Wow!!!! notox turkey loads....

tod osier

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So, I haven't bought turkey loads in a few years - I found what I liked and stocked up (Winchester Supreme Extended range 6s in 3 1/2"). I'm running low and started looking and found that tungsten prices went through the roof.

I'm looking for no-tox. I see hevi-13 and federal heavyweight. Winchester and Remington seem to be out of the notox turkey game (but correct me if I'm wrong). Any other options? Anything less expensive? I have a ton of old stuff from patterning, but it is all stuff that didn't pattern as well as the Winchester in my gun.
 
Tod~

Here's an Old School response: I have killed every Tom I have shot at with my 12 gauge 2 3/4" Kent Fasteel #3s - through my old full choke Model 12. My only cripple (thankfully found soon after by my partner) was with a "special turkey load" - with 2 x 8 lead, I think. (I tossed that box.....)

All the best,

SJS
 
Tod~

Here's an Old School response: I have killed every Tom I have shot at with my 12 gauge 2 3/4" Kent Fasteel #3s - through my old full choke Model 12. My only cripple (thankfully found soon after by my partner) was with a "special turkey load" - with 2 x 8 lead, I think. (I tossed that box.....)

All the best,

SJS

I haven't patterned steel for turkeys in a long time. When I did, I was very unhappy with it, given the large sizes needed to have enough energy at range. I'd be happy to use it.

I do not take an old school perspective on loads for turkeys :). I want to be able to flatten them at 50 and preferably 60 yards, even if I like to shoot them at 30. As an aside, any turkey I'm going to shoot that is coming in is shot when it crosses the 30 yard mark, I'm not interested in getting them closer.
 
If you can reload, A LOT of serious turkey guys I grew up with are going to TSS 9's and super tight chokes, some even to 20 ga.

TSS won't help your wallet though.
 
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Tod, the Federal heavyweight 7s are just flat out killers. I have killed a lot of turkeys with lead, but switched to the hvywght 7s last year. So lethal , I switched up to my 20 gauge and still have lethal performance to distances greater than I want to shoot. Patterns are chocked full with no gaps.......I stoned more birds last year than any season previous. Lights out, most without even the typical post kill wing flapping......
 
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Tod, the Federal heavyweight 7s are just flat out killers. I have killed a lot of turkeys with lead, but switched to the hvywght 7s last year. So lethal , I switched up to my 20 gauge and still have lethal performance to distances greater than I want to shoot. Patterns are chocked full with no gaps.......I stoned more birds last year than any season previous. Lights out, most without even the typical post kill wing flapping......

I'll look at them when I quit griping and get to buying stuff. Near $40 for a box of 5 is steep.
 
If you can reload, A LOT of serious turkey guys I grew up with are going to TSS 9's and super tight chokes, some even to 20 ga.

TSS won't help your wallet though.

Whoa, I looked at a few prices! I have no doubt that you could get amazing patterns with 9s if they would have the energy to get the job done at 60. I don't think I'll be loading any up soon.
 
I went though my stuff and found enough for this and maybe next year if I'm lucky.

Someone tell the Chinese to get digging some tungsten to bring the prices down!
 
Wow.....I bought two boxes last year for 24 a box from gander mountain. ( one of the few mail order who will still ship to NJ). Look around for sales , bad time to buy with turkey season right around the corner.

Tod federal is running a rebate of 5$ a box right now......
 
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I'm very old school. 30 yards max or closer. If I wanted to shoot at turkeys with a "far reacher" I'd go beck to PA, and hunt the fall season with a rifle. Believe me it's not as easy as it sounds, especially for gobblers. I've seen turkeys wounded and lost, and birds killed with old shot in them and infection. Sure it can happen at close range as well as far, but we bitch about Sky Busters for waterfowl so what's the difference? The old case of "More Powder More BB's I'll Get Em".
 
Wow.....I bought two boxes last year for 24 a box from gander mountain. ( one of the few mail order who will still ship to NJ). Look around for sales , bad time to buy with turkey season right around the corner.

20 gauge is less because there is less shot too.
 
I'm very old school. 30 yards max or closer. If I wanted to shoot at turkeys with a "far reacher" I'd go beck to PA, and hunt the fall season with a rifle. Believe me it's not as easy as it sounds, especially for gobblers. I've seen turkeys wounded and lost, and birds killed with old shot in them and infection. Sure it can happen at close range as well as far, but we bitch about Sky Busters for waterfowl so what's the difference? The old case of "More Powder More BB's I'll Get Em".

Big difference between skybusting and hoping to kill vs. killing birds far with a gun and load that you patterned and know will roll them over - dead.
 
Fed heavyweights are my pick. Keep it in perspective- $3-$5/shot for a superior product that has built-in margin of error . How many times do you usually shoot during turkey season anyways? BTW, the feds usually pattern really tight out of factory full chokes so you may not have to try expensive aftermarket chokes to get a good pattern.
 
Fed heavyweights are my pick. Keep it in perspective- $3-$5/shot for a superior product that has built-in margin of error . How many times do you usually shoot during turkey season anyways? BTW, the feds usually pattern really tight out of factory full chokes so you may not have to try expensive aftermarket chokes to get a good pattern.

That is what I've read on patterning. Jode what have you been using?

Those shells are still expensive, no matter how you cut it. For 40 or 50 bucks a box you can buy premium rifle shells and for 30 you can buy 20 rounds of standard quality rifle rounds for most deer rifles. $30 for 5 shells is painful, but I'll pay it if I need to. I usually shoot a few shells every year, so it isn't going to break me, but if it shoots good I like to stock up and that is painful.
 
I am shooting a factory full choke out of the 20. The federals have a special wad that holds the pattern tighter and shoot better out of factory and some non ported after market chokes. At 40 yards I am getting average of 95-110 pellets in a 12" circle
 
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