Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

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stash59
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Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby stash59 » Tue Feb 27, 2018 11:16 am

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.


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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby backstraps » Tue Feb 27, 2018 11:28 am

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
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby huntinsonovagun » Tue Feb 27, 2018 12:29 pm

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.
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby Kokes » Tue Feb 27, 2018 12:36 pm

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....
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby WV Bowhunter » Tue Feb 27, 2018 1:41 pm

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.
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby Ack » Tue Feb 27, 2018 8:25 pm

Not many options for that setup.

Roger's has some 7's in a 2.75" 20........

https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/amm ... 00fps.html
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby ghoasthunter » Wed Feb 28, 2018 11:49 am

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
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby Uncle Lou » Thu Mar 01, 2018 2:15 pm

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.
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stash59
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby stash59 » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:37 am

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.
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby matt1336 » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:52 am

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.
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby muddy » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:55 am

All 3 of my kids want to try, I'm looking at 2 3/4 loads as well.
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby stash59 » Fri Mar 02, 2018 11:01 am

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!
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Re: Thoughts on loads for a 2 3/4" 20g for turkeys.

Unread postby tbowers » Wed Mar 21, 2018 4:22 am

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.


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