Turkey load

[calvin humburg]

Need to load up a black powder load for my 8th grade boy 3 drams 0z 1/4 niceshot or what u think? ch short 10 NH full full

[charlie cleveland]

that will work fine calvin....should be a turkey getter... charlie

[Dean Romig]

What size shot? I'd go with #6.

[Jerry Harlow]

Calvin,

I'm loading up for Saturday's opener with 1.5 oz of shot in the 10, but you are right to load down for a youngster.

I would load 5s for the right barrel but sixes will do out to 30 yards, and if he misses or cripples, put the bird down with 4s or 2s to the body with the left barrel. After the first shot, you need something with a little more power to penetrate since it is unlikely to be a second chance at a head shot. I would use lead or copper plated lead only. Would not waste the money on a non-toxic where lead is allowed, unless that is all you have on hand. But this is just my opinion after forty years of being out in the spring, almost every day now since I realize my hunting days are a finite number. Turkey hunting and the guaranteed lack of sleep will be my demise (but I say that about any type of hunting that requires rising long before dawn)

[calvin humburg]

I have 4,5,6, lead. 6 first then 4 sounds good. 3 drams enough of 1 swiss enough? Thanks for the help. ch

[scott kittredge]

What size shot? I'd go with #6.

yes, in all my test loads i found 6's shot the best . the 1 1/2 oz loads shot the best patterns with 1 3/8 ths oz 2nd,and out of 5 different 10,s with .020 of choke to .036 of choke.than 4's would be my next size of shot that i would use. good luck :bigbye: scott

[charlie cleveland]

friend just called me wanting to weigh a turkey on my scales i told him he needed certified scales...on his bath room scales it weighed 26 pounds state record is 25 and something ounces...hope he sets a new record....also hope you fellas have good luck..ive still not fired a shell...going in the morning no 6 shot in the rite barrel a no 4 in the left...tell jett to letem come as close as possible them old gobblers all fuzzed up can mess your judgeing distance off some.... charlie

[Jerry Harlow]

Calvin,

Somehow I think 3 Drams would be underpowered for a 10 GA pushing 1.25 ounces of lead. It would be awful slow, I'm guessing 1150 to less than 1200 fps. Here is info I found about the Drams Equivalent and what it equals velocity wise. With a light load for a 10, the extra fps will help put down that bird with 6s to the head. Don't trust my figures but in a 10 I would at least shoot a 90 or 95 grain load.

Since a dram = 1/16 of an ounce, a dram = 27.34 grains

3 drams would be 82 grains of blackpowder (80 grain load)
3.25 drams would be 88.87 grains (90 grain load)
3.5 drams would be 95.7 grains (95 grain load)
3.75 drams would be 102.54 grains (100 grain load)

Gauge Shot Oz. Velocity fps. Drams Equivalent
10 - 3-1/2" 2 1210 4-1/4
10 - 3-1/2" 2-1/4 1210 4-1/2
12 - 2-3/4" 1 1180 2-3/4
12 - 2-3/4" 1 1290 3-1/4
12 - 2-3/4" 1-1/8 1145 2-3/4
12 - 2-3/4" 1-1/8 1200 3
12 - 2-3/4" 1-1/8 1255 3-1/4
12 - 2-3/4" 1-1/8 1300 3-1/2
12 - 2-3/4" 1-1/4 1220 3-1/4
12 - 2-3/4" 1-1/4 1330 3-3/4
12 - 2-3/4" 1-1/2 1260 3-3/4
12 - 3" 1-3/8 1295 3-3/4
12 - 3" 1-5/8 1280 4
12 - 3" 1-7/8 1210 4

[charlie cleveland]

turkey load.... mines would be the 8 ga. 3 1/4 hull with 49 grains of blue dot with 2 1/2 ounces of no 4 s.. my 2 nd choice would be the short ten with 1 5/8 ounces of no 4 s....what you hunting with.... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

hows them turkey loads working out....im still hunting my first turkey to put in the pot...been a tough go so far...sure would like to hear you boys are doing better... charlie

[Keith Parrish]

Seen acouple beards together last weekend driving by the field in the back. Had my 8 month old and wife with me coming back from Easter dinner at deer camp. I had my 223 with me. I wondered what the voice was in my head that said "Take your 12GA" "Take your 12GA". I was only thinking bout getting a coyote on the trip back deep in the woods and getting birds next weekend. Sure I coulda taken them both birds out but thats not much game shooting them fat birds with a bolt rifle.

I will take my 12GA out with me this weekend. 3"ers loaded with #2's and some with #4's 22.5gr 700x 1 1/4oz. bit of a hot load but will dust them beards because I saw both of them snicker and laugh at me last sunday. We'll get em!!!

[charlie cleveland]

yep that 3 inch load should be a sure thing...im going to be hard after them this coming monday ..... had to work up my garden but im free again come monday...nothing no better than a big tom at about 30 steps with the safety off....charlie

[Keith Parrish]

I know that feeling and I sure am chasing it again. I want to feel it soon! I got skunked this morning. We really have had bad weather the last couple of days so I couldn't get to where I wanted with out risking getting stuck But will try again next week.

[charlie cleveland]

i m going in the morning if all goes well...looks rainy but i like to hunt turkeys in the rain they seem to come out into the fields more on a rainy day and you dont have as muchon rainy days....hope you get to push the safety off soon... charlie

[Dean Romig]

I found a couple of boxes of old paper shells for my GH 16 ga. Damascus Full/Full.

First box is Remington Express 3 1/4 dr.eq., 1 1/8, #4, 2 3/4 green ribbed paper shells.

Next is a box of Peters H.V. 3 dr.eq., 1 1/8, #5, 2 3/4 smooth dark blue paper shells.

I think I'll use the Peters 5's for better pattern density.

[Daryl Corona]

Pretty stout load for an O frame damascus don't ya think? I could send you either my 1 frame 30" or 32" 16, neither which have bagged a longbeard, so you could christine them for me.:nono:

[Dean Romig]

Yup, i think they're a bit snappier than what I normally shoot but the gun is really sound and weighs 6 lb., 11 oz.

[charlie cleveland]

the old gun will be alrite with those loads...in a 16 the no 5 shot is a good choice should kill a turkey out to 40 yards no problems.....i like those old blue peters.... charlie

[charlie cleveland]

thought id change guns in the morning...gonna go load up me some 8ga shell s using a coupla handfuls of powder a 1/2 pound of shot....ha seriosly gonna load up some 3 i/4 inch winchesters with 209 primere winchesters....49 grains of blue dot.... and 2 1/2 ounces of no 2 s....im gettin serious about not having killed a turkey...if i get to see a old tom i wanna be ready in the morning..... charlie