So for Turkeys I've used regular old lead 3" Remington Nitro Turkey #5 in my Browning Gold Hunter. I was doing some reading about this Hevi shot stuff and it seems to get good reviews. If I wanted to try it I would have to buy a new turkey choke ($35) and then buy a box of hevi shot which we all know is damn expensive. Like 3 times the price. So I'm talking $65-75 just to try something that I don't know if it will work or be any better. I have my Nitro's patterned to a max kill range of 35 yards. It is not the deadliest set-up but it kills birds if I do my part. But if I can "increase my kill zone" I would be willing to entertain that. Anyone have any real life experiences with this hevi shot vs Lead? Is it worth the extra cost? Thanks vs
I honestly, don't really think it's worth it. I shoot a Benelli SBE II and bought the benelli turkey choke. I bought a bunch of 3.5" #5's several years ago and I know of 5 birds that have been killed over 60 yards. My dad (JGD) came hunting in Oklahoma a few years ago, we got into a few birds on the last day of his hunt and they were 69 paces (which for me is about 63 yards). I told him to shoot and he rolled is eyes at me and finally decided to shoot to prove to me that I was out of my mind. He pulled the trigger and the bird dropped in his tracks. The only real life experience I have with Hevi is the Dead Coyote loads they produce. I shot a coyote at 45 yards with the 3.5" T shot and he literally didn't move again. With that said, I have no doubt about how it will perform, but I have no reason to switch from my current setup for turkeys.
I buy the hype. I began using 3" HS Maxi Blend(shot # ,6,& 7's in one shell) last year. I tried several different brand loads at 30 or 40 yards. The hevi-shot produced the most pellets in a 10" circle than any of the other loads. Still have the targets I used. I'll dig them out tomorrow and share my results. Couldn't imagine what the results of a 3.5" would be. Yeah, they work out to about $5 a shell but look out much we invest in arrows. We don't always get those back in the same condition.
I agree with Donnie, the Hevi-Shot really shot great out of my Remington 870 Express gauge. I would be fully confident in a 55-60 yard shot with 3" mags and my Super Full undertaker choke where standard 3" turkey loads 40-45 was my max.
Why is your gun only patterned to 35 yards? I shoot the Nitros (12 ga. 3 1/2" no. 4 shot) out to over 50 yards and have killed a turkey at 64 yards with it. If you're shooting a 3" shell with no. 5 shot and a choke, you should be able to pull 50 yards with the Nitros.
I'm not sure but my guess is my cheap HS Strut Undertaker Choke from Fleet Farm. I could probably push it to 40 yards but it would be risky. I just know that is how it patterened. Not sure why I am not getting the distance you don't think I should. I've often thought about getting a dedicated turkey gun that is 3-1/2" chambered instead of using my 3" waterfowl gun.
My Supermag patterns the Supreme 3.5 #5's very well. I tried Hevi Shot, bought 2 boxs and 2 different tubes. Costly experiment and it did pattern well, but in the end I stuck with the Winchesters. My sons Benelli Nova shoots the Hevi Shot very well, but he's yet to take a bird with them.
I can't comment on their turkey shot, however their Hevi-Metal waterfowl shot is worthy of the hype. I've shot black cloud, blind side and Hevi-Metal, which are all considered "premium" and my choice by far is the Hevi-Metal. I can't imagine their turkey shot can be that much different. Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
I killed a turkey w my shotgun at 97 yards (by accident) and rolled a fox to an early death at 73 yards. Yes I buy the hype of hevi shot. I don't get into patterning and scopes and all that. I just know 3.5" Hevi 13 #5 out of my SBE 2 with a Carlson turkey choke tube is a dead turkey every single time.
It absolutely is worth it. I've burned up a LOT of ammo and tried a LOT of chokes in my 870 patterning everything to see exactly what happens. I've got a Indian Creek Black Diamond Strike choke and shoot Hevi 3.5" 6's out of it, I'm putting 190-210 pellets in a 10" circle at 40 yards every time. I don't remember the exact numbers that the other loads were producing but it was a noticeable difference. I've got literally about 7 different chokes sitting on a shelf that don't get used now that I found this combo. I'm sure you can shoot cheaper shells and kill turkeys at long distances, but I think a higher performing load like this buys you consistency and lowers the chances of not recovering a bird at those extreme distances. I know I can kill a bird EVERY time at 60 yards. Some of the other loads out there might get it done 7 or 5 out of 10 times. I like to increase my odds.
Seeing exactly what happens is best. I didn't shoot that much, but I shot a lot. Even with my auto 1187, it was a punishing experience!
Out in South Dakota I beaded down on a bird semi jogging at just under 50...and missed a turkey for the first time in my life only to hear my buddy jump and yell you nailed him. Confused because my bird was at 80 yards off to the right gobbling now...there was another gobbler so far behind mine in the field none of us even saw him until he flopped and fell stone dead. We only found one pellet hole dead center of his head. I had two tags but Idk if South Dakota was only one bird a day or not...if so that would have been horrible had I hit the bird I intended. Still the only time I've "missed" a turkey with the shotgun and the biggest turkey of the trip fell dead when the trigger was squeezed lol. Dumb luck.
