Hunting load

[mtns2hunt]

I like an even pattern. Don't count holes in circles. I pattern my shotgun for the most even pattern I can get at 25 and 35 yards. Then shoot out to 60 for effect. I am currently using LB 4's they reach out well. LB 5's are a good middle ground and the LB 6's for closer shots but they will easily kill at 40 and beyond. I am currently trying some Federal 6's in an attempt to open my patterns. I sometimes use factory chokes in close. I shoot a 26' barrel.

In regard to shooting close or at a distance I believe this is the hunters choice. The majority of my shots are under 35 but I have shot out to almost 60 with deadly results, especially out West. I also use open sites and have been shooting this shotgun over thirty years. Still have not got that perfect pattern. I rekon I'll just have to keep trying.

[Loose Wire]

I talk about how close I kill them.

MK M GOBL

Like this?  7 yards.  He was pissed and still coming, 2 more seconds and it would have been a knife fight!  Spring 2017

[Coroner01]

New to the forum, have been turkey hunting here in Illinois for over 20 years.  Just purchased a Charles Daly online, put a Remington turkey choke on her. At 25 yards, she prefers the red Winchester turkey loads, over the black shells. The pattern was much thicker on target. I quit counting after 80 plus in the head and neck at 25 yards. God Bless, be safe and have fun. AL

[toypar]

I also like a even 20 inch circle of shot. I was shooting Winchester supreme #5 turkey shell great pattern. Now I am having problem. The Winchester superX #5 has to many holes with no shot and longboards #5 and #6 are to tight. 225 shot in a 10 inch circle at 40 yds. I mostly shoot at 40 yards and under. Any suggestions. Thanks


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[Kylongspur88]

Well a long time ago I was using #4's and considered 90-100 evenly distributed was phenomenal. The numbers game is fun, but honestly how many folks harvest birds beyond 25 yards? I've learned to scale back when hunting thick timber with lots of overgrowth. That's when the ole LB 4's and StarDot comes back out.

so you would recommend #4's hunting in thick timber at close yardage?

I shoot 4's in timber. You sacrifice some pattern density for energy but not enough to make a difference at timber ranges.

For me as far as a hunting load even patterns are more important than big numbers. 90-100 pellets in a 10 inch circle is more than sufficient.

[ahfox16]

Well a long time ago I was using #4's and considered 90-100 evenly distributed was phenomenal. The numbers game is fun, but honestly how many folks harvest birds beyond 25 yards? I've learned to scale back when hunting thick timber with lots of overgrowth. That's when the ole LB 4's and StarDot comes back out.

so you would recommend #4's hunting in thick timber at close yardage?

I shoot 4's in timber. You sacrifice some pattern density for energy but not enough to make a difference at timber ranges.

Agree. The goal 10 years ago when folks really starting shooting patterns was to find a load that will put 100 his in a 10" circle at 40 yards.  When you got that you were done done done.  I had quite a few lead loads that did that, but most killed at both ends.  Now lots of 20 gauge shells do that.  To me its LongBeard and everything else.  If you can get a 20 gauge shell to give you 100 hits in the 10" circle go hunt.  Everything else is gravy.

PS.  I just checked on my Long Beard Number 6's out of my 20 gauge put 201 pellets in a 15' circle at 40 yards using a factory super full.  Flat out amazing.


For me as far as a hunting load even patterns are more important than big numbers. 90-100 pellets in a 10 inch circle is more than sufficient.

[Ozark]

A few pellets in a beer can , at the range you intend to shoot.  That was the old school way.
I like to see the full pattern myself.

[Twowithone]

Im not a numbers person either. I want an even pattern out to 40yds. Looking at my past targets I drew a 10" circle and its well over 100 pellets easy. Like I said earlier even pattern and 3 pellets in the head neck vertabra he,s a dead Gobbler.   

[rgref522]

like others said an even pattern is just as important as bb count. personally i like 100 bbs in a 10 inch at my furthest range i would shoot a bird.... with that being said before i started patterning with different chokes and finding the right load  i was lucky to have 50 bbs at my longest range in a 10 inch.  wish i would have tested patterns sooner in my life

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[jakebird]

I used to obsess over my pellet counts in a ten inch circle. Now, I'm more impressed by consistency in a 20 inch circle. I believe a lot of toms have lived to see another day due to ultra tight patterns and misses, especially under 30 yards. My last bird was under ten yards and I must have barely clipped him on the first shot. Had to follow up and second shot was out about 25-30. I'd rather not see baseball sized patterns up close. I believe if you strive for a little more open but consistent 20 inch patterns at all ranges from 10- 40, you shouldn't be missing any birds.

[rgref522]

I think I've read or always been under the impression you should have 100 pellets in your circle at your effective range. That's been my standard I've always used to compare rounds.  I'm not a minimalist and don't agree with statements like "you only need 1 pellet to kill them". No I need 100 to crush them,  no questions asked, stopped, dropped, and flopped. Give yourself the best odds,  nothing is perfect when you pull the trigger,  things can happen.

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[Twowithone]

3 in the head he,s dead flopping around thats the nerves reacting that Gobbler is history.