Turkey Load for a 56 smoothie

[rudy parnell]

Can't find anything on this.....had it saved but that computer crashed and I forgot to write it down.

I want to know what everybodies using.....but I only have on hand #4 chilled lead and Goex FF for a load.

Thanks.

 

[roundball]

I only have on hand #4 chilled lead and Goex FF for a load.

That strong 1" barrel will handle a robust load.
But even using a 1:1.5 ratio of powder to lead, the low pellet count of the large #4s is going to limit distance severely.
Penetration is not the issue...pattern density thick enough to score multiple hits on the tiny skull and/or pencil size neck vertebrae is the challenge.

Speaking only for myself, if I could call one in close to 15-18yds...I'd personally use:
70grn measure of Goex
Two .58cal Oxyoke 1/8" wonderwads
110grn measure of those soft chilled lead #4s
Circle Fly over shot card

But you really, really need to get your hands on some hard magnum #6 lead...(or copper plated, nickel plated)...to fill in that pattern.

 

[The Baron]

70-80gr. powder and about 100-110gr. equivalent volume of shot sounds about right. Odds are #6's will pattern better for the simple reason that there is more of 'em in the same volume, but do give the #4's a try. I had a 12ga. T/C New Englander that actually threw a denser pattern with an equal load of #4's, than with #6's so you never know.

Also try using 4 of the thin overshot cards on the powder charge, rather than the heavier cardboard or lubed wads. I forget who I got the tip from in here a few years back, but it really helped tighten my turkey patterns. The heavier wads tend to blow forward through the shot string and give a "doughut" hole in the pattern, or at least that's what I was finding.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[Richard McCullough]

SlippyFoote,
I probably have 10 pounds of #5 shot you are welcome to for shooting and load development. send me a PM if you are interested. I am located in Clayton, NC

 

[longrifle346]

I can spare a pound or two of Lead Chilled #6 for you to try if you're near the coast...