Copper Plated Lead #4 Shot Question

[Johnny Too-Tall]

I ordered #4 lead shot for this years turkey season. They sent me #4 copper plated lead. I haven't shot it in the trade gun before. My gun is patterned with #4 lead. I got enough for 2 shots of what I have in standard lead, and a ton of #6 lead that shoots good too. Question is has anyone used the copper plated lead and noticed any differences using the Ml'er. Using modern turkey loads i've noticed no difference between lead and copper plate lead. I will not have time to go pattern it before Saturday's opener. Should I run #6's if needed or use #4 copper plated stuff. I do have modern 10 gauge turkey loads in #4 lead - but 10 gauge is hard enough to find now as is. So rather not cut them open. I don't plan to miss a turkey and shots are 30 yards max but theres a ton of coyotes that like to stalk the decoys too - and they always get shot at.
If it makes a difference its in a 20 gauge, cylinder bore using skychief load.

 

[Trigger]

For turkey I seen a fair amount like the copper plate.. difference ehhhhhh would be a little. My modern ammo that I favorrd for turkey was #5 reg lead Kent 3 inch threw a full choke that's nothing too fancy.

The 4 or 5 puts a harder hit on them but don't always pattern as much but ehh you notice that it hits harder... for the range the 6 is good too.

 

[Trigger]

30 Max is good or cyl... 20 that's the range now you have a 10 yard to Max buffer for miss judge of distance or the walk away you were seen you need a few yards to get that shot out.

If your seen at 30 he's 35 yards when you shoot maybe gone

 

[oldwood]

Johnny.........Years back when I used to hunt small game w/ my sbs black powder shotguns , I read that the next largest size shot worked better , in a m/l gun , than that of a ctg. shotgun. My experimentation showed that to be correct. Copper plated shot worked well, too.

 

[Blackpowderart]

Copper plated #4 will actually be about the size of a standard #3. I have been patterning extensively the last month and it will make a difference. You need to build
A load specifically for the components you plan to use. I got a good pattern with #6 lead because I have alot of it. Once I got a good pattern i tried substitute the copper #6 and the pattern went to ****. Now I don't doubt I could get a good pattern with it, but it would
Require some adjustments in loading.

 

[Britsmoothy]

It won't make any difference at all, just go get the turkey

 

[Trigger]

I Hunted with a few old timers for turkey.. they use to loose birds with some heavey loads gun combos Lol

Shot size was usually a good argument. Lol

You know the problem.. they just can't get up off the ground and or run. I get that. It's not easy getting old.

 

[Whiteoak15]

Getting old IS easy; all you have to do is sit and do NOTHING (but you may not live very long)!

 

[Banjoman]

It won't make any difference at all, just go get the turkey

^^ I agree with this. Don’t overthink it, just go shoot the turkey.

 

[Trigger]

Spend days on the range months on the phone, spend maybe too much in ammo and calls. Bird Flys down lands on your lap.

 

[Whiteoak15]

^^ I agree with this. Don’t overthink it, just go shoot the turkey.

The turkey will be just a tiny bit deader with the copper plated!

 

[45man]

Copper plated will work just fine.