Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting 12 Guage turkey load

I have had 5 different 12ga Turkey guns. Shot hundreds of rounds testing patterns. The guys Touting the Winchesters are right. I found some ammo that would shoot better patterns but the Winchesters would always get the job done. As has been suggested I'd encourage you to buy a box of 3" Win. Longbeards and begin with the choke tube you have. Almost every turkey hunter has a favorite choke tube for their gun and will frequently tell you it is the best. My experience is there usually is a tube that shoots better than the others but any of the above suggested tubes will usually give you patterns that will take turkeys out to 40yds. If I can't get them inside 40yds then I'm thinking that my calling needs improving. An 870 loaded with turkey loads will get your attention when you ask her to speak. I could never get used to the recoil from the 3 1/2 loads. 3" is all I have ever needed. In fact my old Ithaca 37 shooting 2 3/4 loads never let me down. I'd also suggest #6 shot. It usually gives me the best combination of distance and density of pattern. If your pattern is tight enough so that you can't fit a turkey head and neck in there without getting 4 - 6 pellets in it you are good to go. At least that's always worked for me. Have fun and make sure you know what your gun is doing and where it shoots. Pattern, pattern, pattern.

Best to you
Jim