Shell "strategy"

[bamagtrdude]

GomerPyle & I were chit-chatting just now in the office, about a good 1-2 shell combination when loading up your turkey gun. 

In previous years, I'd been loading up with all blended custom shells (similar to MagBlends).  This year, I've decided to go with a blended 1st shot & a Winchester Longbeard XR as my back-up shell.  The thought being that the blended shot has a good up-close pattern, while the Longbeard XR would work well if a follow-up (ie longer) shot is needed.

Just curious how others are loading up their guns this year.

[Skeeterbait]

First second and third are the same shell.  Don't put any more in.  It will kill from close to far, so I don't see any need for anything different.  Make the first count and don't need the second.

[bowhunter2k9]

First second and third are the same shell.  Don't put any more in.  It will kill from close to far, so I don't see any need for anything different.  Make the first count and don't need the second.

Agreed

[GomerPyle]

well yeah, Ideally you make the first one count....but things don't always go that way...heck, I got tons of hits on a thread recently I'd started about people who've killed birds with their follow-up shots....so, if you're going to load a 2nd (or 3rd) shell, might as well make the most of it

[guesswho]

First shot is a 150 grain broad head, second is a 125 and third is a 100.   I figure the lighter heads will travel farther.  After the third shot I figure he's out of my effective killing range so I just go look for my three arrows.

[memert116]

I've always loaded 3 3" #5's and left it at that.  What you are talking about is thought provoking though because this year I will have a Sumtoy choke rather than a factory full choke.  I'm thinking about loading the first shell as a blend and then follow that up with Winchester XR's #5's pretty much like you.

[Gooserbat]

I'll use a htl in the pipe and a couple of Win HV for the hail marrys. 

[Mike Honcho]

I use three of the same shells usually unless I'm running low and if I am I put my "best" shell in the chamber and whatever I found rattling around in the pockets of my truck doors 2nd and 3rd.

[davisd9]

Throwing lead at a running Turkey is only going to make him run faster and be more weary. I load two shells in case I encounter two birds.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

[RemingtonRules]

I pick the shell I have confidence in and go hunt.  If it gets more complicated I cannot understand it. 

[Vabirddog]

Well, I shoot #6 lead for the first shot and agree, make it count, but I back it up with 4s. Thinking being if for whatever reason the first is not immediately lethal I want something that will break legs, wings and penetrate the body. If the gobbler gets on his feet or tries to take wing I want to immobilize and probably will be shooting "for turkey" not a stationary head.

I can also slip out the 6s and have 4s for Coyote at the ready.

[ridgerunner]

I use Heavy 13 #6 shot in 3inch, and follow with a 3.5 inch Heavy 13 #6.. one time I needed a follow up shot, and that was because I let the bird get too close and flat missed the first shot, but the second one laid him out..a 3inch would have done the job, but peace of mind I guess.

[MKMGOBL]

If I miss, I skip on trying to get off a second shot. Instead I'll toss one of these 

I see what you're getting at with this but for me, I'm a firm believer in the KISS (keep it simple, stupid) system. For me....havingor trying to keep track of two kinds of loads in my vest doesn't seem to be following that system

[Gobble!]

Same shell for all 3.

[g8rvet]

Mine and son's guns both shoot the Remington Hevi shot 3" #6 in very nice patterns.  Stocked up years ago, but the stock is dwindling (I did not run out and buy any when I knew it was going off the market-yes, I lack foresight).  So now, I load that shell first and just back up the next 2 with the same in the 1 1/2 ounce loads, which still has a nice pattern, but not as pretty.  Have less than 10 left and at our current pace, it will not be long until they are gone and I gotta start patterning a new load.