Just inherited my great grandfather's Iver Johnson Champion 12ga single shot. Best I can tell it is a 30" full barrel with 2 3/4" chamber and dates to between 1940-1950. I want to try to kill a bird with it this year. I want to use lead only. Best I can tell, I will be OK with any turkey load that is lead. Right now leaning towards one of the Federal #6 loads.
Has anyone been down this path before or can offer any suggestions?
My great uncle uses federal prairie storm loads. 2 3/4 #6 I believe. He said birds don't even twitch out to 30 yards or so.
Quote from: lmbunch69 on February 25, 2020, 11:31:53 AM
My great uncle uses federal prairie storm loads. 2 3/4 #6 I believe. He said birds don't even twitch out to 30 yards or so.
Thanks. I have looked at those also.
My preferred 2 3/4" load is what years ago we called a 2 3/4" Magnum, today Winchester makes a turkey load I use, 1 1/2 oz. #6, also can be had as #5, 1260fps. It's a Super X Turkey load, 10 round box goes for $9.99. It's a nice 40 yard old man load I use in my Nova, should work in your gun.
Quote from: longislandloco on February 25, 2020, 02:33:43 PM
My preferred 2 3/4" load is what years ago we called a 2 3/4" Magnum, today Winchester makes a turkey load I use, 1 1/2 oz. #6, also can be had as #5, 1260fps. It's a Super X Turkey load, 10 round box goes for $9.99. It's a nice 40 yard old man load I use in my Nova, should work in your gun.
Thanks for the tips. I found a box of those Winchester loads last night.
Please keep us posted! I have your gun in 20GA, got mine in 1973 from an old bait/tackle/gunshop here in NY, like it much better than the H&R singles.
I am always cautioning people about running magnum loads, even 2 3/4 inch in those old guns. The stocks can crack pretty easily in the wrist. I would stick with 1 1/4 oz loads and go to 7 1/2 shot if 6s dont give good density out past 30 yards.
Congrats on an awesome gun. Mine was given to me years ago by an old hunting buddy who was like a grandad to me. It's a 12 gauge with a 36" barrel and he always called it a Long Tom. I killed 1 gobbler with it at 30 yards and haven't shot it since. If I remember correctly I used a 2 3/4 Winchester supreme turkey load in #5 shot. Of course it didn't pattern near as good as my Mossberg and Stoeger but it got the job done. I just might get it back out and try my luck with it again. That gun holds a special place in my heart and I won't ever get rid of it.
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