New TURKEY LOADS For Spring

Guns Magazine, April, 2001 by Holt Bodinson

With the spring turkey season approaching, there should be some new turkey loads on the shelves of most dealers. These are premium, high-performance loads that the factories have customized to the specific needs of the dedicated turkey hunter.

High velocity is certainly a factor. Winchester has boosted its Supreme copper-plated buffered #4, 5 and 6 shot loads for the 10 ga. 3 1/2", as well as the 12 ga. 3 1/2" and 3", to a screaming 1,300 fps. Federal has added a Premium High Energy Turkey load that is doing 1,300 fps with #4, 5 and 6 shot in the 10 ga. 3 1/2" and 12 ga. 3" shells, while keeping the 12 ga. 3 1/2" load to 1,275 fps. How did they do it? By reducing the shot charges across-the-board by 1/4 oz., thereby giving us 2 oz. loads in the 10 ga. 3 1/2" and 12 ga. 3 1/2" and 1 3/4 oz. in the 12 ga. 3".

Remington has an interesting Premium "Duplex" turkey load that layers copper-plated #4s over #6s. The concept is that the heavier #4s offer greater retained energy and penetration, while the #6s maintain overall pattern density. The 4x6 Duplex loading is offered in the 12 ga. 3" with 1 7/8 oz. at 1,210 fps and in the 2 3/4" with 1 1/2 oz. at 1,260 fps.

Look for these specialized turkey loadings this spring on your dealer's shelves.