What Turkey Shells do you use??

[Sharkhunter]

I am gearing up for my first Spring Turkey hunting this Spring. What shells do you guys recommend/use? I will be shooting a Benelli Nova which takes up to 3-1/2 inch shells.

I saw some Remington Nitro Turkey shells today that were 3-inch, 1-7/8, 4-shot....are these good?? Thanks!

 

[halfacop]

Any brand name shotgun shell will be fine.....However:

The important thing you need to figure out is - what shell patterns best out of your gun.

I went through 5 different manufacturers before I found that 3" Remington Duplex loads pattern bad ass out of my 870. No holes at all in my pattern and I killed a bird last year at 52 yrds.

Different chokes will come into play as well. If you decide to look at tungsten loads - you'll find out that you can over choke that stuff quickly.

If you have some turkey hunting buddies then grab a shell from each of them to gather a nice variety and start shooting them.

 

[CSA 357]

Pattern your gun, see what it shoots best some guns shoot #6 shot better that #4 or #5 get some turkey targets and see what puts the most shot in the head and neck, good luck! csa

 

[Lennyjoe]

I couldn't agree more with patterning a turkey gun. I've tried several different brands and all pattern different than the others.

I use 3" Winchester #4's and #5's out of my Ithaca M-36 with a extra full turkey choke.

Merriam's jake taken at 35 yds in the White Mountains of Arizona in 2006 with the Ithaca and #4's.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Buy various loads and shot sizes and see what your gun likes. I shoot 3" winchester supreme high velocity shells. The pattern the best from my shotgun.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

My one turkey kill was with Remington 4x6 loads. 38 yards, down he went. Check 'em out.

 

[Starter52]

+1 for the Remington duplex load.

 

[redneck2]

I use #5 Hevi-Shot. Hits like the hammer of Thor. My bird was 50+ yards last spring.

FWIW...if you're just starting out, you might consider getting a choke from Tru-Lock. They are machined from a solid chunk of steel. Most (factory and some other) chokes are made from tubing, which has a seam and may give erratic patterns. This is one of the reasons some guns center the pattern off to the side. If you call them, they'll talk you through what you need. In any event, you should read the info on their web site.

 

[Sharkhunter]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

 

[Kman]

Definitely pattern the gun, the least expensive route is to just buy the shells your going to use, then find your range. Don't try to take a bird outside that range as it's just impossible to track a wounded turkey. The hevi-shot from Remington is a good choice.

 

[Eric F]

WOW there are some great loads here but I have always used a 20ga double and a home grown #2and #6 duplex load

 

[Lennyjoe]

I might try some home grown myself. Got the Mec Jr. working 2 3/4" field loads but might give some 3" a try for turkey hunting.

BTW, I seen 22 turkey today while out deer hunting. Can't wait til April!

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

+1 for heavyshot #5's.

 

[plumberroy]

100 grains of ffg goex black powder over powder card cushion wad powder measure set at 100 grains full of #5 shot over shot card #11 cap =smoked turkey
Before you spend a bunch of money on turkey loads if you have any "high brass" shell around in #4,#5 or #6 give them a try turkey's aren't armor plated :banghead: find a free printable turkey pattern target on the net and give them a try, you might be surprised. Ive seen turkey taken with a 410
My cva trapper muzzle loading shotgun has taken 5 turkeys with the above load
Roy