Turkey Load Test

[JW520]

In newsletter video I said we would be testing multiple loads to compare patterns. What does everyone prefer to shoot and what are some loads you would like to test

[ufgators68]

My Mossberg 935 likes #5 Winchester XRs, 3.5". They die in their tracks out to 40 yards. Haven't shot one further than that yet.

My Remington 870 likes #5 Remington Nitro Express, 3". Patterns decent out to 40 but I haven't killed one past 30 with it.

[teul2]

I have patterned several shells in the last few years out of two different guns. All shells available at Walmart, or were. Which I think is a good idea to test shells readily available to most all people. And maybe a high dollar shell or 2 thrown in there.

Guns
Remington 870 12ga w/28in barrel and both Primos jellyhead (.660") and tightwad (.660") chokes.
Mossberg 835 12ga w/28in barrel and Madmax(.675") and primos jellyhead (.690").

Shells 3.5in
Winchesters Supreme #5s 2oz
Winchester Supreme #6s 2oz
Hevi-Shot Magnum Blend 2.25oz #5-6-7s

Shells 3in
Winchesters Supreme #5s 1.75oz
Winchester Supreme #6s 1.75oz

Surprisingly, the best combo in my guns was the 870 with the tightwad choke, and the 3in #5s. All shot at 30 yards. FYI, if your going to do a pattern test, I HIGHLY recommend a leadsled. The recoil on those 3.5in turkey loads SUCK in a pump gun.

[deltadukman]

My Mossberg 935 likes #5 Winchester XRs, 3.5". They die in their tracks out to 40 yards. Haven't shot one further than that yet.

My 835 loves those and the Hevi Metal Magnum blend 5,6,7's as well all out of the factory Ulti mag or xxxfull from Mossberg.

[Tedl10]

My old 870 supermag 26" with a jellyhead really liked nitro 3.5" 4x5x7 and magnum blends 4x5x7. This year I'll be using a 20 gauge 870 youth model with shureshot stocks. I plan to shoot TSS loads through it.

[billjohnson]

Youth model 870 20 ga. tricked out with tactical stock and red dot. Shoot an Indian Creek Black Diamond choke and tried everything in it. Finally settled on Hevishot Magnum Blend. To tell you the truth, most everything was pretty good but the Magnum Blend was better at 20, 30 and 40. I think this choke is the best that I've shot. I've used them in a Mossberg and Benelli with the same result. I don't pattern past that because I'm just not shooting that far at them. If I can't them closer than that, I haven't won. Kind of the same way on ducks.

[JW520]

I shot magnum blends and loved them for 3 years. My wife still shoots them in her 12 but I swapped to 3 inch #6 Longbeard XR the year they came out and haven't looked back since. They are one heck of a load. I am going to pattern a few just to compare this year but it will be hard to get me away from the Longbeard XR personally. And I've shot the same pattern master code black for 5 years now, my wife and I both shoot them and love them

[Click]

TSS #9 20 gauge

[greenheadsonly]

For me, I have not found anything that is even close to the Magnum Blends
and Hevi 13 shells from Hevishot. They pattern great and have unmatched
hitting power at extended ranges

[Deltaduk]

shot jebs .655 in a SBE2 longbeard XR #5 was very happy with it had 20 pellets in head and neck with pellets all over a12inch target at 40 yds no lead sled, had 11 pellets in head with another 25 pellets over the paper, had 10 pellets in head and neck and 13 more pellets over the paper at 70 yards. Never really patterned any turkey loads before I guess that is pretty good? Might try some Hevishot 13s Cant find anywhere around where I live that sells nitros. 20 yds was a complete body slam, I sure need a lead sled, shoulder and neck still sore

[deerhunt1988]

shot jebs .655 in a SBE2 longbeard XR #5 was very happy with it had 20 pellets in head and neck with pellets all over a12inch target at 40 yds no lead sled, had 11 pellets in head with another 25 pellets over the paper, had 10 pellets in head and neck and 13 more pellets over the paper at 70 yards. Never really patterned any turkey loads before I guess that is pretty good?

Yes, that is fine for 40 yards. Just please don't even think about taking 70 yard shots.

[Gunslinger]

For me, I have not found anything that is even close to the Magnum Blends
and Hevi 13 shells from Hevishot. They pattern great and have unmatched
hitting power at extended ranges

I'm guessing you've never shot TSS. I've shot just about every "new and improved" factory turkey load over the past 10 years. Started loading TSS a few years ago, and won't look back. Can't beat the pattern density, and doesn't require an expensive after market choke. 19g/cc versus 13g/cc hevishot, or somewhere in that ballpark, speaks for itself. Will outperform any factory load on the market at "extended ranges". I load them for significantly less than what I bought Nitro shells for a few years. Easy choice for me.

[Click]

For me, I have not found anything that is even close to the Magnum Blends
and Hevi 13 shells from Hevishot. They pattern great and have unmatched
hitting power at extended ranges

I'm guessing you've never shot TSS. I've shot just about every "new and improved" factory turkey load over the past 10 years. Started loading TSS a few years ago, and won't look back. Can't beat the pattern density, and doesn't require an expensive after market choke. 19g/cc versus 13g/cc hevishot, or somewhere in that ballpark, speaks for itself. Will outperform any factory load on the market at "extended ranges". I load them for significantly less than what I bought Nitro shells for a few years. Easy choice for me.

What he said.

[teul2]

So what is the weight of the TSS vs lead?
My feeble mind wants to think that the heavier lead would have better terminal performance than pretty much any other metal. But I know there are WAY more factors than just weight.

Making assumptions here, but maybe the fact the TSS is lighter, you can get it to go faster with the same powder charge makes it more deadly?

[deltadukman]

So, question. I've always been interested in reloading shotgun shells but never bit the bullet. What all would someone need to buy(reloader, scales, etc) to start rolling their own? Where do yall buy your shot? From my limited research, it appears as there are just a few people that you can buy it from and its very hush hush.