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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,937
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,937 |
Federal 7's - 20 gauge Hevi13 7's - 12 gauge
When I die I hope I don't start voting democrat.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,272 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,272 Likes: 2 |
I use #5 shot, but three things are more important than shot size: 1. a dense pattern 2. limiting your shots to a range that will kill the turkey. 3. maintaining your composure during the shot. Many hunters make the mistake of thinking their shotgun will do the same thing under field conditions as it does under range conditions. But under range conditions, you have a measured yardage (as opposed to a field judgment), a clear shot to the target (as opposed to the possibility of unseen saplings being in the way), and a completely relaxed shot (as opposed to the nervousness of shooting at a live target). Steve. Maker of the the Northern Scratchbox turkey call. Very good post, especially number 2. We hear and read about those 60 yard kills, and how great a certain shell will kill a turkey at that range. I have killed several birds over 50 yards, measured distance, not estimated, and while I had the confidence in myself and my gun to make the shot, afterwards I realized that was almost too far. If someone just wants to kill a turkey, then they don't care how they do it. If someone wants to hunt a turkey, then they pride themselves on calling that bird in as close as possible, then taking the shot. I get a much bigger thrill knowing I called a tom in and killed him at 25 or 30 yards, than I do anything else. At this distance, shot size doesn't really matter.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,314
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,314 |
#9 TSS and have used some #8.5 TSS. Both in the 20 gauge.
I used Federal HW#7's before the TSS.
When I shot a 12, it was usually with a #5 or #6 of some sort. I won't go back to the 12 at this point.
I enjoy handguns and I really like shotguns,...but I love rifles!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,484
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,484 |
[quote=Everyday Hunter]I use #5 shot, but three things are more important than shot size: 1. a dense pattern- That's why we play with shot size and metal density 2. limiting your shots to a range that will kill the turkey.- That's why we play with shot size and shot density 3. maintaining your composure during the shot.- Has nothing to do with choosing shot size or shot density /quote]
Comments in blue
Faith and love of others knows no mileage nor bounds. That's simply the way it is. dogzapper
After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box. Italian Proverb
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,295
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,295 |
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went" Will Rogers
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,100
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,100 |
Copper plated #7 1/2 in 20 gauge. Copper plated # 6 in 12 gauge. Nickle plated # 7 1/2 in the 20 gauge flintlock
Those give the best patterns in my guns and plenty of penetration at the distances I will shoot.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke 1795
"Give me liberty or give me death" Patrick Henry 1775
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,755 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,755 Likes: 1 |
Had the best luck with 5's
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8,646
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8,646 |
6's .... I somehow have acquired enough for several lifetimes.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,776
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,776 |
I use #5 shot in both 20 ga. and 12 ga. conventional shotguns. In a flintlock 20 ga. I use No. 5 as well. I am in a rut.
The flintlock I use requires birds to be within 25 yards and I get pretty good pattern density with #5 shot
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,302 Likes: 37
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,302 Likes: 37 |
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,970 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,970 Likes: 5 |
#4s, 5s or 6s. They all work.
Could easily be satisfied with #5s from here on out.
Tempted to play with #7 Hevis though.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 04/22/17.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,365 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,365 Likes: 7 |
The majority of the Shamanic Dream Team shoot #4 lead shot. Angus shoots #5, because it patterns better in his gun.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 833
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 833 |
When I started hunting Turkeys 25 years ago I bought 3" #2,4,5,6 and 4x6. I have been shooting them with 4x6 duplex as they patterned better than 5's. But 5's will do for me just fine. If I was starting out again I would start here. https://www.hevishot.com/catalog/magnum-blend/I have heard great things about the 5,6 and 7 loads. Anything over 40 or 45 yards with a factory shotgun can be hit or miss IME. It is all about pattern density. Good luck and shoot straight Bob
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,365 Likes: 13
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,365 Likes: 13 |
Hevi Shot Mag Blend here for the 12 and 20 gauge.
Used 5's in the Winchester Longbeards as well.
Semper Fi
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,529
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,529 |
Mostly htl 7s, as they will strait wreck a bird any any reasonable range. Played around with the longbeards in all shot sizes, killed a couple birds with the 4s, but couldn't get any consistency in the patterns, so I ditched them. Back to the 7s and life is good.
Oh, and believe it or not, deer bite. Fairly hard.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,834
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,834 |
3" Nitro Ammunition 4x5x7 HeviShot blend in the 12ga; 3" Nitro Ammunition HeviShot 7s in the 20ga.
Yea, none of the above are cheap - $5-$7/rnd. But ammo is the cheapest part of the hunt!
I never thought I'd grow up to be a grumpy old man, but I did, and I'm killin' it.
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,186 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,186 Likes: 1 |
The state regulations here allow #4 shot as the largest size for turkey, they have no minimum size.
I've used 4,5, or 6 shot depending on the conditions. This year I will likely be using #6 as it was an early spring and the woods should be leafed out pretty well. They will fill out a more open choke which I use after the woods leaf out. If it were a more normal spring the visibility would be much greater and I would most likely load up with 4s and a more typical choke.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,539
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,539 |
Winchester 3" 5's have always seemed to work for gobblers. I do not believe I do not need expensive shells to kill them.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 526
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 526 |
20=#6Heavyshot 12=4x5x7Nitro or #6 Longbeard's
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