I just bought a Mossberg 535 12 gauge. Has the thumbhole stock with Realtree hardwoods camo pattern. Pump action. Holds 2 3/4 - 3 1/2 inch shells. I was just wondering if anyone else owns one or has ever used one, and if you could tell me what turkey loads you have had the most success with. Thanks alot.

I dont have the 535, but I use the 500. I use 3in 2oz 5 shot Federals. They work well from my 500. I do have the factory xx full extended turkey choke.

I have a Rem 870 pump and also shoot Federal 3" #5 w/2oz shot. All I can tell you is to try some differant rounds to see what works best for you. When many folks swore by the infamous Rem Heavy shot, it didn't pattern as well in my gun as the Federal. All guns pattern differantly though and the only way to find out is to get out and pattern differant rounds.

I own this gun and it shoots great. I use the Winchester Supreme XXX 3" #5's. I tried the Tightwad choke with this gun but went back to the factory choke that came with it........ These shells are about $14 a box so try the 5's and 6's. You shouldn't be disappointed out to 40 yards.

Most people will tell you to try all the major brands of turkey ammo... Like Win,Fed,Rem... I would agree... I've done that and everybody I know has done that and we all shoot Winchester turkey loads... I't would prob be safe to say that about 75-80% of the turkey hunters shoot some kind of Win turkey loads... That being said... I would tell you to go out and buy your self a box or two of winchester HVturkey loads... Most of my guns shoot #5's pretty good... If money is a issue then I would just say buy a box of Win 3.5" HV #6's... they will prob pattern good and have enough energy to take birds out to 40 yards... Now this is if your gun comes with a extended turkey choke... If not then your going to have to buy a choke also...

If you want you can PM me

Good luck on your quest

In every gun we've EVER tested, they prefered the Winchester over any loads from Federal or Remington. The XXX 3" HV 5's and 6's are very impressive rounds! Don't just settle for buying one size or from one manufacturer though, buy several sample boxes and pattern the gun. You shotgun WILL tell you what it likes the best,..... I'm just willing to bet that it's a Winchester round!

I have helped many set up and pattern their turkey gun.

I use Winchester Supremes #4. I did use #6 but I have found with #4 I have more smack down power!

I like the Winchester loads as you have Max powder but a slightly reduced shot charge which gives you a higher muzzle velocity which equates to better smack down.

I also found that the heavy shot did not pattern well and was not impressed.

I use a 11-87 SP -matte finish - is not camoed - cantelevered 21 inch barrel and Hastings 0.663 XX Full choke tube with a Nikon Monarch Turkey Pro scope. Have gotten to old to see back ramps on any open sight gun now.......

JW

JW

It amazes me the variance you get from one load to the next. Even the same brand! I purchased an Indian Creek choke and patterned the Winchester X-tended, and the Hevi-13 in 1 5/8oz, 1 3/4oz, and 2 oz. The variance in the Hevi-13 loads alone was huge. I ended up getting wicked patterns with the old white shelled Hevi-13 whihc you can't get anymore. Winchester X-tended was a clear second. I have also seen significant variance from 2 of the same brandgun and choke shooting shells from the same box!

The point I guess is it really can't be answered by anyone except the gun. You need to start with a good quality turkey choke. A gun like you have, has been made with a turkey choke already but if you really want to tweak it you gonna have to try others. If you're trying to stay in a budget swapshells with a buddy. You buy a box of one kind and find some friends who buy others. Everyone swap a few shells of each.

I would always recommend going with a number 6, expecially if you're shooting a heavy synthetic load like Winchester x-tended or Hevi-13 or the Rem Wingmaster HD. More pellet count is your friend and all those loads will give you knockdown at 40 yds shooting a 12 guage no problem (this edition of "Turkey Call" has a article on this discussion)

That gun definitley has a load whihc will give you a great pattern to 40 yds. Just have to find it.

yes i have the same gun as you. i went through many many shells to find what worked the best. I was shooting a 10" circle at 40 yards. winchester high velocity 3.5" # 6's put 140 to 150 bb's in the circle. #5 high velocity's dropped to about 105. Winchester supreme xx 4's, 5's, and 6's did not break 100. remington high velocity's were a major waste of money. Federal flite control's were between 95 and 110, depending on the shot size. I shot all of the above off of a bench with a jellyhead choke and the stock choke that came with it. The jellyhead produced higher numbers through all the above shells. I was not totally satisfied until I shot atleast one Nitro to compare to the others. As you probably know they proclaim to be the best so I shot one from a bench at 50 yards. Shooting at the same set up into a 10" inch circle this is no bullsh** I got 199 bb's in the circle and close to 300 on the 14X17 target. Needles to say I bought some Nitro's, pricey yes, the best yes! Hope this helps, jim