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2023 Turkey Hunting Thread

Thats tough hunting up there when spring comes late. I get the ZZ hunt for my area. Not as many birds these last couple years compared to recently. It took me til the last day of my hunt and a 5 hour cat n mouse game before I punched my tag last year. Good luck this year guys!
Its been a pretty mild winter so I figured the early season would be money this year. Not so sure about that now. Ended up with 10" fresh snow yesterday. It sure is beautiful this morning though.

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The Carlson’s TSS chokes, are they just for Tungsten? Or can you shoot lead out of them as well?
 
I would think lead would work just fine. You'd have to pattern your particular shotgun and choke and shell combo to see if it works for you.
 
Its been a pretty mild winter so I figured the early season would be money this year. Not so sure about that now. Ended up with 10" fresh snow yesterday. It sure is beautiful this morning though.

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Damn! Yesterday was a beautiful spring day for me, but i still haven't heard them gobbling in the mornings yet. I'm hoping the weather stays on track for my area, I start the 22nd in the tip of the thumb. Hopefully your weather gets better too!
 
I would think lead would work just fine. You'd have to pattern your particular shotgun and choke and shell combo to see if it works for you.
Oh I know ive patterned many and I don’t shotgun hunt them anymore but that may be changing if I do a couple of out of state hunts. I’m just wondering if the chokes are specific to TSS and/or if they can also handle lead what sizes?
 
Try giving Carlson's a call and see if you can get someone knowledgeable on the phone. That's where I would start.
 
Oh I know ive patterned many and I don’t shotgun hunt them anymore but that may be changing if I do a couple of out of state hunts. I’m just wondering if the chokes are specific to TSS and/or if they can also handle lead what sizes?
Absolutely you can. I have just to see how the cheaper loads would pattern. I know you should only shoot TSS through TSS/lead choke tubes. No Steel which is pretty common knowledge.
 
I have a Remington 870 3.5". anyone find a good choke, TSS ammo combo for the 870? I picked up some Apex #9's. I heard Indian Creek recommended for Apex ammo but figured I'd check here first and see what people have used.
 
They’re gobbling hard here in NE Tennessee. I’ve got three flocks located on public, one right behind my house, and my buddies place (that I have permission) is loaded. April 15 can’t come soon enough.
 

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I have a Remington 870 3.5". anyone find a good choke, TSS ammo combo for the 870? I picked up some Apex #9's. I heard Indian Creek recommended for Apex ammo but figured I'd check here first and see what people have used.
Can't speak to the 870 but I have a .670 Indian Creek in my Mossberg and it works great with TSS #9. I had a Carlsons .650 before that shooting lead 6's and the .670 works better with the TSS. I called the guys at Apex and they said go with a .670 for the TSS #9's in 12 gauge.
 
Can't speak to the 870 but I have a .670 Indian Creek in my Mossberg and it works great with TSS #9. I had a Carlsons .650 before that shooting lead 6's and the .670 works better with the TSS. I called the guys at Apex and they said go with a .670 for the TSS #9's in 12 gauge.
Thanks. I'll probably give them a call as well. I've heard they have done pretty extensive testing with different guns and choke setups. I just wanted to hear some street cred, in case Apex is in cahoots with any of the choke co.'s
 
They’re gobbling hard here in NE Tennessee. I’ve got three flocks located on public, one right behind my house, and my buddies place (that I have permission) is loaded. April 15 can’t come soon enough.
How was last year in Tennessee For you? I’m from Ohio. Came opening and the second weekend and heard maybe 2 gobbles. I had been to the same place the year before and it was a madhouse of turkey gobbling.
 
Thanks. I'll probably give them a call as well. I've heard they have done pretty extensive testing with different guns and choke setups. I just wanted to hear some street cred, in case Apex is in cahoots with any of the choke co.'s
Indian Creek makes great stuff. I am shooting a Carlsons XR tss choke out of my 870 and it’s a hammer!!
 
Can any of you with the Carlson’s chokes post pics of your patterns and gauge/ shot size you use? Has anybody tried non tss loads with the Carlsons XR chokes and what shot size patterned the best? Also, who has tried bismuth loads out of these?
 
Carlon’s are kind of the bottom of the barrel based on 100’s of expensive rounds tested for me, but each gun likes a different load and choke, so you have to try many to find out. Here is just a sample…
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A few of my patterns, notice the difference in pattern on the 28 gauge. That's a squeaky clean bore versus a bore with several hundred loads through it from dove and waterfowl seasons.
 

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How was last year in Tennessee For you? I’m from Ohio. Came opening and the second weekend and heard maybe 2 gobbles. I had been to the same place the year before and it was a madhouse of turkey gobbling.
It’s awesome if you have access to private in the valley, tons of birds. The Cherokee National is huge but mostly mountain, the birds are there but you’ll put some miles finding them. What area of TN did you hunt? I’m in Jonesborough near Johnson City.
 
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