The boy and I are both carrying guns with 2 3/4" Chambers this year. Anyone recommend a factory load?

You can get 2 3/4" Hevi-Shot in 4s or 6s. If you want lead, the various 1 1/8 oz 2 3/4" "Magnum" loads would be where I'd look. Federal still lists a copper plated load and Remington has the unplated Nitro Mags.

I'll check the Nitro Mags out, my old gun has a poly choke so I believe the Hevi Shot is out. Thinking of patterning some Remington XLR's also while I'm at it.

My granddaughter used a 2 3/4 inch load of #6 shot, plain old high brass heavy load. Patterned really good, and killed the fire out of a turkey. Nephew, who was 6 at the time, also used the same shell.

Winchester Super Pheasant #6.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...ion-20-gauge-buffered-copper-plated-shot

10gaugemag,

I'm definitely going to pick up some of those to pattern. That load comes well recommended by many.

i found a good selection of 20 gauge at rogers sporting goods. google them

I shoot Federal premium loads with 1 1/8 ounce of copper plated #7&1/2 shot in an 870 full choke.

If you don't mind handloading, 2-3/4" TSS #9s will turn those 2-3/4" rigs into long rang turkey snipers. If you must go lead, 1-1/8oz CP #7.5 is deadly to 35yds. No other shot size in lead 2-3/4" loads will give you the same distance due to lack of pattern density.

Will lead 7.5's crack a turkey skull and neck vertebrae at 35 yards?

Easily.

I use Federal Prairie Storm #5's for late season pheasants. 1oz. of copper plated lead at 1350fps with the Flite Stopper wad and shot. Kills wild pheasants well out to 40 yds, no reason it wouldn't do the same on a Tom!

Elk Country

Sounds like older guns you might not want to use heavier-than-lead in. TSS will score a barrel if it gets loose from the wad.

Got a link for that load?

I wouldn't get too riled up about it. Use what your guns like. I would look at Remington Nitro Mags and Federal copper plated Pheasant loads. I've killed 3 turkeys that I can think of with the 20ga 2 3/4" pheasant loads. I think they were #5's. They all died. One was while I was grouse hunting. It was shot at 30-35yds with a modified choke.

Worry more about your pattern than your load. Hit em in the face/neck and you'll kill it.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...-1-1-8-oz-shotshells-25-rounds?a=1594534

A friend has taken three turkeys so far with whatever 1 oz load of #5 shot she had left over from pheasant season. She hasn't fired at a bird more than 25 yards away so the load used really didn't matter.

Which is the key- the closer the bird, the less important ammo becomes. We hunt in the woods where visibility is limited. Basically, if one can see a bird, it is in range. Typical turkey chokes and ammo is not an advantage and often a disadvantage in these conditions. I used my old lead waterfowl loads for many years with no problems. I might break some out again if I decide to use my dad's A-5 on a turkey.

That!!!! You can buy them too from Apex. Pricey no doubt but performance is lights out.

Thanks. I only see that load with 4s and 6s. Will keep an eye for 7.5s. Looks like a good one.

When I first started turkey hunting, I read everything I could get my hands on trying to learn more. I read an article by one of the long time turkey hunters that said that it takes a lot more skill to call one in close and kill it, than it does to make a long shot. I didn't really understand that until I'd been hunting a number of years, but he was right. For a few seasons, I used a 3 1/2 12 gauge Benelli SBE2, and made some long shots. I've since switched to a 20 gauge, and find myself having a much better feeling about it when I kill a bird.

I would go with #6’s.

https://www.federalpremium.com/prod...pheasants-forever-high-velocity/pf204-75

Here is a link for some 7 1/2s. Only 1 ounce but still plenty of shot for the ranges you will be shooting the 20 gauge with 7 1/2s.

Load you up some TSS. I have been hunting with my 2 3/4" 20 ga TSS loads for several years, I don't take long shots, but they will legit kill out past 60 yds if you mess up your range estimation.

I bought a lifetime supply years ago. There is a photo of a box of them in the article I linked to here. Haven't looked but I'd bet they are still available.

http://traditionalmuzzleloader.com/index.php/muffin-mix-turkey-loads

Been loading TSS for 10 yrs, and it is perfectly safe to shoot in older guns. If loaded correctly there is zero chance that you will score your barrel.

"If"? TSS loads are notorious for things migrating around. Using TSS in a gun that has special value, sentimental or otherwise, is gambling,

Negative ghost rider. I don't know what loads you are talking about, but I have never had an issue of migrating anything in any of my TSS loads. As long as you roll or fold crimp them tight and properly, there is absolutely zero issue.

I agree. You don't know.

Well then, why don't you fill us in about this TSS load that is notorious for migrating components. I cut some of my loads apart a couple of nights ago, that I loaded several years ago, and all the components were exactly where they were when I loaded them. Like I said, if they are loaded correctly, there is zero chance that you have an issue scoring your barrel, or components migrating.

And after I write this thesis for you, you'll tell me they didn't do it "right". Point is OP, who hasn't even replied back, might not want to take a chance on something that might happen, even if the probability is very small. It is small, just not "zero."

Are you selling TSS loads on the side or something?

What thesis, I still don’t see any example of this notorious migration of components that you speak of. So, truth is you have zero real info to back up your claims, it’s just all talk. As for selling ammo on the side, I sure don’t. I have however developed quite a few pressure tested loads, and have plenty of data. I also load all of my own personal ammo, and been doing it for a while.

Thanks Gentlemen, I'm going to pattern some various #6 lead and plated shot loads. As far as heavier than lead I doubt I'll shell out the asking price for ant of it!

I spent a LOT of money on lead and copper loads and chokes over the years chasing the perfect combo. Not to mention all the shotguns.

Bought the supplies to load TSS in 2015. Feed it through just about any gun and decent choke and you will get bored counting holes in paper. It’s nothing to print 350+ in 10” circle at 40 with a 20g. Figure I’ll save money in the long run and all but ensure quick clean kills out to any range I will shoot.

FWIW, I’ve killed plenty of coyotes with 7.5-8 lead 20ga loads to 35 yards over the years. Turkeys ain’t that tough. If you put the pellets in the right places, you’ll be fine with even regular lead at that range. The TSS is a crazy step up, but I never lacked killing ability on birds with a 20ga and lead, either.

Don't think they make them. Fiocchi has a 1 1/4oz load available though. I think I'll sneak some onto a dove field to make the fellas think I'm a better shot than I really am.

I have shot at one turkey with a 20. I was squirrel hunting with #6s a standard field load and a flock of turkeys was coming toward me. It was fall season for turkey. I waited till They were as close as I would shoot a squirrel. I picked out one with the longest beard and flattened it. I stepped it off and it was 35 yards. I figure if the gun will kill a squirrel it will kill a turkey head.

To me the shell is the cheapest part of the hunt. A couple shells patterning then one shot for each turkey.
Figure the time and money spent on calls and travels and all the other spent for the hunt and the shells don’t seem that bad.
I load my shells but even if I didn’t I want the best shell possible. After all, three birds a year is only three shots.

Not saying it take tss to kill a turkey but why would one skimp on the shells

TSS is rewriting the recommendations on shot size, lethal killing distance and penetration for Waterfowl and Turkey. I read there was some initial barrel scratching due to certain combinations of components that had excessive pressure. TSS on its own will not migrate any more than steel, lead or other heavier than lead pellets.