12Ga 2 3/4'' Turkey load?

[sage5907]

My advice is to go down to your local gunshop and buy a box of Winchester XX Magnum with 1 1/2 oz of copper plated #4 shot. A box of 10 rounds will kill 10 turkeys. I've taken a ton of big toms with 2 3/4 inch loads out of a full choke Remington 870 shotgun and I make one shot kills out to about 50 yards. It only takes a few pellets to kill a turkey and I always go for a body shot just like shooting a quail. I know what I have said goes against the grain of many turkey hunters but I have complete confidence in the load. I have nothing against reloading shotgun shells but not for turkey hunting.

 

[George P]

Looking to make up some turkey loads, I have 2 3/4 hulls and have 1 1/4 wads both Remington. I am very limited on powder but think unique should work. I have 7 1/2 shot, #6, and some #5. What would you use. I have some shot that got mixed up, think it's 5-6-7 1/2 mixed together anyone ever try any.

These will be shot from a western field 30 pump. Has a 32'' full choke. 2 3/4 chamber.

Have you looked online at Hodgdon and Alliant for load data?

 

[troy fairweather]

My advice is to go down to your local gunshop and buy a box of Winchester XX Magnum with 1 1/2 oz of copper plated #4 shot. A box of 10 rounds will kill 10 turkeys. I've taken a ton of big toms with 2 3/4 inch loads out of a full choke Remington 870 shotgun and I make one shot kills out to about 50 yards. It only takes a few pellets to kill a turkey and I always go for a body shot just like shooting a quail. I know what I have said goes against the grain of many turkey hunters but I have complete confidence in the load. I have nothing against reloading shotgun shells but not for turkey hunting.

It would be nice to go out and buy a box of Turkey shells but I don't have the money.

 

[troy fairweather]

Have you looked online at Hodgdon and Alliant for load data?

Ya I have a pdf of the alliant data

 

[sage5907]

It would be nice to go out and buy a box of Turkey shells but I don't have the money.

That's a whole different problem. Use the #5 shot because they are noted to be a good pheasant load and anything that will take a pheasant will take a turkey.

 

[George P]

Last few threads I have seen have folks loading #9 TSS instead of lead #5................I am not a turkey hunter, but the reports have been outstanding and it would be something to investigate.

 

[troy fairweather]

Last few threads I have seen have folks loading #9 TSS instead of lead #5................I am not a turkey hunter, but the reports have been outstanding and it would be something to investigate.

Ya I've seen a few short videos on that stuff. If I had a new modern shotgun I'd like to try some, here in N.Y. We can't use #9 tho. #8-#2 only. I never priced the stuff but not like your shooting a lot. It is funny how it went from big shot to small shot,

 

[DocRock]

The TSS is great, but MUCHO DINERO. I think it allows 20 ga and even 410 to play in the Turkey game, but with the old Stevens, lead No 5 and a little time at the pattern board will get it done.

 

[troy fairweather]

The TSS is great, but MUCHO DINERO. I think it allows 20 ga and even 410 to play in the Turkey game, but with the old Stevens, lead No 5 and a little time at the pattern board will get it done.

The shotgun has a pretty thick muzzle, I'd say close to 1/8 but still won't try steel. I've been tempted I have a box of win 7 1/2 steel. I do need a gun for steel tho, one part of state land the out pheasants you have to use steel, I should get some tin. I made a small shot maker that works pretty good.

 

[Random 8]

I have Remington gun cubs, and xp12 wads. So no need for anything else.

Sure you can make them work, but they're much better suited for light field and target loads. You can also load a 200 grain bullet in a .300 Savage, but in both cases at the expense of increased pressure and reduced velocity. There's no reason to use a less than ideal shell when Fiocchi style cases with much more volume can be had so easily and cheaply. The SP12 is a great field wad for heavy payloads in cases with more volume, and head/neck shooting a Turkey is a fill in the pattern game.

 

[243winxb]

The shotgun has a pretty thick muzzle

Had a new Rem 870 fixed choke , missed the swage process. Blew patterns real bad.

Swaged Fixed Chokes- Are thicker.
A shotgun barrel constriction which has been formed at or near the muzzle by the use of dies or hammers.

 

[buck460XVR]

Killed my Tom last year with my dad's old model 97 using 2 3/4" #5 pheasant loads. Most every turkey I have killed has been with #5s. Seems anything bigger gives you more possibility of having holes in your pattern.

 

[entropy]

Unique isn't a very good powder for what you want, it's very bulky. Id stuff as much Blue Dot in there as you can find data for, and use the #5 shot. If the full on that 32" inch barrel is any good, you'll be eating turkey dinner.

Oh, and after turkey season, go down to Walmart and scarf up any remaining boxes of Turkey load that are on clearance. I pick them up for anywhere from $2.50/box of 10 to $5, for my son.

 

[troy fairweather]

I have a box of I think Winchester I'd have to look. there a #6 2 3/4 load. I'll try them to. Will see how this year goes, my buddy's cousin has 200 acres upstate we are trying this year. I wanted to get a new auto loader this year, but money is very tight.

 

[troy fairweather]

Unique isn't a very good powder for what you want, it's very bulky. Id stuff as much Blue Dot in there as you can find data for, and use the #5 shot. If the full on that 32" inch barrel is any good, you'll be eating turkey dinner.

Oh, and after turkey season, go down to Walmart and scarf up any remaining boxes of Turkey load that are on clearance. I pick them up for anywhere from $2.50/box of 10 to $5, for my son.

Just wish I had more powders to use, I have not tried patterning the gun. I only shot a few Remington #6 game loads. I'll check this year, I don't remember seeing and 2 3/4 but worth the look. Some wild turkey is nice to have. I never cooked a hole bird like a thanksgiving bird, just always cut the breast out soaked in Italian dressing and cooked on the grill.

 

[troy fairweather]

Killed my Tom last year with my dad's old model 97 using 2 3/4" #5 pheasant loads. Most every turkey I have killed has been with #5s. Seems anything bigger gives you more possibility of having holes in your pattern.

Hey that was nice to down a bird with the 97. I've only ever used #5 when I was lucky and had birds come in.

 

[George P]

Sure you can make them work, but they're much better suited for light field and target loads. You can also load a 200 grain bullet in a .300 Savage, but in both cases at the expense of increased pressure and reduced velocity. There's no reason to use a less than ideal shell when Fiocchi style cases with much more volume can be had so easily and cheaply. The SP12 is a great field wad for heavy payloads in cases with more volume, and head/neck shooting a Turkey is a fill in the pattern game.

There is nothing inferior about the Remington hulls; they can be reloaded with anything using the correct components.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Killing a turkey is about HUNTING. If you get close enough you’ll get your bird.

Back in the ‘70’s and early’80’s someone published a 1.5oz load for Unique. My older brother used it to shoot grouse “Maine” style. (Jump them, then shoot them out of a tree). He stated that velocity was about 900fps and was more of a “whoosh” than a bang... but killed all out of proportion due to dense pattern. He later got a Llewelyn setter, and then used a 1oz load to save lead and powder...

A Ga Trooper aquaintance who was a fanatical turkey hunter quit using a 12ga and uses a 20ga Franchi auto with 1oz loads. He was “bored” with killing them at 50yds with a 12ga Magnum.
He said the 20ga makes him call them in a bit closer. He’d use a .410, if it were legal...

Just use 22.0-24.0gr of Unique- “whatever crimps best with your wads, and hulls”, pattern to determine where center of pattern is thrown, and go hunting.

 

[troy fairweather]

Killing a turkey is about HUNTING. If you get close enough you’ll get your bird.

Back in the ‘70’s and early’80’s someone published a 1.5oz load for Unique. My older brother used it to shoot grouse “Maine” style. (Jump them, then shoot them out of a tree). He stated that velocity was about 900fps and was more of a “whoosh” than a bang... but killed all out of proportion due to dense pattern.

A Ga Trooper aquaintance who was a fanatical turkey hunter quit using a 12ga and uses a 20ga Franchi auto with 1oz loads. He was “bored” with killing them at 50yds with a 12ga Magnum.
He said the 20ga makes him call them in a bit closer. He’d use a .410, if it were legal...

Just use 22.0-24.0gr of Unique- “whatever crimps best with your wads, and hulls”, pattern to determine where center of pattern is thrown, and go hunting.

Thanks for the info, that's right were my test shells are with powder.

 

[skeeterfogger]

Standard 2 3/4 00 always been getter for me. But a lot depends on how good a caller you are. Farthest I've had to shoot is 50 yards. Most within 30. Longest 125 but used 22 hornet

 

[Captcurt]

Ya I've seen a few short videos on that stuff. If I had a new modern shotgun I'd like to try some, here in N.Y. We can't use #9 tho. #8-#2 only. I never priced the stuff but not like your shooting a lot. It is funny how it went from big shot to small shot,

I have chased birds since the early 70's and have tried new loads every few years. Now the up and coming fad (and that is what it is) is shooting tiny shot or shooting the little 410 in a Stevens Model 301. I can tell you from experience you need all the shot that you can get and go #6 or bigger. Turkeys are tough and light shot will not penetrate reliably at longer ranges. The very best load that I have found for my gun is 3" Winchester Longbeards with 1 7/8 oz #5. This is the tightest load that I have found in the 50 years that I chased these birds. They do make a 1 1/4 oz load for your 2 3/4" gun.

 

[buck460XVR]

Hey that was nice to down a bird with the 97. I've only ever used #5 when I was lucky and had birds come in.

Yes it was. My dad bought the gun used when he came back from the South Pacific after WWII. It's over 100 years old. Was the gun I used for deer hunting back in the 60s. I too find some of the newer turkey loads and chokes out there make for shooting at any bird within 70 yards. Not really for me. I like calling them in and having multiple opportunities to work toms is what drives me to get up early and head for the woods. This year I think I'll use my grandpa's old Fox SxS 16 ga. He bought that gun brand new when he came back from France after WWI. The thrill is to get them close enough to see their spurs before you pull the trigger.

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[troy fairweather]

Yes it was. My dad bought the gun used when he came back from the South Pacific after WWII. It's over 100 years old. Was the gun I used for deer hunting back in the 60s. I too find some of the newer turkey loads and chokes out there make for shooting at any bird within 70 yards. Not really for me. I like calling them in and having multiple opportunities to work toms is what drives me to get up early and head for the woods. This year I think I'll use my grandpa's old Fox SxS 16 ga. He bought that gun brand new when he came back from France after WWI. The thrill is to get them close enough to see their spurs before you pull the trigger.

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Nice picture, looks like the takedown model to. I like the 97s wish I could find one cheap.