Turkey Target

[Jerry]

Got some range time in yesterday. Turkey targets were shot with a 20 ga cylinder bore at 30 yds using paper shot cups and #6 lead shot. Thanks, Jerry

[Dennis Glazener]

Dead Bird!
Jerry, how did you make your shot cups? I tried making some out of paper bags. I cut the paper much like a large plus sign, then used a slightly under bore sized wooden dowell to start the cup into the bore then filled the cup with #6 shot topped with an overshot wad. This was in my cyl bore fowler with 41" barrel. I could not get it to pattern any tighter than without the paper cups. I didn't keep working with it so may have given up too soon.
Dennis

[Daryl]

Some times, only a small change can make a big difference in accuracy or pattern density.
I have a cylinder bored 12 that likes 75gr. 1F (2 3/4 drams) and 1 1/4oz. shot with normal wad column.
With the same powder charge and 1 ounce to 1 1/8oz. the patterns were horridly thin, patchy and in-
consistent.  They evened out with the increased shot load.

[hanshi]

That's a beautiful pattern, as any turkey would agree.  I need more work on mine.

[Jerry]

Dennis/hanshi, Daryl and Dennis Diegger has generously given me help with shot cups. I’m using 32 lb paper cut 2” by 4.” In my 20 ga I made a pin under size of my 20 ga bore. The 4” length gives 2 wraps around the wooden pin. I glue it with Elmers stick glue. The one that goes on purple and dries clear. It operates like a chap stick tube. I have the wooden rod marked for 1 1/4 oz #6 shot. I slide the paper tube down to the mark fold and glue the end. Keep these shot cups in a plastic box until ready to use. I shoot 70 grs 2 fg powder. I pour the powder down the tube, put 2 over shot cards on the powder. Ram those home. Put the shot cup just below flush with the end of the barrel. Add 1 over shot card on the shot and ram the charge home. I only carry thin over shot cards. Hope this helps. It actually surprised me. Thanks to Daryl and Dennis for their patience and help!

[Dennis Glazener]

Dennis/hanshi, Daryl and Dennis Diegger has generously given me help with shot cups. I’m using 32 lb paper cut 2” by 4.” In my 20 ga I made a pin under size of my 20 ga bore. The 4” length gives 2 wraps around the wooden pin. I glue it with Elmers stick glue. The one that goes on purple and dries clear. It operates like a chap stick tube. I have the wooden rod marked for 1 1/4 oz #6 shot. I slide the paper tube down to the mark fold and glue the end. Keep these shot cups in a plastic box until ready to use. I shoot 70 grs 2 fg powder. I pour the powder down the tube, put 2 over shot cards on the powder. Ram those home. Put the shot cup just below flush with the end of the barrel. Add 1 over shot card on the shot and ram the charge home. I only carry thin over shot cards. Hope this helps. It actually surprised me. Thanks to Daryl and Dennis for their patience and help!

I think what I need to do is just take time to work with different ways until I find what works in my 16 bore. I know that I am too impatient
Dennis

[Jerry]

Dennis, That’s exactly what I had to do. Spending range time and trying what others have suggested. The result of those 3 targets were with the help of  Daryl and Dennis. They were very encouraging. Take care, Jerry

[83nubnEC]

I use grocery bag paper cut to 2"x5" to make my shot cups. 1/8" cork wad, then 1/3 of a cushion wad lubed with moose milk over 80 gr of Goex (OLE) 3F powder. Shot cup is inserted to level with muzzle and filled with #5 nickel plated shot and topped off with a wad cut from a styrofoam egg carton and pushed down onto cushion wad. See turkey head target posted on Mr Dennis Daiggers' comment of FEB 9 2022

[Robby]

I used those 3"x5" index cards. Rolled them around a properly sized dowel two full laps and cut off at the end of the underlying end, leaving enough for a proper crimp on the dowel, fold the crimp and tap it with a wooden mallet to secure it, I then stuck it in the bore and measured for a full load of shot, pulled it and used it for template to make dozens. I used to carry a hand full in my bag and never had a problem with them unraveling. They do work really well.
Robby

[Hungry Horse]

Bigger shot will shoot tighter groups. I prefer fives if I can get it, but fours do well too. Some sizes are hard to get in lead free shot.

 Hungry Horse

[Jerry]

HH, I have #5’s. Will try them. Thanks, Jerry

[Daryl]

Some commercial shells even have mixed shot, for example, 4's and 6's.
#5's are  a good all-round size.

[Robby]

I just finished a 24ga. X 48" barrel and shot for pattern yesterday.


The big hole is from a patched round ball, to verify my sight line was on point form 25-30 yards. No jug choke, no shot cups, this is what has come to be called the "Skychief Load",
Powder charge
Nitro (hard) card
Shotload
Thin overshot card
Full fiber cushion wad*
In my case I used 80gs. ff, 1-1/2 oz., #4-#6 mix. I have used this mix in hunting successfully for years, a guy gave me a two liter bottle of it and I think it will out live me.
I am very impressed with this setup, I have experimented with jug chokes and shotcups for years and this load has out done them all.
Robby

[Eric Krewson]

I use this downloadable target, you don't use as much ink as a full color one.

http://www.guncustomizing.com/targprt.htm

[Hungry Horse]

 You will find smaller bores always shoot tighter groups. My sons little trade gun built from a modern 410 barrel that I cut in half  shoots a pattern not much bigger than your hand at 30 yards. Thats why I alway laugh when I hear somebody jug choking they’re 20 gauge, of going up from a 20 gauge to a 16, or 12 gauge, or bigger. They are going the wrong direction. Now small bores are not as good when wing shooting, because they string out the shot, but for turkeys small is the ticket. A .24 or .28 might be just the thing for turkeys. What I’m saying is it may be that a 20 gauge just shoots tighter than a 12 gauge. And the skychief load is only a contributing factor not the entire cause.

 Hungry Horse

[Daryl]

Your hand size at 30 yards, sounds like an offhand group with a rifle for a lot of us.
Wish my .410(s) shot that tightly.

[Tim Ault]

I just finished a 24ga. X 48" barrel and shot for pattern yesterday.


The big hole is from a patched round ball, to verify my sight line was on point form 25-30 yards. No jug choke, no shot cups, this is what has come to be called the "Skychief Load",
Powder charge
Nitro (hard) card
Shotload
Thin overshot card
Full fiber cushion wad*
In my case I used 80gs. ff, 1-1/2 oz., #4-#6 mix. I have used this mix in hunting successfully for years, a guy gave me a two liter bottle of it and I think it will out live me.
I am very impressed with this setup, I have experimented with jug chokes and shotcups for years and this load has out done them all.
Robby

. 
If the little 24 ga I’m working on now shoots near that good I’d be tickled !

[Skychief]

I pity the gobblers in your neck of the woods, Robby.

Thanks for sharing and best of luck this year,  Skychief.

[Robby]

Thank you Skychief!!!
Hungry Hourse, everybody's got a theory, this works.
Robby