The Midas Touch?

[SwampWolf]

I haven't been keeping up with the cost of shotgun ammunition for the last couple of years but a few days ago I received a sale circular in the mail from one of my favorite outdoor sporting goods store, The Sportsman's Den in Shelby, Ohio and experienced "sticker shock" over the price being asked for tungsten (gold?) shot "turkey" shells. $49.99 for five Browning 3 1/2", 2 1/4 oz. shells; $44.99 for five Federal 3", 1 3/4 oz. shells! I feel like Rip Van Winkle being roused from a decade of ignorant sleep.

If I was going turkey hunting this spring, I'd either have to put a box in lay-away and make weekly payments or go hunting for one at Krogers with "Butterball" stamped on its behind.

 

[Speedo66]

At $50 for 5 shells, and more might be required, you could get a nice duck dinner for two for not much more.

I know that hunting is the point, but wow, just wow!

 

[e rex]

Cheaper to go to the store and buy steak!

 

[Howland937]

That's right close to what a resident hunting license and turkey tag cost in OH. I haven't turkey hunted in a few years, but aren't normal lead shotshells still legal for all but migratory birds/waterfowl?

$10 each is astronomical. Hell, I traded a rifled slug barrel for a smoothbore years ago because I was too cheap to buy sabots at $15/5.

I have heard of guys killing turkeys at 75 yards with the right set-up. Suppose that's what that ammo is for. My unprofessional recommendation would be to get better at calling.

 

[Mars5l]

Tungsten is not a cheap metal to make or use

 

[Rshooter]

I was shocked yesterday when I found Remington 000 for $2 a round. The good old days are long gone.

 

[SwampWolf]

I haven't turkey hunted in a few years, but aren't normal lead shotshells still legal for all but migratory birds/waterfowl?

As far as I know, lead is still legal for turkeys in Ohio. And, cost aside, I think it's hard to improve on the "ballistics" of lead when it comes to shotgun pellets.

 

[Barbaroja]

As far as I know, lead is still legal for turkeys in Ohio. And, cost aside, I think it's hard to improve on the "ballistics" of lead when it comes to shotgun pellets.

The advantage to tss is that it’s twice the density as lead which means a #8 tss pellet will have about the same amount of energy as a #4 lead pellet. This lets you use smaller shot which dramatically increases your pattern density, opening up ability to take longer shots.
With all the other costs associated with hunting I don’t think pricey shells that you will shoot 2-3 of will make a big difference in the long run.