So I just bought some kent 3inch 12 ga 5 shot turkey loads and was wondering if I should stick with those or 3 1/2 inch BB waterfowl loads. I really want to reach out there and thump them.

Forget the waterfowl loads. That steel shot doesn't carry the necessary energy downrange. Turkeys are a much tougher breed than ducks and/or geese.

"Reach out there and thump them" is a real crapshoot on turkeys.

Why not call them in close and enjoy the show?


Gman

I agree, get them in close for the full thrill, but my favorite "turkey" load has always been the 2x4's. Close in, 8 shot would do it though, the 2x4's just give a better margin IMO.

I am a big fan of 3" #5's---But, as the other fellas have stated---Get em in close & enjoy the show !!

I don't know if you can even find the copper 2x4's duplex. I looked and that is what I have right now now anymore, but I know you can get the 4x6 (remington), they will get the job done very well in the 3" mag.

2 3/4 High brass duplex patterned the best in my shotgun. I try to find #4x6 or #5 when I can. Just bought some heavi shot #4,6 7 blend(20g) for my daughters to shoot youth weekend. Need to go out and pattern what whatever you decide on.

2 3/4 High brass duplex patterned the best in my shotgun. I try to find #4x6 or #5 when I can. Just bought some heavi shot #4,6 7 blend(20g) for my daughters to shoot youth weekend. Need to go out and pattern what whatever you decide on.

Because sometimes they don't come in close.

Duplexs are perfect for those times, when they hang up at 40-45 Often times though, there is a way to get them closer, could be as simple as a terrain change.

I once took my brother TH, he isn't a hunter, but wanted to see why I liked it so much. We go out at daylight on a friends place and immediately had them gobbling, this went on for over an hr. They hung up at another neighbors cross fence and just weren't going any further, I figured they wanted the "hens" to come to them at that point, which we couldn't do.

We then called it a hunt and started walking back to the truck, we didn't get 100 yards, I gave out a loud yelp series as we walked messing around really and here they came!! barely had time to drop into a small ditch we where crossing, 10 seconds later we had 3 on the ground. They thought the girls where leaving, told my brother I should have thought of that tactic earlier as I have used it before, one of those "thangs"

Let them walk and hunt them another day.

The load alone does not make a long range turkey killer. Its the gun, choke, load, shooter, and then practicing and knowing what the effective range is.


Gman

I suggest the Winchester Long Beard XR. They are what you looking for to reach out there and Thump em 3.5 # 5.That is the reason I bought them I only get to hunt a small amount here in La. and when I go Turkey hunting I am not looking for no show nor can I let one walk for another day.I would still pattern your gun with any load you choose to get, Good Luck

I think pattering your shotgun is the most important thing to consider as already mentioned. I didn't think so until about 25 years ago or so. At 2-3 distances as well.

My off the shelf 870 mag, with light loads can be left a foot at 40 yards! My Cordoba with the turkey choke, is spot on out to 50 and anywhere under for sure and much more consistently. I can honestly say that I cant recall taking a 40 yard shot on a spring tom though, usually 5-20 yards or so.

The duplex shells seem to always pattern better in both my shotguns though, 2x4's, or 4x6's, but I have killed plenty with regular long brass bird shot too, so

What gun are you shooting?

Trulock chokes just came out with a Long Beard XR #6 choke for my Mossberg and holy crap does it throw a killer pattern with the Long Beard #6 ammo at 40 yds. If I don't muff the shot, no turkey is walking away from that combo.

George does some amazing work in developing his chokes. I shoot an SP-10 with a choke made specifically for Federal Premium Heavyweight. The wad contacts the target dead center at 30 yds. The pattern is unbelievable at 40 yds. Very concentric and even. No turkey is walking away from it. I get very similar results with a choke and load in 12 gauge. I shot Nitro ammo and Rhino chokes for 20 years before I found these combinations.


Gman

I spoke with George while patiently waiting for the Mossberg 935 choke to get produced and like he had said, I'm just not going to be happy or sell my product until it is right. He did say that this choke and shell combo gave them a good deal of difficulty. Great people to do businees with and I bought 6 chokes from them this last time.

Winchester Long Beard in 4'r or 5's

3" or 3.5" #5s Winchester supreme.

You have to pattern...no question.

Longbeard XRs are game changers. They pattern well out to 50 yards with a Trulock and Remington turkey chokes in two of my guns.

#9s 20ga .555 Indian Creek

Here's a turkey hunter that knows what's up!!!!!

I like 9.5's thru a Remington Super Full not rated for Hevi-shot in a 20ga!

Going to try a few new combos soon but happy with what I have! Just fun to play around, kind of addictive really. How do you like the 9.5s? Been curious

They break leg and wing bones at 50 yards. More pellets per ounce than the 9's. You really can have your cake and eat it too!!!