Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

I've been seriously contemplating switching to a heavier weight load for several years now. I like the ability of putting more pellets on target with the same knock down power of a larger pellet. So I was curious as to what percentage of OG members use the heavier loads.

They almost all give better, tighter patterns.  For what you spend on hunting, the cost increase really doesn't mean much.

agree.. not really not much more $$ when you think about your hunting expenses overall.  we don't really hunt to save money afterall.

As for the shot.. clearly better. What I like is that I can shoot Hevi / HTL in my 20ga and put up the same (if not better numbers) when compared to a 12ga with regular lead.  I like that because the 20ga is just a joy to carry compared to my other 12 ga guns...

I  just made the switch to htl,primarily because I got a good deal on some.I always shot lead and have no complaints about it's performance.But now i'm really excited about using htl  as I see the patterns it can produce along with the added lethality and penetration.I honestly never thought I would shoot it simply because of the cost but what the hey,we only go around once and it is a tiny percentage of overall hunting expenses....ward         :OGturkeyhead:

I shoot Nitro 7s right now. in my 20 ga. Will most likely be switching to tss 9s by next season.Did some patterning and was very please with the counts and the penetration at 40 yards.

I switched for the same reason you mention. Nice pattern with good numbers. I got mine when they gave a rebate so it wasn't as bad.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk 2

I'm shooting Federal Heavyweight 7s, and they are the bomb!!  :you_rock:

In my 20 gauge I shoot federal hwt #7, In my 12 I shot hevi shot mag blend. But I usually take the 20, can't argue with 140+ pellets in 10" at 40 yards

Hevi 13 #7.

TRKYHTR

Nitro 3.5 in. 2 1/4 oz. 4x5x7 Hevi-Shot.

I shoot regular turkey loads.   Until I see where making the switch will benefit my hunting  experience or success I will stick with regular loads.  If I don't use a shell that is capable of longer shots, I know I won't be tempted to take one.  What I currently use is more than capable of killing any turkey I decide to shoot.  I understand why some people use the heavier loads, and I know some people rely on the extended range provided by heavier loads. 

You cannot go wrong with a hevi 6, 7, or a magblend.  All should exceed whatever your gun can do with lead. 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

Hevi 13-2oz of #7's.

hevi 13 7 shot

20 ga federal. Heavy weight 7s

Heavy-13, 3.5", 7's. They are bad to the bone.

10 ga heavyweight #7s lights out!

I Love Hevi Shot #13 Magnum Blend - Have had great success with it for the past two seasons.

Interesting!! I knew a lot of guys shot the heavys, but I had no idea it was running 3 to 1 in favor of the heavy.
Thanks for your input guys. Guesswho, I hear ya my man, that's why I posted the poll. I've killed 80% of my birds at 20 yards or less. But I've also killed 20% of my birds at 35-54 yards, and I've passed on several more that were "just out of range" of my lead set up.
I don't want to be a long range sniper of turkeys, but am curious. Plus, I know our mutual friend OTH shoots birds where the neck meets the body when they are less than 25 yards due to his pattern being so tight. Another of my concerns.

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on July 01, 2013, 08:24:54 PMPlus, I know our mutual friend OTH shoots birds where the neck meets the body when they are less than 25 yards due to his pattern being so tight. Another of my concerns.

He sounds like a wood duck on a call, so luckily most his birds are beyond 25 yards and he usually has to shoot them in the rear end.

HTL for me.

20GA - FED HW #7, 178 hits.  I'm guessing most 12ga guns with regular lead can't do this.  I'll take HW and the much lighter 20ga anyday.

(http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z366/loanadvisorfl/Hunting%20etc/IMG_20130514_171241_793_zps97dd6d7e.jpg) (http://s1186.photobucket.com/user/loanadvisorfl/media/Hunting%20etc/IMG_20130514_171241_793_zps97dd6d7e.jpg.html)

Quote from: guesswho on July 02, 2013, 07:30:17 AM

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on July 01, 2013, 08:24:54 PMPlus, I know our mutual friend OTH shoots birds where the neck meets the body when they are less than 25 yards due to his pattern being so tight. Another of my concerns.

He sounds like a wood duck on a call, so luckily most his birds are beyond 25 yards and he usually has to shoot them in the rear end.

:lol: ;D :TooFunny:

I shoot regular loads. I just can't justify the cost for heavy shot when lead does the job just fine at the ranges that I shoot.

Hmm. Interesting. The poll is now running 4 to 1 in favor of the heavys. I had no idea that many people were using them.
So heavy users, what ranges do you average shooting your birds at?

Ive shot mine from 5 yards to 40+. I shoot it for insurance. I like how it patterns. I like how it hits. I like the margin of error i get out of it. Do you need it...No. You dont need turkey chokes, calls, high velocity lead loads, vest, camo or other necessities either. Its just one more thing that makes me feel better about squeezing the trigger.

My 835 with a .670 Pure Gold choke loves 3 1/2 inch #7 Hevi's but Longbeards DON'T!  I'm getting 300+ in 10 at 40 with it.  Most of my shots have been between 25 to 35 yards and I get very little flopping.  If I put the dot at the base of the wattles, Hevi-13's have never let me down.

Good point Savduck!

R'n's:  In my experience the htl just anchors a bird better.  I get a lot less flopping.  To minimize the cost just make sure your gun is dialed in with lead and verify with htl is the same poi.   Imo make sure the poi is identical at 25 yards or so...you will have less effect from the wind.   I dont shoot htl anymore for practice when my gun is dialed in like above.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

Hevi 13 Blends for me. They pattern well from my gun and I started too late to get #7s.

Hevi-6 this past season.  Mostly because my 870 wouldn't put up the numbers I wanted with Win. HV Supreme #5's.  May try some Hevi-7's next season.

I ain't going to vote.  I'm riding the fence on this one too, but I think I'll fall off on the heavy side.

HTL Mag Blend 3" and #7 depending on the area I am hunting at the time. I do use lead loads to check out my Mueller red dot on the pre season equipment check!

I am really surprised. I knew that the heavys were popular, but its running almost a 85% to 15% lead with nearly 40 OG members voting. I would never have thought that. Some of you guys are making some really good points as to why you use them. Thanks for the responses everyone. I appreciate it. Time for some serious thought.

Federal Heavyweight 7's in 12 and 20.Even though there is only 1 level of dead they are really dead.

Quote from: TRKYHTR on June 30, 2013, 01:23:00 PM
Hevi 13 #7.

TRKYHTR

This.  Also got in on the rebate one time.  Tremendous results.

Quote from: RutnNStrutn on July 06, 2013, 03:43:42 PM
Some of you guys are making some really good points as to why you use them. Thanks for the responses everyone. I appreciate it. Time for some serious thought.

Here, I'll help you decide.  OTH uses them ;D

Used mag blends for the first time last season and they are devastating IMO. Probably going to pattern some heavy 13 #7's and see what I get.
I just ordered a lead sled because the 3.5's are about as much fun to pattern as it is shooting my slug gun.

Federal Heavyweight #7's in 20 Ga.  :icon_thumright:



  vaturkey   :newmascot:

I think I have tried everything on the market,,,on a 40 yard bench with a lead sled,,,over the last 25 years. That being said I have never found anthing that shoots like Hevi Shot,,,The Blend is the round I have used the last 4 or 5 years. IT IS THE KILLING ROUND I HAVE EVER SEEN,,,,destroys gobblers,,,,I seldom shoot over 40 yards,,,BUT,,there are times where it cant be helped,,,I shot a bird in SD last year that I thought was 44 yards when I pulled the trigger,,,,I paced it off and it was 61 LONG yards,,,The west shore can full you!

A close second is the Winchester High Speed Load,,great load,,low cost but not quite up to the performance of the Hevi Shoot...
Just my 2 cents worth,,,

Call them up close and shoot them in the face!
Longbeards

Quote from: guesswho on July 06, 2013, 04:39:35 PM
Here, I'll help you decide.  OTH uses them ;D

Thanks Ronnie!! That was very helpful!! :lol: ;D

Its running almost 9 to 1 in favor of the heavy's now. I had no clue they were that popular.

Rut I've been using Hevi shot for a few years now. What I'm using now is the 3 1/2 #7 out of a Pure Gold choke in my 870. If you want to try some ill let you borrow a few chokes to try. Chief

Well have to try to hook up for that Bubba. Thanks!! :icon_thumright:

Quote from: vaturkey on July 07, 2013, 09:44:37 AM

Federal Heavyweight #7's in 20 Ga.  :icon_thumright:



  vaturkey   :newmascot:

And 10 And 12

I have never used HTL. For the past 15 years or so, I have only used the factory turkey choke that came with my Rem 870 pump. Somehow==I am able to kill turkeys--crazy!