Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

You can look over the forum n see all the TSS threads, hevi shot, etc it's to me overpriced but that's besides the point. Winchester longbeards I guess are what's selling and these are ridiculous if you ask me. They aren't hunt loads. Least not forgiving hunt loads. The blue collar stuff is no more it seems. Last year I noticed federal mag shok, another just decent lead load went seemingly away. Too bad. I've got some and found more at one place. Ordered a bunch so I'm immune from what some wanna force down your throat.  Anyone else shoots em you better grab a few boxes if you can.
Times are changing. Turkey hunting is turning into a rich man's sport.
You know most my guns have never seen a factory load. For the few shots a year it didn't pay to set up a reloader. But now it sure does.

Agreed and Agreed.

Just got an email. They're out of stock. No one else seems to have em. Good thing I've got enough for this year

Supremes are great shells.


Ammo is the cheapest part of hunting.  If I couldn't afford a box of hevishot ($25) I sure couldn't afford a license($168 sportsman's license)


I don't turkey hunt to save money. 

Quote from: TrackeySauresRex on February 15, 2019, 09:57:08 PM
Agreed and Agreed.

X 2 I personally still shoot the winchester super x #6 in my 935 and still getting them for less than $7 a box. My 930 prefers federal strut shok. If ppl would learn how to call birds within the 25yd range they wouldn't get caught up in the 70yd killing claims of the 400 pellets in a 10" circle

I got a good deal on several boxes of the Winchester Surpreme # 5s back in November. They work as well as the Nitro's I've used and although I've never shot TSS can't imagine they'd kill any deader

Was planning to get a few boxes of the Winchester Long Beard XR Turkey Shotshells - #6 Shot - 3'' are those the ones you are saying are not worth it?

I'm not cursing longbeards per se, I just think they're way too tight. Thing is I had some damage to the optic nerve when I had surgery last year. My vision isnt as clear as it was. A little wiggle room would be cool. I liked it even before the issue. I have an optic on it to help but is the idea dead birds or a bunch of neat holes real close together when shot off a rest at a pattern board? We've lost our way boys imo.
Guess after the season I'll try rem premier. Haven't shot them since around 90 I think but I'm not paying big money a shell for this new stuff.

Totally agree. A good friend of mine has hunted turkeys for 30 plus years with a Remington 1100 fixed full barrel. He has used Remington nitro 2 3/4 6s or 4s. He has killed a lot of birds. I killed my first 3 birds with them till I found out they didn't pattern very well. But every bird I shot were instantly killed. Now I hunt with Federal Strut-Shok AKA Turkey Thugs. Glad I stocked up on them.

I just want a good #6 shot that will work out to 30 yards, that is all I think I want to shoot. I will be adding the scope to the gun soon and have to get some shooting time in with it to see how it patterns before the season starts.

Quote from: daddyduke on February 15, 2019, 11:06:28 PM
Totally agree. A good friend of mine has hunted turkeys for 30 plus years with a Remington 1100 fixed full barrel. He has used Remington nitro 2 3/4 6s or 4s. He has killed a lot of birds. I killed my first 3 birds with them till I found out they didn't pattern very well. But every bird I shot were instantly killed. Now I hunt with Federal Strut-Shok AKA Turkey Thugs. Glad I stocked up on them.

Years ago I had tried the Nitros as well. The premier patterned better. Idk what they do now. Like I said since around 90 all I've used except part of one year was the supremes

I agree. Glad I have a good stock pile of federal turkey thugs. The Winchester xx black shells shoot really good too, supposed to be the replacement for the supremes. Can still buy these as far as I know.

The long beards are a good load. Imo they are too tight 30 yards and in. If you are looking for shells to use mostly 30 and under I would go with Winchester xx or federal strut shok, way more forgiving .

Quote from: coyote1 on February 16, 2019, 02:51:27 AM
I agree. Glad I have a good stock pile of federal turkey thugs. The Winchester xx black shells shoot really good too, supposed to be the replacement for the supremes. Can still buy these as far as I know.

The long beards are a good load. Imo they are too tight 30 yards and in. If you are looking for shells to use mostly 30 and under I would go with Winchester xx or federal strut shok, way more forgiving .

No that's the prob you can't buy any lead but longbeards from Win. Federal leads are gone too except for that new grand slam. I'm not sure what's up w them

My bad you can get the strut shok. I've never had luck w that though. I loved the mag shok. Prob is also they lowered payloads on grand slam and the strut shoks. Oh like I said I'm pretty good this year. I'll make changes next year.

Used the WW HV 1 3/4oz #5 lead for years then got caught up in the new load frenzy of Hevi etc.  Still have a few WW HV that go in the backpack just in case.  No real aversion to trying new loads but to do them justice I would need to shoot some at different ranges and then only after checking my guns point of aim.  Probably need a three box minimum and that gets $$$.  After opening weekend I often switch over to my Knight TK muzzleloader but I like to keep the 870 ready in case I do an out of state hunt.  No way I've seen to legally fly with the powder and other components needed for a muzzleloader.   

Quote from: coyote1 on February 16, 2019, 02:51:27 AM
I agree. Glad I have a good stock pile of federal turkey thugs. The Winchester xx black shells shoot really good too, supposed to be the replacement for the supremes. Can still buy these as far as I know.

The long beards are a good load. Imo they are too tight 30 yards and in. If you are looking for shells to use mostly 30 and under I would go with Winchester xx or federal strut shok, way more forgiving .

Yep, my 870 loves the turkey thugs 3.5in #5s. got like 2.5-3 boxes left. Not sure what i will use after that. Wish they still made these.

I will disagree on the longbeards. Maybe I am just lucky but I have a volleyball sized pattern at 20 and if memory serves me right around 190 in the ten at 40. At 50 the pattern is reaching the point I wouldn't trust it. But then I ain't gonna shoot that far. That to me is perfect and I have plenty of shells on hand that I got on sale.

Not to drop a turd in anyone's punch bowl, but in my opinion, i do not do pellet counts at the various distances. I look for even distribution of shot and i have had good results with HS.

If I go back to lead it would be with the Winchester XX 5's or 6's. In the 2.25 oz load. They patterned good enough at 40 and have lots of wiggle room up close.

Quote from: Dr Juice on February 16, 2019, 06:33:09 AM
Not to drop a turd in anyone's punch bowl, but in my opinion, i do not do pellet counts at the various distances. I look for even distribution of shot and i have had good results with HS.

Hevi does pattern acceptable but it twice the price. That's what I'm saying. I think I located a few boxes of supremes

Here's the other question what if TSS ever gets short supply? All the loads using it and all the guys reloading might be out of luck. In Obama wonderful leadership look how hard finding any old ammo was. Imagine everyone trying for same stuff?
Luckily I shot through it all cause I had plenty from reloading and could make enough more to get through. Common rifle heads though were even limited when I did need some of those.
I'm gonna research making loads myself. I just hate to set up loader for such limited issues

The winchester supremes were a very good shell and the longbeards are also.  I got into loading tss just to have something new to do.  I still may have a box or two of the supremes left.

It's just that time of year Cabelas etc. will have the Surpremes back in stock eventually. They were almost giving them away in November with free shipping.

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=Winchester%20%20(Supreme%20%20%20%20Turkey%20Loads%20%20%20%20%20,%20%20%20%20)

If you're looking there's plenty on gunbroker.

Quote from: Bowguy on February 16, 2019, 07:43:03 AM
Here's the other question what if TSS ever gets short supply? All the loads using it and all the guys reloading might be out of luck. In Obama wonderful leadership look how hard finding any old ammo was. Imagine everyone trying for same stuff?
Luckily I shot through it all cause I had plenty from reloading and could make enough more to get through. Common rifle heads though were even limited when I did need some of those.
I'm gonna research making loads myself. I just hate to set up loader for such limited issues

Maybe not all of us.  If I run out of TSS from shooting at turkeys, you'll have bigger worries. Turkeys will be damn near extinct.

When I started it was 25 in a white box Winchester Super Double XX #4 or 6 3".... 35 yards was max, 5-9 in head and neck.


So tight chokes and modern loads have improved.

I've killed plenty with Winchester, Remington and even Federal old Heavy weight...

However I love the Custom Nitro 4x5x7. So if I miss judge the yardage he's still toast. 

Enjoy the hunt and be safe.

Quote from: Bowguy on February 16, 2019, 03:10:31 AM

Quote from: coyote1 on February 16, 2019, 02:51:27 AM
I agree. Glad I have a good stock pile of federal turkey thugs. The Winchester xx black shells shoot really good too, supposed to be the replacement for the supremes. Can still buy these as far as I know.

The long beards are a good load. Imo they are too tight 30 yards and in. If you are looking for shells to use mostly 30 and under I would go with Winchester xx or federal strut shok, way more forgiving .

No that's the prob you can't buy any lead but longbeards from Win. Federal leads are gone too except for that new grand slam. I'm not sure what's up w them

I hope I can still find win xx somewhere. I like that better than the thugs.

QUESTION??
Are Winchester Supreme black shells and Winchester Supreme red shells the same?

I don't think any carry the supreme name any more, I could be wrong though. The red shells are super x and black are double x. Double x is supposed to be a step up from super x but it depends, your gun might like black or red.

Surpreme has been changed to double X same black shell patterns the same

Quote from: coyote1 on February 16, 2019, 03:58:42 PM
I don't think any carry the supreme name any more, I could be wrong though. The red shells are super x and black are double x. Double x is supposed to be a step up from super x but it depends, your gun might like black or red.

I like black and red ... Johnny Walker that is

Quote from: Dr Juice on February 16, 2019, 04:06:18 PM

Quote from: coyote1 on February 16, 2019, 03:58:42 PM
I don't think any carry the supreme name any more, I could be wrong though. The red shells are super x and black are double x. Double x is supposed to be a step up from super x but it depends, your gun might like black or red.

I like black and red ... Johnny Walker that is

JW is good stuff.

I shot a lot of those red hull Supreme in #5 lead in my early years chasing turkeys, and WOW do they belt you one when they go off! Still have dozen or so reds laying around.

Quote from: Bowguy on February 15, 2019, 09:48:03 PM
You can look over the forum n see all the TSS threads, hevi shot, etc it's to me overpriced but that's besides the point. Winchester longbeards I guess are what's selling and these are ridiculous if you ask me. They aren't hunt loads. Least not forgiving hunt loads. The blue collar stuff is no more it seems. Last year I noticed federal mag shok, another just decent lead load went seemingly away. Too bad. I've got some and found more at one place. Ordered a bunch so I'm immune from what some wanna force down your throat.  Anyone else shoots em you better grab a few boxes if you can.

Winchesters dropped the Supreme name but still sells a lead load under the Double X brand and the product code matched the code on the last box of Supremes I had.  Same specs and numbers as well for about the same price.

https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Shotshell?filters=%7B%22ids%22%3A%5B%22%23g-1%22%2C%22%23b-5%22%2C%22%23u-h-4%22%5D%7D

The consumer products business is all about new products and keeping things "fresh".

Turkey hunting must be getting more popular, because it seems that the volume of new gadgetry and gimmicks on the market has gained momentum.

It is getting to the point that there is more BS in turkey hunting than a Texas feedlot.

Quote from: Swather on February 16, 2019, 07:19:21 PM

Quote from: Bowguy on February 15, 2019, 09:48:03 PM
You can look over the forum n see all the TSS threads, hevi shot, etc it's to me overpriced but that's besides the point. Winchester longbeards I guess are what's selling and these are ridiculous if you ask me. They aren't hunt loads. Least not forgiving hunt loads. The blue collar stuff is no more it seems. Last year I noticed federal mag shok, another just decent lead load went seemingly away. Too bad. I've got some and found more at one place. Ordered a bunch so I'm immune from what some wanna force down your throat.  Anyone else shoots em you better grab a few boxes if you can.

Winchesters dropped the Supreme name but still sells a lead load under the Double X brand and the product code matched the code on the last box of Supremes I had.  Same specs and numbers as well for about the same price.

https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Shotshell?filters=%7B%22ids%22%3A%5B%22%23g-1%22%2C%22%23b-5%22%2C%22%23u-h-4%22%5D%7D

Idk but the link you gave shows not double x but super x. They're two dif things. The stuff listed stinks. I think most know xx and supremes are the same thing. I've never seen a double x box without supreme listed somewhere though. It's possible done are

I stand corrected. Some don't list supreme, some have it written in the background

Midway USA has the double x but they are pricey. $16 and change per box. I think I paid $7 a box after turkey season last year, ended up with a case of them.

Quote from: coyote1 on February 17, 2019, 02:22:25 AM
Midway USA has the double x but they are pricey. $16 and change per box. I think I paid $7 a box after turkey season last year, ended up with a case of them.

10 ga, 20 ga, 3-1/2 12ga or high velocity. I shoot the standard 12 ga. They aren't available and aren't being made. I think I found some. It's actually not the point. Point is we've severely limited ourselves

My bad, I shoot the high velocity because the standards are so hard to find.

Yes we are limited, I remember when supremes and federals were every where. I don't know why these ammo company's think every one wants to shoot shells that cost $6 each. I keep shots to 40 and under, most of time 25 and closer. No need for some super shell at those ranges.

"Maybe not all of us.  If I run out of TSS from shooting at turkeys, you'll have bigger worries. Turkeys will be damn near extinct."

Ha!Ha! This right here ^^^^.  I'll have enough that my 7 yr old boy won't need to buy any when he decides to Turkey hunt.

Quote from: coyote1 on February 17, 2019, 03:08:49 AM
My bad, I shoot the high velocity because the standards are so hard to find.

Yes we are limited, I remember when supremes and federals were every where. I don't know why these ammo company's think every one wants to shoot shells that cost $6 each. I keep shots to 40 and under, most of time 25 and closer. No need for some super shell at those ranges.

It's all marketing. You think every shell wouldnt cost that if guys paid it? I'm not saying possibly TSS can't be better but I'm w you. Call em in range instead of worrying about one just a pinch too long.
I don't wanna offend anyone but as a child a fellow in my archery club once bragged about killing a buck at 50 yards, This when when I was prob still late teens. I stated to him if he could kill one at 50 he was a better shot than me. If he needed to he was a worse hunter.
I don't think the worse hunter thing has anything to do w it anymore but I still like things in range where I can feel part of the hunt, that much I still feel the same.
I run beagles, many guys want tight chokes, God forbid one at 45 yards gets away. Who cares let the dogs circle him again. One year I killed 147 ducks w imp cyl choke. I bet most shots were 15-20 yards and the feet were down and they were actually decoying. To me pass shooting shows only you know roughly where they will be and is a waste. Decoying w feet down allows tons of anticipation. I guess I like that part of it.
To each his own though n my thoughts aren't put on someone else. I just hate the to each his own means I don't have my own if I can't do things my way. Or else I can still do it my way but I've got to shoot golden shells from my gun at a turkey well within range because reg lead shot for instance is an affordable dinosaur.
In range any lead load will kill a bird dead if the gun is sighted and patterns properly. I just don't get some thoughts as to some shot kills em better. I wonder at what point is hunting out of the picture and does just shooting take over. 
Imagine some super duper new load that kills them dead at 80 or 100. I'd have zero interest in that. I'll be honest I don't even wanna shoot them at 40.  Idk I'm sure some guys would. When I started bowhunting the idea was close. Intense. Now the "so called archers" wanna use a raven and shoot a deer at 100 yards. I say if that floats their boat and it's legal go ahead I just ain't doing it. By the way many guys can't shoot slug guns well at 100 so that's marketing hype too even if the piece is capable.

Hope no one mistakes what I'm saying. I don't think modern loads are the evil entity. There's some great things about them. I mean if say TSS is really that much heavier than lead it could legitimately make small guns say a .410 perhaps more effective. Imo though we down size (Beyond 20 ga) as adults for challenge. Kids it'd be awesome.
My buddy asked for load data for tss. I'll even help him load it and would love to see how good it really is. Within reason. I'm not opposed to anything. I just wish some of the older stuff was still being made for the rest of us to have a decent selection

I agree with all the above. I'm not against tss or folks that use it. It just isn't necessary for me.

Turkey hunting for me is all about calling them close, same reason I bow hunt. I like the thrill of taking a turkey or deer 30 yards and closer. I hunt with a recurve most of the time for added challenge.

I think shooting ducks over decoys is awesome too. At 20 yards fully committed with their feet down beats pass shooting any day. In fact I tried pass shooting one time and haven't done it again.

I switched to hand loading tss for a 20ga so I wouldn't be handi capped compared to the 12 I had with hevi shot.

I haven't shot a bird yet with the tss that I couldn't have killed with a dove load, but confidence in what you shoot is very important!

Sooner or later the hand load will pay off if I make a poor judgment and loading the shells is fun!


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