are the Hevi 13 2oz #6's. I have taken a lot birds with these shells and don't plan switching g to anything else.
depends on the gun and choke you plan on using. But in my opinion you cant go wrong with the Winchester Long beard XR. seems to always pattern well with any gun/choke combination I've seen it put through. I've only personally fired it with my Remington 870, but I was very pleased with the results out to 40 Yards. If you find you don't like those I've also had good patterns with the Remington Nitro-Turkey loads. As far as the 3rd Degree, I haven't tried any yet, but once my wallet wont yell at me for it ill give it a try.
I like Winchester double x #5 shot. I like to let the turkeys get pretty close though.
Apex #9s!
Guys I get asked this type question a lot being a hunter Ed instructor. Let me see if I can put it in perspective a little. Don mentioned trying some shells and letting them decide for you , good advice but being your new it seems you at least want some direction.
To me that leaves a few shells out at least at first. TSS is expensive and honestly unnecessary. Any lead load can and will do the trick at normal turkey hunt distances.
Depending on the choke you have a variety of choices. Let's assume you have normal turkey chokes. Longbeards are another load that imo is not good. It's too unforgiving for a newer hunter. If you're an old hand at hunting/shooting than it'd be a consideration. Just realize at close, normal turkey ranges you could somewhat easily miss.
In the past for prob 30 plus years I'd used Winchester supremes. You can't get em but federal grand slam is copper plated lead just like the supremes and a good affordable price. Remington premiers have been a good one too in my past testing (not Remington nitros, they stink). Stay away from hornady too. Another option would be hevi shot. It throws good patterns, is pricier than lead but not so much as TSS.
All things to consider.
Now realize especially with certain really tight loads you're may need/prob need a sight. The poi will change. Don't sweat that. All normal. First get your pattern the way you want. Than adjust
Winchester LB 6 shot my Winnie 1300 loves em the Gobblers dont mind em either. ;D
Another vote for the Winchester Long Beard. I like the 6s
The original post was from 2 years ago. I would hope he has it figured out by now...??
it's not what you like it's what your gun likes. I shoot Winchester long beard #6 3 inch with the long beard choke out of a Mossberg 835. i'am putting 229 pellets in a 10 inch at 40 yards. it puts the Winchester smak down on them gobblers..
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on March 13, 2020, 05:11:17 PM
The original post was from 2 years ago. I would hope he has it figured out by now...??
Lol or gave up
Quote from: BobWalters on February 20, 2018, 07:11:05 PM
Looking for some recommendations on some 3" turkey shells to go out and buy and start patterning with to see what the gun likes best. Anyone have any recommendations on your favorite 3" shells and what shot size is best to go with? Looked at my local store and there are tons of turkey shells. Hate to buy one of every box just to see what goes best, looking for recommendations on 2-4 to start with to see what'll pattern best. Something that would be usable with a full choke.
I do hear a lot about the federal premium 3rd degree.
I highlighted the best part. Lol I was that guy ..100 boxes of shells ago :funnyturkey:
I like the 12 gauge Longbears XR's in #6 shot myself. I have never liked #5 shot from any make, they never seem to pattern to my liking.
I just bought a box of 25 3 inch lead fiocchi high velocity , good out to 40 yds . paid $ 13
Quote from: strum on March 17, 2020, 10:19:44 AM
Quote from: BobWalters on February 20, 2018, 07:11:05 PM
Looking for some recommendations on some 3" turkey shells to go out and buy and start patterning with to see what the gun likes best. Anyone have any recommendations on your favorite 3" shells and what shot size is best to go with? Looked at my local store and there are tons of turkey shells. Hate to buy one of every box just to see what goes best, looking for recommendations on 2-4 to start with to see what'll pattern best. Something that would be usable with a full choke.
I do hear a lot about the federal premium 3rd degree.
I highlighted the best part. Lol I was that guy ..100 boxes of shells ago :funnyturkey:
So please wrap up this thread and tell us how it went 100 boxes of shells back. What did you end up hunting with and how were your pattern?
I just shoot xx upland game loads #6 3in.
Never needed anything else in a 12ga.
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Another vote here for the Longbeard XR. I shoot 3" #6s out of my 870 with a Patternmaster Turkey choke and they work very well. Hevishot MagBlends are awesome too, but for the money... LBXR.
From a price perspective Longbeard XR 6's would be the best and best patterning lead shell. Although I have shot a bunch of birds with federal mag-shok 6's.
Although if you simply want to use a regular full choke I'd choose a small shot size HTL load as they would pattern the best.
I have always shot whatever I can get my hands on. I've been shooting Magnum blend the past 5 years and they have worked great. You can pattern all you want, but that only helps when taking 50+ pace shots.
If you can properly get your bird in a killable range (45 paces is all I would go with a standard 3" 12 Ga. and I like to have them about 35 max), blaming your pattern for missing a bird is a terrible excuse.
Also, getting birds into these proper ranges where you feel confident in cleanly killing them, will also make sure you know exactly what you're shooting at and not another hunter.
I never got the performance I wanted until I started loading tss for myself, Mike
Quote from: mspaci on May 17, 2020, 09:02:08 AM
I never got the performance I wanted until I started loading tss for myself, Mike
What is that performance you were looking for???
What exactly makes it worth the time and money to upgrade from lead or Hevi-Shot? Patterning, down-range energy? How much of a difference are you seeing?
Honestly, I switched to Hevi-shot some time ago, and have yet to hit a bird that did not go right down & dead... But, It is more likely than not that lead would have killed these birds just as well. Hevi-shot does pattern better and more consistently. It opens up a bit slower, allowing from me to use a bit more open choke (i.e. standard factory full) and maintain good patterns from in-my-face to 40+ yards with slightly more open patterns at very close ranges than lead with tighter chokes...
It sounds like you have done your research, and I would be very curious as to what the improvements were from leadd to TSS, and from Hevi-shot to TSS???
Also with lead being illegal to shoot in California, there was no way I would go to steel, so a switch up to Hevi-shot was a no-brainer...
like others said i would start on the lead train and test longbeards and grand slams, then if you want to spend more try the hevi shot, then tss. just be sure to keep your testing consistent to best compare results.
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Remington long range.BB
3" Hevi-13, 2 oz, #6 through a .660 original Jellyhead in an 870 Super Mag is what I shoot. Not a turkey walking the planet that it won`t drop stone dead out to 40 yards. I like to shoot, however, 35 and in. The problem now is just finding those shells.
Quote from: High plains drifter on March 15, 2021, 12:56:15 AM
Remington long range.BB
Seriously? ...Not sure, but I suspect that would be illegal in a lot of places nowadays. Frankly, my opinion is that is a REALLY poor choice for shooting turkeys,...but that is just it,... my opinion. If it is legal, shoot what you want,...but please let them get
REAL close if you are going to shoot BB's.
Quote from: GobbleNut on March 16, 2021, 09:54:50 AM
Quote from: High plains drifter on March 15, 2021, 12:56:15 AM
Remington long range.BB
Seriously? ...Not sure, but I suspect that would be illegal in a lot of places nowadays. Frankly, my opinion is that is a REALLY poor choice for shooting turkeys,...but that is just it,... my opinion. If it is legal, shoot what you want,...but please let them get REAL close if you are going to shoot BB's.
In my state you could legally shoot a slug gun. Doesn't mean I find it ethical or have any interest in doing so, but you could. The only restrictions in the regs are with regard to, "use [of] any handgun or rifle to hunt wild turkey."
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Any 3 inch, 2 or BB.Copper plated.
I always use lead, 1 7/8 oz. Federal Premium BB.Carlson extra full choke.12 gauge.