My Parker turkey load is 1-1/4 oz. #5s @ around 1200 fps. Pressure is only around 6800 psi. I feel comfortable with them out to 35 yds, but no more. I enjoy the challenge of calling in close with no decoys, so it's part of the fun for me.
I'm guessing(?) you were shooting 3-1/2" mags in the SBE? That gun is murder with 3-1/2" 2oz. lead loads. Guaranteed to knock your glasses off your head, even with no scope. It is just brutal. The pattern tests I did with it proved to me that the 3-1/2" shell holds no advantage for a turkey hunter. Patterns are no more dense than a 3" shell, but they do spread out wider. I suppose the shot column is just too long to stay together any better than a 3" load. I got about the same number of hits in the head on the target. I can see where the 3-1/2" shell could be an advantage for a duck hunter, especially with steel shot, but for turkeys the only thing it will do is punish you more (and not the turkey). The 3" shell is much more tolerable in the SBE, and still gives max performance.
Last edited by vh20; 03/12/10 12:59 AM.
