New to the Sight and Looking for Some Help

[MT elk slayer]

Hey guys and gals,
Good to be apart of a new site, especially this one, heard a lot of good things about this sight for tips and stories. Now down to the business, I have a 12 ga benelli supervinci 30" semi auto of course. I know what all of you are thinking, what the hell am I using this gun for turkeys for? Well, a broke college kid won this gun at a gopher hunting tournament shooting the most gophers and the longest shot on a gopher with my great grandpas .22 that he used as a kid. Everyone thought I was nuts to show up to this competition with a scope that is welded to the barrel and just an old rusty .22. They all had their fancy Larue .556's with nightforce scopes, and they were there to win. Me and my partner entered as a team and we walked away with the two gun prize, most prairie dogs shot =96 gophers in two hours on the same field as the other hunters and the longest shot (by my .22) was 437 yds. I guess you can't underestimate a punk kid with an old gun!  Ok, back to business so, currently I have this 12 ga benelli supervinci 30" barrel semi auto. I bought a jellyhead choke for it and can't find a load that patterns very nicely. I got one load to pattern decent, but definitely not the 220 pellets at 40 yds like everyone talks. I got about 75 pellets. So the question is, what should I be using for a choke/ load or something that will pattern nice with my jellyhead? I shot my turkey last year, but it was only 10yds so I can't say for sure it was the choke/load I was using, that's a pretty close shot. Whatever suggestions y'all got that I can play with with this massive gun I'm going to try. It is a kick butt duck gun, but I wanna make it a turkey gun too!
Thanks y'all,
Mike

[Spitten and drummen]

Try Winchester long beards. If they don't produce the pattern you want , then you need to try a different choke. I personally don't shoot them , but most everyone who has, raves about the patterns they are getting. Also what is the chokes constriction. If you can swing it , you could call William at Sumtoy. He will get you where you want to be and cut the cost of trying out a bunch of different choke and shell combos. This is just my 2 cents. By the way welcome to Old Gobbler!!! and good luck.

[kjnengr]

Take a picture of the pattern and post it on here.  Shoot a very large piece of paper.  Maybe some of your pattern is ending up off the paper. 

Also, don't get hung up on numbers.  I would rather an evenly distributed pattern with less hits in a 10" circle than one with holes in the pattern.  Especially if you are just starting out, you want something forgiving. 

Another option is the heavier than lead shells.  That's what I use personally.

[MT elk slayer]

I've shot a big piece of paper, approximately 4'x4' and the pattern is centered on the bullseye, the rest is just scattered. The jellyhead is a .66 constriction it says on the side of the choke. I have tried Hornady heavy magnum #6 3" 1 1/2 oz with no results. Winchester double x high velocity turkey 3.5" 2 oz #5 no results. Winchester supreme high velocity turkey 3" 1 3/4 oz #6 no results. Best results so far are the Winchester supreme high velocity 3" 1 3/4 oz with the best results, but definitely not what I'm looking for.

[MT elk slayer]

You mentioned William at sumtoy? Who is this? A number I can call to ask someone more experienced? I've talked to the boys at the sporting goods stores round here, and they are like talking to a 2x4 they don't even know half the loads or chokes or even my gun for that matter that I spit out at them. I tell them a supervinci with a 30" barrel and they just say, well benelli doesn't even make that gun, I just laugh and walk away.

[SteelerFan]

Try Winchester Long Beards. I have had good results with a Benelli M2 / Carlsons LB choke (.665) 3"#5's

Read & look here for LOTS of options:

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/board,257.0.html

[MT elk slayer]

I'll look and see what I can find for some Winchester longbeards, any recommendation on 3", should I get #4,5 or 6?

[GobbleNut]

Also, don't get hung up on numbers. 

Agreed.  If your gun centers the pattern where you aim it, and the pattern is pretty even out to reasonable shooting ranges, then don't worry about how many "hits" you have on paper.  Instead, focus your efforts on learning to turkey hunt with the proper calling tactics and woodsmanship skills, and you will never have to worry about shooting at a turkey at a questionable range. 

The above statement is not to be critical of those that find enjoyment in shooting their guns and getting the best gun/choke/load combinations they can achieve.  If that is your "bag" (and I know that there are quite a few here of which it is), then go for it.  However, in my opinion, spring gobbler hunting is really more about the hunt than it is about counting pellet hits in a piece of paper. 

Again, if your gun shoots straight and with an even pattern, learn how far it will shoot and keep enough pellets concentrated to kill a turkey consistently,...and then learn to hunt and call such that you can get your birds within that range.  If there is any doubt whatsoever that they might be too far for the gun/choke/load you have, then don't pull the trigger. 

[SteelerFan]

My M2 shoots 5 & 6's equally well - so I went with 5 just because.

My son's Nova likes the 3" 6's the best. (Thank goodness - 3.5" in a pump is just RUDE! lol)

Haven't tried 4's - but wouldn't be afraid to. Let your gun tell you.

Here's a pic of what I consider a nice even pattern, without insane numbers - 40 yds, Nova - 3" LB 6's / .665 Black Out (Carlson bass pro choke)

[MT elk slayer]

Definitely will try to track down some longbeards, my pattern looks decently like that. Anything past 40, it is not so hot, maybe 10 pellets at 50. I'll post a picture of the longbeards and you guys can tell me what you think. I know my gun will push a load out to 60, longest confirmed duck kill was 85 shooting my patternmaster with hevi metal 3.5" #3's. The dookies and honkers have no chance against this gun if they even question cupping into my spreads. Hands down the best dookie gun I've ever competed against, but I know it will kill some turkeys, just need to find the right load!

[wcerin]

I would try the 3" Longbeards as stated, I know my gun although not the same brand patterned the 3" much better than the 3 1/2". The 3 1/2" isn't as important as in waterfowl hunting. Just remember a lot of turkeys were killed by 2 3/4" shells back in the day. 3" no problem.

[MT elk slayer]

Just ordered my 3" longbeards, should be here in the next week or so. Got me a box of #5 and #6, can't wait to take them to the range and hopefully dial in my gun. I will post pics of each! Hopefully those big toms of my area have another thing coming to them this year, won't have to be only 10 yards away to get one! Last year them old toms wouldn't come in cause they had a flock of about 30 hens, so I used the old elk tactics and did the sneak-a-roo technique and they about crapped their briches when I got ten yards away and let the pellets fly, the bigger tom flew off the cliff and barreled into the trees, but my tom hit the ground like a sack of taters.

[g8rvet]

Definitely will try to track down some longbeards, my pattern looks decently like that. Anything past 40, it is not so hot, maybe 10 pellets at 50. I'll post a picture of the longbeards and you guys can tell me what you think. I know my gun will push a load out to 60, longest confirmed duck kill was 85 shooting my patternmaster with hevi metal 3.5" #3's. The dookies and honkers have no chance against this gun if they even question cupping into my spreads. Hands down the best dookie gun I've ever competed against, but I know it will kill some turkeys, just need to find the right load!

One of the agreements on this site is to not talk about, nor condone, shots beyond 40 yards.  Just a heads up brother. 

If our ducks spreads require 60 yard shots, set your decoys closer!    (just funnin ya).

As to William at Sumtoy, google Sumtoy chokes and save yourself money and aggravation and give him a call.  I live right near Trulock chokes and always call Mr. George.  Either one will give you the straight scoop and already know what your best odds are. 

I have not even bothered with Longbeards as the places I hunt tend to be tight.  I aim for 150 pellets in a 10" circle at 40 yards.  Don't skimp on shells or chokes as those are your major purchases for turkey hunting.  When you find the right combo, buy 10 boxes as you can afford them.  Trust me.  My son shoots my old 870 12g and he still has 20 rounds of the old Remington HW #6 and it is poison at 40 steps and in.  When he runs out, he can start looking for something else. I shoot the Federal HW in my 20 gauge and have 7 boxes. 

[MT elk slayer]

I appreciate the heads up! It may be different where you hunt from where I hunt, but a 50 yd shot is not uncommon in the neck of the woods that I hunt. I might just have to set up a ground blind and shoot my bow! Definitely more comfortable with that then I am with my shotgun! lol I appreciate all the tips and will definitely be sharing my targets and kills this season!

[TrackeySauresRex]

Definitely will try to track down some longbeards, my pattern looks decently like that. Anything past 40, it is not so hot, maybe 10 pellets at 50. I'll post a picture of the longbeards and you guys can tell me what you think. I know my gun will push a load out to 60, longest confirmed duck kill was 85 shooting my patternmaster with hevi metal 3.5" #3's. The dookies and honkers have no chance against this gun if they even question cupping into my spreads. Hands down the best dookie gun I've ever competed against, but I know it will kill some turkeys, just need to find the right load!

One of the agreements on this site is to not talk about, nor condone, shots beyond 40 yards.  Just a heads up brother. 

^^ Great tip 


Hi Mike,
This is a great site with a boat load of information. If you use the search engine under the gun tab you  should find some good helpful stuff that's comparable. You can try these in your set up and it may work great. However... we all know some weapons are finicky and require a different  recipe. When it works it defiantly helps cut costs.
   

JMO..
I'm in the minority here in reguards to the long beard thing. I'd much prefer a pattern to be more open at closer ranges. I've patterned them at a close range and there just not to my liking(to tight!) I've missed birds in the past at close ranges long before long beards. I'd much prefer the XX or HV Winchester. Also keep your barrel clean and you will have good pattern performance. Someone else said it here.... don't get hung up on the numbers game. Look for a good even hunting pattern. Keep it simple.
Good luck
B-Well
Johnny