mouthcaller

Stopper

You obviously understand the essence of heavier-than-lead shot.

I only load one Nitro triplex in the chamber then back it up with two Winchester lead Supremes. The Supremes pattern so badly in my gun I only put them in there if I need to shoot a snake at close range. Thank God I haven't had to use them for any follow-up shots on turkeys. They did OK two years ago on a downwind skunk however.

I shoot Nitros because they perform the best at the range and on turkeys. That gives me a tremendous degree of confidence when I am hunting. Yes, they are significantly more expensive per shell than "cheap" lead loads --->BUT, when you break it down is it really??? Expecially when you actually realize that this is the part of your equipment that actually kills the turkey. Not the calls, not the fancy gun and hi-tech sights - Its the pellets striking the turkeys head that kills the turkey. Why would you want to go cheap on the actual thing that kills the turkey??????

When you consider what I spend annually on just hunting leases, gas, food, and hunting license, the cost of the three Nitro's (about $17.00) I shot last year to kill three turkeys is rediculously cheap. And I am not even considering the depreciated cost of calls, boots, camo, truck, etc., etc., etc.

I have several hunting buddies who won't shoot Hevishot because it is "too expensive". Ironically they spend more per week than my annual Nitro budget on just cheap beer and cigarettes.

That's the beauty of living in America though - to each his own. At least until we convert to socialism under the current leadership in Washington.

deerhunter729

Your pattern is good enough, but I would buy some lead #6's even if its not Hevi shot and try that. You might be suprised what it may do for your pattern. I shoot Win supreme #6 and love it. Shot alot of birds with that load.

Todd1700

I would definately go with some denser than lead shot out of a good choke in .665 to .670 constriction. The custom nitros are the best but very high. But you can do pretty well for a little cheaper. I shoot the Winchester Elite extended range number 6's out of a .665 Indian Creek choke. They are about 40 bucks a box. I am getting about 180 to 185 pellets in a 10 inch circle at 40 yards. My shotgun is a plain old 870 SM.

Wingbone

I think there is a difference between a turkey shoot-winning pattern and a turkey killing pattern. People have gotten so used to seeing dense patterns of pellets, I think there's a tendancy to assume that you couldn't possibly kill a tiurkey if you don't have 100 pellets in a 10" circle. The standard for years for judging a killing pattern before the onset of turkey chokes and hevi-shot was 3-5 pellets in the head or neck . It doesn't take a cloud of pellets to drop a turkey, it takes one.

Mr. Longbeard

I still like to get lots of hits in the vitals... I will shoot what ever loads and choke combo that makes this happen!!!

I cant speak for everybody on this forum... But for me a Wild Turkey doesent come easy... So I need as much in my favor as I can get... If there is a load out there that will allow me to make clean kills at 50 yards I want it!!!