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Turkey Shot#
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<mtnmike>
posted
This question is for the experienced turkey hunter, What size #shot for turkey, need to place my order,who do you buy from? Wink
 
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Booshway
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I use either #5 or #6. I buy it at the local gun shop.


Know what you believe in. Fight for your beliefs. Never compromise away your rights.
 
Posts: 1296 | Location: Cherokee Land, Tenasi | Registered: 06 January 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Greenhorn
Picture of Ohio Rusty
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I myself prefer #5's. If you can't find a small amount of loose shot or don't want to spend a fortune on a 25 pound bag you may never use ...... Find a box of shot shells (low brass or high brass) with the shot size you want to use. A sharp knife will cut the end off the shot shell and you have a premeasued amount of shot for your smoothbore. Last year I bought a mixed bag of 53 shot shells at a flea market for 3 dollars. That gives me plenty of shot to use for small game and flying game.
Ohio Rusty ><>
 
Posts: 19 | Location: Falls of the Hockhocking, Ohio | Registered: 28 May 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Booshway
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I use #5 or #6 I've seen #5 in a small container at bass pro at times I have a life time supply of #6 I bought a 25# bag long time ago. Heard a lot of good things about Nickle plated 5 shot but haven't tried it yet.


The best thing about owning a dog is that someone is happy when you get home.
 
Posts: 959 | Location: Alabama | Registered: 09 December 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Booshway
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Mike,
there was an article in ML mag several months ago about developing loads for a smoothbore. The author's name is John, I believe. Maybe somebody here can come up with the issue date. The article emphasized having three (3)loads of shot separated by thin overshot cards resulting in denser shot patterns.
 
Posts: 721 | Location: TriCities, WA | Registered: 25 January 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
<mtnmike>
posted
Dave,,Thanks, Iam waiting for you know who to get here LOL, exploring my possibilities. Big Grin
 
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Booshway
Picture of wattlebuster
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I've been turkey hunting 35 yrs. 12 of those yrs I guided other hunters. After all I've seen I use #4s


Nothing beats the feel of a handmade southern iron mounted flintlock on a crisp frosty morning
 
Posts: 354 | Location: Heart of DIXIE | Registered: 18 November 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Hivernant
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4's are best IF your choked and can keep it tight.
If not I think 5's are the best compromise between 4 and 6. I believe 6 is too small unless its the heavier than lead type shot.......

Let the debasing begin........


Keep inside the tree line, Don't let 'em know where yer bedded. Some have less than you do and my be inclined to try and take what little ya have.
 
Posts: 107 | Location: The Soviet Socialist state of Connectitax | Registered: 29 May 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Booshway
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I've used #6 mostly but also used #7 1/2. Keep shots close (25 yards and in)and booth work fine. Best regards. Rockerhound.
 
Posts: 1128 | Location: Iowa | Registered: 15 December 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Booshway
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Mike, I believe the article mentioned by Dave is titled "Smoothbore Turkey Loads" and is by John Hayes. It is on page 72 of the March/April issue. 2011.
 
Posts: 507 | Registered: 14 August 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Hivernant
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Last and only 4 i killed were w 1.25 oz of 71/2 shot.

Used hi brass 7 1/2 on a feral hog a little over 20 yrs ago. Of course shot was about 12 yards and we could see both shot columns bounce off his rib cage. Recon he ran about 30 yds. Just been using 7 1/2 for everything since then and get em in range.
 
Posts: 138 | Location: Cedar Valley, Travis Co., TX | Registered: 24 December 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Booshway
Picture of roundball
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quote:
Originally posted by mtnmike:
This question is for the experienced turkey hunter, What size #shot for turkey, need to place my order,who do you buy from? Wink
Just one individual's POV, like many things there's really no "one size fits all" answer...there are starting points but you really have to put in the range time to see what 'your' smoothbore will do.
I've spent a fair amount of time at the range over the years now with turkey and squirrel load development using 4 different 20ga Flintlocks, 3 different .54cal(28ga) Flintlocks, 26", 32", 38", and 42" barrels...some Cylinder Bore, some Jug Choked, different powder types and powder charges, different wad types, wad stack configurations, and wad volumes...different shot pellet sizes, different shot charge sizes, many variations of those mixes, and at different distances.

All geared towards the goal of getting the 3 sides of a triangle balanced regarding velocity/pattern density/penetration in the smoothbore you have in your hands at that moment for the game you're after at the distance involved.

Smaller size shot (ie: 7.5's) fills in a pattern on paper and looks so good you'll think you've found the answer...but their light weight don't give good penetration at significantly longer ranges...if you're good enough to always call them in close, no problem...but. #6's start to do a better job but there are less pellets so the pattern starts to thin a bit...you get the idea.

Now an interesting finding is that continuing on to #5's, then to #4's you'd think that evolution would continue in a linear fashion, but it doesn't quite...the larger heavier pellets don't veer off as quickly as the smaller lighter pellets, boring on ahead through the air further instead, before slowing down enough to start flying off, holds a pattern together a little further. I've killed them with 7.5s at 18 yards, 6's and 5's from 20-35yds, and #4s at 43 steps...different guns, different loads, etc.

A simple 3.5" diameter metal tuna can makes a pretty good test medium for penetration...the photo below shows a 25yd test using 5s, 6s, and 7.5s...notice on the 7.5's I had to use a smaller shot charge...(to reduce the pellet count, to reduce the weight, to keep the velocity up, to get penetration)...and even at that note some are just dents in the can, didn't go through.

ML smoothbore load development is a study in itself and you'll learn a lot along the way...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: roundball,


Flintlock Rifles & Smoothbores
Hunt Like The Settlers
 
Posts: 1867 | Location: North Carolina | Registered: 28 January 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
<mtnmike>
posted
This is outstanding information, I am in awe of all the time and research you have put into this way of hunting Eeker I truly hope to meet Roundball & Spence10 one day. Real knowledge is priceless. My hat's off to you Gent.
 
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Factor
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Yeah at least #6, and I'd probably "harvest" some #5 from some 20 gauge shells.

LD


It's not what you know, it's what you can prove
 
Posts: 3843 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 10 November 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Free Trapper
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I've had my best luck in the 20 ga. w/ #4


" You do with your scalp as you wish and don't be telling us what to with ours."
 
Posts: 158 | Location: lake champlain, vt | Registered: 03 January 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Pilgrim
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I've had very good luck on turkeys with plated# 6's out of some Winchester shells I've canabalized in my 20 ga fowler.
Tom Black
Cantucky
 
Posts: 63 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 14 February 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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