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Who still shoots lead?

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wwa7

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Ive been shooting HTL(heavier than lead) loads for the past 5 years and have yet to shoot a longbeard over yards. I am really thinkin about going back to copper plated lead over the HTL loads due to price. Ive killed a truck load of gobblers with the old Winchester HV 3.5" 5s... really thinking about saving my money and going back to them. Who still shoots lead?
 
I've only ever shot copper plated lead.... Been turkey huntin a couple years and use the win supreme high velocity loads and have killed from 6 yards out to 45 yards and have no intention of switching loads any time soon.
 
Me and I don't see me ever changing unless they outlaw it for some reason. I have no issues with copper plated shot killing birds, getting close to 200 hundred longbeards and I see no reason to change.
 
I shoot Federal flight control wad 3" #5 or #6 lead out of a Mossberg 500 and Benelli Nova with Undertaker choke tubes and have killed turkeys out to 40 yards consistently. I see no reason to shoot HTL loads given the patterns I get from the Federal shells.
 
As I've stated in another thread, I think specialized "turkey" guns, chokes, and shells are highly overrated when it comes to having a successful turkey hunt and/or being an accomplished turkey hunter.

That said, I do believe there is a slight advantage to the HTL shells, just that this advantage is mainly beyond 45 yards, while most good turkey hunters are killing most their turkeys under 35 yards. But even the expensive HTL shells are among the smallest of costs regarding a Spring of turkey hunting. Most of my cost is gasoline, and I can't see not having the best shells for less than the price of a gallon of gas.

So I'm shooting the HTL shells, but wouldn't feel handicapped by going back to lead.
 
Wes Parrish said:
As I've stated in another thread, I think specialized "turkey" guns, chokes, and shells are highly overrated when it comes to having a successful turkey hunt and/or being an accomplished turkey hunter.

That said, I do believe there is a slight advantage to the HTL shells, just that this advantage is mainly beyond 45 yards, while most good turkey hunters are killing most their turkeys under 35 yards. But even the expensive HTL shells are among the smallest of costs regarding a Spring of turkey hunting. Most of my cost is gasoline, and I can't see not having the best shells for less than the price of a gallon of gas.

So I'm shooting the HTL shells, but wouldn't feel handicapped by going back to lead.
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If I was in the business of sniping turkeys at long distances than I might consider it, but I hunt woods and won't shoot past about 30 yards. If a bird hangs up at 40+ than I will let him walk away and try a different approach or let him live to fight another day.

To me turkey hunting is a game of getting a bird to come to my calling, and to come close, 25 yards and in. For me it has nothing to do with killing one in any way other than that. I have zero desire to snipe one, shoot one at a long distance, or ambush one. Maybe if I hadn't killed very many I would push the limits but for me, it is about the game, not so much the kill.

To each their own, and it certainly isn't about the cost. I just have no need to shoot HTL loads. Copper plated #5's eats their face off just fine for me.
 
After I finish off my win XR I will more than likely go back to lead.
 
I shot Remington Hevi for several years and still have some left but, I've gone back to lead in 12 gauge. I'm shooting Kent 2 3/4 #5 pheasant loads. They're around $15 for 25 shells and have used them for 3 seasons now. I used the Kent 2 3/4 turkey load for one season and they worked too. If you're a hole counter, these loads won't satisfy.

I have enough hevi shot on hand for the 20 gauge that I won't be shooting any lead in it anytime soon in it.
 
Me. Whats it take to kill a turkey? Everythings about extended range. The sport of turkey hunting is callin him up close. Hunt with a bow. Lots more sport.
 
Winchester Supreme 3 " #5's HV's for me. I tried some Hevi Shot a couple years ago because it was on a clearance rack and never got a pattern I liked. When I step off my kills they are usually 25-30 yards.
 
Setterman said:
If I was in the business of sniping turkeys at long distances than I might consider it, but I hunt woods and won't shoot past about 30 yards. If a bird hangs up at 40+ than I will let him walk away and try a different approach or let him live to fight another day.

To me turkey hunting is a game of getting a bird to come to my calling, and to come close, 25 yards and in. For me it has nothing to do with killing one in any way other than that. I have zero desire to snipe one, shoot one at a long distance, or ambush one. Maybe if I hadn't killed very many I would push the limits but for me, it is about the game, not so much the kill.

To each their own, and it certainly isn't about the cost. I just have no need to shoot HTL loads. Copper plated #5's eats their face off just fine for me.
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I would generally agree with your post here.
However, my thinking is, "What do I have to lose by using the HTL?"
And I'm often hunting in and around some fields and open woods where when everything happens perfectly, that may mean about a 40 yard shot. If I were only hunting rugged hardwood terrain, my style of hunting would seldom provide a shot over 30 yards.

My main point was that even though these HTL may cost more per shell, that cost is negligible compared to the total cost of turkey hunting.
 
tickweed said:
Me. Whats it take to kill a turkey? Everythings about extended range. The sport of turkey hunting is callin him up close. Hunt with a bow. Lots more sport.
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one day I would like to kill a gobbler with a bow without a ground blind. But I got turned off bow hunting turkeys during the fall when I shot one and it limped off and I lost both my arrow and the bird. Maybe if I practice enough to shoot a bird dead-on in the perfect spot I will try it again.

But I agree about getting close.. I have called them very close (my first bird was a jake at 6 yards) and I have bushwhacked them close too. longest shot was just instinctive on a running bird at 45 and dropped the bird on the ground. But I much prefer where I can see the detail on the bird's head... same with deer hunting I like to be up close and personal with the animal.
 
thunderhead 100 grain. for deer hunting but since fall turkey is open to bow hunting during bow season, I took the chance that was presented to me and shot a bird at 20 yards and injured it. No doubt the broadhead would kill a turkey but I need to know where to aim on the bird and be sure that I will hit the mark. Actually I would almost consider a rage broadhead just for turkeys. But I would rather not. The gobbler guillotine looks good for close range head shots.
 
I gotcha I am going to use rage. from what ive heard from people and seen and read, seems like either a head shot or shoot them through the wings where they come off the body seems to be the best. but going to research and watch more.
 
I use HTL for the sole purpose that they pattern better in my gun, regardless if it's 20 yds or 40 yds. I want the shell that gives me the best chance to make a clean kill, no other reason.
 
Its both for me. Got lead last year because I was in a hurry when I need shells and the store didn't have HTL. like Layne says, doesn't matter how close or far he is, HTL patterns better and it is best to use the best. Makes sense enough to me.
 

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