fly Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 Alright, all my hunting magazines say number 6's are the best and to avoid 4's. I've killed my last three birds with 4's. Last Friday I nailed a jake at 50 yards and rolled him. I know the pattern is not as good, but I like to shoot out to 50 yards and I wouldn't feel 6's would have enough energy for an ethical shot at 50 yards? 3 inch shells with standard turkey load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 Ive killed 2 birds at point blank range with 4's and last years and this years with 5's.... 5's work best for me... Its almost like the duck size load question 4's or 2's?... I shoot 3's for ducks, its a happy medium... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 Was that Field & Stream? lol My recent issue said that. Well I shoot #5 Federal MagShok and they drop my birds just fine:) Pattern decent coming out of a Mossberg 20 ga. I say shoot what you know works for you and you know has proven killing power. Sounds like you do just fine with 4s, why fix it if it ain't broke.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted April 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 Was that Field & Stream? lol My recent issue said that. Well I shoot #5 Federal MagShok and they drop my birds just fine:) Pattern decent coming out of a Mossberg 20 ga. I say shoot what you know works for you and you know has proven killing power. Sounds like you do just fine with 4s, why fix it if it ain't broke.... Yep Ruth, Field and Stream. The article said friends don't let friends shoot 4's (or something like that). LOL Think I'll stick with 4's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1 Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 If it works for you....I wouldnt change. Personally, I use 3.5'' 5's. But thats what patterns best out of my gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 If it works for you....I wouldnt change. Ditto. But If you like shooting to 50 yards, you owe it to yourself and the turkey to pattern your 4's at 50 yards. You may be surprised how many "turkey-sized holes" are in a pattern of 4's at that range. I've not seen too many gun/choke/#4 shot combos that would make me feel comfortable at 50 yards, density-wise. Then, again, your gun might shoot them just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grady269 Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 the right shot size is the one that patterns best out of your gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maytom Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 Ditto. But If you like shooting to 50 yards, you owe it to yourself and the turkey to pattern your 4's at 50 yards. You may be surprised how many "turkey-sized holes" are in a pattern of 4's at that range. I've not seen too many gun/choke/#4 shot combos that would make me feel comfortable at 50 yards, density-wise. I have to agree. #4's sure have the energy at that distance to get the job done, but the pattern will be sparse at best. You may want to switch to a "hevishot" load if you shoot at those distances. You can then go to a smaller size shot and still have the energy levels, but with a much better pattern as well. (Shot sizes such as with #5's or #6's). Still have to pattern your gun, choke, and shell to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunter109 Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 i shoot #4 and #5 and they patteren well at 20 or 25 yards i used #5s and killed one out to about 40 that is the longest shot i will take on a trukey i would say stick with what you like out of your gun man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterbobb Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 I use #4 shot and a 1 5/8 ounce load. The lighter load gives me a few extra FPS at the muzzel stretching the distance I can shoot a little. I am obviously using a turkey extra full choke tube and they pattern well out to 55 yards. I think that the increased velocity is helping to keep the pattern together. I can't prove it just a hunch. I haven't taken any shots over 40 yards yet but it is nice to know I have that extra range if I need it. :gun2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABuckSlayer Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 I use #5 shot as well. Killed my gobbler this morning with #5 Heavy Shot at about 40 yards. Dropped him in his tracks without flopping a wing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted April 14, 2010 Report Share Posted April 14, 2010 I have to agree with Strut and Maytom. Knowing 4's will kill at 50 is one thing but knowing what your pattern with 4's looks like at 50 is another. Hevishot is 15% heavier than lead so there's not much difference in the weight of #5 hevishot and #4 lead shot. Obviously you can sure pack more 5's in a load than 4's. Something to think about and maybe do a llittle test patterning with your turkey gun in the future. Personally...I'm sold on Nitro loads shooting their 4x5x7 hevishot loads out of my turkey gun. The cost does hurt a bit in the hip but their performance is a lot better than any load I've shot out to 40 yards. I've shot it out to 50 too and they throw a good pattern at that range. I personaly prefer shooting my birds 40 yards and in...but it's comforting to know that if I misjudge the yardage in the heat of battle I have a load that will perform very well at distances beyond my preferred max range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted April 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 Thanks for the tips all. Funny that the article stated 6's were the "best" size and yet not one person here indicated they use 6's. Seems 5's are what the majority go with. I'm with you Alan, I like to shoot 20-40 yards, but would like to know I can ethically take a bird at 50. I'll give #5 heavy shot a try and see how it patterns compared to my number 4's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted April 15, 2010 Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 Funny that the article stated 6's were the "best" size and yet not one person here indicated they use 6's. Seems 5's are what the majority go with. I use copper-plated lead #6's, BTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted April 15, 2010 Report Share Posted April 15, 2010 I use 3" 6's out of my Winchester 1300 with an Undertaker choke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slugger Posted April 20, 2010 Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 I like #6 hevi 13 out of my 835 but want to try thier mag blend that is #5, 6, 7 next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted April 20, 2010 Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 I use both Winchester Supremes and Federal Premium 12ga. 3 1/2" 2 1/4oz. #6s out of a Mossberg 835. They pattern very well but recoil is heavy. I killed a bird at exactly 50 yards with them 3 years ago. The bird I killed this year ranged 43 yards and the #6s rolled him right over. He flapped his wings a couple times and was dead within seconds. They penetrate very well. Keep in mind that these loads only list out around 1150fps on the box!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawei851 Posted April 20, 2010 Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 Nothing wrong with using #4Pb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 Nothing wrong with using #4Pb! Looks like you are good to go at 30 yards with your 4's. You really need to pattern that load at 40 yards to see how it works before you shoot the extra 10 yards. May work. May not. Do you have adjustable sights or optics on your gun? I'd bring your point-of-impact down and to the left a bit if i could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted April 23, 2010 Report Share Posted April 23, 2010 I always used #4's. I now use #5 but that's heavyweight federal shot. As long as you know how it patterns and try it's limits, then there's nothing wrong with the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted May 2, 2010 Report Share Posted May 2, 2010 3 1/2" #6 never let me down. One shot & done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted May 2, 2010 Report Share Posted May 2, 2010 Personally...I'm sold on Nitro loads shooting their 4x5x7 hevishot loads out of my turkey gun. The cost does hurt a bit in the hip but their performance is a lot better than any load I've shot out to 40 yards. I've shot it out to 50 too and they throw a good pattern at that range. I personaly prefer shooting my birds 40 yards and in...but it's comforting to know that if I misjudge the yardage in the heat of battle I have a load that will perform very well at distances beyond my preferred max range. Ditto. I shoot 3.5 Nitros 4x5x7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted May 2, 2010 Report Share Posted May 2, 2010 Pics to prove my comments: (click on photos) The preparation: The results: Mossberg Ulti Mag 835 12 GA 3/12" Hevis Shot #6, Primos Jelly Head (.609 - never over choke your gun!) topped with Bushnell Holo Sight. 40 yards and done deal!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted May 2, 2010 Report Share Posted May 2, 2010 I shoot a 10 gauge NEF single-shot with a fixed full choke using 3.5" Federal Premium Mag-Shok Heavyweight 2 oz. #7s. Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted May 2, 2010 Report Share Posted May 2, 2010 Proof is in the pudding :gunsmilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.