RE: Who do you think makes the best turkey loads?
 

Well HoosierHunter, i just might have to try those if i cant get Nitros. I plan on going with Nitro but my printer doesnt seem to want to work to print off an order form. And from what it sounds like is that if i dont order them NOW i might not get them by turkey season, let alone in time to pattern them.

Penetration tests
 

I've spent some time over on the NWTF boards, particularily the Shotgun and Shotgunning board. I consider that board to be the best source of objective information concerning shotguns, chokes,and loads for turkey hunting. Steve Canovan posts there under the name Night Hawk. Super nice guy anda multiple time NWTF national still target shooting champion. He is one ofthe many guysover there who are very serious about loads, chokes, patterning, andpractical translation toturkey hunting.

I provide a like below toa recent patterning testusing wet phone books.Hevishot 7s out penetrates lead 6sdespite a 200 fps advange for the lead 6 load

http://www.nwtf.org/message_board/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=128698#Post 128698


Interesting test shooting a store-bought turkey with lead 5s vs HS 5s.

http://www.nwtf.org/message_board/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=128722#Post 128722

RE: Penetration tests
 

That says it all. Nice!

RE: Penetration tests
 

Obviously, a HS load compared to any other lead shot of the same size will outperform the lead, because of the difference in density, which also translates into more inertia, simply meaning that it is harder to stop. My question is, does #7 HS outperform a #5 lead shot for long distances..? Because that is what many people are claiming, and it MAY be true. But it also may not be. My reasoning is that the #7 will pattern better but will they still have enough energy to perform as well as the #5's would? The HS probably makes up for the fact that the #7s would be smaller BB's but even then, if it does perform the same, or even a bit better, is that small gain worth an extra $5 per shot?

RE: Who do you think makes the best turkey loads?
 

My poor rating was due to MANY unanswered phone calls and e-mails. So yes, my opinion of Nitro Companyis from personal experience. I didn't have the chance to use or purchase any of their ammunition because due to theirpoorcustomer service I had many unanswered questions. Just as everyone likes to show the great patterns they get from these loads, which I must say are amazing, I also believe a companies shortfalls should also be put out there for everyone to see. As for the heresay, I have heard numerous complaints similiar to mine. But my orginal post was regarding my own personnal experience, not that of others as you wrongly assummed.

RE: Who do you think makes the best turkey loads?
 

Here's todays resultsfrom Hevi13, 3", 2oz., #6 fired just a couple of hours ago.

This one was fired from 30 yards from an T/C Encore and was considerably better than the Remington and 2 different Winchester loads I tried today.

RE: Who do you think makes the best turkey loads?
 

Cornfed - What kind of targets are those? Those look nice and easy to "read".

Are all Hevi 13's that color no matter what size?

RE: Who do you think makes the best turkey loads?
 

Well your right to a point.....Hevi shot is about 7.08% more dense than pure lead, 9.05% more dense than copper coated lead, and 11.21% more dense than lead alloy shot. Which according to my calculations makes #7 hevi shot approximately equivalent to #5.5 lead. Still you cannot make a head to head comparison because 1. Most people dont shoot pure lead, and 2. when you hit your target with the #7 hevi you are getting approximately 2-3 times more pellets in the central nervous system.

I honestly do not know why more companies don't make shells in #7 hevi. The only two that I know of are Federal which about 31.34% more dense than pure lead, 33.75% more dense than copper plated lead, and 36.40% more dense than lead alloy shot, and Nitro which uses hevi 12gcc. The only two reasons I can think of is 1. Not everyone takes long shots, and they like to think that bigger is better so they shoot a bigger pellet, and 2. They are stuck in the old lead mind set that you need #4's to kill turkeys.......like I said thats the only thing that I can think of.

In all actuality with todays loads lead #6's is all you need out to 50 yards. The problem that you run into is pattern density....the pattern starts to fall apart around 35-40 yards (generally), and it is difficult to get 80-100 pellets in a 10" circle at 50 yards to make sure you can even get a reliable kill shot. It is even more difficult when you stretch the range farther and reduce your pellet count by going to #5's or #4's.

If you still don't believe (which is fine, not trying to be mean) I suggest you talk to some more knowledgeable than me, and then do some penetration tests. Start with lead #6's, and work your way to heavier than lead #9's. Seriously, some of this stuff will suprise you, especially the #9 TSS. That stuff is wicked!


Kdsberman; I believe his target is a Shoot N See or something equivalent, and not all Hevi-13 shells are that color. The better patterning Hevi-13 loads seem to be the 3.5" 2.25oz #6's, and the 3" 2oz #6's.

RE: Who do you think makes the best turkey loads?
 

12" Caldwell Orange Peel targets are the ones pictured. You just can't beat these Shoot-n-see targets!

Redhead/Bass Pro Shops sell an even cooler lookin' target with a photo-realistic turkey. Heres the link

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_91445____SearchResults

Concerning the Hevi-hot hull color. The older Hevi-13 rounds used to have a green hull, now all the ones I shoot have a brown hull.

Good luck and good shootin'

RE: Who do you think makes the best turkey loads?
 

Hurricanespg - you bring a good point. But for me, ill be shooting the Nitros 4x5x7 hevi-shot and plan on taking UP TO 40 yard shots. If i HAVE to ill go a little further, but i still plan on taking the closer shots. So i know i have a wonderful pattern flying out of my gun and feel extremely confident that it will be lethal within that range. The question of #7's penetrating past that yardage has an answer beyond anything i know. But i do know that within 40 yards its a dead turkey.