First Gobbler I ever shot at got away, and after that I was a firm believer in "bigger is better". I was 16 and bought a 16 gauge "long tom" single shot Ithaca. Patterned real well at 30 yds with #6 shot. Called in a monster gobbler with the longest beard I ever remember seeing on a wild bird, and took the shot at 28 steps. The bird rolled and got up and away. Sold the gun to another fella with all the shells I had for it, and when He shot it, He said the pattern was good, but the bb's wouldn't even penetrate a piece of foam insulation. That summer I did a lot of reading, and bought a bolt action Marlin supergoose 10 gauge, and throughout the years haven't hunted with anything less than a 3 1/2" 12 gauge for turkeys. I haven't lost a bird since. I do a lot more shooting for pattern AND penetration, and I limit My shots to 30 yds. And, I don't feel comfortable unless My turkey targets have at least 15 holes in the head and neck area at 30 yds. I currently shoot a Mossberg 835 with the factory x-tra full choke and copper plated # 4's. Very nice, tight pattern at mark 30.

To date, I have only used my step father's 870 remington 3" with #4 winchesters and x-full choke. With this I could only shoot out to about 28 steps. I Shot a bird at 30 yards on the dot and it just knocked it out. If I had a 35 yard gun it would be better than what I have been using. I just bought a box of winchester supream 3" #5's, so I'll tell you guys how they shoot. My wal-mart only sells winchester and federal turkey loads, if they don't pattern well then I'm just out of luck unless I order something. Shot shells are EXPENCIVE when I only need one or two to just to see how they pattern.

Bosstom, I would like to see that pattern if you don't mind.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

Dang winchesters don't shoot worth beans either. And for some reason they shoot to the right. Well it looks like I'm SOL for this season. I don't know what else to do. I think maybe the gun is the problem and not the shotshells. It may not pattern tight with anything.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

Hate to bring this up again, but I just tried some #6 shot hoping that the pattern might be a little more dence. It wasn't. The best I can do is 1 to 3 hits in the brain at 30 yards. I get about 4 in at 25.

Is there anything that I could do to help this? Does anyone know of an inexpencive turkey gun? I really don't want to have to spend more money but it looks like I have no choice. I don't think a new choke tube would help.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

Is your gun shooting to point of aim? From what you have posted I think this may be the problem. Get a large piece of paper, 4 ft. x 4ft. (newspapers tape to gather and make several) and put a bullseye in the center of the sheet. Place the target at 40 yds. and shoot from a rest making sure not to rest the barrel on anything, only the forearm. Shoot each target (atleast 3) and you can use just small game shells for this. You may find that your pattern is more then a foot or more off target( alot of guns, maybe most don't shoot to point of aim) and you may actually have a good pattern. You can then add some sights to your gun and sight it in just like a rifle.

Geaux get'em !!

I think that may be the problem, thanks Hooks.
I have another older shotgun that patterns really tight, but it hits about a foot low and to the right. I never thought that the newer ones would be like that though.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

Kodiak I sent you an email with the target,,, My pic site is not working, Guess I never payed the bill ? But then again I read it was FREE ...BT

I like them with Long Sharp Spurs....