Field Test – Turkey Loads

Anybody read the recent article in Outdoor Life where they tested a couple turkey loads? I’m pretty disappointed how they went about it. They tested 2 3/4″ shells vs 3″ in 3 different guns with different chokes. I guess there is data to take from this article, but I think it could have been much more helpful.

What are you guys shooting for loads?

My gun really likes Winchester Supreme 2 oz. #6’s. I have several 45-50 yard kills. I use a .655 choke tube with that particular load. Changing choke tubes can vary the effectiveness of any load.

Every gun shoots differently. I know it gets a little expensive, but trying several different shot size/load weight/brand combinations is the only thing to do. Unless you get lucky and find a good laod for your gun on the first box you try.

I have an old Remington 870 that really likes Federal 5’s

I bought some different shells last year and did not pattern (rookie mistake) my gun did not like those and it cost me a Tom.

100 grain 2 blade Rage they pattern great out to 50 yards

3″ Federal Heavy Weight 1 1/2 once 7’s in the Remington 870 20ga.

3 1/2″ Federal Mag Shok lead 2 once 6’s out of both 12’s.

Winchester Supreme for me out of my 870 and Benelli.

Choke tubes I use the Primos Jellyhead on the Benelli

For the 870 I use Primos TightWad

I have been very happy with them combos I do not use a 3-1/2 in loads I don’t feel it is worth it.

I still like the very old Harrington single shot 10 gage. Winchester Western 5sht – Patterns very well at 65 yrds.

It holds a much better pattern with Federal 4 sht steel, and we use it for swatting cripples on lake MI when hunting open water at 2 to 3 miles out.

Browning Gold Hunter 3.5 12 gauge, Hevishot Mag. Blend 3.5″, Browning Inv. Plus xx-full 0.685 ported choke tube.

Eventually I’ll try to better my performance with another choke tube. Looking at the Indian Creek tube in 0.675 constriction, as my gun seems to prefer to be choked a little less than their 0.655 or 0.665 standard constrictions, especially with the heavy hybrids.

Joel

i used the winchester supreme xx 3 inch 12 gauge in 6s and 5s thru an xtra full choke for years with no complaints.
needed another box before the ’10 fall season and saw they had almost doubled in price, so i picked up a box of remington nitro turkey loads on sale.
yeah, i know, shouldnt scrimp on turkey shells or deer slugs, but the nitros are 5 for 5 so far with the longest shot about 40 yards. dont think i’d trust them much farther than that, though.