Iver Johnson Champion 12ga Single Shot

[hootgobbleyelpgobble]

Just inherited my great grandfather's Iver Johnson Champion 12ga single shot. Best I can tell it is a 30" full barrel  with 2 3/4" chamber and dates to between 1940-1950. I want to try to kill a bird with it this year. I want to use lead only. Best I can tell, I will be OK with any turkey load that is lead. Right now leaning towards one of the Federal #6 loads.

Has anyone been down this path before or can offer any suggestions?

[lmbunch69]

My great uncle uses federal prairie storm loads. 2 3/4 #6 I believe. He said birds don't even twitch out to 30 yards or so.

[hootgobbleyelpgobble]

My great uncle uses federal prairie storm loads. 2 3/4 #6 I believe. He said birds don't even twitch out to 30 yards or so.

Thanks. I have looked at those also.

[longislandloco]

My preferred 2 3/4" load is what years ago we called a 2 3/4" Magnum, today Winchester makes a turkey load I use, 1 1/2 oz. #6, also can be had as #5, 1260fps. It's a Super X Turkey load, 10 round box goes for $9.99. It's a nice 40 yard old man load I use in my Nova, should work in your gun.

[hootgobbleyelpgobble]

My preferred 2 3/4" load is what years ago we called a 2 3/4" Magnum, today Winchester makes a turkey load I use, 1 1/2 oz. #6, also can be had as #5, 1260fps. It's a Super X Turkey load, 10 round box goes for $9.99. It's a nice 40 yard old man load I use in my Nova, should work in your gun.

Thanks for the tips. I found a box of those Winchester loads last night.

[longislandloco]

Please keep us posted! I have your gun in 20GA, got mine in 1973 from an old bait/tackle/gunshop here in NY, like it much better than the H&R singles.

[Aurora Wild]

I am always cautioning people about running magnum loads, even 2 3/4 inch in those old guns. The stocks can crack pretty easily in the wrist. I would stick with 1 1/4 oz loads and go to 7 1/2 shot if 6s dont give good density out past 30 yards.

[Eddie12]

Congrats on an awesome gun. Mine was given to me years ago by an old hunting buddy who was like a grandad to me. It's a 12 gauge with a 36" barrel and he always called it a Long Tom. I killed 1 gobbler with it at 30 yards and haven't shot it since. If I remember correctly I used a 2 3/4 Winchester supreme turkey load in #5 shot. Of course it didn't pattern near as good as my Mossberg and Stoeger but it got the job done. I just might get it back out and try my luck with it again. That gun holds a special place in my heart and I won't ever get rid of it.




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