Reloading

[woodchip]

Is it possible to load your own 12ga lead turkey loads and get better performance than a factory lead turkey load?  Just curious.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

My own findings:
(These descriptions are far short of being complete recipes.)

3" Shell with 1.875 Oz. of #6 Unplated Lead

#1. Remington 870, 28" Barrel, .675 Indian Creek Non-Ported Choke with No Wad Catchers
181 in 10" at 35 Yards.  Clumps and open patches inside 10" Circle.

#2. Remington 870, 28" Barrel, .655 Ventilator Ported Choke
167 in 10" at 35 Yards.  Very evenly covered 10" Circle.
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3" Shell with 1.875 Oz. of #4x#5x#6x#7.5 Lead Mix

#1. Browning BPS 28" INV+ Barrel, .665 Indian Creek BDS SS Choke with Wad Catchers
204 in 10" at 35 Yards, at 59 Degrees.

#2. Remington 870, 28" Barrel, .665 Indian Creek BDS Choke with Wad Catchers
141 in 10" at 35 Yards, at 59 Degrees.

#3. Remington 870, 28" Barrel, .655 Ventilator Ported Choke
186 in 10" at 35 Yards, at 56 Degrees. Very evenly covered 10" Circle.

[woodchip]

That's plenty good.  I have about 7 more boxes of HeviShot #7s left. I'm thinking about getting set up to play with some lead loads.  I would be happy with those numbers.  I killed birds with a whole lot less than those numbers before I started shooting HeviShot.

[BandedSpur]

Those are very good numbers, but there is a world of difference between 35 and 40 yds. Lead loads deteriorate rapidly as range increases. From my experience and that of several reloaders I know that have tried it, you can expect 110-120/10 @ 40 with mag grade unplated Pb 6s and 120-130 with Ni plated 6s. Those numbers are for 3" shells with 1.75 oz of shot. I've gotten my best results in my 1187 with an IC .665 and an SSX .643. That gun rarely breaks 100 with factory ammo.