best 20 ga. TDC patterns for turkey

[JonD.]

A question for all the 20 ga. TDC owners. What is the best load/choke combination you have found for turkey patterns? I'm trying to get a "starting point" to test mine. Thanks a lot guys!

[JonD.]

I guess nobody here but me and Tim use a 20ga. TDC for turkey? I did see his info in the "pattern test" with the federal heavyweight #7's and the tru-lock choke. Looks like a nice combo. Any body else got a different recipe that performs well out of their 20ga?

[dukkillr]

7s pattern better than 6s. 
6s pattern better than 5s. 
5s pattern better than 4s.
 
7s have less energy, and will lose lethal energy faster, thus have less killing range than 6s.
6s have less energy, and will lose lethal energy faster, thus have less killing range than 5s.
5s have less energy, and will lose lethal energy faster, thus have less killing range than 4s.
 
Super full will pattern better than full in any of the above.
Full will pattern better than modified in any of the above.
Modified will pattern better than improved cylinder in any of the above.
Improved will pattern better than open bore in any of the above.
 
Now I have not personally tested this last part so it's going to be a guess:
 
1 oz of 7s will pattern better than 7/8 oz of 7s.
1 oz of 6s will pattern better than 7/8 oz of 6s.
1 oz of 5s will pattern better than 7/8 oz of 5s.
1 oz of 4s will pattern better than 7/8 oz of 4s.
 
7/8 oz of 7s will pattern better than 3/4 oz of 7s.
7/8 oz of 6s will pattern better than 3/4 oz of 6s.
7/8 oz of 5s will pattern better than 3/4 oz of 5s.
7/8 oz of 4s will pattern better than 3/4 oz of 4s.
 
In summary, shoot 3" lead 5s and the fullest choke you own or can afford to buy.  Spend the time you would have spent fiddling with shells on building blinds, meeting landowners, or scouting turkeys.

[quickdtoo]

7s pattern better than 6s. 
6s pattern better than 5s. 
5s pattern better than 4s.
 
7s have less energy, and will lose lethal energy faster, thus have less killing range than 6s.
6s have less energy, and will lose lethal energy faster, thus have less killing range than 5s.
5s have less energy, and will lose lethal energy faster, thus have less killing range than 4s.
 
Super full will pattern better than full in any of the above.
Full will pattern better than modified in any of the above.
Modified will pattern better than improved cylinder in any of the above.
Improved will pattern better than open bore in any of the above.
 
Now I have not personally tested this last part so it's going to be a guess:
 
1 oz of 7s will pattern better than 7/8 oz of 7s.
1 oz of 6s will pattern better than 7/8 oz of 6s.
1 oz of 5s will pattern better than 7/8 oz of 5s.
1 oz of 4s will pattern better than 7/8 oz of 4s.
 
7/8 oz of 7s will pattern better than 3/4 oz of 7s.
7/8 oz of 6s will pattern better than 3/4 oz of 6s.
7/8 oz of 5s will pattern better than 3/4 oz of 5s.
7/8 oz of 4s will pattern better than 3/4 oz of 4s.
 

Those results would apply to lead shot, but not Federal Magshock Heavyweight #7 in the 20ga, Federal recommends a full choke for this ammo, the #7 Heavyweight has the same energy as #5 lead and there's a lot more pellets, it works for me. 

Tim

http://allaboutshooting.com/article_info.php?articles_id=298
Currently I am testing the #7 shot Heavyweight shot loads. These shells contain approximately 337 pellets in the 1.50 oz. payload. Before you dismiss the #7 shot size, you need to remember that the #7 Heavyweight shot is equal in retained energy to a #5 lead shot. A swarm of these #7 Heavyweight shot will certainly do the job on any turkey at 40+ yards.

[presdme]

I have one with a primos titewad. I will be trying the fed heavy 7s in a couple of days. Ill let you know how it does.

[DaveH]

Do any of you guys shoot duplex loads? I do out of my H&R 10 ga and my CD 12 ga pump... Seems to work well for me.

Thanks

[spikehorn]

HS Strut ported turkey choke and remington 3" turkey loads #6

[jpshaw]

I will agree to all but the last dukkillr.  Might have to say "most of the time" more is better.  I have seen 2 1/2 .410 pattern better then 3" with more shot.  Not always but sometimes  I have seen 1 oz in 12s actually throw a better pattern then 1 1/8 oz in the same shot size loads.  Go fiqure?