turkey loads

[Big D]

Hand loaded 12 gauge 1 3/8 oz copper plated, buffered #6 with 800X

[Carl Beers]

I've shot them with every gauge from 8 ga down to .410 and always with a SxS using #5 and #6 shot. I like the RST shells; they work great. The important thing is to know your gun and have patterened it; with every gauge and each brand of shell. As an example, with the .410 I knew the bird had to be at 18 yds or less to have a "sure" kill. I got him in to 14 yards. That's the fun of the hunt; working the birds and getting them to come in for a "sure" kill. I put a #6 in the first barrel and a #5 in the second. Haven't had to use a #5 now in 6 years. These guys using huge magnum loads and taking 50-60 yd shots are missing out on the fun and really don't have a handle on the real sport of turkey hunting. Typically with a 12 ga. I want the bird at 25-28 yds and have little problem getting them in; I just won't take a chance of only wounding the bird; it's a clean kill or no shot. Long way of answering your question but that's how I do it. Seeing a lot of turky's these days and looking forward to spring and going after them. Have hunted several states in the past but probably only Wisconsin and SC this spring; oh, maybe Nebraska.