Turkey Loads

Which ones are your favorite? Reccomendations on 12 and 20 gauge loads would be appreciated. Thanks

Federal Premium with the Flight Control wad in #6. The Flight Control wad really tightens up the pattern. I've patterned it out to 50yds and while it was plenty tight enough at that range I still want to limit my shots to 40yds although I've been fortunate that every bird I've shot has been 25yds or less.

Quick question.. Have a Benelli Nova with an x-full turkey choke. I'm very happy with the pattern at thirty yrds but was shooting some Federal 3" turkey mags w/6 shot and was surprised to see that the shot for the most part was caught between the cardboard target and OSB plywood or sitting on the ground at the the base of the target. Is this normal, I would have bet shot penetration would have been much deeper into the OSB. Have shot plenty in my day but never really payed attn. to shotshell penetration.. Is this normal?

The fishinnut...I completely understand your reasoning, however those heavi-shot magnum blend are just rediculously priced. I have used remington nitro-turkey 3.5 inch magnum #5 shot and it never fails me and patterns great from my H.S strut extra full turkey choke on my benelli super nova. They are only 12 bucks or so for a box of ten shells and I have yet to see a $30 box of shells pattern better. I think most people's mistake is made in not having the right gun/choke to kill turkeys (I learned the hard way a couple times in the past and bit the bullet and went out and bought my 3.5 inch mag turkey gun with a good choke. Turkeys are easily the toughest bird out in the woods and if you don't have the right gun/choke, your shells won't mean jack crap. I would never shoot anything smaller than a 12 gauge or a 3 inch shell for turkeys also. 20 gauge's have killed birds, but I myself would never take one out going after turks. If you got the money for the heavy shot magnum blend...it ain't gonna hurt you that's for sure. It's a good shell. DOC

I also recently won a turkey gun, a Stoeger 3500. The extra full turkey choke would cluster down and to the left at 25yds. Tried several different loads and then went back to the regular "Full" choke. It patterned perfectly with Remington #5's out to 45yds. If I can't get em closer than 45yds, I'm passing up the shot, not because I can't kill em but because if I squeeze one off it will be a sure thing. Each gun and load is different just set limits and live by them. I also really concentrate on the spot were the feathers stop and the skin begins. Seen way too many shots missed because the hunter shot the gun like a shotgun and didn't aim it like a rifle. AIM IT AND CLAIM IT! my 2 cents mac

Patterned my 535 and used the hevi shot choke first. Winchester Double X high velocity turkey 3 inch 5s shot great at 25 yards on out to 40. Remington Nitro turkey 3 inch 5s shot well too. I also tried hevi shot Magnum blend. Good at 50 and probably farther than that based on the pattern. Good luck to all this weekend and the rest of the season. B safe CANT WAIT

I have the same setup. Been shooting the xx tube and 3" Federal 5s'. No issues but I have never personally shot or shot at a bird more than 25 yards away so my results may not help you. Good Luck.

Just won a Mossberg 535 12 gauge turkey gun. I have two chokes the one that came with it a XX turkey choke and a Hevi shot. Anybody have the same setup? Any suggestions on what load you mite use for the best pattern

Ditto on the old Hevi-shot. I also like the 3" #5 but I'm down to 2 rounds left and changed out the sights on my turkey barrel. Gonna have to find something else now. Best patterning shell in both guns I've used turkey hunting. Good out to 50 yards although most shots are much less. Maybe try the new stuff and see how it goes.

I use the old Remington hevi shot shells. 3 inch # 5s . They do not make this one anymore . When I first patterned it I was good to about 45 yards. Then I backed off 50 yards and was able to penetrate a inch board . So I bought 2 boxes and am still set for about more years .

I use the Remington NitroTurkeys. 3" 5-shot. you can get them for 12 or 20 gauge.

Just went out and bought 2 boxes of 3.5 hevi shot magnum blend, and yes they are $30 but with the mail in rebate $20 a box. The whole ride home I got an ear full from my dad on how stupid he thought it was to buy them and not get twice as many shells and for even half that price. trying to explain to my dad after he already made up his mind on something, never works out very well. I had told him that it is the quality not quantity if I have crap shells that dont pattern well at all, it doesn't matter how many shots I take odds are that im still going to miss. say I take 4 shots and get the bird(but if you are taking 4 shots at a bird odds are somethings wrong and your not getting it)but, it will cost the same if I take 1 shot and get the bird.It ends up costing the same. What are your guys opinion on this, is it worth the money getting the "better quality" shells or the cheaper shells. thanks in advance for your input hopefuly I will be able to show him the difference before the season while patterning our guns.

Shot many birds with ole high brass #5 Rem Express 2 3/4" loads. Box of 25 last a long time! Call'em in to 20 yards and you never need the big shoulder killer, $2.25 a shell loads. Getting them in close is so much more rewarding than sniping them at half a football field.....just my $.02..........

3 1/2" #4's in my 835 mossburg. Let er rip!!!!

Has anybody used the ultimate diamond shot by Kent? Any thought on them good or bad?

I like 3 1/2" #5. My gun likes higher velocity and a few less BB's. My wife's old gun shot great with 3" #4. You really need to try different loads and see what your gun likes. You may like #5 but your gun throws a better pattern with #4. Once you have found the best load for that gun you never have to do it again.