shot size question

[smokepole70]

Hello all, great to be a member of a site that has alot of great info. I hunt turkeys in the spring, have plenty of turkeys on my lease but can't seem to call them in very well, haha. Anyways, back on topic, I plan on using an H&R shotgun with a fixed full choke this year and would like some info on a particular shot size. A coworker has been very successful he claims using high brass 7 1/2 shot. I have never witnessed anyone up until now(my coworker) using these on turkeys. He swears by it claiming it gives a good pattern with a full and turkey choke and has alot more pellets on a turkey's head. Any help will greatly appreciated.

[Sheridan]

At 15 feet, I'm sure they work great ! LoL

[UncleNorby]

Many turkeys have been killed with standard shells like #7's. You would want to be shooting at 20 yds or less if you could. Since you are not an expert caller, it would be better to use a "turkey" load, probably in the #5-6 range. You don't specify what choke you shoot, but be sure to pattern your gun to determine your effective range. I've had good luck with 3" #5s but switched to #6s last year. I shoot a standard full choke and the #6s have about 100 more pellets than the #5s.

[smokepole70]

The gun I've used for years is a H&R single with 32 in. barrel and a fixed full choke. It seems to pattern 6's the best, I use Win turkey loads 2 3/4.

[doetrain]

I like the 2 3/4- 6 shot as well. The Remington Nitro worked well for me last year at 25 yards.Tom droped like a rock.

[mw_Guerilla]

I currently shoot Remington Nitro Turkey 3" #5 shot out of my 870 20 gauge w/ jellyhead choke...shoots great up to about 45 yards.

[Treebeard]

#5
Treebeard

[smokepole70]

Never tried the 5's but seems to be good happy medium between the more popular 4 and 6's. Maybe I'll go buy some Remington 5's since I've never patterned any turkey loads other than 4 or 6's.

[JW]

I use this target to pattern a gun for turkey hunting.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...9QEwBw&dur=808
My rule of thumb is 12 to 16 pellet holes in the neck vertebra or skull is my lethal range.

I do use Winchester Supreme #4 copper plated - has provided very good results for years for me, No reason to change what is not broke.

Now a few comments on 7.5 shot.
Yes it will kill a turkey but you will loose distance much past 20 yards. I for one would not use it. I want smack down and penetration of my pellet and is why I use copper plated.
I had used copper plated #6s for yrs but when I went to #4s I got 5 to 9 yards more distance because I had a bit more velocity. I have a 50+ yard gun if needed as I have a lethal pattern of 12 to 16 pellets hole at 55 yards. So it is there. With 7.5 I would not even try it!


JW

[mrkimber47]

I have been using Federal 3" #6's for several years now and have killed birds out to about 40 yards. Again it is what works best for you and your gun. Good Luck this spring!