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2023 Turkey Hunting Thread

When I make them I take a dremel and thin the bones from the inside. Seems to change pitch to a get that 2 tone note. I love making them. 39C52EA9-2A5D-446C-8551-5FE350A2C338.jpeg4B6B950A-5EBE-488F-84C4-4281BC55D529.jpegB76A5648-46AE-4482-ABBA-1F8C8A96F8F2.jpegI’m no artist but made this one last year for a good friend. I usually clean and cook the bones then hang on to them till someone takes an interest in mine then I’ll make them one. I find that thinning bones and playing with overall length drastically chances tone. I work then till I get the sound I’m after.
 
So you guys all convinced me to try some TSS. Federal #9s It hit extremely low out of my Remington 870 with Indian Creek choke. At 40 yards I would of blown a gobblers feet off. I shot some splatter targets stapled to an old pallet. The TSS never came out the backside of the pallet whereas a couple (not many) of the LongBeard #5s did. I'll be sticking with my LongBeard for right now with our season opening in two days. I had tried some HevyShot mix of 5,6 and 7s before that didn't pattern as well either so it could be my gun.
 
Gator said:
So you guys all convinced me to try some TSS. Federal #9s It hit extremely low out of my Remington 870 with Indian Creek choke. At 40 yards I would of blown a gobblers feet off. I shot some splatter targets stapled to an old pallet. The TSS never came out the backside of the pallet whereas a couple (not many) of the LongBeard #5s did. I'll be sticking with my LongBeard for right now with our season opening in two days. I had tried some HevyShot mix of 5,6 and 7s before that didn't pattern as well either so it could be my gun.
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The Indian Creek choke may be too much of a constriction.
 
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Gator said:
So you guys all convinced me to try some TSS. Federal #9s It hit extremely low out of my Remington 870 with Indian Creek choke. At 40 yards I would of blown a gobblers feet off. I shot some splatter targets stapled to an old pallet. The TSS never came out the backside of the pallet whereas a couple (not many) of the LongBeard #5s did. I'll be sticking with my LongBeard for right now with our season opening in two days. I had tried some HevyShot mix of 5,6 and 7s before that didn't pattern as well either so it could be my gun.
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I also shoot an 870 and have shot hevi shot mix the last few seasons. Did ok but range was terrible. Shooting out of a primos tight wad choke (.660). Not quite sure the choke changes too much so going to try shooting some different loads through it. Going to do some different patterns before my season opens at the end of April.
 
I’ve found if you’re using a stock barrel and haven’t had the forcing cone lengthened and polished and you’re using a tighter choke constriction with large shot size it can make holes in your pattern.
 
I have another aftermarket choke I can try (can't think of which one right now), otherwise I just have the standard Remington chokes (full, modified and skeet).
 
Try the more open standard full choke and see how that patterns.
 
I've never liked the federals and how they patterned. They decided to use those stupid flight control wads when they first came out with them.

I'm no help when it comes to a 12 gauge though.
 
I made my first wingbone call 2 years ago and it turned out pretty good. I used epoxy and a thread wrap to join the bones. curious what everyone else uses. @10essee what did you use. is that plumbers epoxy?
 
Gator said:
So you guys all convinced me to try some TSS. Federal #9s It hit extremely low out of my Remington 870 with Indian Creek choke. At 40 yards I would of blown a gobblers feet off. I shot some splatter targets stapled to an old pallet. The TSS never came out the backside of the pallet whereas a couple (not many) of the LongBeard #5s did. I'll be sticking with my LongBeard for right now with our season opening in two days. I had tried some HevyShot mix of 5,6 and 7s before that didn't pattern as well either so it could be my gun.
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I read somewhere that the Carlson's choke tube was designed specifically for the Federal TSS shells. Have you tried Apex through the Indian Creek?
 
Micneador said:
I've never liked the federals and how they patterned. They decided to use those stupid flight control wads when they first came out with them.

I'm no help when it comes to a 12 gauge though.
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I’ve never had great luck with Federals either. With my Ithaca turkeyslayer I used to have the old Nickle plated Activ number 5’s the best.
 
Here are a few of my latest test pattens with my Franchi Affinity 3 20 ga. I will be hunting the .575. Friends don’t let friends hunt without TSS and a 12 ga is totally obsolete now!
25370204c9b5e919351e247637a29258.jpg

54167d5eb213fafa3c60156800954f86.jpg

9ee4a4c215177b39a8179789547e0398.jpg

c86f4ed4981ba05d944b6b40948d9ca9.jpg
 
Bwhana said:
Here are a few of my latest test pattens with my Franchi Affinity 3 20 ga. I will be hunting the .575. Friends don’t let friends hunt without TSS and a 12 ga is totally obsolete now!
25370204c9b5e919351e247637a29258.jpg

54167d5eb213fafa3c60156800954f86.jpg

9ee4a4c215177b39a8179789547e0398.jpg

c86f4ed4981ba05d944b6b40948d9ca9.jpg
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Best of all worlds right there. Bout 300-320 is what I like in a 20 gauge pattern. 280-300 is a goal for a 28 gauge.

I have to build a shot trap this summer so I can test loads and not waste shot.
 
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