Who Doesn’t Use "Turkey" Loads?

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   My old 12 ga. shotguns throw very decent patterns with 2 3/4" 1 1/4 oz heavy field loads. I've bought several 2 3/4" magnum "turkey" loads on sale over the years, but am beginning to wonder if these "howitzer" size payloads really mean anything in comparison to a decent 1 1/4 oz heavy field or maybe just a good premium copper plated heavy field 1 1/4 oz load. A little voice inside my head tells me that the "turkey loads" may be more for bagging hunters and profits  than for any improvement in real turkey killing qualities. I'd bet my Grandfather didn't use anything heavier than 1 1/4 oz loads in his shotgun in a lifetime of serious hunting. Does anyone else see this as plausible? Does anyone here use something other than "mega mags" for turkey hunting? AW

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Adobe Walls Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .30/06 SpringField Joined: 09 August 2003 Status: Offline Points: 373	Topic: Who Doesn’t Use "Turkey" Loads? Posted: 18 April 2004 at 07:49
	My old 12 ga. shotguns throw very decent patterns with 2 3/4" 1 1/4 oz heavy field loads. I've bought several 2 3/4" magnum "turkey" loads on sale over the years, but am beginning to wonder if these "howitzer" size payloads really mean anything in comparison to a decent 1 1/4 oz heavy field or maybe just a good premium copper plated heavy field 1 1/4 oz load. A little voice inside my head tells me that the "turkey loads" may be more for bagging hunters and profits than for any improvement in real turkey killing qualities. I'd bet my Grandfather didn't use anything heavier than 1 1/4 oz loads in his shotgun in a lifetime of serious hunting. Does anyone else see this as plausible? Does anyone here use something other than "mega mags" for turkey hunting? AW

waksupi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Keeper of the Old Traditions Joined: 11 June 2003 Status: Offline Points: 2371	Posted: 18 April 2004 at 08:48
	I use a 20 bore flintlock smoothbore. I use 75 gr. 2F with equivelent volumn of shot. It seems to have killed all the turkeys I have shot. With the 20, I do have to limit my range to under 30 yards, as it is a cylinder bore.
	Shooters Cast Bullet Alumnus http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php?

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Posted: 18 April 2004 at 13:30
	AW, You are 100 % correct. Shoot what patterns best. I use 16 and 20 guage 'high brass' loads with great sucess. The Turkey remington loads are not bad. My kid buys them and I've used them in 12 guage and no problem. I only use 1 shell per bird, so cost is no problem. But I use a 16 guage and NO TURKEY loads made there. Like most hunting shot placement is the GREATEST importance. I'm using #4 1 1/4 once 15 guage this year. BEAR

Earl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .243 Winchester Joined: 12 February 2004 Status: Offline Points: 152	Posted: 19 April 2004 at 15:07
	Sounds right to me! Altho we have some giant turkeys around here, I can't see as far as I once could anyways so 1 1/4 is enough. In fact I killed a bird Sunday that was pretty big. I'm going to make me a nice cane out of a drumstick bone. max

Spot shooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Left BSB in Disgrace Banned Joined: 19 June 2003 Location: Bahrain Status: Offline Points: 0	Posted: 22 April 2004 at 13:23
	Max, I've heard the turk-a-sourus you got down there have been know ta snap up the odd Mountain lion. What kinda shells ya use fer dispacth'n such monsters? Spot

Earl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .243 Winchester Joined: 12 February 2004 Status: Offline Points: 152	Posted: 22 April 2004 at 13:39
	An old Imperial !!!!, the kind that has the brass going way up on the case. 6s. I had dozed off and awoke to see this one looking at me from over the top of a big round bale. Had to go get the tractor and use the bale spike to load him up. I can't lift like I used to. This is the first turkey I ever saw that didn't have spurs.? max

Rob1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby The Walnut Whisperer Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Vatican City State Status: Offline Points: 3413	Posted: 22 April 2004 at 17:02
	I'm told Ostrich farming is on the rise in Kansas. I also hear they have been known to escape their pens. There is a wild population but it's in extreme danger due to increased traffic from the establishment of local methane plants. Perhaps......
	last in line for the nobel peace prize. first in line for pie Charter Member of the Round Earth Society

waksupi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Keeper of the Old Traditions Joined: 11 June 2003 Status: Offline Points: 2371	Posted: 22 April 2004 at 17:20
	Rob, that is true. A few yars back, I was taking the backroads home, as I had had a bit motre libation than i should have. and therer in the middle of the road was an ostrich. I thought I was hallucinating, but would have expected snakes, rather than a big bird. I saw it through the summer several more times. The owners finally had to shoot it with a rifle to recover it.
	Shooters Cast Bullet Alumnus http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php?

Earl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .243 Winchester Joined: 12 February 2004 Status: Offline Points: 152	Posted: 23 April 2004 at 01:36
	Rob, Kansas has always been blessed with huge amounts of gas. Some people recognize gas when they see it. A lot of others don't. A few miles west of here is an entire TOWN named Gas. A man can always find someone interesting to talk to over there in Gas. But up in the northern part of the state is a town named Dumas. It's best to just drive right on thru Dumas, which only takes about 2 minutes. I have always liked Gas and had no use for Dumas. max

NH_Hunter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka The Kid Joined: 13 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3508	Posted: 02 May 2004 at 12:14
	I even go turkey hunting this year, i will be using 20 gauge 3" mags #2's! Its all i got at the moment. The best part is i am using them in a Ruger Red Label 26" w/ pistol grip! All the sighting equipment on that beastie is one gold bead! NH_Hunter
	Leverguns make me smile Proud Left Handed Shooter

mausermann Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .22 LongRifle Joined: 03 October 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 147	Posted: 19 May 2004 at 06:19
	my 870 x 28 ga has done every turkey I have turned it on,,I don't shoot past 25,and the 3/4 oz. load of 6's chops that ugly head right off,the 1oz. load is more of the same....LOVE THAT 28!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
	what if we're all fools and none of it matters??,,and the hokey-pokey IS what it's all about!!!! Mausermann,,Butte,,Montana.