#10MinuteTalk

We’ve talked all about the vast expanse of shells available for your shotgun and how you can choose what works best for your application, but being that spring is upon us and folks are looking to socially distance themselves by going turkey hunting, we want to dedicate some time to discussing turkey loads specifically. How they work, what you should look for, the advances they’ve made over time, and much more. There’s a lot packed into this short episode for your spring season so tune in!
As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.
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[@johnnorman7708]

A fact that often gets forgotten is that simple 12 gauge 2 3/4" 1 1/4 ounce heavy field @ 1220 or 1330 FPS that patterns decently in your shotgun is adequate turkey medicine out to as far as your shotgun will hold a decent pattern. Grandpa used similar "duck" and "pheasant" loads out of fixed full choke guns to supply Thanksgiving dinner back in the olden days when things were olden. The sheer tonnage of game harvested with simple ammo is mind boggling but often overlooked when contemplating modern ammunition.

[@M--ri2ef]

Would like to hear your thoughts on what benefits come from running a 10 Guage. For turkey or just a video on the 10 Guage in general . Thank for the great content.

[@jP-nw7nm]

Gosh I love this podcast!

[@tylerdixon3290]

I had to pause when it got to the Winchester Supreme turkey loads because those shells were the best shells you could possibly get in the early 2010s for turkey hunting in California. The 2oz #5 loads were hard hitting, hard kicking and I never lost a bird to one. Due to the nontoxic ammo law in California, we can't use those shells or any other type of lead ammo for any hunting, but if it weren't for that, I'd still be using them today because they're that good of a load.

[@yeetarmyitstimeforgoodtime8958]

One thing you forgot to mention on the original Hevi-Shot loads is that the shot was all different kinds of shapes and not round

[@davidayres9865]

I prefer Longbeard XR shells. 1 reason, I get 10 shells vs 5 of the TSS/Heavi-shot type., at a much cheaper price. And I get a great pattern out of my choke tube out to 45 - 50 yds, which is the max distance I would take a shot anyway.

[@Roost66]

What about Winchester Longbeard? Replaced the Hevi’s and was cheaper and tighter.

[@pedropistolas8497]

Same for me, two different chokes the LBXR beat hevi with both

[@kenholmes1976]

Worked for me

[@eduffy4937]

A 20minute 10 minute talk? Sign me up!

[@burkejones8277]

I have killed a ton of turkeys with those Supremes that Winchester used to make. Then, the LBXR’s came along, and that made things better than I thought they could ever be. And then, TSS came along, and I have moved to a 20 gauge. But I still have a 12 and LBXR’s for the 12.

[@ItsSpoonsOutdoors]

Just got my grandpas shotgun Ithaca model 37 this year with a bunch of shells 12 Ga. 2 3/4 1oz slug now I know I use these for deer but I also want to start turkey hunting and using it for maybe ducks or pheasant which is all new to me. Do I have to switch the barrel to the other one he gave me when I buy different shells for turkeys or do I still use the original barrel whats the point in the the other barrel he gave me if not so then just wondering haven’t messed with it figured I’d ask here before taking in into a store or just calling and asking. Ps my grandma is coming down with dementia so it’s getting hard for him to remember! Will reply fast!

[@Eric-bh7jy]

Is. 3” load really that much better than a 2 3/4 load for #4 or #5 in a 12g?

[@philiptrump8472]

More turkey talk. I like it

[@MrGunnar177]

Go cougs!

[@ronws2007]

Ryan is such an amazing fountain of knowledge. I also look at requirement of the state For example, dove hunting using 12 ga, you need to limit the shotgun capacity to 3 shells total. So, on my smooth bore Mossberg 590A1 SPX (yes, it came with bayonet. And I have changed the butt stock to a magpul, just swanky comfort, I tell ya,) I have an 8 shell tube, if using the 2.75 inch. The bottom part of a regular plastic hanger is just long enough when cut off to drop in the ammo tube and then only two shells fit in. Plus one in the chamber for three total when dove hunting. Of course, you can carry more in your belt pouch or tactical hull carrier. For eastern spring turkey hunting, you do not have a shell limit. So, if I felt like it, I could have one in the chamber, 8 in the tube, and however many else around and about my person. Not having a choke, though, I may need to get close. My problem is that I do not have a place to pattern the shottie. The public ranges I can go to only allow slug. Which I can understand. You don't want pellets or bb's bouncing off of things and injuring people. That being said, so far, this shottie is on the mark at 20 yards at one local range I have been to. For some reason, I thought I had read that we had to use #4 shot but I cannot find it, now. So, that Winchester #5 with the gobbler on the box should be good. Same with dove.

[@VortexNation]

He is a true wizard!

[@eduffy4937]

Send your barrel to briley. 130dollars gets you screw in choke threads. Then buy a good turkey choke, and carry only 2 rounds. The third shot or beyond does nothing but let everybody else around know you missed the first two shots.

[@barrelslime]

Ryan please address this. Iv been reloading shot shells for 40 years. Mostly upland and trap skeet loads. I'm venturing into TSS loads. Please talk about buffer. Iv used it for large shot loads varmint. Is it necessary for #9 shot loads in tss . What is its purpose? Some recipes call for it some dont. Thanks Tom

[@chiya2006]

I tried couple different Winchester shots, they didn’t do good for my toy . I went to federal 3.5” #4 and I haven’t fired a follow up shot for a bout 10 seasons. Now I can’t find them on shelves which concerns me what to get when I run out of them

[@grantdavio342]

I have a suggestion for a 10 min talk the 20 millimeter canyon round

[@shitsngiggles8371]

I killed one two years ago at 69 yards using Winchester long beard xr and it rolled him up like a booger.

[@gebogen1383]

I’ve never gone after Turkey but I know where there are some locally. If I were to set up an 870 to do this, 28” barrel, full choke, and a red dot?

[@VortexNation]

That would be a killer combo!

[@Chad-nx7rs]

If you already have that combo use it but me personally I would get a extra full choke if possible. Also maybe a 21 to 24 inch barrel if possible.

[@johnnorman7708]

@@Chad-nx7rs Shorter barrels are for sure handier in the brushy conditions. Choke constriction depends on the ammo. I hear of chokes being too tight for certain loads often enough these days that it appears to be fairly common issue that requires pattern testing to determine just how tight of a choke is proper for the ammo you choose. Shotgun ammo and choke combos has become like tuning formula 1 race cars. It's a complex science.

[@teddypabian7858]

mine pattern’s good with an extra full choke using the winchester long beard xr’s in a #6 shot. same model and size as yours

[@zachshuffield7765]

how would you reload the last shell that is not crimped? is that even posible?

[@VortexNation]

It is a roll crimp actually and can be done, but you'll need some different tools to make it happen

[@Mississippi72]

Regular field loads or the 2 3/4" copper plated pheasant loads all you need to get a turkey be surprised some 2 3/4" loads pattern better than the 3 " turkey loads

[@johnnorman7708]

I hate the price of the latest and greatest turkey loads. But they are a wonder to behold. It seems that performance is a stair step directly proprtional to the money you throw at it.

[@eduffy4937]

But when you find a good load you shoot one or two per season. 20dollars a year is about yhe cheapest ypu can fund a years worth of hobby hunting.

[@johnnorman7708]

@@eduffy4937 That's one of those economic facts of life that still annoys the penny pinching, bargain hunting and tightwad part of my personality. 😁 The painful part is what you spend trying to find out which $2.00 shell and shot size works best in a particular gun/choke combo. I believe the industry may actually be banking on that. And it is prudent to test your loads on a pattern target. Last one we tested was shooting donut patterns. More ammo testing required there.....

[@eduffy4937]

@@johnnorman7708 yes. For anybody looking to get exceptional patterns take up reloading. It is very very cheap for turkey loads. Tps wads, overshot cards, a roll crimping die, a gand drill, a hammern and a punch are all you need. Way cheaper than 1 box of 5 rounds for 99% of folks. Then order #9.5 shot from prariewind decoys for 43/lb So incredibly cheap. Ill walk ya through step by step instruction if need be

[@cameronnedrow9353]

Someone please answer this for me, what would happen if you went turkey hunting with something like a 204 Ruger? Is there some reason you have to use a shotgun to hunt turkeys or would a small caliber high velocity round that doesn’t cause much tissue damage work just as well?

[@redneckcatfishing]

It's illegal

[@genericyoutubeuser1700]

You use a shotgun with a turkey so you can shoot its head and neck. Turkeys have really dense breasts and feathers, so a head/neck shot kills them without ruining meat. Plus you hunt turkeys on the ground, in full camouflage, and often in heavily wooded area, so a rifle poses a safety risk to other hunters.

[@cameronnedrow9353]

@@redneckcatfishing fair enough!

[@cameronnedrow9353]

@@genericyoutubeuser1700 Thank you for the reply it’s a no brainer when you put it that way, I just thought a 204 would also do the job but now I know that it’s a matter of safety for other hunters

[@johnnorman7708]

It's been multiple decades ago, but some western states were allowing rifles for turkeys back then. Wide open spaces kind of made a 40 yard shotgun seem like a silly joke back then. I even remember articles in magazines talking about reduced loads with cast bullets and FMJ bullets in . 30-06. I'm pretty sure cartridges like . 22 Mag, .22 Hornet, and . 222 Remington were commonly used on turkey back then. I knew a cowboy that ate a few. He was always using his . 22 rifle that stayed in the ranch pickup. So yes, rifles work just fine and certainly aren't a safety hazard under the right conditions. A lot of outlaw subsistence hunters still take turkeys on demand with. 22 rifles regularly.

[@20cameron1]

Here’s the problem with TSS: gobbler steps out at 15 yards or less. You spent $60 for a pattern that’s too tight and you missed because it’s too tight.

[@brenthussey2348]

Thatd be from using too tight of a choke for tss loads.

[@eduffy4937]

@@brenthussey2348 yes. Tss in all of my guns shoot best in a imp cyl or at the tightest a mod choke. I shoot mostly between 12-30yards so it patterns beautifully for me that way. 75yard turkeys are stupid and not really turkey hunting. Its just turkey shooting. Learn more on decoys, terrain, behavior,calls, and calling. That will do more for anybody than any gizmo or gadget ever could. And shooting an in your face bird to most is FAR superior to any other way. At 15yardsn youve tricked him. At 70 yards you have siccessfully made a pot-shot.

[@Chad-nx7rs]

@@eduffy4937 if only shooting 30 yards why pay the ridiculous price for tss? Just use copper plated lead and pay 1/5 the cost for double the amount of shells.

[@eduffy4937]

@@Chad-nx7rs i reload so i can load my own tss shells very cheaply. I ordered shot direct from china at $31/lb so i more than anything just enjoy the "splat factor" it gives at closer ranges and knowing its really really dead.

[@timothyriehm5967]

Turkey loads for your "Shawty"

[@Macdaddy22713]

If you call the bird into 30 yards like your supposed to anything works

[@mikehobbs7421]

I could shoot to 50yrd…limit my shot to 40yrd…killed all my birds 20-30yrd lol

[@haneshuntspnw7283]

Go cougs

[@goooser410]

Should look into slugs..... and all the different types.

[@stephenfannin6482]

Turkies must wear titanium armor, why not bust out the .50 BMG for these menaces

[@raybobkowalski2154]

TSS way overrated & way to expensive I'll stick to Long Beard XR,just as dead,just way cheaper

[@ryanehlis426]

So I used #4 buck for Turkey, my dad drove up on a flock of Turkeys and I jumped out and empty my shotgun on the flock. 4 birds down ;)

[@genericyoutubeuser1700]

So you’re a liar or a criminal. Please sell your firearms.

[@ryanehlis426]

@@genericyoutubeuser1700 lol 😆, it worked, and it was the fall season in ND, we had 3 tags, and te 4th bird we gave to the land owner

[@CQCMachine]

I wouldn't do it but I'm pretty sure I could kill her turkey 70ish yards with a two and three quarter inch number 8 shot lead 12 gauge. I spent a lot of years shooting trap and sometimes the birds would get way out there and start falling before we'd even shoot them. Immediate engagement distance is typically 30 to 35 yards when you're on the 16 yard line, so letting it stretch out to 50 or 60 isn't abnormal

[@CQCMachine]

Typically with at least a light full choke, usually full or extra full

[@NorthRiverGuide]

You'll certainly have issues reliably killing turkeys at 70yds with lead #8. Cracking an uncovered fragile clay disk enough for its centrifugal force to pull it apart and penetrating skin, bone, and vital tissue are two entirely different things.

[@genericyoutubeuser1700]

Turkeys and clay pigeons are not at all the same.

[@12deepdiver]

Here’s my take on it.. Why not buy a cheap side by side with double triggers with tight chokes & shoot both barrels at once.! You can then run more conventional cheaper loads like 30 gram no 5’s.? Yes it will kick like a bitch but if your not shooting many rounds then so what..

[@VortexNation]

Ryan says you're not wrong! He has touched off the double trigger before and "It will light your fire" - his direct words :)

[@ryanehlis426]

I did that with a Fox sterling worth side by side I own, it was a malfunction, if you pull the 2nd trigger first it fires both bbls. You will only do it one time, very unpleasant

[@mattsweet7918]

You’re joking right???

[@genericyoutubeuser1700]

If you’re far enough away (or a bad enough shot) that you need twice the pattern to kill a turkey, then you shouldn’t be hunting. TSS solves for distance moreso than pattern, because dense tungsten shot carries more force farther downrange.

[@nathan_k567]

Smooth bored mossberg 500 home defense shotgun with single front sight