12 ga. vs. turkey

rem870hunter · February 3, 2008, 08:26 PM

new jerseys spring turkey season will be starting in april. i am thinking about going. if 1 i can get time off work and 2 if i can get out to the field and be home in time for the kids baseball games. i haven't patterend my shotgun yet for turkey. i will to be sure what works the best. i have a full lead/steel choke tube and an extra full turkey tube lead shot only. i would like to know from others that have hunted for or patterend for turkey. my shotgun can use 3" shells so that adds to the load choices.

1.what did your shotgun pattern the best at.: range, load, shell size, shot size
(NJ says ) #4-#7.5 and shell brand?
2. what choke or choke tube did you use?
3. what shotgun did you use model and gauge? preferably 12 gauge.
4. length of barrel ?(if it makes a difference?)

if there is anything else i forgot to ask please feel free to add. i want to be sure of a clean kill. if i should have the chance to shoot one.

thanks
bill

Scorch · February 3, 2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

12 ga. vs. turkey

I'm pretty sure the turkey would place second.

Anyway, #6 shot, full choke.

Adventurer 2 · February 3, 2008, 10:30 PM

Remington 870 Express
Not sure of the barrel length or the pattern.
I use a full choke.
I have two Remington, 12 Gauge, 3", 2 oz, # 4 shot Premier Magnum Turkey Loads left in the box. So that means 8 turkeys down 2 to go for the box.
I aim for the head/neck and have only had to use one shot per turkey.

predator86 · February 5, 2008, 07:37 AM

i use my bow for turkeys.....rounds are alot cheaper, when i run out of ammo i walk to the target and get more!!!!

not to mention the increased challenge...

bclark1 · February 6, 2008, 01:34 AM

Still use my Mossberg 835 12ga for turkey...

Briley x-full turkey choke. Remington premier high-velocity 3 1/2" mags 2oz of #5. Patterns aren't anything I'd write to a gun rag about, but they are consistently effective enough for a clean kill, and the most consistent of the 10-ish brands and shot sizes I tried in supermag. Tried the Federal Flite-Control stuff, which looked pretty good, but I couldn't find another box in stock last year to follow up with it. 40 yards is what I pattern at and seems to be "the standard." You can go farther, I wouldn't deliberately try to pattern at any less though.

In your terms, 3" tube is plenty, I just opt for extra with the supermags. Try some loads with your x-full, I don't know of any steel turkey shot anyway. I would stick to shot sizes #4, 5 and 6 for turkey.

Happy hunting!

papadave · February 6, 2008, 07:29 PM

12 Gauge Winchester 1300, Tru Glo Gobbler Stopper Xtra Full choke, Winchester XX Magnum 3" # 4 shot, lots of patience and luck. Add all these items and you will be hooked on turkey hunting.

February 3, 2008, 08:26 PM	#1
rem870hunter Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2007 Location: N.J. and trying to decide what state to move to. Posts: 973	12 ga. vs. turkey new jerseys spring turkey season will be starting in april. i am thinking about going. if 1 i can get time off work and 2 if i can get out to the field and be home in time for the kids baseball games. i haven't patterend my shotgun yet for turkey. i will to be sure what works the best. i have a full lead/steel choke tube and an extra full turkey tube lead shot only. i would like to know from others that have hunted for or patterend for turkey. my shotgun can use 3" shells so that adds to the load choices. 1.what did your shotgun pattern the best at.: range, load, shell size, shot size (NJ says ) #4-#7.5 and shell brand? 2. what choke or choke tube did you use? 3. what shotgun did you use model and gauge? preferably 12 gauge. 4. length of barrel ?(if it makes a difference?) if there is anything else i forgot to ask please feel free to add. i want to be sure of a clean kill. if i should have the chance to shoot one. thanks bill

February 3, 2008, 10:30 PM	#3
Adventurer 2 Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Posts: 663	Remington 870 Express Not sure of the barrel length or the pattern. I use a full choke. I have two Remington, 12 Gauge, 3", 2 oz, # 4 shot Premier Magnum Turkey Loads left in the box. So that means 8 turkeys down 2 to go for the box. I aim for the head/neck and have only had to use one shot per turkey.

February 5, 2008, 07:37 AM	#4
predator86 Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: wisconsin Posts: 549	i use my bow for turkeys.....rounds are alot cheaper, when i run out of ammo i walk to the target and get more!!!! not to mention the increased challenge... __________________ Beware the man with one gun.

February 6, 2008, 01:34 AM	#5
bclark1 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,531	Still use my Mossberg 835 12ga for turkey... Briley x-full turkey choke. Remington premier high-velocity 3 1/2" mags 2oz of #5. Patterns aren't anything I'd write to a gun rag about, but they are consistently effective enough for a clean kill, and the most consistent of the 10-ish brands and shot sizes I tried in supermag. Tried the Federal Flite-Control stuff, which looked pretty good, but I couldn't find another box in stock last year to follow up with it. 40 yards is what I pattern at and seems to be "the standard." You can go farther, I wouldn't deliberately try to pattern at any less though. In your terms, 3" tube is plenty, I just opt for extra with the supermags. Try some loads with your x-full, I don't know of any steel turkey shot anyway. I would stick to shot sizes #4, 5 and 6 for turkey. Happy hunting!

February 6, 2008, 07:29 PM	#6
papadave Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: WI Posts: 50	12 Gauge Winchester 1300, Tru Glo Gobbler Stopper Xtra Full choke, Winchester XX Magnum 3" # 4 shot, lots of patience and luck. Add all these items and you will be hooked on turkey hunting.