Bullet Hole Bailey

Well Lately I have really been doing a lot of patterning with the Good ole 870 Express Super Mag and a Tight wad choke. I thought those 3.5"s were the way to go but now, a couple years later and with a sore cheek that hates the mule kick of those monsters, I'm starting to think otherwise.

Now, I patterned my gun with a cheap load (Remington Nitro) of 3.5" 2oz #4's and at 35 yards I was getting 130 to 140 pellets in a 10" circle. I bought some Hevi-13 #6's but at 5$ a pop I cant justify patterning those! So I decided to see what some dove loads would pattern like. Kind of suprised me! A winchester STEEL Dove load, 2 3/4" 1 1/8 oz #7's put 190 pellets in the same 10" circle. This load is stated to be moving at 1200 fps, so I'm thinking that it will kill a turkey just as dead but I am curious if, for shooting at 30 yards and under, if there is even any advantaged to the 3.5" or just stick to those sweet little 2 3/4" shells?

Thanks!!

JoeA

Check your state's regs on legal shot size for turkeys. Many states don't alow shot size less than #6 for turkey. Smaller shot may not have th energy to make an ethical or efficient kill.

There are 2 3/4" turkey loads out there, that work fine. Win. & Federal both make'em.

Wingbone

Steel doesn't have the impact that lead or alternatives have, especially #7's. You'd pepper the turkey alright, but just end up wounding him because the pellets don't have the momentum to break or penetrate heavy bones. Turkeys ain't doves.

keyshunter

I don't know about the #7 shot and have zero experience with steel shot. But, in the days before the magnum craze set in, we killed lots of turkeys with regular 2 3/4 inch pheasant loads with plain lead #5 or #6 shot.

SJAdventures

Where the cheap loads will rear their ugly heads is if you have to make an extended shot or you make a less than perfect shot. Inside 30yds about any shell will kill a turkey if you make a good shot.

IL-Cornfed

But you "game load" rounds have NO KNOCKDOWN at even mid turkey range. The Hevi-13 is practically off the scale when compared to traditional lead loads. You don't just wants hits.... you want pellets that smash through bones to anchor these large birds!

Also, I realize that turkey loads are expensive but my God, it isn't like you have to spend hundreds of dollars to pattern a gun! After that.... how many shots do you plan on taking each season ?!?

SwampCollie

If you are looking to save some money on shells... no problem... you don't have to shoot $5 a pop shells. Been probably 1000 times more turkeys killed with copper plated 6s than all high density shot combined, and I'd level a fair bet that there is still more killed each year with lead than with high density.

Steel, on the other hand, sucks balls. And thats all I have to say about it. I've killed enough ducks and geese in my life to know that it will do the job.... but seriously... I'd sooner shoot a turkey with a REAL dove load of 1oz 7.5s than with steel #7s. Energy wise... that is about the same as lead #9s... which won't do much other than just feather doves past 25 yards and inside of that all you do is tear them all to hell.

3" 1 3/4oz Copper plated Lead turkey loads are about $2 more a box than the 2 3/4" 1 1/2oz ones... and both will be far and away superior to your steel target loads.

Bullet Hole Bailey

Thanks Guys! I'm glad I didnt use them, Went out this morning and Shot a double bearded Rio with a 2.25 oz of Hevi shot 6's and at 35 yards the thing never even twitched, it was awesome!

Bernie P.

With the right choke lead (if legal) in 2 3/4" 1 3/8oz loads or heavier of #4,5,or 6 will kill any bird out to 40-45yds.Nothing against the premium turkey loads but they really aren't needed.

SJAdventures

I hunted for years before I bought my first 3.5" magnum with 2 3/4" 4x6 copper duplex loads and never did have one run off. I never shot past 30 and most were inside 30. I still don't shoot the heavy's. Win HV 3.5" 5 shot 2oz loads will flatten them out to 60yd with my setup so no sense in me spending any more money than I already do for heavy's