hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,642
- 4,680
My shoulder feels like that is what just happened 😂
- Thread starter hunter24605
- Start date
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,870
- 10,565
Yup. Those 12 ga 3.5" turkey loads are not pleasant to shoot.
JD338
JD338
clearwater
Handloader
- Feb 5, 2005
- 565
- 439
Tried that in a 5 lb Handi Rifle with a 12 gauge barrel.
I sold that gun.
I sold that gun.
wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 2,868
- 2,906
I refuse to shoot those things.
- Thread starter
- #6
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,642
- 4,680
With modern shells and tailored chokes, I don’t think they’re necessary anymore
wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 2,868
- 2,906
Howie you are correct. Had a 3in 12 gauge sleeved to turkey hunt with and it was deadly using only 3in. shells. They were bad enough. My son now is using a 20ga with the TSS loads and I have seen him drop gobblers at 45-47 yds easy. The new loads have made a BIG improvement.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 3,737
- 6,349
Growing up had one of those on the farm for pest control. 3” 1 1/4 oz #4 was a hoot.
truck driver
Ammo Smith
- Mar 11, 2013
- 7,412
- 1,106
Talk about Ouch and Ouch, the Only thing worse is a Spanish 10ga double barrel doubling up on you. Had one almost break my shoulder.
Couldn't use my arm for most of the day.
It was a friend's gun, and I never shot it again. He didn't either and sold it after having it checked by a gun Smith to make sure it was safe to use.
Couldn't use my arm for most of the day.
It was a friend's gun, and I never shot it again. He didn't either and sold it after having it checked by a gun Smith to make sure it was safe to use.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,961
- 6,992
Ya, but you've got to consider the turkey's point of view too...
cloverleaf
Handloader
- Sep 10, 2006
- 4,460
- 1,200
They may be a big improvement, but they come with a ridiculous price tag! Found a box of Federal Premium TSS, 20ga 2 3/4 $8+ dollars a shot. Hope you dont need to sight in..... You'lll be to broke to buy a tag. Again- ridiculous. CL
When 3.5" turkey loads first came out my brother bought a light weight Mossberg pump chambered in it. It was an instant headache to shoot. He flinched so bad shooting it that I don't know that he ever killed a turkey with it. I'm using a Browning A5 Hunter chambered in 3.5" and it isn't bad to shoot with turkey or goose loads.
Not that I'm a big-time turkey hunter, but I have yet to see the need for anything more than 3" shells. Every single one that I've fired has resulted in a dead bird, I think the count stands at 6 so far. I hunt a wooded area, so not trying to take 60-yard shots into a field. Our season here in KY opens next weekend, I'm optimistic we'll have some action.
- Thread starter
- #15
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,642
- 4,680
Since TSS shells hit the market, a lot of guys figured out that a 20 gauge with a tight choke and #9 TSS shot, knocks 'em dead with a massive pellet count on target at ranges we probably shouldn't be shooting at turkeys. But $10-$15 a shell hits me in the gut.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,870
- 10,565
I bought a Remington 11-87 12 ga 3.5" Mag several years ago. I killed a couple turkeys and some geese with it and it worked well. Unfortunately it wouldn't cycle 3" or 2.75" loads so I eventually sent it down the road. My opinion is that a 12 ga 3" turkey load with #5's is more than enough. I bought 10 boxes of Winchester Long Beard 3 " #5's several years ago so I'm probably set for life.
JD338
JD338
- Thread starter
- #17
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,642
- 4,680
If you're shooting a 12 gauge with longbeard XR's there's really no reason to buy into TSS. I use 3" longbeard #5's and the Carlsons Long Beard choke and have no trouble flattening gobblers at 50 yards. Although I did get a box of Magnum Blend to try and see how it does.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,870
- 10,565
Howie,
I used the Mag blend loads and they are impressive and wicked on turkey. They are also 2x the price for half the shell count compared to Winchester Long Beard ammo. Both shoot excellent in my Pure Gold .670" choke.
JD338
I used the Mag blend loads and they are impressive and wicked on turkey. They are also 2x the price for half the shell count compared to Winchester Long Beard ammo. Both shoot excellent in my Pure Gold .670" choke.
JD338
wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 2,868
- 2,906
Having seen firsthand the effectiveness of the 20ga TSS loads that my son uses it does kill without the recoil of bigger gauges and loads. Sure, it costs but once he has sighted in only shoots couple times a year. The Winchester Long Bird 20 ga load of #6 patterns ok in my Carlson tube but I've yet to kill a turkey with them.
