Posted: 3/14/2010 9:31:32 AM EDT
|
I'm going turkey hunting for the first time this season,I have a super black eagle II. My question is what choke well I need and what shot #?
Thanks. |
|
Get a decent extra-full choke tube and a bunch of high brass turkey loads with #4, #5, or #6 shot. Pattern your shotgun with the different ammo and you'll probably find one type that out-patterns the rest.
I've killed 2 toms, missed one and seen my buddy miss one. I didn't really "miss" - I had a tom in front of me at 30 paces strutting and I shot at his neck/head with a full-choke 12ga with regular brass 3" #4 and failed to kill him. I chased him to a woodline and kept shooting but between the wrong choke and some shells I'd never patterned it was full of FAIL. My friend "missed" at 15yds with his 20ga and shells he never patterned. |
|
Quoted: Oh, BTW I shoot a Rem 11-87 Supermag 3.5". There is no way I'd try as far a shot as I did with a 3" gun. My 3/5 has 1 1/4 oz of shot! Just curious which brand choke you are shooting? I shoot the same setup. I tried a Kicks Gobblin Thunder and think it patterned better than the factory choke (and the factory choke was nice to begin with). I also used a Kicks High Flyer this past duck/goose season, and it performed great.(Which is what got me to try the Gobblin Thunder). Which brand of shells and shot seems to work best for you? Mine likes the Winchester Supremes in #4. |
|
Quoted: I'm using a Remington extra full turkey choke. For shells I have Remington 4 shot 1 1/4oz.Quoted: Oh, BTW I shoot a Rem 11-87 Supermag 3.5". There is no way I'd try as far a shot as I did with a 3" gun. My 3/5 has 1 1/4 oz of shot! Just curious which brand choke you are shooting? I shoot the same setup. I tried a Kicks Gobblin Thunder and think it patterned better than the factory choke (and the factory choke was nice to begin with). I also used a Kicks High Flyer this past duck/goose season, and it performed great.(Which is what got me to try the Gobblin Thunder). Which brand of shells and shot seems to work best for you? Mine likes the Winchester Supremes in #4. |
|
I personally use #5's, based on the information in the link below and finding a #4 load and choke combination that shot a dense pattern at 40 yards has proven tougher than I thought. 6's are not as good at longer ranges, so I settled on the #5.
Try your factory full choke, it may do just fine. I am still searching for the best load. It most likely lies in the HD/Heavy Shot category, and is expensive. If you can split the cost with a buddy or two, to test these HD/Heavy Shot loads, that is a great way to not spend as much. I shoot an 11-87 SuperMag with Remington Super Full turkey choke. I have the heavy shot Super Full as well. Pattern your gun!!! Generally for 30 yards and in 4's, 5's and 6's all work fine. NO disernable difference with a clean head shot, you have a real dead turkey. At 20 yards you will have a fantastic pattern and #7s would be the best. Also, this is more important than you think. Pattern your gun at 7-10 yards, even 15 yards. Not necessarily with a turky load. Use a field load. Just to see how SMALL your pattern can be. If you yank your head off the stock, you can miss. You may only have to be off center by 3-4 inches and you will not hit the bird. Your pattern will not be much more than the size of a grapefruit up close. At 15 yards it is like a paper plate at best. I shoot High Velocity loads as well 1300FPS. One day I will graduate to heavy shot, just not for a few years, onc emy current supply of shells has dwindled. I have attached a really good link with background info on shot shells and patterns for you. Granted the test data is out of an 870 Super Mag, but it give good info. 3" loads may work just fine, so do not think 3.5" is mandatory. I shoot 3.5", but certain 3" loads pattern better than you think and offer as many or more killing hits at 40+ yards. 40 yards and beyond becomes a bit of a crap shoot, so you really must know your gun to make clean, ethical shots. You can read about turkeys at longer ranges, etc. But those are the exception, not the rule. Good luck! Turkey Loads Explained/Tested |
|
Quoted:
Choke the tightest you can find, killed my last bird at 43 yards. As for shot, you want a dense pattern. I use 4 as it is easier to pick out bigger pellets that stray into the breast. I concur Wow 43 yards! The first time I went turkey hunting I killed one at about 15 yards and the other at 20. It was over in a flash because right as I moved they were in flight. What a rush! |