2 3/4" Load For Turkeys??

[Shaun_300]

I am thinking about going for my turkey course so I can get in on all this fun that I'm missing. (Yeah, here in Ontario you have to take a course to hunt turkeys, just another money grab. )

Anyways, I was just wondering what 2 3/4" load would be good for turkeys? I've got a Remington 870 Wingmaster 12ga, 26" barrel with a full choke, unforutnately only chambered for 2 3/4" shells.

[borch]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

Lost of options out there. Find one that patterns in your gun and it'll kill a bird as far as a 3" round if it'll pattern tight enough. I'd look for some Rem Hevishot in 6 or 5 shot. Federal has a 2 3/4" load with the flite control wad out this year in copper plated lead. I'd guess that it may work well in that setup. The Rem duplex load seems to like a bit more open choke as well in the guns we've tried them in.

Good Luck!

[jbeck]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

Heck, I like BB's for 2 3/4 load. They do a good job breaking down the working parts. Only prob. is here in Pa, you have to use 4 shot or smaller.

[wtnhunt]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

Winchester 2 3/4 #4 shot copper plated turkey loads patterned really well in my winchester.

[Guest Colorado Bob]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

2 3/4" shells are what I use. I also shoot a Remington 870, that will only shot 2 3/4". I have screw in chokes & found that the standard full choke tube is plenty. You will not be hampered one bit. I've killed birds with 4 or 6. And a couple with Remingtons duplex load of 4x6. Currently I'm using Federals #4. I've killed gobblers @ 40 yards with no problems. A couple weeks ago I killed a Rio in Texas & it was 51 paces to the bird. This is with a straight full choke. Your 2 3/4" will kill a bird just as far as any 3" or 3 1/2".

Now to answer your question---I would try Federals in #6 shot. I use the standard turkey loads 1 5/8 oz of copper plated shot. I've not tried the flite control wads. I'm going to use #6 shot after these 4's are shot up----they will be the standard turkey loads-no use in re-inventing the wheel IMO. Good Luck---CB

[PAbowhunter4life]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

One of my buddys has been killing birds with 2 3/4" #6 Winchesters for longer than I have been on this earth and his patterns will rival almost anyones out to 50 yards.

To make a long story short,they worked before all these fancy loads came out, so there's no reason they won't work now. Just pattern your gun, see what your maximum range is and the rest is up to you

[bghunter777]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

although 6 will pattern fine out to 50 or beyond they do not carry the Ke neccessary to ethically take birds consistently past 35 yards. 2 3/4 inch shells are fine I called a bird in for a youth here in pa bird went down like a ton of bricks. I would recommend the Remington Duplex loads that have the 6s to give you pattern density but also pack 4s to reach out and touch em. I would still not promote shooting turkes much past 40 yards you could maybe push 45 if you have patterned yout gun and know what it does at that distance with a 2 3/4 inch load but under 40 and start filling out the tag.

[drkillemquick]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

My father uses a 12 in a 2 3/4 using remington's duplex loads(4X6), he has shot 6 birds in the last seven years and has never missed with it. Try a bunch of different loads, talk to buddies and round up as many types in shot sizes 4, 5 or 6 and try them and go with what is best for your gun. I agree take the course and get out hunting, you will be hooked in no time. Good luck Shaun.

[PAbowhunter4life]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

[ QUOTE ]

although 6 will pattern fine out to 50 or beyond they do not carry the Ke neccessary to ethically take birds consistently past 35 yards

[/ QUOTE ]

Really???????????? Someone better tell that to the 20+ birds that have met their desmise from my buddy's set up, and that's just the birds with beards over 9". MANY of them have been shot at ranges over 35 yards.

Turkeys aren't tanks, it doesn't take much to penetrate their heads. 40 years ago (before I was even alive) I might have agreed with you, but with the advancements in modern ammo, a #6 will kill well past 35 yards, ask the hundreds of thousands of people that do it every year

P.S.- For the record, #7 Hevi shot carries the same KE values as a #5 lead load

[borch]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

I think he was referencing #6 lead and not the tungsten alloy loads. Number 6 lead at usual velocities falls below the accepted minimum of 1.8 ft/lbs of enery at about 35 yards. Does that mean #6 shot won't kill them further out than that? Of course not. But your pushing the envelop a bit once you get too far beyond the 35 yard mark with #6 lead.

The #7 HW loads have ft/lb level between #6 and #5 lead at 40 yards. However due to size and shape of the HW #7 requires less ft/lbs to get the same penetration so it is pretty close to #5 lead perfomance.

Btw,

With #5 lead it reaches that 1.8 ft/lbs level at around 42 yards. So you gain about 7 yards switching from #6 to #5 lead. I forget where the #4 shot crosses that level. If I recall right it's a little less than 50 yards.

[pointing_dogs_rule]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

I have always used 2 3/4" and #4 shot. It has dropped every bird that it has hit. Just shot one yesterday at 30 yards and he fell right over.

Full choke was used (as always). Always go for that head/neck shot and you will do OK.

Good lcuk to all

the dog

[Guest gobblergetter15]

Re: 2 3/4\" Load For Turkeys??

You can definately kill a bird with a 2 3/4" shell. I killed my first turkey with a 2 3/4" 16 guage, but I have since switched to a 12 guage 3 1/2" shell.There is just a little bit of difference in those shells,LOL.