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Turkey Guns & Shooting => 20 Gauge Turkey Guns => Topic started by: Dtrkyman on February 25, 2021, 11:54:00 AM

Title: Back up legal loads?
Post by: Dtrkyman on February 25, 2021, 11:54:00 AM
I shoot hand load tss 9s, where not legal I have a couple hevi shot 7s left over, I have not patterned any of the other stuff beside my TSS loads.

Just curious as to what can be expected from Hevi mag Blends, Long beards and Hevi 7s.

I know the standard Winchester turkey loads are marginal at best at 35 yards and I am not interested in loading any TSS in 7 as I think only one state I hunted last year that 9s were not legal.
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: 2eagles on February 25, 2021, 04:49:06 PM
Can't use 9's in Iowa so the best I've found for me is Hevi 13 7's. I just looked at a couple of stores, but they're out of stock. Glad I have plenty. I did buy a couple boxes of Magnum Blend because they were on sale with rebate.
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: Dtrkyman on February 25, 2021, 10:38:35 PM
I think I have two Hevi shot 7s left and that is why I was asking. Was not impressed with the mag blends either.

Of course I always joke about 99 percent of the birds I kill are dove load range!  But you know as soon as you chamber a crappy patterning load a bird will hang at 40 no doubt!
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: Fdept56 on February 25, 2021, 11:49:37 PM
Not suggesting anyone should do it, but if you're hand loading and accidentally put some 9s in a hull that you had previously written 7 on then how would anyone ever know?
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: Turkeyfever on February 26, 2021, 06:36:36 AM
I don't know if you can find any but the Federal HVW #7 was a great turkey shell and what I used before TSS. I picked up some longbeards in #5 and 6 during all this ammo disaster just to have on standby. I was very impressed with them. I really liked the 6 shot but both pattern really well with my red dots. I wouldn't have to adjust anything to hunt with them. I shot out to 40 yards
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: davisd9 on February 26, 2021, 07:05:06 AM
I bought a pound of 7.5s to load for my trip to NE.  Was no more expensive than if I bought so shells that were 7.5s and I still have the comfort that I loaded them.
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: mtns2hunt on March 04, 2021, 09:40:52 PM
Were I to need backup shells in case my hand loaded #9's were not legal I would use LB's # 4 or 5. They have served me well and I only need one more Florida bird using LB to complete a second slam and all were killed at 40 or less yards. I have found LB's pattern well in my TC Encore 20g.

Now I have read various posts where LB's were inconsistant but I have never had this experience and I only use what works!

Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: mtns2hunt on March 04, 2021, 09:48:30 PM
Quote from: Fdept56 on February 25, 2021, 11:49:37 PM
Not suggesting anyone should do it, but if you're hand loading and accidentally put some 9s in a hull that you had previously written 7 on then how would anyone ever know?

If you not suggesting it why did you post it on a forum?

Also I must comment that "accidentally" loading #9 shot in a hull labeled for another weight is morally corrupt and anyone doing so generaly indicates an individual that is predisposed to violate other game laws. My opinion!
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: Fdept56 on March 04, 2021, 10:06:53 PM
Quote from: mtns2hunt on March 04, 2021, 09:48:30 PM
Quote from: Fdept56 on February 25, 2021, 11:49:37 PM
Not suggesting anyone should do it, but if you're hand loading and accidentally put some 9s in a hull that you had previously written 7 on then how would anyone ever know?

If you not suggesting it why did you post it on a forum?

Also I must comment that "accidentally" loading #9 shot in a hull labeled for another weight is morally corrupt and anyone doing so generaly indicates an individual that is predisposed to violate other game laws. My opinion!
I've never hunted in a state that didn't allow the shot I was shooting and I would most likely bring the correct shell with me if I ever did, but if suggesting someone shoot a turkey with "too small" of shot makes me morally corrupt then I suppose I am.
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: crow on March 04, 2021, 10:10:11 PM
I sure hope nobody breaks the speed limit driving to their spot on opening day
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: mtns2hunt on March 04, 2021, 11:35:44 PM
Quote from: Fdept56 on March 04, 2021, 10:06:53 PM
Quote from: mtns2hunt on March 04, 2021, 09:48:30 PM
Quote from: Fdept56 on February 25, 2021, 11:49:37 PM
Not suggesting anyone should do it, but if you're hand loading and accidentally put some 9s in a hull that you had previously written 7 on then how would anyone ever know?

If you not suggesting it why did you post it on a forum?

Also I must comment that "accidentally" loading #9 shot in a hull labeled for another weight is morally corrupt and anyone doing so generaly indicates an individual that is predisposed to violate other game laws. My opinion!
I've never hunted in a state that didn't allow the shot I was shooting and I would most likely bring the correct shell with me if I ever did, but if suggesting someone shoot a turkey with "too small" of shot makes me morally corrupt then I suppose I am.
Sugesting someone violate game laws in what ever juistriction they are hunting is an insult to all the hunters that do play fairly. I have had my say.
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: turkey_slayer on March 05, 2021, 01:59:08 PM
Quote from: davisd9 on February 26, 2021, 07:05:06 AM
I bought a pound of 7.5s to load for my trip to NE.  Was no more expensive than if I bought so shells that were 7.5s and I still have the comfort that I loaded them.
Where did you buy 7.5 shot?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: mightyjoeyoung on March 08, 2021, 02:30:46 PM
Quote from: crow on March 04, 2021, 10:10:11 PM
I sure hope nobody breaks the speed limit driving to their spot on opening day

Thats apples to oranges there, sport.  Putting a little bit more pressure on the accelerator just isn't the same as willfully violating a game law.  Now c'mon.
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: crow on March 08, 2021, 04:45:08 PM
Quote from: mightyjoeyoung on March 08, 2021, 02:30:46 PM
Quote from: crow on March 04, 2021, 10:10:11 PM
I sure hope nobody breaks the speed limit driving to their spot on opening day

Thats apples to oranges there, sport.  Putting a little bit more pressure on the accelerator just isn't the same as willfully violating a game law.  Now c'mon.


Well sport, thats your opinion and your entitled to it, but don't tell me how I'm supposed to voice mine.

somebody speeding and putting other drivers and pedestrians at risk would be a little more serious than somebody putting #9 shot in a shell. So your right, it's not apples to apples, speeding would be a more serious law to break, IMO

I'm all for game laws and traffic laws, I've never put different size shot in a shell, I have sped.

Now come on man
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: turkeykiller41 on March 08, 2021, 08:30:34 PM
Sometimes stupid laws are made to be broken.
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: TonyTurk on March 09, 2021, 06:40:41 PM
The Hevi shot 7s and Federal Mag Shok heavyweight 7s are good choices as backup loads, IF you can find them.  I have heard good things about 3rd Degree 5-6-7, with the 7s being TSS, but I haven't personally shot those.
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: mightyjoeyoung on March 10, 2021, 12:27:55 AM
Quote from: turkeykiller41 on March 08, 2021, 08:30:34 PM
Sometimes stupid laws are made to be broken.
And sometimes stupid people breaking those laws, as stupid as they may be need to get pinched and find out just what its like to pay for their mistakes. 
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: albrubacker on March 10, 2021, 07:41:46 PM
 :popcorn:
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: Gmed on March 12, 2021, 10:28:22 PM
Let's say it's a matter of integrity - doing the right thing, for the right reasons, even when no one is looking. Kind of like checking in your deer or turkey. I retired from law enforcement last June after 31+ years of service. Been in fights, car chases, shot once and was involved in a lot of the other exciting stuff you see on TV cop shows. What you don't usually see on TV, and what is going here is the disdain that honest, trustworthy, law enforcement (or in this case ethical hunters) feel for unethical, dishonest people (bad cops or illegal or irresponsible hunters) who look the same as they do, but give the entire group a black eye....or maybe I just missed the whole point....

This forum has been a wealth of information for me since I joined, so I am sure some of the guys or gals have been in your very situation. You just gotta pick which load you wanna try. With the ammo like it is, best of luck finding shells to try....
Title: Re: Back up legal loads?
Post by: Dtrkyman on March 19, 2021, 01:18:01 PM
I prefer to be legal at all times, particularly when hunting other states.  Do not need to think about it.

I have only been checked turkey hunting a couple times and nobody checked my shells, however this was prior to TSS so I am guessing a warden is smart enough to know about it, he may or may not care.

Suppose you accidently break a law while hunting, of course they are going to check all your chit then and do not need them finding any other issues!

The Hevi shot 7s shot fairly well so if I can locate a box I will grab em just to have!