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Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

Wow, #2's and taking a body shot? Taking a body shot on a turkey is pure horse crap. Unethical, and just poor hunting. If you can't take his head, you shouldn't take the shot.

In Missouri shot larger than # 4's are not legal now days , in the ole days you could use anything you wanted .

#2's would certainly not be my choice for a backup load , I have used #2's when I was a kid as well as # 4 Buck , BB, 2's , 4's , 5's , 6's , Still by far the best thing going is # 7.5's and push em fast .

Heaven forbid If you have to take a backup shot on a cripple then attempt to place a load on that neck not the body , but I know I have seen a time or two that is all you could see , then dont stop shooting untill you break him down and run like the wind to cover the ground so you can get ahold of the bird .

Folks LARGE SHOT IS NOT THE ANSWER TO TURKEY'S shoot small stuff and push them fast and never look back .

Regards Charles

Looks like 7.5's are out here.

11. HUNTING IMPLEMENTS:
Wild turkeys may be hunted only by means of a shotgun (including smoothbore muzzle-loaders) not larger than 10 gauge (allowable shot sizes #4 to #6) or by archery. Bows must have a minimum pull of 40 lbs. at 28 in. draw (or peak draw for compound bows) and must be used with well-sharpened steel broadhead arrows not less than 7/8 in width. Rifles and handguns are not allowed.

Member Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 129 Location: Alabama

I'd love to find a supply of nickel-plated 7.5s or even 7 or 7.5 hevishot, etc. for working up some loads. I bet you could find a load with plenty of energy AND density to stretch WAy out there...for any gauge, but it might really shine for my 16 and 20ga guns for turkey loads....taking them out to the 40 yard realm, for sure. Very Happy

Member Joined: 11 Sep 2004 Posts: 27 Location: Olympia, WA

Member Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 376 Location: North ID.

Tested out a reload today taken from the 16 ga group, using longshot powder and 1 1/8 oz #5 shot on a nice tom and it worked great at about 26 yds!

Called in two, my friend rolled one with his 870 20ga using his handload with #4 shot, I used my 11-48 16 ga with a mod choke! I don't think I've ever shot a bird that was as dead as this one when it hit the ground. Hardly even a flop or a wing flutter!

Great Results

We have taken to carrying my father's Model 12 16ga with the 28" Mod choked barrel.

Currently are using Fironchi High Brass ZGolden Phesant #5s.

No opportynities for a shot, however, it's time (Model 12) will come.

Thanks for all of the input

Bowbuilder

Thanks for the update on the choke.

Hunt safe

Hootch:

There is a supply of #7 tungsten shot available for reloading.

Some reloaders on the oldgobbler.com are having great success with a mix of #8 and #9 tungsten. Interesting concept.

Smaller shot size for a higher total pellet count.

So many loads, so little time

Hunt Safe

Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 50 Location: New Jersey