Turkey gun patterns

[Hoytme2]

Just shot a couple of my guns yesterday to see how they were shooting. Took shots from 35 yrds. which will prolly be my max. in the field. Was wondering what kind of patterns you all were getting with your setups.

I shoot Rem 12 gauges across the board. I have an 870 Express, 1100 and another 870 with a full choke barrel. The first 2 I used an after market turkey choke. The first to paterned well....... I think. But not nearly as well as my brothers Benelli 20 ga. Was looking for some info on how well a GOOD Turkey gun should shoot. I have a pattern of about 2.5 feet at 35 yrds. with about 7-10 hits in the kill. The first bird I shot I had no problem flattening him but it was at about 25 yrds.

[geezer]

I have a rem 870. 12 ga. with a hastings .660 ported choke. I had the forcing cone polished. I am shooting fed 3" number 6 -lead shot. I have installed a dot sight also. I targeted at 20, 30, & 40 yards. using those 12" targets that turn yellow when they are hit. It shoots really tight in close and at 40 yards the target turned yellow - just too many hits to count - i was really impressed with the shells and choke - i think i could take a turk at 50 yds. but don't think i would ever try that as i haven't tried it at that distance. I think that polishing the forcing cone (it was really rough from the factory) was worth the 50 bucks and it makes it much easier to clean and pattern more evenly.

I haven't hunted with the 870 yet - it's a move up from my ithaca 2 3/4" in 12ga. which also shoots well - it has an ithaca ported turk barrel - haven't tried it since i had the forcing cone polished in it also - never had a problem taking a turk with the 2 3/4" shells but just got itchy to try something new

Hope this isn't TMI

good luck hunting
stay safe

[Hoytme2]

I am shooting 2 3/4 remington hevi-shot size 4. It does the job but I think I could do better with my pattern width. I have heard that smaller shot will pattern better. Any thoughts?

[geezer]

Well small shot has always patterened better for me - it may be due to the greater number of shot per weight you get with smaller shot so you get a denser pattern - just a guess

take care

[mrjbigfoot]

I'm not a big turkey hunter but I love to shoot so I bought a set of camp on rifle sights for my 870 express and an after market hastings turkey choke tube. I've shot 3" 4's and 6's and I think the 6's pattern way better (a lot more pellets in the head). I also put up targets on an old block silo, checking out various chokes & loads and I was really impressed with how much more the Hastings turkey choke did for the 6 shot. It really takes a tight pattern divet out of a block wall at 25 yards & I thought it was great out to 40 (as far as I went). When I looked at the amount of concrete that blew out at 25 yards, I thought it would blow a turkey's head clean off...LOL! My first love, when it comes to birds, is waterfowl! I really like the fact that geese are as big as turkeys & I can call em & shoot up to 2 a day during the season... and I don't have to buy any tags or check them in... All I need is my Federal Stamp & my Wetlands Stamp and I'm good for the whole season. I also have trouble justifying $20 for a turkey tag (15-20 lb bird) vs $20 for a deer tag (200 lb+ animal)...LOL! I'd rather fill the freezer with deer & waterfowl in the fall/winter and fish in the spring/summer...LOL! Honestly, I think the DNR should re-evaluate the price of turkey tags...

[Q2XL]

not worried bout patterin my turkey weapon .as long as the arrow flyin should not be a problem:D

[sycamoreredneck]

Undertaker choke tubes on a Chester 1300 12ga is a deadly combo for Long Beards, thats what I am gonna use to slay um this year!!! Good luck to all and be safe!!

[Hoytme2]

Q2, I might also take out the bow this turkey season to have a go at them. Prolly won't be during turkey camp but later on in the season. I don't have a blind so I will have to have something that will be sufficient. Wish me luck as I wish all the luck to you all.

[10Gauge]

Hoyt,

You don't mention what the constriction of your tubes actually are but I suspect they may be tighter than .675? I'd go to a #6 hevi-shot instead of the #4's. For hevi-shot go with slightly more open chokes, .650 & .660 are a little too tight....you will pattern better in a .675 or bigger choke tube typically. I shoot #4 hevi-shot thru a Briley Modified extended tube for dux and it patterns great!

Good Luck

[Hoytme2]

Sorry, I am using a .665 choke. I am thinking about buing a box of the 6's to see if this makes a difference. Thanks for all the advice.

[epe]

Originally posted by 10Gauge
Hoyt,

. For hevi-shot go with slightly more open chokes, .650 & .660 are a little too tight....you will pattern better in a .675 or bigger choke tube typically. I shoot #4 hevi-shot thru a Briley Modified extended tube for dux and it patterns great!

Good Luck

How much better will the gun pattern with a 660 as opposed to a 650 with hevi shot 6#'s at 40 yards?

[10Gauge]

How much better will the gun pattern with a 660 as opposed to a 650 with hevi shot 6#'s at 40 yards? (epe asks)

That's a loaded question (sorry about the pun)!

Here's my experience with #6 Hevi-shot at 40 yards I get better patterns at 40 yards (92-98% of the pellets inside the 30" circle, dense pattern in the center "neck region") in my Benelli's & Beretta's using a .675 extended choke tube (that ain't tight). I've done similar tests using .655 & .665 chokes even though some tube makers and gun makers don't recommend using this much constriction with HS. Results have been 73-78% with more constriction causing "blown" patterns and "holes". Blown means many pellets outside the circle and density is lots, holes mean voids larger than a standard clay target in places.

I'd like to test some of those "WADWIZARD" tubes, there website has some impressive data (www.wadwizard.com) but the price of those tubes is a bit steep in my opinion.