Let's hear what everyone's mostest favoritests' turkey load of ALL time is??????!!!!!!
PLEASE,DON'T HOLD NOTHIN' BACK!!!!!!
In 12 ga it was Hevishot 3.5 2.25 oz 6s until they decided to start playing with the loads and they lost their consistency.
In 20 ga it is the BIG20XL #9s! Just devastation!
Sent from the Strut Zone
I really like 3.5" mag blends.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Hevi 13 3.5/ 2.25/ 7's
Hevi 13 3/2/7's
Hevi 13 3/2/6's
Fed HW 3/ 7's
Win XX 3/2/6's
Win Sup-X 3/ 1 7/8 /6's
Gotta say the Winchester supreme. I've used em since the early 90s n they've never let me down
Win HV 3.5" 5's
Hevi 13 3.5" 7's
Win XX 3" 5's
Federal Strut Shok #6 3.5 inch
Lead,
Favorite old shells;
The old Feds blue and gold box.
Win HV's
Both 3-1/2" #5's out of the Ol Mossy
New Favorite;
** 3-1/2" Hevi- Mag Blend 5,6,7
20 ga;
** 3" Fed #7's
3" Hevi #7's
:gobble:
Quote from: gobblegobblegobble on May 06, 2016, 08:32:29 AM
+1 for Big 20XL, #9s.
+2, TSS is a game changer in turkey loads. Carrying around a youth model 20ga has been a dream come true.
I have seen amazing results for the last 25 years or so with folks hand loading lead, nickel plated lead, copper plated lead and Hevi shot. Amazing patterns that were far beyond factory shells at the time. The new craze is TSS and 20guages. I have only shot factory loads and I haven't felt the need to hand load. Too much money and time to get into loading. Have shot some hand loads and the results were inconsistent. The factory loads produced now are far beyond what is needed to harvest turkeys and easy to purchase. Shooting 270's to 330's in a 10 @ 40 with Hevi 7's has me scratching my head why folks would need to hand load turkey shells other than producing 20guage patterns for youth and hunters unable to shoot a 12 gauge.
Quote from: Longshanks on May 06, 2016, 11:23:14 AM
Shooting 270's to 330's in a 10 @ 40 with Hevi 7's has me scratching my head why folks would need to hand load turkey shells other than producing 20guage patterns for youth and hunters unable to shoot a 12 gauge.
Cause we can!!!
My favorite load this year was 2.25 ounces of TSS 9's out of my 12. If I was shooting factory loads I'd go back to the Hevi 13 2.25 ounce 7's.
Best I have found for my gun is hevi 13 3/2/6 with a sumtoy .655
3" Mag blends
12 Federal HW 7 3"
20 gauge 3" Federal HW 7's is the bestie best
Hevi 3.5" 2.25oz #7's .....until they messed em up.
12ga 3-1/2" Mag blends
Killed my first 5 or 6 birds with remington duplex 4x6. Guess out of sentiment they would be my favorite! Most of the loads now days pattern way better. But they are the loads that are in my 870 this year. (Haven't killed a bird with this combo in 18 years or more!).
Heavyweights 6 or 7 in 3in.
Quote from: Farmboy27 on May 06, 2016, 06:22:44 PM
Killed my first 5 or 6 birds with remington duplex 4x6. Guess out of sentiment they would be my favorite! Most of the loads now days pattern way better. But they are the loads that are in my 870 this year. (Haven't killed a bird with this combo in 18 years or more!).
Killed allot of turkeys with the 4x6's out of my browning Citori. Still have three boxes.
Quote from: dirt road ninja on May 06, 2016, 01:57:04 PM
Quote from: Longshanks on May 06, 2016, 11:23:14 AM
Shooting 270's to 330's in a 10 @ 40 with Hevi 7's has me scratching my head why folks would need to hand load turkey shells other than producing 20guage patterns for youth and hunters unable to shoot a 12 gauge.
Cause we can!!!
My favorite load this year was 2.25 ounces of TSS 9's out of my 12. If I was shooting factory loads I'd go back to the Hevi 13 2.25 ounce 7's.
Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone with that post. Guess it's just something I haven't got into or have the time to do. Have a friend that is going to give me some TSS #9's 20 gauge loads for my boy.
3.5" #6 hevishot. Does all I need.
Federal Premium 12 ga 3" mag 2 oz load of copper plated #5 shot. Lethal, reasonable price and can find them at all the major sporting goods stores. Nuff said
The original green heavy shot high velocity 3.5 inch Number 5
3" Hevi-13 2 oz #6 has been my favorite so far but I do plan to try some 7's.
Quote from: Farmboy27 on May 06, 2016, 06:22:44 PM
Killed my first 5 or 6 birds with remington duplex 4x6. Guess out of sentiment they would be my favorite! Most of the loads now days pattern way better. But they are the loads that are in my 870 this year. (Haven't killed a bird with this combo in 18 years or more!).
I used them back in the day. Also took my first with the 4X6's
:z-guntootsmiley: Don't know all that much about TSS....does anyone commercially load them? It's my understanding they weigh 18G/CC opposed to the awesomely devastating Fed. HW @ 15 G/CC . Can someone give me some load advice on TSS please? 2 3/4", 3" , & 3 1/2" shells.
Quote from: Longshanks on May 06, 2016, 11:23:14 AM
I have seen amazing results for the last 25 years or so with folks hand loading lead, nickel plated lead, copper plated lead and Hevi shot. Amazing patterns that were far beyond factory shells at the time. The new craze is TSS and 20guages. I have only shot factory loads and I haven't felt the need to hand load. Too much money and time to get into loading. Have shot some hand loads and the results were inconsistent. The factory loads produced now are far beyond what is needed to harvest turkeys and easy to purchase. Shooting 270's to 330's in a 10 @ 40 with Hevi 7's has me scratching my head why folks would need to hand load turkey shells other than producing 20guage patterns for youth and hunters unable to shoot a 12 gauge.
An automatic 20 ga weighs 5.5 lbs in adult size and in my experience factory loads cannot touch consistency I get with handloads. I can carry and handle a 10 or 3.5" 12 but sure enjoy carrying that lightweight 20.
My favorite factory load was the Winchester XR HD 3.5" #6. They freaking smashed gobblers.
Lead
Winchester high velocity 3 1/2" 5s
Longbeard 3 1/2" 4s... The absolute best lead shell ever in my opinion
Hevi-shot
Remington hevi-shot magnum 3 1/2" 5s the best hevi-shot load in my opinion
TSS
Big Stubby XL 9s has been a total game changer in the 20ga world!!
I'm sure I don't get the performance you guys do, but my favorite shells are the Kent #5s. The first gun I had was a 3 in 870 with a cheap undertaker choke and it's throws a great pattern with that combination. That being said, I don't take many 40 yard shots where I hunt.
I loved those active 3" 2 1/4oz. #6s when I first started hunting turkeys out of my 835 with a .680 choke.
Then for years it was 3.5 winchester supremes in 5s out of the same 835 and a SBE.
My current favorite load is 1 7/8 oz long beard #5s out of my M1 with a .655 choke. My favorite set up to date.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Quote from: Sand Man on May 06, 2016, 10:59:58 AM
Quote from: gobblegobblegobble on May 06, 2016, 08:32:29 AM
+1 for Big 20XL, #9s.
+2, TSS is a game changer in turkey loads. Carrying around a youth model 20ga has been a dream come true.
x3!
Hevi mag blends or 7's really thinking of reloading some tss this summer
12 ga, 2.75", 1&5/8 oz TSS 9 x 8.5s in a lightweight O/U. Moderate recoil from the 6.75 lb gun and devastatingly lethal
3.5" H-13, 2.25 oz 6's...
Lead is illegal in CA for turkeys on state WA's, and illegal state wide for turkeys starting July 1st, 2016...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Federal HW 7 in 12 and 20.Yep the flight control wad can be tricky and pellet count doest compete with hevi7s but the pattern stays together further than any other factory loads and they flat kill!
Quote from: VAarrowslinger on May 10, 2016, 04:43:46 PM
Federal HW 7 in 12 and 20.Yep the flight control wad can be tricky and pellet count doest compete with hevi7s but the pattern stays together further than any other factory loads and they flat kill!
[/quote.
You dagum right
Whatever is in the chamber..... Killed gobblers with old federal 2oz 4's and a lot more with black supreme #4's... Now I use hevi 13 5's 6's or magblends... Whatever is on sale....
Quote from: drenalinld on May 08, 2016, 08:47:08 AM
My favorite factory load was the Winchester XR HD 3.5" #6. They freaking smashed gobblers.
That's awesome, first thing that came to my mind was win Xr #5. They were my first htl shells. Have shot some awesome shells since but I loved those shells, and your right they smashed turkeys. Imagine if they made longbeards with that shot
Quote from: sevetts on May 10, 2016, 11:50:39 PM
Quote from: drenalinld on May 08, 2016, 08:47:08 AM
My favorite factory load was the Winchester XR HD 3.5" #6. They freaking smashed gobblers.
That's awesome, first thing that came to my mind was win Xr #5. They were my first htl shells. Have shot some awesome shells since but I loved those shells, and your right they smashed turkeys. Imagine if they made longbeards with that shot
I hope they do in the future
10 Ga.- Win. 3.5" Supreme HV 2 oz. #6 and Fed. 3.5" Premium 2 1/4 oz. #6
12 Ga.- Win 3.5" Supreme HV 2 oz. #6 and Fed. Premium 3" 2 oz. # 7 1/2
20 Ga.- Fed. Pre FCW 3" Premium 1 5/16 oz. #6 and Fed. Turkey Thug 3" 1 1/4 oz. #5
12 gauge
Lead, Longbeard 3/1.75/6's
HTL, Hevi 13 3/2/7's
20 gauge
Federal Hvwt 7's
12 ga. OO buck.
Quote from: VAarrowslinger on May 10, 2016, 04:43:46 PM
Federal HW 7 in 12 and 20.Yep the flight control wad can be tricky and pellet count doest compete with hevi7s but the pattern stays together further than any other factory loads and they flat kill!
Brother,you hit that nail just about as flat and hard as it can be hit!!!!!
Back in the day anything high brass we thought was the best then Remington came out with the buffered Nitro Mag copper plated shell then went to Federal pre flight control wad then Remington/Hevi-13 a lot has changed over the years screw in chokes and turkey specific loads. Now I shoot Nitro Company H321 straight 6's
3" Longbeard XR #6
12 ga WIN EXTD 3 1/2" 6 shot or 3 1/2" Hevi MB
20 ga Fed HW
I would have to say before i started loading,the FED HW 7's hands down in 10,12 3 1/2",12 3",and the 20
Hevi-13, 3.5" #7's. :OGturkeyhead:
12 ga Winchester 3" High Velocity # 5 1.75oz Copper plated lead. Killer out to 50yds no problem. Briley .665 choke
out of my stoeger m3500 i love thw Win LBXR 3.5in. #6
out of my moss 935 i like Win. Supreme 3.5in #5s (old Fav.)
Winchester XX Magnum 3.5" 2-1/4oz 4's and 5's and the 3" versions
Quote from: steveus on May 17, 2016, 01:50:56 PM
12 ga Winchester 3" High Velocity # 5 1.75oz Copper plated lead. Killer out to 50yds no problem. Briley .665 choke
Would love to see a picture of that pattern at 50.
2.5oz TSS #9s
:camohat: This may raise eyebrows but I have to say Federal 3rd Degree, I am impressed with the results this season. :OGturkeyhead:
Quote from: greencop01 on May 30, 2016, 10:30:35 AM
:camohat: This may raise eyebrows but I have to say Federal 3rd Degree, I am impressed with the results this season. :OGturkeyhead:
I've seen my buddys Browning silver throw some pretty great patterns with the 3rd degrees. If that was my gun its prob be my load
Quote from: Farmboy27 on May 06, 2016, 06:22:44 PM
Killed my first 5 or 6 birds with remington duplex 4x6. Guess out of sentiment they would be my favorite! Most of the loads now days pattern way better. But they are the loads that are in my 870 this year. (Haven't killed a bird with this combo in 18 years or more!).
I used them a bit, can't remember exactly when but it was a bit. Still have a box somewhere
20 ga. Federal Heviweight 3-1.5-7's.
I have been hunting turkeys about 10 years now, and I saw 3 gobblers die from that shell this spring.
I have never seen birds go down in a heap like they do from that shell!
The bird I shot was right around 40, and he looked like he had been hit by a truck!
I will never go back to a 12. Those federals are devastating!
Remington Hevishot #4's. It blew my mind and sent me in a downward path..
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Bowguy on May 06, 2016, 09:23:02 AM
Gotta say the Winchester supreme. I've used em since the early 90s n they've never let me down
me too,when they changed the box i thought they had quit making them and went and bought every 3 1/2 inch box of 5 shot i could find.still my favorite shell.
Probably the next one I try.
There are and have been so many good ones.
12 Gauge
The original 3" Winchester HV shells with 1.75 oz. of #6 shot.
OW Hevi-Shot shells with 1.75 oz of #6 shot.
3" Hevi-13 "Bronze" shells with 2 oz. of #6 shot.
3" Federal 3rd Degree
3" Hevi-Shot Triple Beard
3" WLB shells with both 1.75 oz and 1.875 of #6 shot
20 Gauge
Original Hevi-13 with #6 shot (Big Turkey on box)
3" Hevi-13 with #6 or #7 shot
3" Federal Heavyweight #7 shot
Thanks,
Clark
12 gauge - Hevi 13 3/2/7s. And Fed Heavyweight 3 in. 7s.
20 gauge- Hevi 13 7s and Fed Heavyweight 3 in. 7s
Winchester Supreme/Longbeards 3.5" #5
I have one 3 inch hevi shot load left, white hull, I think 1 3/4 oz number six at 1090, first one I ever fired back in the day I thought was a dud the recoil was so mucn lower than the Rem. hevi shot and Winchester xx mag turk loads.
Nitro H517 4x5x7 Hevi
It just isn't fair to the turkeys
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
LBs are hard to beat for the money
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Favorite all time?
14 grains of hodgdon li'l gun under a 40 grain nosler ballistic tip over a federal gmm small rifle primer conveniently wrapped in a 22 hornet case. That load flat hammered birds.
Now, talking shotguns, I like the TSS load I'm running right now but haven't gotten lucky enough to kill a bird with it just yet. Killed a couple with various hevi shot loads with no problems so if I had to pick a factory load it'd either be those or the Winchester LB's in 5 shot.
The one in my gun! Makes no difference when you kill them close :)
MK M GOBL
10 ga........... Winchester Supreme HV 2 oz. #6
12 ga............ LBXR
20 ga............ Fed Heavy 7
Nitro Ray's loads were real confidence boosters. They slammed birds.
I got a batch of some that I couldn't eject until the brass cooled off and my buddy had some he couldn't cycle through his gun to unload it. Had to fire three in the ground to unload his gun!
Hevi shot was coming to the forefront and I switched to that.
The Federal HW 7's have made the 20 gauge the new favored load. And I'm a fan. Not going to reload so I'll stick with 'em as long as they make 'em.
My best results are from the Hevi-shot 3 1/2" #7's.
Bought some Nitro's last year and a new choke tube. Boy was that a mistake!! First of all, I've never been hit that hard in my life and even worse..they didn't pattern worth a hoot.
For my 12GA I'm gonna go with Hevi-13 3in 2oz #7 if I'm shooting my JEBs .650
Rhino .660 would be 3in 2oz #6 Hevi-13
20GA 3in Magblend with Hevi choke
12-Remington HW #6 (as long as the buffer did not leak out :(). Patterned best ever in my gun and killed a lot of birds. Still have about 4 boxes left that my son has inherited.
20-Federal HW#7 with a Trulock choke. Poison in my Weather SA459
3.5" 2.5oz #9 TSS
Shooting a Remington 870 super max gobbler. Tightwad tube. Best load so far is mag blend 3.5".
Xtended Range
3 inch Hevi 13 2 oz. 7s in my Beretta.
Winchester LB #6
Hevi 13 3.5" Straight #7's
The white hull roll crimped hevi shot, shot my last one this past season.
12 ga 3" Hevi 13 2 oz 7's
20 ga 3" Fed Heavyweight 1 1/2 oz 7's
Mossberg 935 3.5 Winchester supreme 5s
Stoeger m3500 3.5 Winchester longbeard XR 6's
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Win Longbeard xr 3" 12 ga #6 shot
12ga
Nitro 4x6x7 Hevi shot 2.25oz
Nitro 6x7 Hevi shot 6x7 2.25oz
20ga
Nitro Hevi shot #7 3in
APEX GT-20 #9s
20 gauge Federal Heviweight 3-1.5-7's....
Unfortunately, discontinued.
Will be testing Winchester LB 6's, and Hevi-13 3-1.25-7's as soon as the weather breaks....
Winchester XX Magnum #6's...had an Advantage pattern 870 that loved them...never should've sold it!
Nitro 2 7/16 oz straight 7s. SBE2 Rhino .660 choke. Had 360 hits 10 in circle at 40 all day long and simply vaporized turkey heads. Gives me shivers when I think about my poor shoulder
In the 1980's Winchester XX 2.75" 1.5 oz.#5s, from an Ithaca 37 pump
Late 1980's to early 1990's Federal Premium 3" 2 oz. copper plated #6s, from a Stevens single shot
Late 1990's Winchester Supreme HV (black hull) 3" 1.75 oz. copper plated #6s, from a SBE
2012 to today Hevi -13 #" 2 oz. #7s or #6s, from a SBE II
Jim
Winchester supreme 3" and 3 1/2" 5's and 6's. Then the win Xtended Range HD 3 1/2" 5's. In a 20ga fed heavyweight 3" 1 1/2oz 7's. Then hevi 13 7's. And of course nitro's straight 7's. Win supreme lead has patterned great too over the years in 5's and 6's out to 30-35 for me so I kinda favor them as a lead load.
Quote from: WyoHunter on February 08, 2017, 05:09:58 PM
12 ga 3" Hevi 13 2 oz 7's
20 ga 3" Fed Heavyweight 1 1/2 oz 7's
^^^^^these!!!!
I've only been at this for about 10 years but the Hevi 7's are hard to beat.
Factory ammo would have to be Winchester HV Black Hulls. It's always a go to and always works.
My favorite load in general is 1-3/4 ounce of TSS...