Need a turkey load

sparkysteve · August 4, 2007, 03:37 PM

What 12 ga. turkey load do you guys use? I'm pretty much a deer hunter, but want to try turkey this Spring. I'd like to do some practice shooting/patterning before deer season and Winter so I'll be ready for Spring. I'll probably be using my Browning BPS or Remington 870. If you could recommend me a choke too that would be great. I've got some calls and videos already and have been doing some practice. Any input would be great. Thanks.

Zombie Steve · August 4, 2007, 05:37 PM

I have nothing but praise for these:
http://www.winchester.com/products/c...se=12&gauge=12

tarheelshooter · August 4, 2007, 06:17 PM

You need to try several loads in both guns to see what each gun likes.I have used a Browning gold stalker 3-1/2" gun for about six years and have used an 870 also.The browning likes 3.5" Winchester # 5,3" Federal #4,and 3.5" Winchester #4 in that order.I have a Mad Max choke on it.The 870 liked only 3" shells usually #5 shot,also with a mad max choke.I have several hunting buddies that swear by the comp-n-choke and kicks chokes.You really need to try several shells in both guns and possibly try a few different chokes because every gun is different.If you are not too recoil sensitive try the 3.5 inch shells,if your gun can shoot them.my philosophy is the more pellets the better as long as it patterns well.

john1911 · August 4, 2007, 07:30 PM

The best thing to do is try several different loads in your gun with the choke of your choice.

I use Winchester Supreme 3 1/2" #5 in my 870 with the factory turkey choke tube. Prior to this, I used Remington Hevi-shot in my nova with a factory full choke.

There's really no hard and fast rule about which load in which gun through which tube. Me and several buddies would get together to pattern our guns. Every body would buy a different type of shell so we could try several types without each having to buy 3-4 boxes.

FirstFreedom · August 4, 2007, 09:26 PM

I killed a turkey in April at 37 yards with this load:

Make: Winchester
Type: Supreme "Double X Magnum Turkey Load"
Gauge: 12
Shell Size: 3.0"
Dram Equiv: Max
Shot: 2.0 oz (heaviest load you can get in a 3" shell, I believe)
Shot Size: 6

But just about any 4, 5, or 6 shot will work.

Use an xtra-full or ultra-full choke. But yeah, pattern 2 or 3 or 4 ammo types to see which you get the best patterns from.

boltgun71 · August 5, 2007, 05:53 AM

This is what I'm using now in #5 shot,
http://www.remington.com/products/am...ity_magnum.asp
I used to use Remington Hevi-Shot and absolutely loved it but it has since been dis-continued.

sparkysteve · August 5, 2007, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the replies, guys. Looks like now I've got to do some shopping and shooting.

August 4, 2007, 03:37 PM	#1
sparkysteve Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2005 Location: Byron Center, Michigan Posts: 418	Need a turkey load What 12 ga. turkey load do you guys use? I'm pretty much a deer hunter, but want to try turkey this Spring. I'd like to do some practice shooting/patterning before deer season and Winter so I'll be ready for Spring. I'll probably be using my Browning BPS or Remington 870. If you could recommend me a choke too that would be great. I've got some calls and videos already and have been doing some practice. Any input would be great. Thanks. __________________ I have ADHD........Attention, Defficit, Hey there goes a squirrel! Dont tread on me.

August 5, 2007, 11:08 AM	#7
sparkysteve Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2005 Location: Byron Center, Michigan Posts: 418	Thanks for the replies, guys. Looks like now I've got to do some shopping and shooting. __________________ I have ADHD........Attention, Defficit, Hey there goes a squirrel! Dont tread on me.

August 4, 2007, 05:37 PM	#2
Zombie Steve Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2007 Location: Old Colorado City Posts: 527	I have nothing but praise for these: http://www.winchester.com/products/c...se=12&gauge=12

August 4, 2007, 06:17 PM	#3
tarheelshooter Member Join Date: December 19, 2006 Location: NC Posts: 28	You need to try several loads in both guns to see what each gun likes.I have used a Browning gold stalker 3-1/2" gun for about six years and have used an 870 also.The browning likes 3.5" Winchester # 5,3" Federal #4,and 3.5" Winchester #4 in that order.I have a Mad Max choke on it.The 870 liked only 3" shells usually #5 shot,also with a mad max choke.I have several hunting buddies that swear by the comp-n-choke and kicks chokes.You really need to try several shells in both guns and possibly try a few different chokes because every gun is different.If you are not too recoil sensitive try the 3.5 inch shells,if your gun can shoot them.my philosophy is the more pellets the better as long as it patterns well.

August 4, 2007, 07:30 PM	#4
john1911 Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Location: The relatively sane part of IL Posts: 383	The best thing to do is try several different loads in your gun with the choke of your choice. I use Winchester Supreme 3 1/2" #5 in my 870 with the factory turkey choke tube. Prior to this, I used Remington Hevi-shot in my nova with a factory full choke. There's really no hard and fast rule about which load in which gun through which tube. Me and several buddies would get together to pattern our guns. Every body would buy a different type of shell so we could try several types without each having to buy 3-4 boxes. __________________ Almost any problem can be solved by a liberal dose of .45 230 gr JHPs.

August 4, 2007, 09:26 PM	#5
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	I killed a turkey in April at 37 yards with this load: Make: Winchester Type: Supreme "Double X Magnum Turkey Load" Gauge: 12 Shell Size: 3.0" Dram Equiv: Max Shot: 2.0 oz (heaviest load you can get in a 3" shell, I believe) Shot Size: 6 But just about any 4, 5, or 6 shot will work. Use an xtra-full or ultra-full choke. But yeah, pattern 2 or 3 or 4 ammo types to see which you get the best patterns from.

August 5, 2007, 05:53 AM	#6
boltgun71 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 547	This is what I'm using now in #5 shot, http://www.remington.com/products/am...ity_magnum.asp I used to use Remington Hevi-Shot and absolutely loved it but it has since been dis-continued.