Posted: 1/28/2014 8:28:35 AM EDT
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Going on my first turkey hurt in many years this May...
Pushing 10 years since my 870 express magnum (3") took a Tom. That was with plain old #4 lead, 2 3/4 Federal thru a Primos choke. Hoping to get out in a month to pattern some loads. Any recommendations? Thanks, - Pat |
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I've killed them out to 47 yds with Winchester Supreme #6's.
I also have killed them with the Hevi Shot that has multiple size shot in each shell. I won't say how far that shot was. Embarrassing how bad I misjudged the distance. It was foggy... My son killed his first bird this past Spring with a 20ga. 2 3/4" Pheasant load in #6 at 38 yds. Both 20 & 12 were with Remington's Super Full Turkey chokes. |
| My Remington 1187 really liked the 3 inch Remington Duplex loads through the factory extended full choke. My Mossberg 935 prefers the 3.5 inch #5 shot Federal loads with flight control wads or the Winchester Supreme 3.5 inch. Buy a box of each load you like and pattern them, it is the only way to know for sure what your gun shoots best. |
| I use Winchester 2 3/4 number 5 in my mossberg. I shot one 2 years ago at at least 60yrds. Way further than I probably should have shot but it was in an open field and my buddy had blasted one at about 10 yards with his single shot. He shot and the second bird took of running. When it stopped I put the red dot on its head, squeezed and it dropped right there. Every gun and choke likes different stuff so shoot a couple different shells and see what yours likes best. |
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The patterns I have seen posted by the new Winchester Longbeard shells have been nothing sort of amazing for lead. The number of pellets in a 10" circle at 40 yards ranges from ~140- ~250. That's a tight pattern at 40 so 20 would be really small!
Just don't believe the hype of 50+ yard kills. If you keep your shots to 40 or less you will have an amazing pattern. |
| I shoot an 870 like yours. I use a Remington Ventilator choke and Winchester Supreme #6 or #5 and I am good to 40 yards. Lately all I shoot is #6. #4 is not enough pellets IMO. Look into the Ventilator choke. It is $20 and after spending $30-$60 on various other chokes the cheapest one is the one that patterns the best for me. |
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Last week's bird dropped stone dead at 46yds from the Hevishot blended shot.
I really wish I knew when I would need a long shot vs medium to short because the Hevi blend is serious overkill. I know what the pro's would say... " Just get them in closer. " But I just ain't that good to get them in tight all the time, dammit! They are too hard won for me not to skimp on the shell. |