Author Topic: What's your Turkey load ? (Read 4472 times)

Nessmuck · « **on:** March 03, 2018, 07:28:35 AM »

Looking to harvest a Turkey ,this May..with my 62 cal Tulle Flinter ...I have some # 5 shot coming...So what's your load ? Powder type ,amount of powder,amount of shot...one card ovah powdah or 2.... then felt wad..or not...loose shot or in a coin roll ? All kinds of combos I imagine....thanks for sharing !

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2018, 08:16:48 AM »

Nessmuck

You really have to figure out what your gun shoots best with. They're all different and need feeding accordingly.

Good luck with your turkey!

R.

Brokennock · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2018, 08:44:29 AM »

20 gauge F.d.C. or Early Virginia Smoothrifle, both get 85 grains 3f powder, 2 thin over shot cards, then a lubed felt wad, then a premade paper shot cup/cartridge containing 1 1/8 oz #5 shot, topped off with another thin overshot card. Soon to possibly topped off with a heavily lubed traditional cushion wad.

But, as has been said, you need to find out what your gun patterns best with.

Mauser06 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2018, 09:19:38 AM »

I've fired countless loads from a Colerain Turkey choke and a jug choke.

The others are right. Small changes in a load can make a very big difference in pattern.

Ive gone back to the Colerain Turkey choke. I just didn't get the pattern I hoped from the jug. Couldn't imagine a true smoothbore...

wattlebuster · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2018, 03:41:10 PM »

Your gun will let you know what it likes. I shoot a jug choked 12 ga. I load with powder measure. 100 gns of Fg then a bear greased felt wad. On top of that a 1/8th in hard cardboard card then 120 gns of 4s or a mixture of 4s an 2s (Yes I like the larger shot) an a thin overshot card. It takes the fight right out of them

Nessmuck · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2018, 05:29:02 PM »

can I use my powder measure for both shot & Powder ? Equal amounts of both .?

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2018, 06:20:20 PM »

That's a good start, Nessmuck.

You may find a bit more lead than powder works better when you experiment.
Let us know what works beat for you when you get at it.

wattlebuster · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2018, 07:32:27 PM »

Yes I use powder measures. V.M. Starr used volume for volume. Old saying is "Less powder more lead shoots far kills dead" I have found quite a bit of truth to that old saying when it comes to smoothbores

hanshi · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2018, 09:57:21 PM »

Nothing definitive as yet; but I have plenty of #4 shot and past testing showed very good promise. This is from a cyl. bore 20ga flintlock.

Arcturus · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2018, 11:24:57 PM »

As other have stated, you have to experiment with your gun. I use #5 shot in my 20ga guns and thin felt discs punched from hat blanks lubed with tallow and beeswax over both powder and shot. Start around 70 to 80 grains of powder and equal measure or more of shot. Usually more shot gives a tighter pattern. I use a lot more shot than you would think of compared to modern 20ga shells, but it works and I believe that's how these flintlocks were used back then.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2018, 11:54:46 PM »

Indeed Arcturus,

Col. Hawker suggested about 1 1/2oz of shot for any bore between 22 and 14.

Nessmuck · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2018, 02:21:55 AM »

Thanks guys.....been trying the local gun stores for some 4 or 5 shot..no luck. All they have is 7 1/2 . Even tried Ballistics.com and they have been out for 6 months. Is there another place to get shot

... thanks

wattlebuster · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2018, 02:55:54 AM »

I have bought #4s from these folks before

http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/lead_shot_magnum_4.htm

Mauser06 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2018, 03:04:26 AM »

I shoot nickel plated shot from ballistic products or precision reloading. Doesn't lead up the bore and IMO(and somewhat supported by physics...lol) helps with patterns and penetration.

Between the 2 barrels I've patterened, I've shot an entire bag. Gotta order more...

Both places sell various was material as well...

rennikselum · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2018, 04:18:07 AM »

Second what Wattlebuster said on Rotometals, I picked up #5 shot from them.

Jeff

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #15 on:** March 04, 2018, 06:53:42 PM »

Larger shot patterns better than smaller shot, also plated shot is gooder too.

Nessmuck · « **Reply #16 on:** March 04, 2018, 07:51:27 PM »

So copper and nickel plated lead ,won't hurt the smooth Bore barrel ?

smallpatch · « **Reply #17 on:** March 04, 2018, 07:57:24 PM »

Muzzleloader barrels are not designed for plated shot.

Nessmuck · « **Reply #18 on:** March 04, 2018, 08:03:56 PM »

Quote from: Mike Brooks on March 04, 2018, 06:53:42 PM

Larger shot patterns better than smaller shot, also plated shot is gooder too.

So this guy ^^^^ Doesn't know what he's talking about ?

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #19 on:** March 04, 2018, 08:31:11 PM »

Quote from: Nessmuck on March 04, 2018, 08:03:56 PM

Quote from: Mike Brooks on March 04, 2018, 06:53:42 PM
Larger shot patterns better than smaller shot, also plated shot is gooder too.

So this guy ^^^^ Doesn't know what he's talking about ?

Rarely.......

Mauser06 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 04, 2018, 09:28:18 PM »

I've fired a 10lb bag of nickel plated shot through a barrel this far. Not a mark. Maybe I'm lucky.

There is still lead under the coating. Not like hard steel shot or tungsten shots that are solid and MUCH harder than barrel steel.

Not going to lie...I've fired a shot or 2 of a tungsten shot and saw scoring..it was shallow and polished out...but I nixed that idea...

For me, I do chase patterns for turkey and not opposed to using plated shot etc if it means a better pattern that'll ensure a swift kill.

People argue that cylinder bores and whatever load is just fine. And it might work for them. My first flintlock turkey I shot before I really patterned my gun. I shot it was a load a few times and it wasn't a great pattern. I limited my range. The bird was within that range. Long story short, it ended up being a foot chase...pellets hit him in the head and neck..just didn't do the job. That turned me to pattern pretty extensively and try to get better performance. I just don't like stuff like that..but enjoy hunting with a flintlock.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #21 on:** March 04, 2018, 11:00:08 PM »

Quote from: Mauser06 on March 03, 2018, 09:19:38 AM

I've fired countless loads from a Colerain Turkey choke and a jug choke.

The others are right. Small changes in a load can make a very big difference in pattern.

Ive gone back to the Colerain Turkey choke. I just didn't get the pattern I hoped from the jug. Couldn't imagine a true smoothbore...

A jug has to be cut right to work well. not all guys who cut them know how to do it right.

Brokennock · « **Reply #22 on:** March 05, 2018, 02:27:45 AM »

Quote from: Mike Brooks on March 04, 2018, 11:00:08 PM

Quote from: Mauser06 on March 03, 2018, 09:19:38 AM
I've fired countless loads from a Colerain Turkey choke and a jug choke.

The others are right. Small changes in a load can make a very big difference in pattern.

Ive gone back to the Colerain Turkey choke. I just didn't get the pattern I hoped from the jug. Couldn't imagine a true smoothbore...
A jug has to be cut right to work well. not all guys who cut them know how to do it right.

So who would you recommend? Especially if one wants a tighter pattern without going all the way to a specialty turkey choke.

rich pierce · « **Reply #23 on:** March 05, 2018, 02:59:34 AM »

Buy an old double that’s choked.

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Author Topic: What's your Turkey load ? (Read 4472 times)