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Post by Decatur on Mar 21, 2006 15:11:23 GMT -5
What is an acceptable number of hits on a turkey target at various yardages for your turkey gun? Just curious.And what is your favorite load?
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Post by hunter480 on Mar 21, 2006 15:18:57 GMT -5
What is an acceptable number of hits on a turkey target at various yardages for your turkey gun? Just curious.And what is your favorite load? Outstanding question- The only turkey load I`ll use now is the Winchester Xtended Range Hi-Density turkey load. I patterened my Browning NWTF BPS with these, and used the X-full turkey choke that came with the gun-didn`t use my Comp-N-Choke XXX-full. At 20 yards with the 3"-6 shot load, we were decimating the Shoot-N-See turkey head targets. I only patterened back to 40 yards, and I was putting 39 pellets in the kill zone. Absolutely awesome turkey load. The best I was able to achieve with the loads I used before these new Winchester loads was 15 pellets in the kill zone at around 30 yards.
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Post by gobblerstopper on Mar 21, 2006 17:59:41 GMT -5
That is a very good question and I'm sure everyone shares a somewhat different opinion. I'm also sure that some have heard (and maybe go by) the ol' "it only takes one" theory.
When I started turkey hunting I was using a 3" shell. I was happy with 15-20 pellets at 30 yards. Since then, shells, chokes and the money I am able to spend have came a long way.
Personally I wouldn't hunt with a gun now that only put 10-15 pellets in the vitals at 30 yards. There are too many other options out there. You can get a choke and shell now in 2 3/4" to shoot that well.
I'm using a Rhino tube with Nitro Hevi shot and I do not think that I have ever counted the pellets at 30 yards. The hole in the paper would make it hard to get an accurate count anyways. I have counted at 40 yards though and I believe it was around 40 or so.
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Post by Woody Williams on Mar 21, 2006 18:18:01 GMT -5
I guess I'm going to have to break down and buy a Rhino choke. Woodmaster swears by his, but he is shooting those bad boy 3 1/2 inchers. Maybe he will buy me one for HIS birthday..
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Post by kevin1 on Mar 21, 2006 18:23:54 GMT -5
Saturday I was running various shells through my 20 Gage to see what it liked the best at 20 and 30 yards through an Undertaker choke , the choices were:
A) 3" Winchester Supreme Double X Magnum Turkey Loads #4 shot 1&1/4 oz .
B) 2&3/4" Federal Heavy Field #6 shot 1 oz .
C) 2&3/4" Federal Field And Target #7.5 shot 7/8 oz .
All patterned well , but the higher priced turkey shells left the least number of pellets in the kill areas . Ironically , the lightweight field and target shell decimated the gobbler's head at both ranges with a difference in pellet density of only about 15-20% between the two . It outperformed both of the larger shells by a considerable margin .
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Post by Decatur on Mar 22, 2006 7:30:51 GMT -5
Saturday I was running various shells through my 20 Gage to see what it liked the best at 20 and 30 yards through an Undertaker choke , the choices were: A) 3" Winchester Supreme Double X Magnum Turkey Loads #4 shot 1&1/4 oz . B) 2&3/4" Federal Heavy Field #6 shot 1 oz . C) 2&3/4" Federal Field And Target #7.5 shot 7/8 oz . All patterned well , but the higher priced turkey shells left the least number of pellets in the kill areas . Ironically , the lightweight field and target shell decimated the gobbler's head at both ranges with a difference in pellet density of only about 15-20% between the two . It outperformed both of the larger shells by a considerable margin . Maybe due to the smaller shot size? Smaller shot almost always have more hits in the kill due the fact they are more densly packed and there is just more of them.
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Post by kevin1 on Mar 22, 2006 8:01:47 GMT -5
Maybe due to the smaller shot size? Smaller shot almost always have more hits in the kill due the fact they are more densly packed and there is just more of them.[/quote]
That's my presumption too . To be honest I wasn't comfortable with the shot size , but if that had hit a real turkey it would have taken it's head clean off . For short range like what I patterned it those 7.5s will work just fine . As an added bonus they're very inexpensive .
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Post by Decatur on Mar 22, 2006 9:02:52 GMT -5
But do they retain enough energy to get it done on a real turkey? Maybe shhot some plywood at the same distance and see how much penetration you get. Let us know.
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Post by Woody Williams on Mar 22, 2006 9:15:39 GMT -5
But do they retain enough energy to get it done on a real turkey? Maybe shhot some plywood at the same distance and see how much penetration you get. Let us know. Good question. Belwo is a chart on the energy comparison. Now don't ask me what is enough. Size..........Shot Count1 oz...Energy 40 yds@1350 f.p.s. # 7 1/2...........350.......................1.3 # 6................225.......................2.3 # 5................170.......................3.5 # 4............... 135.......................4.4 I know that I once hunted crows with 7 1/2s (trap load) and it wasn't enough for them. Of course we were body shooting them... for the most part.
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Post by chicobrownbear on Mar 22, 2006 10:08:35 GMT -5
There is also a lot more shot in #6 and #7.5 than in #4 shells.
I shoot hevi shot 3 inchers. I have only shot paper so far, but turkeys are pretty tough birds.
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Post by gobblerstopper on Mar 22, 2006 11:03:45 GMT -5
I don't know how they came up with the number, but Nitro states that 1.8 ft lbs. are needed to penetrate the vitals of a turkey.
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Post by kevin1 on Mar 22, 2006 18:46:49 GMT -5
But do they retain enough energy to get it done on a real turkey? Maybe shot some plywood at the same distance and see how much penetration you get. Let us know. I shot the last shell in the box at a hardwood stump about 10 yards away , it sand blasted the bark off in a spot the size of an 8 ball and dug about 3/4" into the wood behind it . It was patterning between that and softball size up to 30 yards . That's a very angry little cloud of bees ! Figuring a generous 50% loss of projectile energy it still takes that head off at 20 yards and takes out the neck at 30 . The shock alone would be enough . Body shots would be out of the question though .
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Post by ridgerunner on Mar 25, 2006 19:37:27 GMT -5
I personally would not use 7.5 for turkey. I can't say as I know anyone who has used 7.5. I'd use at the very least #6's.
I use # 5 Winchester Xtended for a consitent pattern out to 40 yards. If you have to shoot through a little brush or something with 7.5 I'd be afraid they wouldn't get the job done.Ridgerunner
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Post by woodmaster on Mar 26, 2006 10:51:59 GMT -5
I'm not much on "shots in the head". When I get a new gun or choke I'll get as many loads from my buddies as I can and shoot them all. Which ever patterns the best is the one I'll use.
I'm using a Rhino choke tube with Nitros. They work the best for me.
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Post by hunter480 on Mar 27, 2006 15:38:53 GMT -5
I personally would not use 7.5 for turkey. I can't say as I know anyone who has used 7.5. I'd use at the very least #6's. I use # 5 Winchester Xtended for a consitent pattern out to 40 yards. If you have to shoot through a little brush or something with 7.5 I'd be afraid they wouldn't get the job done.Ridgerunner I shoot the Winchester Xtended Range Hi-Density turkey load in 3" 6 shot, and it`s killer. I`ve seen NOTHING better.
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Post by buster on Mar 27, 2006 21:34:28 GMT -5
Stay away from 7 1/2 shot! It might look good on paper, but it's not worth it. Maybe at 10 yards, but we all know Murphy's Law. And I agree with Ridgerunner, you will blow your pattern and lose your load's energy if you have to shoot through and type of brush or cover. Find a good load that your gun likes and stick with it, no matter the cost. It's not like you're shooting doves. One box of 10 shells should last several seasons after you find the right load. JMHO...
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Post by parrothead on Mar 28, 2006 7:37:00 GMT -5
I use Nitro and put 320-340 in a ten inch circle at 40 yards.
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dakid
Full Member
Posts: 62
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Post by dakid on Mar 30, 2006 22:21:03 GMT -5
Me and Dad shot Winchesters extended range today. I shot 3.5" 6 shot and he shot 3" 6 shot and we didn't see no difference out to 40 yards than with regular Winchester Supreme turkey loads. I can't justify the price for the results. I'll stick with regular Supremes and save a few $'s.
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