A long awaited milestone for me... I'm planning on taking my 9 year old daughter on her first turkey hunt here in a couple weeks. I have a Remington 11-87 youth model 20 gauge ready to go. I put a set of Truglo sights on it this weekend and took it out back and zeroed it. She's never shot a shotgun before so I had her shoot it 5 times while sitting between my legs off shooting sticks. I only used 2 3/4" low brass #7 1/2 rem game loads (lead). She's only 90 pounds so that was enough recoil for her and I realized I don't want to go any higher. I got a box of 2 3/4" high brass Win Super Pheasant #5's (lead) that I was going to have her shoot and hunt with but they have more kick and the rem game loads seemed like they were plenty for her... I don't want to start her off flinching.
I shot a few with different chokes to see the pattern it threw and am leaning on going with either the regular full or the modified choke. The super full shot nice, but I want a little more forgiving pattern.
My question is what do you guys think about hunting with the 2 3/4" low brass #7 1/2 rem game loads? There basically clay loads. They have a nice pattern at 25 yards and with the modified choke and #7 1/2s really have some room for error.
I don't plan on her shooting further than 20 or 25 yards. This can kill a turkey just fine right? I just want to keep it as simple as I can.
Thanks.
I'd prefer the same load in 6's, but 7.5" will do it. I'd have a decoy out at 20 yards and make sure she doesn't take a shot longer then that and absolutely aim for the neck and not the body. I know quite a few folks who have killed them during the fall when they got up in front of a flushing dog with 20 gauges and using 7.5 Grouse loads.
Honestly if you slipped a real turkey load in there for turkey hunting she would probably never know it because of all the adrenaline associated with shooting the turkey. You would need to pattern before the hunt though.
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Quote from: Curtdawg88 on March 30, 2020, 07:17:42 PM
Honestly if you slipped a real turkey load in there for turkey hunting she would probably never know it because of all the adrenaline associated with shooting the turkey. You would need to pattern before the hunt though.
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I second this
A Remington gameload is not really like a clay load. The clay load (Winch AA, Rem STS, Fed GM, etc) will have much harder (high antimony) shot and will pattern much better than the game load, which is assembled with the cheapest possible components, particularly the shot. That is where they save money.
Lead 7.5s have the penetration ability to kill a turkey to 35 yds or as far as your pattern will hold up with that shell. I shot a high quality WW sporting clays shell from my 12 ga 1187 through an IC .665 choke. It did 160/10 at 30 yds with a very even pattern. You will be throwing a quarter ounce less shot but should still have a solid 25-30 yds gun. Pattern it yourself to increasing distance and see where the pattern falls to 100/10" with the choke you plan to use. That will be your max range.
Good luck to you and your daughter.
I shot some Winchester super x 2 3-4 high brass 7 1/2 shot the other day in my nephews single shot 20 gauge. They call them upland & small game loads. Recoil was not very noticable at all and they were shot in an old k mart single shot with no recoil pad on it. Out to 30 yards they shot a very acceptable pattern with a Carlsons .575 choke. I would probably hunt them if I knew the shots would be 30 yards or less. Pm me your phone number and I will send you a photo of the box if you would like. I was concerned with the 1 ounce of shot at first but not now.
Thanks for all the replies. I ordered a box of super x low brass #6 game loads, super x low brass #7 1/2 game loads, and super x high brass #7 1/2 game loads. I'll have her shoot the low brass on paper and then will substitute the high brass in the field as long as they pattern well. I'll see if I can pattern the high brass with a modified and normal full choke. I'm looking for a nice wide pattern at 20-25 yards, I'm not going for distance here. I just don't think she's ready for a true turkey load yet and don't want to risk turning her off to the gun. If I can't get one within 25 yards for her, I'm not doing my job. Thanks for the replies!!
Quote from: Curtdawg88 on March 30, 2020, 07:17:42 PM
Honestly if you slipped a real turkey load in there for turkey hunting she would probably never know it because of all the adrenaline associated with shooting the turkey. You would need to pattern before the hunt though.
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I agree 1000%, but I would replace w a Federal HWT 2 3/4" #7 shot. Very minimal kick (especially out of an 11-87 semi-auto).
Shell never notice the kick while drawing down on a Tom's wattles.
Quote from: Brwndg on March 31, 2020, 08:31:07 PM
Quote from: Curtdawg88 on March 30, 2020, 07:17:42 PM
Honestly if you slipped a real turkey load in there for turkey hunting she would probably never know it because of all the adrenaline associated with shooting the turkey. You would need to pattern before the hunt though.
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I agree 1000%, but I would replace w a Federal HWT 2 3/4" #7 shot. Very minimal kick (especially out of an 11-87 semi-auto).
Shell never notice the kick while drawi f down on a Tom's wattles.
I hunt with several guys who never let their kids shoot anything more than a .22lr on the range but they kill deer with 6.5 Creedmore or bigger. Their theory is don't make them trigger shy on the range and they never know when shooting a deer.
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I'm going to hold off with switching out for a true turkey load this year but maybe will consider that in the future depending how she does this year. Out of all the heavy shot manufacturers, who offers a 20ga 2 3/4" option? I see someone posted about Federal HWT 2 3/4" but I couldn't find any for sale when I did a quick search...? Thanks.
I set up a Mossberg youth 20 shooting 7 1/2 low brass field loads for a friend with some serious disabilities including severe neck disfunction. Read that as little to no recoil. My tests, both for pattern and penetration indicated that at 25 yards it would certainly put a mature turkey down for the count. I might slip a bigger shell in there if the kid was older but at 9? Why take a chance and make her gunshy for years to come. Just another opinion. Everybodies got one.....
at 25 yds or less any game or field load 7-1/2 will kill a bird
they are not bullet proof
Quote from: Full_Fan on April 01, 2020, 03:53:41 PM
I'm going to hold off with switching out for a true turkey load this year but maybe will consider that in the future depending how she does this year. Out of all the heavy shot manufacturers, who offers a 20ga 2 3/4" option? I see someone posted about Federal HWT 2 3/4" but I couldn't find any for sale when I did a quick search...? Thanks.
$14.99/box at Rogers
https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/federal-premium-mag-shok-heavyweight-turkey-shotshells-20ga-2-3-4-1-1-8oz-1100fps
One more time and then I will shut up. If you want a good patterning, low recoil shell for a kid, get a box of high quality target loads loaded with 7&1/2s with either 7/8s or 1 oz of shot. Field loads use cheap shot that does not pattern as well. High brass field loads are no better. Don't believe it? Shoot them side by side and compare. Competitive target shooters shoot the best ammo available; turkey hunters should do no less.
Quote from: BandedSpur on April 02, 2020, 08:16:50 AM
One more time and then I will shut up. If you want a good patterning, low recoil shell for a kid, get a box of high quality target loads loaded with 7&1/2s with either 7/8s or 1 oz of shot. Field loads use cheap shot that does not pattern as well. High brass field loads are no better. Don't believe it? Shoot them side by side and compare. Competitive target shooters shoot the best ammo available; turkey hunters should do no less.
^^ this is the best info on this thread, the harder alloy shot will pattern and also penetrate head/neck bones much better than the cheap soft lead shot.
And also Firedup's advice on don't try to sneak a turkey load in on a very young/small child just getting started, there is time for that later on after a season or 2.
I have shot the fed 2.75" HVWT 1 1/8oz. #7 loads out of a 5.5lb. super bantam and there is noticeably more recoil from them compared to the above mentioned magnum shot (not magnum load) target loads.
Quote from: BandedSpur on April 02, 2020, 08:16:50 AM
One more time and then I will shut up. If you want a good patterning, low recoil shell for a kid, get a box of high quality target loads loaded with 7&1/2s with either 7/8s or 1 oz of shot. Field loads use cheap shot that does not pattern as well. High brass field loads are no better. Don't believe it? Shoot them side by side and compare. Competitive target shooters shoot the best ammo available; turkey hunters should do no less.
I'm following you, thanks... so for high quality target load you would recommend Winch AA, Rem STS, Fed GM, etc. correct?
Quote from: firedup on April 01, 2020, 08:01:24 PM
I set up a Mossberg youth 20 shooting 7 1/2 low brass field loads for a friend with some serious disabilities including severe neck disfunction. Read that as little to no recoil. My tests, both for pattern and penetration indicated that at 25 yards it would certainly put a mature turkey down for the count. I might slip a bigger shell in there if the kid was older but at 9? Why take a chance and make her gunshy for years to come. Just another opinion. Everybodies got one.....
Exactly, I don't want to risk it... not even making her just gun shy, I don't want to turn her off to hunting all together.
I just bought 3 boxes of...
Winchester AA Heavy Target Loads Shotshells - 20 Gauge - #7.5 Shot AAH207
I'll shoot them against the game loads and see how they look. Why does a guy always end up with more shells than expected?? haha
you can never have more shells than you need, that is what shooting clay pigeons is for
don't forget to use some of the shells to practice shooting left handed (if your right handed) like you would be shooting a gobbler, sitting up against a tree in turkey position at cans or plastic bottles for yourself
for your girl, without over doing it because of recoil forget the left handed practice and just have her shoot a couple of paper patterns to see where she is hitting, then shoot cans or plastic bottles to keep it fun
Quote from: Full_Fan on April 02, 2020, 01:34:23 PM
Quote from: BandedSpur on April 02, 2020, 08:16:50 AM
One more time and then I will shut up. If you want a good patterning, low recoil shell for a kid, get a box of high quality target loads loaded with 7&1/2s with either 7/8s or 1 oz of shot. Field loads use cheap shot that does not pattern as well. High brass field loads are no better. Don't believe it? Shoot them side by side and compare. Competitive target shooters shoot the best ammo available; turkey hunters should do no less.
I'm following you, thanks... so for high quality target load you would recommend Winch AA, Rem STS, Fed GM, etc. correct?
Correct!
Quote from: Full_Fan on April 02, 2020, 02:16:11 PM
I just bought 3 boxes of...
Winchester AA Heavy Target Loads Shotshells - 20 Gauge - #7.5 Shot AAH207
I'll shoot them against the game loads and see how they look. Why does a guy always end up with more shells than expected?? haha
Bingo. Great choice.
Thanks again for all the helpful advice from everybody.
Well youth hunt was last weekend and I took my 9 year old daughter out for her first hunt Saturday morning. Had a blind all set up with heater, blanket, chairs, and enough snacks to last a couple hours at least. My goal was (1) to hear some gobbling and (2) hopefully see any turkey. Low and behold one lit up a quarter mile away on our walk in... checked #1 goal off the list before we even got in the blind. Took a good 10 minutes to get everything just right in the blind after I got all the decoys out... wow is there A LOT you take for granted from years of running and gunning the way I usually hunt. After getting everything adjusted and correct heights and comfortable and everything else, I hit the call and it was game on. 15 minutes later not 1 but 2 barrel strutters came over the ridge looking for some love. Strutting and gobbling they slowly headed our way. She wanted to take aim when they were 200 yards out :) I said relax. When they hit 75 yards and gobbled, she started breathing real heavy. She whispered to me she was shaking and really nervous. I told her to breath deeply. They got to 35 yards and I told her to shoulder the gun and I slipped muffs over her ears. They got to 30 yards and I said aim at whatever one you want. I had to move the shooting sticks and she said she was good. They started acting a little nervous and knew something was up at 25 yards. I took the safety off and told her to take a deep breath and aim for the neck. Boom! One bird jumped and took flight the other jumped and stood there. She asked did I get him? I said no but you can try to get that one. We had to readjust and shoot out of a different window but we got it all set up again and she shot. That bird jumped and flew as well. She said did I get that one? I said nope. She wasn't upset at all and said that was sooo exciting, that was so much fun. They looked huge! Then she said I should call again so they come back :) We left an hour later with no bird but a great memory. Every time she tells the story she has a big smile on her face as do I.
Later that afternoon, I put a couple shells in the gun and shot paper in the yard at 30 and 25 yards and yeah, it's wasn't the gun's fault... those Win AA 7 1/2's made a pretty little pattern.
Sorry she didn't get one, but sounds like you had a great hunt. I bet she is hooked. Just out of curiosity, did you ever count to see what kind of numbers those Winch AAs do at 25 and 30?
Thanks for sharing her hunt with us. Sounds like she had a blast.
Quote from: BandedSpur on April 16, 2020, 08:00:47 AM
Sorry she didn't get one, but sounds like you had a great hunt. I bet she is hooked. Just out of curiosity, did you ever count to see what kind of numbers those Winch AAs do at 25 and 30?
Don't remember off the top of my head by they were over 100 at 25 and right around 100 or a little under at 30. I'd have to look at the paper.