Working on a turkey load

[rich pierce]

Yesterday did a few tests with my .69 NE fowler. Seems 90 grains of FFG and 100 grains equivalent-by-measure of 6’s in a rolled paper shot cup over a hard wad is ok to 30 yards. Sucker kicks though. I’m sure if there’s a gobbler involved I won’t mind much! Can’t find my #5 shot yet. First time turkey hunting. Season opens May 1 in Vermont.

[83nubnEC]

I use pretty much the same load in my Brown Bess, with the exception that I use 80 grs 3FFF Old Eynsford and a cork wad. Then a 1/3 lubed cushion wad b-4 store paper bag shot cup. Getting 35-40 plus hits in neck ,head area with #5 nickel plated shot.

[83nubnEC]

Forgot to mention 1 1/2oz of #5 NP

[83nubnEC]

pic of same loading procedure in my 20 gauge TVM fowler

[rich pierce]

You guys are embarrassing me! 

[Eric Krewson]

Try a Skychief load, it will surprise you. There is a sticky for it in the smoothbore section over at the M/L Forum.

I have a jug choked 12 that never shot a good turkey pattern until I put a Skychief load in it.

I used 90 gr of 1F and an ounce and a half of #6 shot. This is a Skychief load at 25 yards, the gun shoots a little high, I held on the head.



This is a cylinder bore 20 that shot such a bad pattern that I wouldn't even shoot at a squirrel with it. This is at 20 yards with a Skychief load, 80gr of 1F and 1 1/4 oz shot. The gun shoots left, I was shooting at the center seam, I have never gotten around to bending the barrel.

[rich pierce]

Eric, I’ve tried the Skychief load in this gun without seeing improvement.  I’m going to need to try varying the thickness and amount of lube in the cushion wad atop the shot column, I guess.

[martin9]

If you find your #5 shot or even #4 you might wanna try the skychief load again. I've played with it a good bit and it did nothing for my #8s or 7.5 shot patterns in my 28 gauge. It REALLY improved my #6 patterns out of that gun though. I'm wondering with your bigger bore maybe some larger shot might be the ticket.

[Eric Krewson]

I found it works the best with a full 1/2" olive oil soaked fiber wad over the shot and three thin cereal box over powder powder wads on top of the powder. In a big bore 1F made a huge difference as well. I wear a thick PAST recoil pad when I shoot this load, it definitely gets your attention.

[Dan Fruth]

60 grains of 2FF-1/2 inch Celotex wad- 1 oz 5&6- and overshot card works great for me in my 20 gauge

[rich pierce]

Will try my 20 gauge as well. Thanks for the help fellas.

[577SXS]

Your #6s are fine. I use #7s in my turkey load for my flintlock 20 ga. I've killed several with them. I prefer the smaller shot so I get more hits in the head neck area. Also I like getting them close. Shot one last week with my 1870s WC Scott 20 ga hammer shotgun. I loaded 60 grains of 2F Swiss with a lubed 1/2 felt wad then 15/16 oz of #7s. The shot was 15 yards and turkey dropped.

[Rusticbob]

I live in Vermont also and cannot wait to try and get a Tom with my first ever flintlock. It’s a 14ga short barrel Fowler. Bought from a local member. Has a judged choke and throws a wicked tight pattern at 25 yards. Shooting 80gr FFG and a 1 3/4 shot load. The problem has been finding shot. Someone gave me a small bag of 7 1/2 shot, and I was able to buy about 5 lbs of #5 from another turkey Hunter. I am taking my grandsons out scouting for turkeys today.
Here is a picture from a legitimate 25 yards.

[rich pierce]

Poor turkeys don’t stand a chance!

[Austin]

Google Roto Metals, the have most shot sizes in stock

[Rusticbob]

I live in Vermont also and cannot wait to try and get a Tom with my first ever flintlock. It’s a 14ga short barrel Fowler. Bought from a local member. Has a judged choke and throws a wicked tight pattern at 25 yards. Shooting 80gr FFG and a 1 3/4 shot load. The problem has been finding shot. Someone gave me a small bag of 7 1/2 shot, and I was able to buy about 5 lbs of #5 from another turkey Hunter. I am taking my grandsons out scouting for turkeys today.
Here is a picture from a legitimate 25 yards.

[smylee grouch]

O KAY O KAY, nice shot pattern and nice looking gun. 

[Daryl]

Rustic Bob - there are only 4 killing hits out of that 1 3/4oz. shot charge, at a mere 25 yards. That's a LOT of shot
and not a good number of hits, imho.  I would work on that load combination a bit more. With only 80gr. and huge
shot charge, the vel. would also be fairly low imho.