mouthcaller

Do you want the ultimate?

Nitro Company 3.5", 2.25oz Triplex loads of 4X5X7s. I get 246 hits in 10" circle at 40 yards out of my Mossberg 835, 24" ported barrel, Star Dot .676 choke. Killed turkeys cleanly at ranges I don't want to mention lest I be called names.

bucky6

This might be a silly question, but if #7 heavy shot maintains enough energy to do the job at 50 yards then why do they laod 4's and 5's in with them? It seems to me that you'd get an even better pattern with all 7's.

Todd1700

Because there are still people out there that just won't believe that the staright 7 loads will do it. So they offer the 4x5x7 duplex loads which seem to ease those peoples minds a bit. But 75% of the duplex load is 7 shot anyway. The odds of one of the 4's or 5's hitting the turkey in a lethal spot at 50 yards is pretty low. The 7's are what do the work. But you are dead on with your observation. The straight 7 load would be the best route and they do offer it.

bucky6

Thanks. Unfortunately we can't use 7's here in Maine. The law currently states shot sizes 4, through 6 only.

Todd1700

Can't compete with those Nitros but here is what my 870 Super mag will do with 3 1/2 inch Winchester Elite 6's at 40 yards. 183 hits in a 10 inch circle.

deerhunter729

Always used #4's. Out of my 870 I have to worry more about missing at 20 than hitting at 50. Comp-n-choke was the choke that patterned #4's the best for me.

huntingfool94

i used 5 because thats all dicks had in 2 3/4 for 12 gauge worked fine beacuse i was like 10 feet away haha

Ihuntandfish

I use #5 shot.

keyshunter

I use 3" #5 lead, either Winchester or Federal, and have no trouble killing gobblers at 40 yards.If I call him to within 40 yards, I win, if not, he wins and I do not shoot. IMO there is much more to turkey hunting than the kill. I used hevi-shot #6 when they came out, and really liked their patterns. But, I refuse to pay the current prices as I do not find hevi necessary for clean 40 yard kills.