Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
- stash59
- Moderator
- Posts: 10077
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:22 am
- Location: S Central Wi.
- Status: Offline
Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
Gonna use gramps old Montgomery Wards (made by Mossberg) bolt action 20g for turkey this year. It's only chambered for 2 3/4" shells. Just picked up a full choke tube for it. Been looking at what Cabelas and BassPro has available in 2 3/4" loads. Thinking the best I can do is a pheasant type load. Most of these can be had in either #5 or #6 shot. Any thoughts/opinions on what would be better. Or other alternatives. I know this is going to be a short range combo for turkeys. 25 maybe 30 yards at best. But still better odds than using my xbow again this year.
Happiness is a large gutpile!!!!!!!
- backstraps
- Moderator
- Posts: 10109
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2012 4:44 pm
- Location: Tennessee
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
In a 2 3/4" shell these have been proven for us:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/45152 ... t-box-of-5
I dont think Winchester offers the XR in a 2 3/4" but if they do, I REALLY LIKE XR LONGBEARD shells
Noticed the midway link is not in stock... but those are what I suggest. You may be able to google some in stock somewhere
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/45152 ... t-box-of-5
I dont think Winchester offers the XR in a 2 3/4" but if they do, I REALLY LIKE XR LONGBEARD shells
Noticed the midway link is not in stock... but those are what I suggest. You may be able to google some in stock somewhere
- huntinsonovagun
- Posts: 375
- Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:03 pm
- Location: NE Oklahoma
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
Those loads backstraps suggested are discontinued by federal. Most of the really serious turkey guys are going to point you to a TSS load. Expensive, yes, but only you can decide if they’re worth it.
-
- 500 Club
- Posts: 1612
- Joined: Wed Sep 02, 2015 3:33 am
- Location: Parry Sound, Ontario
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
Stash only one way to tell what will work best in your gun...buy a few diff rounds and see how it does at different distances....the federal premium loads have worked well for me but that doesn't mean much for you.
I personally have no interest in shooting turkeys out to 50 or 60 yards..what I love is getting em into 20 yards or so there's nothing like it....
Glad to hear you will be hitting the turkey woods this spring Chuck!
I personally have no interest in shooting turkeys out to 50 or 60 yards..what I love is getting em into 20 yards or so there's nothing like it....
Glad to hear you will be hitting the turkey woods this spring Chuck!
- WV Bowhunter
- 500 Club
- Posts: 1629
- Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2016 5:39 pm
- Location: West Virginia
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
I handload my own TSS for my 20, it is a killer but is expensive. Federal is now offering it as a factory load of TSS I believe. Before I shot TSS, the federal heavyweight 7’s were the best thing going in a factory 20 ga turkey shell.
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity!!
- Ack
- Posts: 3030
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:52 pm
- Location: Michigan
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
Not many options for that setup.
Roger's has some 7's in a 2.75" 20........
https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/amm ... 00fps.html
Roger's has some 7's in a 2.75" 20........
https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/amm ... 00fps.html
- ghoasthunter
- 500 Club
- Posts: 2211
- Joined: Thu Jan 04, 2018 6:09 am
- Location: New jersey
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
stash59 wrote:Gonna use gramps old Montgomery Wards (made by Mossberg) bolt action 20g for turkey this year. It's only chambered for 2 3/4" shells. Just picked up a full choke tube for it. Been looking at what Cabelas and BassPro has available in 2 3/4" loads. Thinking the best I can do is a pheasant type load. Most of these can be had in either #5 or #6 shot. Any thoughts/opinions on what would be better. Or other alternatives. I know this is going to be a short range combo for turkeys. 25 maybe 30 yards at best. But still better odds than using my xbow again this year.
Winchester super x shot size 5 haven't fond a gun they shoot bad in
THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL A HUNTER HAS IS BETWEEN HIS SHOULDERS
- Uncle Lou
- Moderator
- Posts: 10308
- Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:32 pm
- Location: Holly, MI
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
Stash I never hit a turkey with a 20 gauge, but I will tell you I had my nephew hit a couple birds with high brass 6 shot out of a 2 3/4 " 16 gauge and never saw a couple birds hit the ground deader. I would'nt get too caught up into trying to spend 20 bucks for 5 rounds of high priced turkey loads to try to kill a bird. I cant imagine a regular pheasant load not killing a turkey at 20-30 yards.
The last shot I saw from the 16 gauge was about 45 yards and it smoked it. Dropped dead in tracks. I rarely get that with my 3.5" super full 12 gauge that kicks the crap out of me.
The last shot I saw from the 16 gauge was about 45 yards and it smoked it. Dropped dead in tracks. I rarely get that with my 3.5" super full 12 gauge that kicks the crap out of me.
- stash59
- Moderator
- Posts: 10077
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:22 am
- Location: S Central Wi.
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
Thanx all. Don't have a budget for the high priced turkey loads. I need more bang'S' for my buck. So I'll be testing out some non-turkey based loads. Is the biggest pattern differences between manufacturers with the same shot size or just mainly between shot sizes from the same manufacturer!
Dense enough pattern is important, but I'm also concerned with knockdown power/penetration. What's a good test for this. I think I read once about shooting into a thick phone book to determine this. Don't know If I could come up with any thick phone books nowadays. Maybe use some chicken drumsticks.
Dense enough pattern is important, but I'm also concerned with knockdown power/penetration. What's a good test for this. I think I read once about shooting into a thick phone book to determine this. Don't know If I could come up with any thick phone books nowadays. Maybe use some chicken drumsticks.
Happiness is a large gutpile!!!!!!!
-
- 500 Club
- Posts: 3580
- Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 3:02 am
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
I’ve killed turkeys with #6 steel shot in fall when I was duck hunting. Just take an ethical shot and I’d think you’ll be fine with any turkey load out there.
- muddy
- Posts: 8770
- Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:04 am
- Location: Hawkeye State of Mind
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
All 3 of my kids want to try, I'm looking at 2 3/4 loads as well.
http://www.iowawhitetail.com
Leading the way for habitat and management information
"It's a good thing you don't need commas and colons to kill deer" -seaz
Leading the way for habitat and management information
"It's a good thing you don't need commas and colons to kill deer" -seaz
- stash59
- Moderator
- Posts: 10077
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2014 8:22 am
- Location: S Central Wi.
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
Be interesting to find something from the oldtimers. What was used before turkey chokes, 3" and 3 1/2" shells and the more modern higher powered powders. What kind of max ranges!
Happiness is a large gutpile!!!!!!!
-
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2018 3:40 am
- Location: Polk County WI
- Status: Offline
Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.
Im using an old 1925 side by side Lefever Nitro special 20 ga that was my dads. I have Super X #5 High Brass- using full choke. Should work fine out to about 40 yds. The high brass are pretty much only a marketing thing that allows them to charge 2x as much as regular low brass target and upland shells but it was the only shell I could find in a #5 or #6.
-
- Advertisement
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 30 guests