Well I am going after them beards for the first time this year. Actually starts in three weeks here in KY. I got a Benelli Nova 12 Ga. But I haveno clue as to what load to use..... 2 3/4 in, 3in or 3 1/2 in and what size shot?

I like 3 1/2 because I may be a little sadistic. I am very impressed with the Federal FlightControl Wad. Check them out IMO they pattern awesome through my HK Fabarms Turkey killer.

i like 3", this year i'm shooting that winchesterextended load,#5 shot....looooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvve it.......

Without question you are. Why any one would want to torture themselvesthis way is beyond me. It's almost impossible to hang on to.


You get no more knockdown power in a 3 1/2" as you do in a 3". If you are going to shoot a 3 1/2" shell, why not just shoot a 10 ga. It's much more efficient.

OK, so, to answer your question....Your gun will pattern certain loads better than others. The only way to know is to shoot them......all. Problem here is obvious, money don't grow on trees. So, IMO, a good place to start is a 3" load of either 4's or 5's in Hevi-Shot. Now, I have a Stoeger pump (pretty much the Benelli Nova) and it patters a 3" Winchester SuperX #5 really good.

ive got a nova also id pick up a hs strut choke. they have one for lead and one for hevi shot. and run around 20bucks
if you choose the lead id try win. hv 31/2 #5or 6 to lessen the amount of shots i would start at 30 yds and then 40 and 50
im 16 and weigh about 140 wet but when im shooting at a live bird you dont feel it at all and i HAD to take a 60 yd shot last season and came out succesful

Why's that? Was the gobbla charging you? Nobody ever HAS to take a shot. But, I don't doubt that it killed him, but I promise you a 3" would have worked just as well.

I to like the federal. I tied numerous winchester and remington loads this year and the federals patterned best. I too have an hs undertaker choke and it is great, I had a tru glo and would never buy one again they suck. this is what I found using a mossberg 500 with 3" shells the remington nitro and winchester super x shot about the same. Only a few pellets difference. I think the winchesters shot just a little low and the remingtons a little high. I was testing all shells in #5 shot at 20, 30, and 40 yds. The winchesters and remingtons lost there patterns at 30 and 40. Dont get me wrong they still patterned enough to kill a turkey but the federals just did a much better job. I have heard that a ported choke ( the ones with holes in them ) can affect the flight of the federals wad, all I know is I switched to an HS undertaker and it made a huge difference.

i would definately take a look at the federal flight controled shells. i don't shoot any of the extended range or hevi shot stuff but with these you can still reach out and touch them. i used the federal #6's with the flight controled wad this past weekend to drop a jake at close to 50 yards... i thought he was closer but my load and gun pulled through.

with my 12 ga. i like 3 1/2 in. 4 shot. imo, i geta better range thani do with a 3 in. shell. i know that i couldnt make a 60 yd shot with a 3 and be nearly as confident as i am with a 3 1/2

THANKS ALL, I am going to pattern it this weekend and let you know what I come up with. Alot of useful tips. I appreciate it.