Wow a perfect turkey load (Successfully Tested now)

[Johnny Too-Tall]

I found a load for the 20 gauge trade gun thats killer. 80 grains 2f and 1.5 oz (combination of 1oz of #4 Copper plated and .5 oz of #6 lead) using the skychief method and cylinder bore at 25 yards I am averaging 23 pellets in turkey neck and head, with about a 2-3 foot overall pattern for most part. I tried running the same 1.5 oz of the same size shot and results went away. Just wanted to share. For the record this was found by laziness due to not wanting to go back to truck to get more #4 shot so I finished load in #6's and was shocked by results. I repeated it 3 more times, not sure why it works but it does. This is the load i've got loaded in the gun for turkey opener tomorrow am.
Update: it works awesome

 

[ezekiel]

Good luck, hope you get a big gobbler!

 

[Banjoman]

 

[hanshi]

As long as the turkey didn't complain I'd guess you did it right!

 

[Skychief]

Congratulations on your fine looking tom Johnny! They say that proof is in the pudding......

 

[Sparkitoff]

Did you load 6/4 or 4/6 or were they mixed together? Any other specifics on loading procedure and components?

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Did you load 6/4 or 4/6 or were they mixed together? Any other specifics on loading procedure and components?

I mixed them together and used my modern inline reloading tubes to keep the pre-measured shot ready to go.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Did you load 6/4 or 4/6 or were they mixed together? Any other specifics on loading procedure and components?

Sorry I didn't read the rest of your question. 80 grains 2f, nitro card, the #4 and #6 mixed together, overshot card, wad that soaked in olive oil for 3 days.

 

[BillinOregon]

These are proving to be such wonderfully versatile smoothbores. Great work on the load and thanks for sharing your secret.

 

[2 shots]

nice bird could it be the smaller shot filling in between the larger shot? thus making a more solid shot column

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

nice bird could it be the smaller shot filling in between the larger shot? thus making a more solid shot column

That could be it. But then again I am just guessing. My assumption is maybe the lighter shot is going faster and as you said filling in the pattern. Who knows.

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

My cylinder bore 12 likes nearly the same load. I use 75 gr 3F, nitro card, 1.3 oz of #6, thin card and then a thick felt wad soaked in olive oil. I just leave my felt wads in a pill bottle full of oil. They are definitely saturated At 25 yards it'll pepper the head/neck area very nicely.

 

[The Baron]

...using the skychief method and cylinder bore at 25 yards I am averaging 23 pellets in turkey neck and head, with about a 2-3 foot overall pattern for most part.

Congratulations on your flintlock gobbler!

Those are great results from a cylinder bore! I did extensive testing when I worked up my own turkey load (which has killed 15 gobblers now), but never mixed shot. I have both 4's and 6's so am going to give this a try.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Congratulations on your flintlock gobbler!

Those are great results from a cylinder bore! I did extensive testing when I worked up my own turkey load (which has killed 15 gobblers now), but never mixed shot. I have both 4's and 6's so am going to give this a try.

Keep me posted on the results if you don't mind.