Patterning my turkey gun

MadDog

MadDog

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So I'm putting a new set of peep sights on my new turkey gun and want to know if I can use crappy old 2 3/4" shells cheap shot to dial it in and then still have it hold true with a good 3 1/2" turkey load?

Anyone here ever done that and how did it turn out for you?
 
I have tried it..... It seemed to work....

If shot through the same barrel it should still give you the same center poi..... Just fire a couple of turkey rounds to make sure after using the cheap stuff...
 
I have found that different brands, shell lengths and shot sizes all pattern differently. So As Superbrad said definitely double check with your hunting load at all your hunting ranges.
 
It shouldn't take that many shells to dial in with the turkey loads you're using. You could probably do just fine hunting with the crappy 2-3/4" shells if they pattern well. It's all I use. 7 / 8oz #6.
 
I used my ten on a couple...last year I went the opposite direction and used the twenty (I don't think the turkeys could tell the difference)
Have you seen the 10 gauge loads of magnum blends? If memory serves they are 2 3/8 ounces. Talk about a wall of death (for the turkey and the bank account)
 
I've used my sxs 10 several times. But 11 lbs 6 ozs empty she's a bit heavy to haul out with a dead Tom in the other hand
To bad we weren't allowed to use rimfires
 
POI will be the same, just make sure that your turkey load put minimum 10 pellets in the neck and head area, this will determine your maximun distance available...

In my case with a .665 super extra full choke on my 11-87, i have 100% of the time 10 pellets + at 51 yards with number 5... 2 ounces lead 3 in...

This is my perfect load, took a lot of birds with it... JP.
 
A good way to center a pattern is to shoot some light loads at real close range like 10yrds so that you make like a single hole in your target. Line your sights up to that and you should be center pattern at 30yrds. Then fire 1-2 of your chosen hunting rounds at 30 and 40 yards just to see how they pattern. Make sure no holes in the pattern or heavy left, right or high or low. As someone mentioned max range is when you cannot deliver 10 pellet strikes to the vital areas.
 
Make sure you shoot a shell or two at 10 yards just to be sure yoy know were to aim in case that big old Tom sneaks up on you and pops out beside you.lol it does happen and a lot of guys miss them at 10 yards or less because thy don't know were yo aim at that range . DUTCH
 
I've got a Carlsons Long Beard .665 choke on the way so it will be at least 40 yards before I start getting anywhere near 10 pellet minimum, maybe 50 yds.
 
Changing chokes can lead to a change in shells. Ask me how I know? One year using the exact shell I have for years I missed 5 birds before I realized something was amiss. Winchester had changed the wads in the shell i was using and I was shooting 12 inches high and left. Only way I found out was shot 2 old shells and on the third noticed a different wad on the ground. Also with tight chokes and 4-5 shot are not that great IMO and experience. Changed from a REM X-full to an undertaker and the kent shell I used for years had a huge hole dead centre of the pattern. That lead to running about 6 different brands to find the one that worked to my satisfaction.
I agree with shooting at 10 yds but I get beat by it regularly. Last year had the biggest tom of my life step out at a yard off the end of the barrel. Put the dot on his head and shot right over top as I have known for years I have to aim where the feathers meet the neck within 15 yds and the pattern out to there is about the size of a walnut. When you have a split second after hunting the bird for a month the details sometimes elude me LOL.
 
MadDog said:
I've got a Carlsons Long Beard .665 choke on the way so it will be at least 40 yards before I start getting anywhere near 10 pellet minimum, maybe 50 yds.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you'll do just fine with that set up. One thing about turkey hunting I always tell myself, I am out there to kill/ take a turkey.....the first good opportunity I get ......they get it. I see so many guys get caught up in calling and watching ol Tom strut around doing his love dance that they blow their best kill opportunity. Most of my turkeys die at 30 yards, once they get closer your pattern gets smaller and Murphy has a crummy habit of showing up the closer Tom turkey gets!
 
hunter148 said:
Changing chokes can lead to a change in shells. Ask me how I know? One year using the exact shell I have for years I missed 5 birds before I realized something was amiss. Winchester had changed the wads in the shell i was using and I was shooting 12 inches high and left. Only way I found out was shot 2 old shells and on the third noticed a different wad on the ground. Also with tight chokes and 4-5 shot are not that great IMO and experience. Changed from a REM X-full to an undertaker and the kent shell I used for years had a huge hole dead centre of the pattern. That lead to running about 6 different brands to find the one that worked to my satisfaction.
I agree with shooting at 10 yds but I get beat by it regularly. Last year had the biggest tom of my life step out at a yard off the end of the barrel. Put the dot on his head and shot right over top as I have knowp4n for years I have to aim where the feathers meet the neck within 15 yds and the pattern out to there is about the size of a walnut. When you have a split second after hunting the bird for a month the details sometimes elude me LOL.
Click to expand...

My uncles advice was this, when you first get your turkey gun buy several types of shot and test them all to see what patterns best in that gun with that length of barrel and choke. Then when you have found the best pattern, go buy every box the store has of that brand, shell length, shot size and batch of ammo. Then it should be quite a while before you need to buy turkey ammo, firing maybe 3-4 shots a year max for hunting purposes.
 
MadDog said:
Yep, I did my homework. The Carlson Long Beard choke was made for Winchesters Long Beard XR shells so I went and bought a box of 3 1/2" yesterday. The Youtube video's sold me on the choke and the load.
Click to expand...

Hang on tight .the 3.5 inch shells will put a beat on you .I stopped using them .killed just ad many with three inch.
 
It is important using a .665 choke and take advantage of the long range possibility ( mine will kill 100% of the time at 51 yards or less ) to use a pellets size that have enough kinetic energy past 45 yards...

Number 5 lead shot is ideal, number 6 lead shot become almost non lethal past 45 yards...

I did kill my biggest bird, 27.75 pounds just on the fringe of the 51 yards limit, older bigger boss bird will somethime hang just on the limit, it's good to have the range for those monster... JP.
 
By the way, i was on Cassburn road this morning for some business, and i heard at least 3 specifics gobbles and saw a dozen of bird...

I expect a great Spring turkey season... JP.
 
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