I know this has probably been beaten to death, but my search didn't yield much. I'm using a T/C Encore with a Turkey barrel, 3" Chamber, and Remington Duplex 4x6 loads. It patterns good to 40. This past weekend I shot a gobbler at 35 yards, knocked him down, only to see him get up and fly away? There was only a few twigs and leaves in the way. I haven't got a clue what happened. Later I killed a Tom with the same load, same gun @ about 20 yards. Suggestions? Was thinking of going with straight 4 shot. What do most of you guys use?

Thanks, and sorry if this is beating the dead horse again.

I shoot #6's but they are not lead, they are Hevishot. I have killed a lot of birds with HS #6's, out as far as 55 yards. At 35 yards I dont know why you didn't kill him.

I've never liked the duplex shot or Remington shotgun shells for that matter. I use Winchester Supreme number 5's. It's what my shotgun likes best. Who can say what yours will pattern best. But my advice is get a box of the Winchesters and a box of the new Federal Flight control shells in number 5 shot and I'm willing to bet one of the two will impress you. Maybe both.

I vote for federals. I also use #5 3 inch and it patterns real good to 40 yards I know it will cleanly kill a turkey out to 50 but I try to keep my shots to 40 or less

Sometimes that's all it takes. With an open shot as long as you don't pull the shot and your gun patterns well to that distance there's no reason the bird shouldn't be dead at that distance every time.

I'm guessing that you pulled the shot, the twigs broke up your pattern or maybe your setup isn't good out to 35 yards.

All speculation on my part.