Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting 12 Guage turkey load

Any chance I could buy 2 or 3 different loads from you folks to test or what my 870 likes without going broke, buying a bunch of different boxes from the local sportsmans Wrehouse?

That used to be common with lead #2s. I imagine tungsten #2s would kill further than I'm willing to shoot one.

Honestly, I'm not allowed to hold too far down. My wife will call me out to where she is cleaning the bird and make derogatory speculations about my manhood if she finds too many pellets in the breast. Here lately, I have taken to aiming a middling load Heavy #7s at the eyeball.

We have shot size restrictions here


Nothing larger than 4 lead #2 steel, or #4 non toxi v shot other than steel


I've always approached turkey guns as a speciality/dedicated gun.

More of a rifle than a shotgun, A turkey gun IMO should throw the tightest, most dense pattern it is capable of. And should wear some sort of sight, other than a bead. I prefer a red dot

I've patterned my turkey gun out to 60 yards and as close as 10.

While I have no intention of shooting a bird at the far extreme, I'm a realist and understand that sometimes birds hang up, and if I've traveled 6-8 or more hours, and get a bird to hang up at 50-60 yards I have full confidence that a shot on a bird who's neck is extended at that range Wil result in a dead bird

Tungsten #2 don't stay inside a goose much--you can "eat right to the hole" as that's all there is.

Winchester Long Beard XR #5 or #6
Best pattern out of my Remington yet!

Except that he doesn't tell you that they are over SAAMI max pressures, and low on velocity.

I like Hevi-Shot MagBlend. It patterns well in EVERY 12ga I've ever used it in.

and my 10 ga

Winchester Long Beard 3" #4 will be in my shotgun this Friday!

Just me but I bought a box of Remington 3" nitro turkey loads with 1 7/8 oz #4 shot on close out a couple of years ago figuring I might go turkey hunting some day. Think I paid $4 or so. Got my chance to go last week . Screwed in the full choke tube in my old 870 express and found my shells. A nice Tom stuck his head up at about 40 yds. And I lined the bead up on him and it literally rolled him. The guy I went with is a 3 1/2" super full choke guy and he couldn't believe it. I'd buy some shells with either #4 or #5 in at least 1 1/2 oz and not worry about it. I mean now that I think about it I've killed Pheasent at 40-45 yds dead in the air with 11/8 oz of #6 and a modified choke numerous times with plenty of penetration. So throw in an additional 1/4-1/2 oz of shot or so to add to the density and a turkey should be doable .

I had no idea there was so much talk about turkey guns and loads, but I've never shot one further than about 20 yards with a shotgun. (It's thick around here.) #5 Rio Royal Turkey loads are what I use now.

20 yards?

May as well take a long barrel colt and I can send you some of my "snake shot loads"...

That's just how it is around here. I shot one Saturday and didn't even see him 'til he was at about 15 yards, and couldn't shoot until he was about 10. I'm considering using an open choke from how on, 'cause I almost missed him.

Get a double barrel with 2 triggers and have a full and improved choke if it tickles ya.

Good idea.

Cut it down to 20 inches and thread for screw in chokes.

I try to never let one get inside 20 yards.

I have been using the Nitros for years and have had great success.

My 12 year olds are both using Longbeard XR in their 870 12 gauges. The 5 shot patterns VERY well in both guns. One is using a Primos Jellyhead tube, the other is using a Tru Glo Gobblestopper Xtreme tube. The tru glo pattern is a little better but he also has a longer barrel.

Pick up a decent choke tube and buy the Longbeard XR in 5 or 6 shot at 22$ for 10shells.. You will be very pleased. I won't buy the Nitros ever again.