[Reacher]

I'm going to make an attempt at turkey hunting for the first time later this spring. I have an 870 with a 23" turkey barrel. Any recommendations for what loads to use, or choke?

My shotgun experience is fairly limited. Previously I've only used it for deer hunting (rifled barrel and sabots), but my turkey barrel just arrived today and I'd like to get some practice before time to hunt.

If I practice with target loads, is the performance of game loads going to be similiar?

 

[MikeG]

All I've ever used are 2 3/4" target loads, to be honest. Just haven't had the ambition to beat myself up with some of the wild stuff out there.

Full choke and small shot (#7 1/2, #8, or #9) works for me. Keep in mind I'm not a super serious turkey hunter, but all the turkeys I've shot at are still dead.

Best of luck. I'd practice calling more than shooting.

 

[hillestadj]

Use a full choke or extra full turkery choke. Try a few different shells to see which patterns best with your gun/choke combo.

 

[Old Grump]

I use Fiocchi field loads, #6 shot, 20 gauge, IM choke. Works for me. No need for 3 !/2" magnum loads and 6' goose guns for a turkey. You just need to get a few pellets into the neck and they are done for.

 

[Tnhunter]

I've helped some who hated the recoil(?) from their 3 & 3.5" shells sight their guns in. Me, I use 2 3/4" turkey loads in #5 or #6 shot. Perhaps that's why they seldom brought deer home too....???

 

[Reacher]

Thanks guys.

Use a full choke or extra full turkery choke. Try a few different shells to see which patterns best with your gun/choke combo.

My turkey barrel came with a "Super Full" choke that says it is good for heavy or lead shot. I'm guessing that puts me in the ballpark? Is it worth picking up another choke to try as well, or just pattern that one and see where I end up first?

 

[hillestadj]

I'd just pattern what you've got before you spend anymore money on something you might not need. Your Super Full will probably be between .040" and .045" constriction which is pretty tight.

 

[Jack]

I agree- pattern the choke you have. If you don't get good patterns with the first load you try, experiment with a different load. Usually, you'll find one particular load out of 2 or 3, patterns quite well.

 

[Reacher]

I made a trip to Bass Pro Shop yesterday afternoon. Sometimes I wonder what my wife is thinking letting me go there alone, she knows I always come home broke with lots of cool new stuff!

Well, I couldn't find the Fiocchi loads. Another buddy recommended a duplex shot with a mix of #4 and #6, but I couldn't find that there either (found duplex loads, just not that mix). Here is what I got to try:

HEVISHOT - 3" - #4 shot - 2oz - 2 boxs (5ea)
Remington Nitro Turkey - 3" - #4 shot - 1 7/8oz - 1 box (10ea)
Winchester Supreme Elite Hi-Density Turkey Load - 3" - #4 shot - 1 3/4oz - 1 box (10ea)
Winchester Supreme Elite Hi-Density Turkey Load - 3" - #5 shot - 1 3/4oz - 1 box (10ea)



I also brought my Bullmastiff with me. One of my wife's coworkers said that BassProShops are dog friendly, and sure enough they are. It was hilarious to see people's reactions because I don't think most people realize you can bring a dog in there, or expect to see one. I kept having people walk by looking shocked and whispering to whoever they were with, then have them circle around and ask to pet him. He of course loved the attention, but the biggest thing to him was watching the big fish through the glass in the fish tank they have. He's seen small fish on the edge of a pond before looking down into the water, but of course they take off as soon as he steps foot in the pond. He was very intrigued that these fish were much bigger, and didn't swim away when he put his nose to the glass. I'm pretty sure he was trying to figure out a way to get at them.

 

[m141a]

I tend to stay with a full choke, or on seldom occasions, an extra full. That sometimes is dictated to how close the birds are coming. If they are wary one day, others, they charge in...

Shot size, I usually go with a 2 3/4 load, in 12 or 20ga, and usually a #4 or #5 pellet. I've never seen the need for magnums.

 

[white eagle]

I do believe you will be farther ahead using for practice what you will be shooting while hunting
personally I use a 10 ga with 2.25 oz of #4 hevi shot my longest kill was 59 yds
but a 12 ga is a very adequate performer
you will have no troubles

 

[Deerhaven]

I shoot a 28" barrel 870 with a turkey extra full screw in choke tube. I use the Winchester Supreme, 3" #6 (copper plated). In a turkey target, if you can put 20 or more pellets into the head/neck area, you are good to go. My 870 patterns the #6 very well, #5's next best, while #4 shot is hit or miss. Try different loads and manufacturers to see which one your gun patterns best. I have a friend who also shoots the 870, but his gun patterns hevi-shot the best. I have never tried the Fiocchi loads because I lucked onto the Winchester pattern early on. Hope this helps you.

 

[langenc]

So long as the bird is coming in, let em come..

Dont shoot at 50 yards thinking "i just need a couple in the head."

A fellow I was calling for did that and the bird flew and he came to me and asked "where is he?" I told him "In the next zip code."

Get em inside 30 yards and you wont have top get one w/ a plastic wrapper for Thanksgiving dinner

 

[HarryS]

I'm with Mike.
But I'm a very serious turkey hunter. I use a 20 ga or a 12 ga 870 pump with low brass #6. Kills them dead. As people have sid wait and let the bird get close, I've never lost a bird nor had on run away. they just go crazy kicking and spuring at the ground.

All this stuff about new fangle premium turky loads is just made up by the ammo folks. they dd nothing to a turkey hunt with a shotgun. Like the common place 4-500 yard elk shot....real turkey hunting is a close up thing.

 

[langenc]

Harrty/Mike-

How far were your last two birds??

 

[MikeG]

Well, I'm assuming you mean birds I've killed with a shotgun, because the last bird I shot was about 150 yards with a .270, and the one before that, maybe 90 or so with a .35 Rem

But seriously, the birds I've called in have been between 20 and 30 yards when using a shotgun. Most of the places I hunt have fairly thick cover and long shots would be rare.

Oh and I've shot one about 20 feet away with a .45 ACP. Works great!

 

[Sus Scrofa]

From the little I have seen and experienced turkey shooting/hunting, the hunting bit is the calling and as Mike said I would give that more time than spending your hard earned dollars on unnecessary monster loads. Get in a good spot, cammoed up, keep still and quiet and learn how to call and to be honest an ounce of sixes out of a tight choke will kill your turkey for you. I found the thrill of having that big old smart bird come prancing through the prickly pear and mesquite thinking there was a pole dancing hen just round the corner was the thrill, Wacking him in the head and neck with a load of sixes was the anti climax.

 

[nachogrande]

Turkey shotgun/load

Most of mine were taken well with a Mossberg mdl 500 2 3/4 or 3" chamber with 6 or 7 1/2" shot. 8 or 9 shot I wouldn't advise, esp for a newbie. Now that I have the Beneli SBE in camo, 24" bbl, 3 1/2 chamber, extra full choke, a "state of the art" turkey killing machine" I can't use it for medical/recoil reasons & the last 5 birds in 2 seasons + 1 day have been with a 22 mag Ruger all weather bolt. YES it's legal here on private land & if you think head shots only on a constantly moving turkey at 40-75 yards is easy & non sporting with 2 wrist splints, just try it. Plus I always seem to take a coyote trying to get at the newly dropped calfs, (per the ranchers request). If I had it to do over a 24" 20 ga with the new aftermarket turkey chokes and better ammo (# 5,6 shot) I wouldn't feel undergunned.

 

[langenc]

Well, I'm assuming you mean birds I've killed with a shotgun, because the last bird I shot was about 150 yards with a .270, and the one before that, maybe 90 or so with a .35 Rem

But seriously, the birds I've called in have been between 20 and 30 yards when using a shotgun. Most of the places I hunt have fairly thick cover and long shots would be rare.

Oh and I've shot one about 20 feet away with a .45 ACP. Works great!

yea, weve been talking shotguns and shot size. 20-30 yards shuld be a dead bird, although I have missed em closer than 20!!

A 45 wouldnt be anygood here. End you up w/ a ticket.

 

[MikeG]

Yeah, it's funny in Texas, a turkey is considered a borderline nuisance. You can shoot them with anything that burns powder. Been tempted to ask a game warden if I can use an air rifle but haven't gotten around to it.

One of my friends shot one in the neck with a .22-250, that was a pretty good shot actually! Probably close to a hundred yards.

The one I killed with the .45 waddled past my blind and I couldn't resist. Went into the oven at 22 pounds or so, heaviest turkey I've ever killed.

But back to the matter at hand... the ones I've shot with a shotgun just folded up on the spot no matter what I was shooting. My friends just use regular loads too, when they are calling birds. The birdshot doesn't seem to get into the meat, either, when you put the pattern on the head.

Need to find a place to call a turkey this spring! You have me all interested in doing it again.....