Author Topic: Need turkey load help for a new gun! (Read 618 times)

Big Z · « **on:** May 12, 2004, 03:07:08 AM »

I'm finally picking up my new Benelli SB11 today and want to use it yet this year for a late permit hunt. Since I don't have much time to try to pattern alot of different loads any suggestions?

scruffy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2004, 04:39:26 AM »

What choke came with it? If it's a mod, I'd pick up a box of 3" #4 or #5 Rem hevishot and hold shots to 35 to 40 yards. If it came with a turkey choke I'd get 3" #6 copper plated lead and hold shots to 40 yards.

I primarily use an NEF 28" mod 12 gauge fixed choke that consumes 3" #4 hevishot that tested good to 40 yards (haven't tested farther). My Rem 870 supermag with modified choke also patterns this load well out to 40 yards (again, haven't tested farther so I don't know the ultimate range). For long range work my 870 supermag wears a .665 extended or .655 extended ported choke and I use 3.5" Win high velocity #4 or #6's and it'll hold a great pattern out to over 55 yards.

But since you don't have the time to pattern it with different loads/chokes I'd use a more open choke, mod or full, and hevishot and call them in closer and be conservative on the shot selection.

later,
scruffy

Big Z · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2004, 06:54:00 PM »

Scruffy,
Included with the gun has come five chokes with full being the tightest. The dealer didn't have any turkey chokes to fit so she recommended Rem. Hevi-Shot 1 3/4 oz #6's for the full choke. I've heard the Hevi-Shot is good but its very expensive too. I would really like to find if there is a turkey choke for my gun. Sounds like youv'e really got a good combo going for turkey. Thanks!
Big Z

scruffy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2004, 06:01:22 AM »

Hey big z, look at this thread - http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=24639

It has alot of helpful choke maker information, it'll fix you right up with a turkey choke!

The good thing about any turkey load that one box will probably last a few years after the patterning work is done (mine do, until I buy another $$$ choke). Also, I'll gladly spend the extra $$$ and be able to use my fixed choke mod or full shotguns for turkeys. And actually, using Cabela's online prices, my 870 supermags diet of 3.5" win high velocity supremes of 2oz 1300 fps copper plated lead runs $9.99 a box of ten, or $1 a shot. The nef's diet of 3" rem premier high velocity 1 1/2 oz 1300fps hevishot runs $17.99, or a $1.80 a shot. At a few shots a year my wallet never notices the difference. I'm going to pattern the 870 with the 3"mag hevishot I have and see what the range is. The 3" hevishot has ALOT less reciol than the nasty 3.5" mags! And if it patterns as well, I'll spend the extra $.80 a round to save my shoulder some greif.

later,
scruffy

varmit_master · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2004, 10:01:10 AM »

Hi if you dont want to spend alot on a choke get you a HS Strut Under Taker choke and Hevi Shot '6's i use to shoot the Win high Ve. 5's But i tryed the Hevi Shot with a Custom Choke and this yr i am shooting the Hevi Shot '6's out of a custom .650 choke using a Benelli Super 90 12ga 21 inch barrel VM

dukkillr · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2004, 03:32:32 PM »

I shoot 3.5" 12ga hevi shot 5s with a turkey choke in my 870. I think the hevi shot is worth the money, especially when one realizes that in a state with a 2 bird limit a box of 10 should last at least 3 years, and up to 5 (assuming you're sucessful). And, as my grandfather used to say, "at this point, shells are the cheapest thing you've got".