Turkey loads for older 12 gauge

bspillman · July 29, 2015, 11:52 PM

Can anyone recommend a turkey load for an I think a 40 year old Mossberg 500AG 12 gauge with a fixed modified choke. I'm not sure a lot of modern loads are safe to shoot out of this gun because of its age am I right? Thanks.

Mobuck · July 30, 2015, 06:51 AM

Depending on the amount of wear in the locking mechanism, a 40 year old Mossberg should be as strong as a currently made one. Does it say "for 3" shells" on the side?
I'd suggest starting with moderate loads, shooting 10 or so of each level until you decide you're happy with the patterns/recoil level.

mehavey · July 30, 2015, 07:01 AM

I'm still shooting skeet & trap with my grandfather's 1924 Model-12 Winchester
That Mossberg -- at only 40 years old -- is a comparative spring chicken.

After checking for shell size (2¾" 3", etc) .....
Bang away.

.

eastbank · July 30, 2015, 07:01 AM

in a older model 12 in 12ga i use 1 and 1/2 oz # 5,s that work very well out to 30-35 yards and as thats a long shot for me. i do use a 12ga three inch rem 1187 some times,but its not realy needed at 30-35 yards. eastbank.

TimSr · July 30, 2015, 09:08 AM

Get some #4 or #5 standard 1 1/8 or 1 1/2 oz game loads, shoot some paper to see how they pattern at different distances and you will easily learn your effective range with them.

Doyle · July 30, 2015, 09:51 AM

Federal turkey loads with flight-control wads. They make a modified choke throw a pattern that looks like full.

natman · July 30, 2015, 10:00 AM

I bought my 500 well used in the mid 80s, so it's probably as old as yours. 40 years old is still modern in the world of shotguns.

I have had great success with these turkey loads:

http://www.winchester.com/Products/s...X123MXCT4.aspx

I did swap my 28" Mod choke barrel for a 20" Accu-choke barrel so I could use choke tubes. If you stick with Mod, then keep your ranges under 30 yards.

Coppershot · July 30, 2015, 11:07 AM

There is no substitute for patterning. Get a few good loads in # 5 shot and see which one patterns best at 15 yards and 40 yards. The Federal shells with flight control wads, as noted above, is one that you should try. You can go with pretty heavy shot weight with a modified choke.

dnsharpshooter · July 30, 2015, 01:40 PM

should have no problem with modern loads in your gun. ive got a remington pre-m11 12 gauge made around 1908 or 09, pretty much all the shells i shoot are remington gun club loads from walmart. runs flawlessly

T. O'Heir · July 30, 2015, 02:34 PM

"...because of its age am I right?..." Nope. 40 years is nothing. There's absolutely no reason to think it's too old to shoot with any ammo.
I'd be inclined to buy a barrel with choke tubes though. Only because modified is a tick open for turkey.

jmr40 · July 30, 2015, 07:35 PM

Some guns made prior to the 1990's were not up to shooting steel shot. Even most of them were fine as long as it was a modified choke or more open. I wouldn't shoot steel through a full choke. Most modern guns are chambered for 2 3/4" and 3" shells. Many older guns were 2 3/4" only. Other than that there isn't any reason a 40 year old gun wouldn't shoot any modern shell.

Make sure of the chamber length, If it is 2 3/4" and 3" you are good to go with most any shell. If it is 2 3/4" only, then only shoot 2 3/4" shells.

A little further research on steel shot would be advisable since I'm not certain about that particular gun. But you aren't going to be using steel for turkey anyway.

sfwusc · July 31, 2015, 09:28 AM

I would be careful of steel shot too.

playin' hookey · August 15, 2015, 08:38 PM

I would shoot #6 lead shot, and use 3" shells if it's chambered for them, otherwise use one of the magnum (1 5/8 oz) 2 3/4 inch shells. Important to pattern, especially using a mod choke, and limit you shots to whatever distance your gun can put 100 pellets into a 10" circle -- I suspect it will be about 25 yds with 2 3/4" or 30 yds with 3" shells. The suggestion above to try Federal's flite-control wad is a good idea too. Of course these recommendations are based on shooting for the head and neck. Never body shoot a turkey with a shotgun, no matter what the load. If you really get into turkey hunting you will want to get a tighter choked gun, either by modifying this gun for screw-in chokes or trading up to a new one.

bamaranger · August 19, 2015, 03:50 AM

As noted, the age of your gun is not an issue, it will be plenty safe with modern ammo, provided it is in safe condition to begin with.

I've not read as to whether or not your gun has 3" chambers, or simply 2-3/4", can you advise further?

A fixed "modified" choke is usually considered a bit open for turkeys, but.......there is an answer to that issue these days. If your gun does indeed have 3" chambers, there is a relatively new lead shotgun load, reasonably priced, that will most likely allow your gun to shoot "full" patterns with no modifications. The load is Winchesters XR "Longbeard" turkey load, and I buy mine at Walmart. Longbeard is without a doubt, the best performing lead load on the market to date. I believe they are only made in 3" length.

If your gun is 2-3/4 chambered, look for "short magnums", 2-3/4" shells throwing more shot than standard field loads, ususally in the 1-1/2 oz range for 12 gauge. All the major ammo company's have a short mag, baby mag 12 ga load. Although I'm a #5 shot man myself these days, for a modified gun that I was trying to "tighten up" for turkeys, I'd consider #6 shot first due to the higher pellet count per payload.

Irregardless, pattern the rig to see how it does at turkey ranges, say 30-35 yds. If you can arrange some better sight arrangement than a simple single beadbead, (at minimum 2 beads, at best an adjustable sight like for slugs, a dot, optic, etc) I highly recommend it.

July 29, 2015, 11:52 PM	#1
bspillman Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2011 Posts: 559	Turkey loads for older 12 gauge Can anyone recommend a turkey load for an I think a 40 year old Mossberg 500AG 12 gauge with a fixed modified choke. I'm not sure a lot of modern loads are safe to shoot out of this gun because of its age am I right? Thanks.

July 30, 2015, 07:01 AM	#3
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,896	I'm still shooting skeet & trap with my grandfather's 1924 Model-12 Winchester That Mossberg -- at only 40 years old -- is a comparative spring chicken. After checking for shell size (2¾" 3", etc) ..... Bang away. . Last edited by mehavey; July 30, 2015 at 07:08 AM.

July 30, 2015, 02:34 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...because of its age am I right?..." Nope. 40 years is nothing. There's absolutely no reason to think it's too old to shoot with any ammo. I'd be inclined to buy a barrel with choke tubes though. Only because modified is a tick open for turkey. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 19, 2015, 03:50 AM	#14
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,313	turkey loads As noted, the age of your gun is not an issue, it will be plenty safe with modern ammo, provided it is in safe condition to begin with. I've not read as to whether or not your gun has 3" chambers, or simply 2-3/4", can you advise further? A fixed "modified" choke is usually considered a bit open for turkeys, but.......there is an answer to that issue these days. If your gun does indeed have 3" chambers, there is a relatively new lead shotgun load, reasonably priced, that will most likely allow your gun to shoot "full" patterns with no modifications. The load is Winchesters XR "Longbeard" turkey load, and I buy mine at Walmart. Longbeard is without a doubt, the best performing lead load on the market to date. I believe they are only made in 3" length. If your gun is 2-3/4 chambered, look for "short magnums", 2-3/4" shells throwing more shot than standard field loads, ususally in the 1-1/2 oz range for 12 gauge. All the major ammo company's have a short mag, baby mag 12 ga load. Although I'm a #5 shot man myself these days, for a modified gun that I was trying to "tighten up" for turkeys, I'd consider #6 shot first due to the higher pellet count per payload. Irregardless, pattern the rig to see how it does at turkey ranges, say 30-35 yds. If you can arrange some better sight arrangement than a simple single beadbead, (at minimum 2 beads, at best an adjustable sight like for slugs, a dot, optic, etc) I highly recommend it.

July 30, 2015, 06:51 AM	#2
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Depending on the amount of wear in the locking mechanism, a 40 year old Mossberg should be as strong as a currently made one. Does it say "for 3" shells" on the side? I'd suggest starting with moderate loads, shooting 10 or so of each level until you decide you're happy with the patterns/recoil level.

July 30, 2015, 07:01 AM	#4
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	in a older model 12 in 12ga i use 1 and 1/2 oz # 5,s that work very well out to 30-35 yards and as thats a long shot for me. i do use a 12ga three inch rem 1187 some times,but its not realy needed at 30-35 yards. eastbank.

July 30, 2015, 09:08 AM	#5
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	Get some #4 or #5 standard 1 1/8 or 1 1/2 oz game loads, shoot some paper to see how they pattern at different distances and you will easily learn your effective range with them.

July 30, 2015, 09:51 AM	#6
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Federal turkey loads with flight-control wads. They make a modified choke throw a pattern that looks like full.

July 30, 2015, 10:00 AM	#7
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,607	I bought my 500 well used in the mid 80s, so it's probably as old as yours. 40 years old is still modern in the world of shotguns. I have had great success with these turkey loads: http://www.winchester.com/Products/s...X123MXCT4.aspx I did swap my 28" Mod choke barrel for a 20" Accu-choke barrel so I could use choke tubes. If you stick with Mod, then keep your ranges under 30 yards.

July 30, 2015, 11:07 AM	#8
Coppershot Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 94	There is no substitute for patterning. Get a few good loads in # 5 shot and see which one patterns best at 15 yards and 40 yards. The Federal shells with flight control wads, as noted above, is one that you should try. You can go with pretty heavy shot weight with a modified choke.

July 30, 2015, 01:40 PM	#9
dnsharpshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2011 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ Posts: 212	should have no problem with modern loads in your gun. ive got a remington pre-m11 12 gauge made around 1908 or 09, pretty much all the shells i shoot are remington gun club loads from walmart. runs flawlessly

July 30, 2015, 07:35 PM	#11
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	Some guns made prior to the 1990's were not up to shooting steel shot. Even most of them were fine as long as it was a modified choke or more open. I wouldn't shoot steel through a full choke. Most modern guns are chambered for 2 3/4" and 3" shells. Many older guns were 2 3/4" only. Other than that there isn't any reason a 40 year old gun wouldn't shoot any modern shell. Make sure of the chamber length, If it is 2 3/4" and 3" you are good to go with most any shell. If it is 2 3/4" only, then only shoot 2 3/4" shells. A little further research on steel shot would be advisable since I'm not certain about that particular gun. But you aren't going to be using steel for turkey anyway.

July 31, 2015, 09:28 AM	#12
sfwusc Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2013 Posts: 231	I would be careful of steel shot too.

August 15, 2015, 08:38 PM	#13
playin' hookey Member Join Date: August 20, 2011 Location: South Boston, VA Posts: 51	I would shoot #6 lead shot, and use 3" shells if it's chambered for them, otherwise use one of the magnum (1 5/8 oz) 2 3/4 inch shells. Important to pattern, especially using a mod choke, and limit you shots to whatever distance your gun can put 100 pellets into a 10" circle -- I suspect it will be about 25 yds with 2 3/4" or 30 yds with 3" shells. The suggestion above to try Federal's flite-control wad is a good idea too. Of course these recommendations are based on shooting for the head and neck. Never body shoot a turkey with a shotgun, no matter what the load. If you really get into turkey hunting you will want to get a tighter choked gun, either by modifying this gun for screw-in chokes or trading up to a new one.