20 ga turkey load question

[slabuda]

Ok here it is.

I have a mossy 500 20 ga with IC--MOD--FULL--SF turkey choke(super full is a cabelas choke tube).

I have Remmington Nitro in #4 3" and Kent Fast lead in #6 2 3/4"


Any recommendation as to what to use? Do I go with the heavier faster shot but with less pellets or do I go for the slower lighter but more shot?

And what choke? full or super full?

I havent patterned it with the lead shot yet and may not have time befoire the weekend but will do my best to. Yes I know...pattern your loads....but 60 hr weeks, base exercises and crap weather prevented it.


Thanks!!

 

[JohnBT]

Do you plan to shoot them on the ground or in the air?

In either case, you'll need to pattern. There's no getting around it.

I was going to recommend a plain old high brass number 6 load. 2 3/4".

John

 

[shaggy430]

You have to pattern. I've tried 3 different loads in one gun before and one was great, one was ok, and one was barely on paper. There's no other way around it.

 

[Mr Bernoulli]

well personally I use a super full one of the Primos JellyHeads to be exact... but I would go with the super full in your case also. Generally smaller shot works better in the super full chokes like #5 or #6 due to the fact its eaisier to fit them through the constricted space. The super full choke will help you keep your pattern tighter at longer distances but make sure your gun is on especially in close because your pattern will be tight! You definately will have to pattern your gun like the others said but if you do not have something now that goes with that super full then find something that shoots well.

 

[RetiredLawman]

I recommend #6s 3" magnum. In the 2 3/4" loads, I'd use #5s or 6s. 20 gauges do not pattern #4s as well as the smaller shot. My son uses a factory modified choke and does quite well. I use the factory full or an Undertaker extra-full. I have done very well with a Polychoked 20 set at extra-full.

 

[357sigRog]

My 10 year old son shoots Rem. Premier Magnum 3" #6 with an Undertaker choke. Patterns great and I used it myself last year and killed a 21lb. Tom at 35yds.

 

[slabuda]

UPDATE

Patterned it with the 2 loads I have on hand

Remington 3" #4
Kent 2 3/4 #6


The kent patterned better so Ill go with that. I should be good out to 35 yds if I do my part.

 

[slabuda]

Ok made it out for my 1st time turkey hunting in SW Idaho. Not the best population of turkey in the state fir sure. And not that Idaho is a good turkey hunting state.

Well I saw mule deer, geese and mink.....not in season....not is season...dont trap.

Did see turkey droppings so set up in a very little clearing and started to call. Heard some turkey a LONG way off in the canyon. But do I hear or see any near me? Nope...oh well Ill try again.


It was nice to just sit and listen to the birds and the river and watch the sun work its way around to me.