New to turkey hunting, so just acquired NIB Remington 870 Mag Turkey, 21" barrel, extra full turkey (extended) Rem Choke. Choke tube says lead only (?). I thought lead shot was banned, but would like to try it out. Suggestions?
thanks a bunch
Lead has been banned from use for waterfowl hunting across the entire USA. But Turkeys aren't waterfowl. You'll need to check your local rules and regulations as some states have banned the use of lead for the purpose of hunting other types of game as well.
I'd suggest replacing the factory choke with a quality turkey choke. Like a Indian Creek or Primos JellyHead and shoot either some Winchester LongBeards or Hevi 6s or 7s, and of course there's my favorite the Magnum Blends.
Good luck!
You can shoot lead or Hevi turkey loads thru that choke, but not steel shot or large HTL. Some of them actually pattern quite well. If you want to go with an inexpensive load, buy some Win LBXR 6s. Be sure to pattern on large sheets of paper to evaluate patterns and zero in. Not all loads have the same point of impact, many vary a large amount.
I think you may like the factory turkey choke. I have the same set up and my seven year old will be using it in the morning. We patterned it at 20 and 30 yards with some of my 2 3/4" reloads and it's definitely some bad turkey medicine at this range. I load them with 1.5 oz of 6 shot...normally for killing crows.
Thanks for the replys
I noticed that many (most?) of the extended chokes are lead only; like Jelly Head. Per suggestions I purchased several different brands/load/shot today, and will range test them tomorrow. My brother-in- law has many birds on his property in NE Washington, so am header there mid week.
thanks again
If its an extended rem lead only choke I shoot the same thing. I alwas used federal heavy lead with flight control in 5's.
But this year I made the switch to LBxr's in 4's. 6's shot really well also but I have always been a fan of large shot and the LBxr's in 4 with that choke performs to my expectations out to 40.