Best all around load, close to far!

[decoykrvr]

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."

[nosaj]

I bought a box of 6's for just that reason.  I haven't bothered to pattern them, maybe next year.

[decoykrvr]

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.

[Bro2032]

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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[grayfox]

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.

[blueridgegobbler]

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.

[Erno86]

Federals 3rd Degree...was used to bag my tom last Monday with one shot at 23 yards.

[silencer223]

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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[mspaci]

They are all tight at 20. Put an optic on it & it solves most problems.  Mike

[greencop01]

                          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. 

[BINK McCARTY]

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.