| Author |
Message |
Old Dominion Tom
| | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 6:15 pm: | |
I posted this thread on Huntinfo and was wondering what some of you guys think (or have experienced).
I have a Kicks Gobblin Thunder .665 tube for my 870. After MUCH patterning (Fed 4,5,6, Rem 4,5,6, Win Supreme 4,5,6, and Win HV 4,5,6) I consistently found that the Winchester HV #6 patterned the best at 40 yards. This load gives me the pattern density I'm looking for (avg. 12 to 15 pellets in spine and brain) at 40 yards.
Do the #6's have enough energy at 40 yards to put a mature gobbler down? I've taken two birds with this load, but both were only 25 yards away. I would like to keep my shots well under 40 yards if possible, but if thats my only opportunity, do I have enough pop at that range with the #6's?
Should I use 4's or 5's (both avg. only 5 to 7 pellets in the spine and brain area at 40 yds.) instead?
Any input appreciated.
Thanks,
ODT |
coach
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2001 - 7:29 am: | |
Your experience is identical to mine. I could not stand the factory choke tube that came with my Rem. 870. I bought a Gobblin thunder .665 and had the same experience. 6 Shot high velocity worked the best.
I have taken turkey at 40 to 45 yards with this load and one didn't even flop around. But I'm like you, I like the shot to be a lot closer though. (only two birds that distance)
Good luck,
Coach |
Joe
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2001 - 9:40 am: | |
I used an 870 forvever, until I switched to a 10 guage NEF a few years ago. I had the best patterns with federal 5 in the 870, but it did not have a kick's tube...I use 6's in the single shot and it will lay them down at 40. I read your posts on the other board and did not respond there because it seems that a lot of the answers there ,thesedays, turn in to debates. There is not question that the larger shot, if placed well will do more damage than the 6's, given the assumption thatthe same number of shot arrive in the kill zone simultaneously. But the advantage ofthe 6's is that (for me and my gun at least) a lot more 6's arrive in that zone and so what you give up in WHOP you make up for in volume . I skin the head neck of every bird to see where the shot has hit. In some case I recall that I have found a single 6 was the sole fatal pellet.(do not recall the yardage though)...But I know a 6 out of a HV load like you are patterning will penetrate a neck/head of a turkey-thus kill it. That is why I shoot them . I am curious about these new NITRO shells which are 4-6-7 1/2, I friend says the pattern on those is impressive and that the big(4-6) pellets stay in the center ofthe pattern downrange...have you patterned those, or federal 5's in your gun? |
Old Dominion Tom
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2001 - 5:37 pm: | |
Joe,
I actually used to hunt with Fed. #5's when I used my factory tube, and killed 3 birds with that choke/load combo (one of which was just shy of 40 yards).
However, with the Kick's tube, the Win. HV #6 are a step above all else. The Kick's tube shoots the Fed. #5 slightly better than the factory tube did, but it really puts some serious shot into the turkey head target with the HV #6. It will average about 12 - 15 in the spine at 40yds. and will avg. about 150 pellets total on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper that the turkey target was printed on. With #4's and #5's of both Fed and Win. it will avg 5 - 7 shot in the spine at 40 yds. Thats my delima, I feel like I have more than enough density with the #6's but marginal energy, and feel like I have more than enough energy, but marginal density with the #5's. If the #6's have the energy at 40 yds., then I plan to contiue using them.
25 to 30 yds. is my preffered range, regardless of load being used. 40 yds. would be my absolute max. regardless of my shot size as well. Just can't decide what's best at that 40 yd. mark.
I have patterned all shot sizes (4,5, and 6's) from all manufactures (Rem., Win, Win HV, and Fed). I have not tried the Nitro loads though.
Thanks for your input.
ODT |
JOE
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 9:43 am: | |
ODT- the Nitro load is actually composed of 4,5 and 7 1/2, and not 4 and 6 as I said earlier. It continues to be humorous to me that we are all chasing the perfect call and perfect pattern and perfect load and perfect gun to use on a bird that is as unperfect(in terms of predictability) as possible. I guess we are just trying to tilt the odds slightly in our favor. I saw where someone from east Tenn won the NWTF turkey shoot by putting something like 15 pellets in the little red scoring circle...and the next closest shooter only had about 7-8...we needto getthat guy on here to tell us what the right load-choke is. |
Bret
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 5:46 pm: | |
Hey guys, just thought I'd share a little info or experiences I've had over the years on the topic of shot size. I have over 30 years of Turkey hunting experience and can tell you that I've taken birds with a varity of shot sizes, brands and even reloads. I started out using 2's as my Father had suggested many years ago. I've gone full circle in shot selection and I now rely on the same size shot that was suggested to me over 30 years ago. My reasons are quite simple to me now. Test patterning your weapon is important but I don't think anyone is going to dispute age old logic. The bigger the shot the more pentrating the round. If we shot our birds at 25-30 yards all the time theres no question that any of the shot sizes you've mentioned would do the trick,Including my suggestion of bigger is better. The 40 yard mark and beyond becomes your concern. I can confidently tell you that the odds are in your favor at greater distances when using larger shot virsus smaller. Why, because that larger pellets are bringing more energy to target at the greater distances. So it is my belief that if you intend to shoot 40 yards and beyond, why not put the odds in your favor. Don't concern yourself so much with wanting 15 pellets in the kill zone at 40 yards, concern yourself with putting at least one big pellet in the kill zone every time. Again I've tried a varity of different shot sizes at different distances but I have come back to putting the odds in my favor on those long range shots with number #2's.
I am Bret Rogers CEO/founder of Gobbler Run Productions. I am looking for gentlemen as yourselves to join me in my ventures across the state Turkey Hunting. We film hunts and want to involve our members as much as we possibly can. Our web-site is expected to launch March 1. Please look for us. |
Mr. Longbeard
| | Posted on Monday, March 11, 2002 - 8:01 pm: | |
I Read this post and could not believe that some one didn't bring up the fact that #2 shot is not a good shot for turkeys because if you shoot at a turkey 40 to 45 yards and miss his head and neck but strike him in the body those #2 can penatrate into his vital organs and after a lot of suffering die. Now with #4,5 or 6's if you shot at a turkey 40 to 45 yards away and miss his brain and neck that bird will live to gobble another day. Bret Rodgers you really need to re think about those #2's buddy!!!!!! |
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