Hey guys, my first post on this forum! I'm interested to get your guys' opinion on the best turkey load to use from pretty close in (15-20 yards) to far out (40-50+).
The current gun I'm using is a Stoeger M3000 with the stock extra full choke (not sure of the constriction). I've patterned with Remington Nitro turkey, 3", 1 7/8oz shot. I established my max range is about 40 with 15-20 pellets in the head and neck area. I patterned at 15 and that group was the size of a baseball and no bigger than a softball.
Basically I'm looking for a load that covers all ranges. I'd like a little more spread and room for error at close ranges but still have the pattern density to get those birds that hang up.
Side note, my buddy uses hevi shot magnum blend and I'm thinking of switching to that but I still wanna here your opinions. I also understand that different loads pattern differently in different guns. Also if you have any ported choke recommendations I'd be glad to hear them! :)
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Welcome, I'm a lead shooter so some of the non toxic guys may have a different answer but I've never been a fan of the nitros. I've burned lots of powder in lots of shells n usually come back to Winchester supremes, the magnums which Is two ounces in 3".
Federal has a load called 3rd degree which in my buddys Browning Silver was quite impressive. The load is marketed as an all range load n in his gun we had great results. Do not know the construction he was using but it was the factory supplied choke
Federal 3rd Degree performs very well for me thru a .650 from Rob Roberts.
The real eye opener for me was patterns shot at 10-15 yards. The new Federal shell produced a pattern that was about 3 times wider than my standard load, very beneficial up close! :icon_thumright:
H13 #7 gets my vote
Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 26, 2016, 07:32:43 AM
H13 #7 gets my vote
Idk, my minds been conditioned that 7's are too small for turkeys..
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Quote from: PALongspur on March 26, 2016, 05:35:58 AM
Federal 3rd Degree performs very well for me thru a .650 from Rob Roberts.
The real eye opener for me was patterns shot at 10-15 yards. The new Federal shell produced a pattern that was about 3 times wider than my standard load, very beneficial up close! :icon_thumright:
I have heard good things about the 3rd degree. I also heard good things about the HS Magnum Blend which is kinda the same thing minus the flight control wad and they use heavier shot than lead. I think I might be narrowing down to those 2 and maybe try the #7s suggested earlier.
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Quote from: silencer223 on March 26, 2016, 11:27:03 AM
Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 26, 2016, 07:32:43 AM
H13 #7 gets my vote
Idk, my minds been conditioned that 7's are too small for turkeys..
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Your mind couldn't be more wrong, lol. Hevi13 7s, and even more so federal heavyweight 7s will absolutely wreck a turkey at any responsible yardage. Personally, for what you want, I'd go with the hevi13 7s.
Quote from: silencer223 on March 26, 2016, 11:27:03 AM
Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 26, 2016, 07:32:43 AM
H13 #7 gets my vote
Idk, my minds been conditioned that 7's are too small for turkeys.. To give you an idea of just how potent the Federal Heavyweight #7s are I performed a penetration test at 100 yds. they passed THRU a 5/8" piece of pressed board. They weigh 15g/cc whereas Hevi Magblend weighs 12g/cc and lead weighs 11g/cc. Fed.HW #7s hit HARDER than lead #5s @ 40yds.
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Federal Heavyweight #7s hit HARDER than do lead #5s @ 40yds. I did a penetration test and @ 100yds. the FED.HW passed THRU 5/8" particle board!!!
There is no such load that ideal at 15 yards and also at 50. If your looking for a 40 yard killer then it's going to be pretty tight at 15. If you have a nice open pattern at 15, it's gonna fall apart by 40.
Quote from: Farmboy27 on March 26, 2016, 05:00:11 PM
There is no such load that ideal at 15 yards and also at 50. If your looking for a 40 yard killer then it's going to be pretty tight at 15. If you have a nice open pattern at 15, it's gonna fall apart by 40.
Hmmm.. I still think there's one out there. 3rd degrees are pretty good at that atleast from what I've heard
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Quote from: silencer223 on March 26, 2016, 11:27:03 AM
Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 26, 2016, 07:32:43 AM
H13 #7 gets my vote
Idk, my minds been conditioned that 7's are too small for turkeys..
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I've killed them from 15yds to over 50yds with H13 #7's. HTL #7's are the most lethal shot I've put through my turkey guns.
A guy I hunt with made fun of me for shooting "skeet shot" through my turkey gun with the 7's. After seeing me stone one at a shade over 50 (misjudged rushed shot) he ditched his #4 lead for some 7's.
Hevi 13 3/2/7's
Federal HW 3/ 1 5/8/ 7's
Winchester XX 3/2/6's
Quote from: PALongspur on March 26, 2016, 05:35:58 AM
Federal 3rd Degree performs very well for me thru a .650 from Rob Roberts.
The real eye opener for me was patterns shot at 10-15 yards. The new Federal shell produced a pattern that was about 3 times wider than my standard load, very beneficial up close! :icon_thumright:
How does that shell pattern at 40 yards. Im shooting Beretta/ .655 Jebs. Turned some good hunting patterns with Fed HW 7's this morning and I have a box of the third degree. Hoping since its FCW it will shoot somewhat like the 7's.
Quote from: BINK McCARTY on March 26, 2016, 01:00:10 PM
Federal Heavyweight #7s hit HARDER than do lead #5s @ 40yds. I did a penetration test and @ 100yds. the FED.HW passed THRU 5/8" particle board!!!
Now that's impressive
Quote from: Longshanks on March 26, 2016, 07:09:11 PM
Hevi 13 3/2/7's
Federal HW 3/ 1 5/8/ 7's
Winchester XX 3/2/6's
Ya threw me off with the numbers.. lol
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3/2/7's. 3 inch, 2 ounces, 7 shot. Sorry about that, just an easy way to know exactly what shell it is when talking about a particular brand.
Quote from: Farmboy27 on March 26, 2016, 05:00:11 PM
There is no such load that ideal at 15 yards and also at 50. If your looking for a 40 yard killer then it's going to be pretty tight at 15. If you have a nice open pattern at 15, it's gonna fall apart by 40.
This is correct, there's always a compromise.
Quote from: Longshanks on March 27, 2016, 08:02:19 AM
3/2/7's. 3 inch, 2 ounces, 7 shot. Sorry about that, just an easy way to know exactly what shell it is when talking about a particular brand.
Oh okay! Sorry about that.. thanks for clearing that up!
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Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 26, 2016, 05:50:39 PM
Quote from: silencer223 on March 26, 2016, 11:27:03 AM
Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 26, 2016, 07:32:43 AM
H13 #7 gets my vote
Idk, my minds been conditioned that 7's are too small for turkeys..
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I've killed them from 15yds to over 50yds with H13 #7's. HTL #7's are the most lethal shot I've put through my turkey guns.
A guy I hunt with made fun of me for shooting "skeet shot" through my turkey gun with the 7's. After seeing me stone one at a shade over 50 (misjudged rushed shot) he ditched his #4 lead for some 7's.
How have those patterned at the closest range you patterned them at? I'm just curious
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Quote from: Bowguy on March 27, 2016, 08:12:00 AM
Quote from: Farmboy27 on March 26, 2016, 05:00:11 PM
There is no such load that ideal at 15 yards and also at 50. If your looking for a 40 yard killer then it's going to be pretty tight at 15. If you have a nice open pattern at 15, it's gonna fall apart by 40.
This is correct, there's always a compromise.
I always work to get a good compromise at 20yds and 40yds. 15 and 50 would be a stretch. I have a gun/ Hevi 13 turning 330's in a 10 @ 40 that has a good 20yd pattern as well. Win LB shoots a softball size pattern at 15-20 out of my guns for 215-225 at 40yds.
Quote from: silencer223 on March 26, 2016, 11:27:03 AM
Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 26, 2016, 07:32:43 AM
H13 #7 gets my vote
Idk, my minds been conditioned that 7's are too small for turkeys..
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Time for reconditioning lol. I use #9s. High density shot has changed the game.
Not a thing wrong with htl 7's. People don't realize they perform the same as lead 5's. Some people will argue but how dead is dead. They pattern great too at all ethical ranges.
Hevi-13, 3",2oz, #7
Hevi-13, 31/2", 21/4 oz. #7
I've done necropsies/x-rays on gobblers killed w/ these loads from 6 to 62 yards and the penetration on the head and neck was impressive. I've personally discussed the marketing of the HTL loads w/ the staff at EnvironMetal, Inc., regarding their excessive long-range hype and the deleterious effects esp. w/ new or uninformed turkey hunters. My discussions were apparently without success since they and other manufacturers continue their marketing of the long-range shotshell myth.
Quote from: silencer223 on March 26, 2016, 11:27:03 AM
Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 26, 2016, 07:32:43 AM
H13 #7 gets my vote
Idk, my minds been conditioned that 7's are too small for turkeys..
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For years, I shot turkeys with #7 1/2 copperplated lead. They died just fine.
If I was going with just one load it would be the Old Winchester #5 supreme. I've seen a lot of birds killed from 10 to 40 with no problems what so ever. I would say it was the best Lead shell before Longbeards
Quote from: coonhunter on April 01, 2016, 11:44:17 AM
If I was going with just one load it would be the Old Winchester #5 supreme. I've seen a lot of birds killed from 10 to 40 with no problems what so ever. I would say it was the best Lead shell before Longbeards
I've certainly killed a lot with them and seen a lot killed with them. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 150.
Quote from: BrowningGuy88 on April 01, 2016, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: coonhunter on April 01, 2016, 11:44:17 AM
If I was going with just one load it would be the Old Winchester #5 supreme. I've seen a lot of birds killed from 10 to 40 with no problems what so ever. I would say it was the best Lead shell before Longbeards
I've certainly killed a lot with them and seen a lot killed with them. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 150.
This season I have gone with the 20 ga and Federal Heviweight 3-1.5-7's.
At 30 yards, I have almost 200 in the 10" circle, at 40, I have 152.
I haven't shot it at 20, but my patterns are nice and even. I shoot my gun with an FFIII, because if it's a close shot, I have more confidence knowing where that dot is, my payload will be delivered.
My son has killed 3 mature toms at ranges roughly from 20-30 yards with a flush mount full choke, and all 3 birds dropped like they were hit with a sledgehammer.
Silencer223, Did you settle on a load yet?
I found this site this year (and boy has it cost me money ;D) when I was looking for choke recommendations for a SBEII I pick up this winter.
I settled on H13 7's through a Hevi Choke Turkey
At 20 yards it throws an 18-20" Pattern and at 40 it puts 240 +/- in a 10" circle. I am pretty happy with this performance and know that if I end up a little out of this range either way I should be alright.
I am shooting 3-1/2" shells through a 28" barrel.
For the SBE II the Hevi Choke constriction is a .667 which is larger than a lot of the other extended range turkey chokes for this gun which seem to range .650-.660. I have seen tighter patterns reported with this gun/load however they are usually with a tighter constriction which you would think would have a smaller pattern at 20.
I would advise putting Hevi-13, 6's in the magazine as back-up loads with the theory that a required 2nd shot would probably be further than the 1st shot, and the additional energy of 6's would be beneficial. I have hunted almost exclusively w/ the 3", 2 oz, 7's, since their introduction, and have had two instances where I needed a second shot w/ the Hevi-13, 6's. The first was literally a bad shot with the 7's, where I knocked a moving gobbler down w/ a shot which was centered on the base of the wing which smashed both the humerous and radius, but the wing took the brunt of the shot and the bird regained his footing and ran. I ran after the bird, planted my footing and shot him a second time as he escaped at @ 60 yards. The shot stopped the bird in his tracks, broke both legs, and put sufficient pellets in his head and neck to kill him. The second instance was probably overkill, but I had a bird shot w/ the 7's which was knocked down, then stood back up. I immediately shot him again with 6's which flattened him. I ran the Bore-Snake today through the Ithaca Model 37, and pulled out another Hevi-13, 7, for my next hunt, which was the last shell in the box which makes 15 boxes of the Hevi-13, 7's, expended at gobblers. The Hevi-13, 7's, have been, "Verry, Verry Good to Me" and "Verry, Verry Bad for Gobblers."
I bought a box of 6's for just that reason. I haven't bothered to pattern them, maybe next year.
Make sure and take a Sharpie marker and mark the shot size on the shell, since the printing on the shell will wear off after repeatedly inserting the shell into the gun. It also really helps in low light conditions to put the shells into gun in the proper configuration, ie. 7 in the barrel, 6's in the magazine.
An optic (red dot) is really the only way to cover the entire range effectively. You have to aim, and not just point a turkey gun.
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Quote from: Bro2032 on April 12, 2016, 07:38:59 AM
An optic (red dot) is really the only way to cover the entire range effectively. You have to aim, and not just point a turkey gun.
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I agree, because to get a good killing pattern at the longer ranges your pattern is gonna really be small at the shorter ones. Like someone said, it's a compromise.
Lead 7.5s killed one with a handload at 39 its simply devastating killed another with a longbeard 5 at about 25 and the trauma seemed much more devastating with the 7.5s. Just my personal preference but I think lead 7.5s are abouth the best all around turkey load but have to be handloaded. Ive tried every HTL out there except TSS and at reasonable shooting distances I see no need for the added expense.
Federals 3rd Degree...was used to bag my tom last Monday with one shot at 23 yards.
Hey all! Thanks for the responses! Keep them coming!
I will probably switch loads next spring. Since I just filled one of my 2 tags yesterday! Nice 2 year old with an 8 inch beard and 1in. Spurs. Shot at 20 yards through a small bush with Remington Nitro Turkey 3inch #5, 1 7/8oz shot out of my Stoeger M3000 with a factory extra full choke. Killed him deaden than dead. I would still like to switch though because I don't have confidence in the load if I have to take a long shot. Gunna try and fill my second PA tag with my compound bow.
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They are all tight at 20. Put an optic on it & it solves most problems. Mike
:camohat: This year tagged out in Mass. one on 4/25 an one 5/7. Both about 30yds with Fed 3rd Degree 12ga and both just quivered their wings a little and died in their tracks. This shell impressed me, bad medicine on toms. I use a Rem 870 Turkey/Predator w/ 21 inch barrel which also impresses me, a turkey killing combo. :OGturkeyhead:
Quote from: chatterbox on April 07, 2016, 07:14:49 PM
This season I have gone with the 20 ga and Federal Heviweight 3-1.5-7's.
At 30 yards, I have almost 200 in the 10" circle, at 40, I have 152.
I haven't shot it at 20, but my patterns are nice and even. I shoot my gun with an FFIII, because if it's a close shot, I have more confidence knowing where that dot is, my payload will be delivered.
My son has killed 3 mature toms at ranges roughly from 20-30 yards with a flush mount full choke, and all 3 birds dropped like they were hit with a sledgehammer.
I honestly believe ifn a fella can afford a red-dot that's worth more than concerning themselves over how small the pattern is @ 10-15 yds. and trying to find a perfect 10yd. AND 40yd. shell.... Patterns from ANY constricted gun shooting ANY size shot have been,are now,and always will be small.