WildTurkey hunting loads?

I like #4 Shot in 3" mag. with an extra full turkey choke. 3 1/2" hurts to much.
 
whatever patterns well in your gun. I use WIN Supreme 3" #6 which are bang on for my gun/choke. I tried the #4 and they were high to the right, federal #6 were high to the left. You should try a few different loads for sure!
 
kevin.303 said:
whats a good load for a 2 3/4?
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likely a 2 3/4" turkey magnum?

asking which loads are the best for any gun is useless because EVERY gun likes different loads. 2, 870's that are the exact same model, barrel, etc can pattern different even when both are firing the same load.

the only way to find out what load is best for you is to try and few choke/load combinations.
 
I wish we were allowed #71/2's because I think a 3" load of those would be turkey death. Until then I like any old 3" load of #6's that pattern well.

In 2 3/4" I would look for the heaviest field load of #5's or #6's you can get to pattern well. You are shooting a standing still bird at under 40yds (morelikely 20yds) not a charging elephant.

If you cant fit a lightbulb anywhere in your pattern at 40yds you should be good to go.
 
One of my favourite 2-3/4" loads is the old waterfowler's standby ...
Super X - Double X Copper-plated Winchester's.
Winchester code: X12XC4 ... 12 x 2-3/4" - 1-1/2 oz. 4's.

These come 25 to the box, and are premium, copper plated "Grex"
buffered lead shot. They pattern extremely well through conventional
full chokes.

They (were) absolutely deadly on geese ... and certainly provide the
kinds of patterns out of several of my guns that would be very effective
on turkey out to 45-50 yards. I've used the same load in 6's on flighted
pheasants - great results.
 
questions

Ok #4-#6 shot seems to be the range,now has anyone experience with turkey calls, do you still hunt, from camo, or walk, what would be the max range to shoot turkeys with 12g? Tell me everything you guys know. Thanks Mike.
 
In new territory, Walk and stop to call. If you get a reply, find a spot to set up.
In pre-scouted territory, set up in a blind.
Call them in.
Max range is determined by your patterning.
Go get a Turkey head target and shoot it at different ranges.
 
oldfart said:
Ok #4-#6 shot seems to be the range,now has anyone experience with turkey calls, do you still hunt, from camo, or walk, what would be the max range to shoot turkeys with 12g? Tell me everything you guys know. Thanks Mike.
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In Ontario, you can ONLY use 4 - 6.

I shoot a couple different shottys and the ammo with proven results from me is Winchester Supreme ### Heavy Turkey Loads. #4 w/1&5/8 oz. I highly recommend this ammo.

Calls : Box call is the easiest and the most realistic from what i've heard. I use a box call, and when they get closer, I use a diaphragm call. Mouth calls take some practice, but are good because you don't move when you use them.

Turkeys have amazing eyesight. You need camo. If you are walking/stalking, be careful, they can pick up on you real quick....and then they're gone!!

On the plus, they can't smell $hit!! So you can smoke cigarettes like Jackie Gleason and they won't notice...unless they see the smoke, or you moving.

I've shot turkeys from 5 or 6 yards up to 50 yards. I recommend getting them closer than 50, pending youir hunting technique. (It can be done though....you definately want to know your pattern if you're taking the long shot!)

It great fun, turkey hunting is some of the most exciting/action packed hunting that one can do.

In Ontario, the hunt is in the spring. So, we need to stock up on bugspray....it get's f**king bad with mosqs/black flies. (Nothing worse than that srping trout fish though eh?!)

Good luck to ya!
Turkey2005.jpg
 
Also don't forget to pattern at say 10-15 yards with turkey chokes instead of just 40 yards. You will be surprized how tight the pattern is at clsoer ranges, you can easily mis if you don't know where your guns shooting.
 
dinsdale said:
I had good patterns with KENT turkey loads in 2 3/4 and 3" in my 870 with Undertaker choke.
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heres an example of why u need to pattern each load. i also have an 870 with undertaker choke but the kent loads are pathetic out of my gun. id be better off using those cheap federal multipurpose loads from walmart instead of kents in my gun...
 
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