Turkey Load

[Micah2]

I have been working on building up the right load for turkey in my .62 PA Fowler.  Specifically a lethal and ethical load that I can use up to twenty yards.  i am using equaal volume of no. 6s and 2f from 90 to 70 grains and am having pattern issues.  I am currently using cushion 2/3 cushion wad over powder and remaining 1/3 over shot with Hoppes plus as lube, and have also used bore butter.  My patterns are just not tight enough in the kill zone.  Am I shooting donuts?  Should I use those ten thousand over powder stiff cards i bought??
BTW thank you all for recommending Hoppes as a lube, I can shoot as long as I need to. 
Micah from Carolina

[Habu]

Micah, try a load column of about 80 grains of 2F, a single over-powder wad, an amount of shot equal to 100 grains of powder, topped with a thin card wad.  That load has done well in almost every 20 gauge I've tried it in. 

[Dave Marsh]

Micah, try a load column of about 80 grains of 2F, a single over-powder wad, an amount of shot equal to 100 grains of powder, topped with a thin card wad.  That load has done well in almost every 20 gauge I've tried it in. 

How thick is the "single over-powder wad" you are using?  Thanks.

[wattlebuster]

I have 2 12 ga smoothbores and both will blow the pattern using the thick cushion wads. Try What Habu said with the solid cardboard 1/8th inch overpowder card and I think you will be suprised at the results. And I have found that the old saying pretty well holds true "less powder more lead shoots far kills dead"

[roundball]

And I have found that the old saying pretty well holds true "less powder more lead shoots far kills dead"

Completely agree...the settlers knew what they were doing.
And in spite of having a post of mine on this very subject 'edited then removed' by a moderator in the past, I'll repeat that I've also followed that approach for years now as follows:
I've found that the 1:1.5 ratio is excellent in my .62cal smoothbore.
70-80grn measure of Goex 3F with 120grn measure of shot.
Last years results:

[Habu]

How thick is the "single over-powder wad" you are using?  Thanks.

I generally cut them out of thin posterboard or cardboard (the ones I have on hand were cut from the cardboard backs of cheap legal pads).  The commercial equivalent from Circle Fly is .025".

[Dave Marsh]

Great.  That answered my question as I want to try your load.  Thanks.

[Micah2]

Thanks guys.  I like the ratio of 1:1.5.  I just bought 25 lbs of #6  and want to get to work,  its expensive but not near what modern shells are.  I was using a full 1/2 inch cushion wad.  I have had better luck with wasp nest but that was only two shots.  THe pattern did not donut but I feel like I lose gas.  I know this is a topic that is posted over and over so thanks for your patience.  RB are u in NC?