Favorite Turkey Loads

[gosmokeless]

Please post your favorite turkey load.

YOU CANT KILLEM TOO DEAD!!!

[gd357]

I've been using some 3" 2 oz. #5s and they seem to do the job pretty well. I've also used 2 3/4" loads without too much problem. I usually don't have to shoot past 30 yards, so heavier loads usually aren't needed (but they're nice to have just in case).

gd

[petey]

I've shot Winchester Supremes 2oz #6 - 3" 12 gauge for the past 4-5 years. As with gd357 most of the birds I shoot are 30 and under. I'd say out of the 60 some birds I've shot, I could probably count on 1 hand the ones that were 40 and beyond.

Bringing them in and controlling yourself to let them come that 10 more yards before pulling the trigger is one of the best parts of the hunts.

With that being said, this load patterns well out to 45 yards with 4-5 pellets in the kill zone of spine/brain.

Now just this year I got a box of Remington Hevi-shot. These are only 1.5 oz of #6. They seemed to pattern just as good as the Supremes with less shot. The recoil was considerably less. So for an extra $10 a box at a whopping $2 a shot you get;

Less Pellets, increased velocity, and less recoil. Is it worth it?? Well after these 10 are shot, I think I'll just stick to the Supremes at $8-$10 a box of 10 and take more pellets and more recoil.

For the shots I take, I could probably use pheasant loads... ha ha. I just don't choose to shoot at a bird when he's 50 yards. (don't get me wrong, there's gun/load combos out there that'll do it every time even further than that) but what's the fun in that??

I don't like running a bird down through the woods. When I make up my mind to pull the trigger, he's laying there when the smoke clears.

[Jack]

I use the Winchester Supreme turkey loads, too. 12 Gauge, 3 inch, 2 ounces of # 5 shot.
Quite a few years back I tested a bunch of turkey loads on the pattern board (boy, what fun that was), and the Winchester load of #5 did the best. That was before the days of Hevi Wallet shot, tho.
In my gun, I calculate my outer range limit as being 45 yards, but I've never used it that far away- 30 is more typical.

[steelheadr]

I just bought 2 boxes of Fed Heavy Weights 3 1/2" 5 shot at $32 a box. They're 30% heavier than leadWith tax thats about $3.50 a shot. I checked my red dot on my Mossberg 835 for a 2 state rio and merriam hunt in 2 weeks. With a Briley choke (.675) at 40 yds i put 110 pellets in 10" circle. Last year I had excellent results with these shells. One bird was 50 yds and had 12 pellets in the neck and head. I'm happy with these shells.

[Duffy]

I just use #5 Remington Nitro Turkey Loads in my full-choked 12 gauge. Only $4.99 a box at China Mart.

Works just fine for me every year. IMHO, the expensive loads just aren't worth it.

[rabbithunter]

I use the Winchester Supreme #5 3in out of my 11-87. They are great out to 45 yds with 40 odd pellets in the head and neck area at that range.. I rarely take shots that far, but its good to know that my shell will perform at that range if needed.

[deermeister]

Winchester XX Magnum turkey loads in #5 3-inch, out of an American Arms (made in Italy) single shot 12ga with a full choke that I won in a raffle. Last bird I killed, I paced off at 53 yards (I got a little excited, usually I wait until they are a LOT closer.)

[Nulle]

Federal Classic "Steel" 4shot in a 3"mag 20ga.
I got one turkey yesterday and going after the second one later in the season.

[Jack]

Congratulations, Nulle !