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.
Yep, I was shooting the Winchester Xtended in 3.5" in size 6. First shot I rolled the Tom at 45 yards (he spooked at my B-mobile when he got that close in). Thinking he was down for the count, I leisurely got off the ground and then bingo he was gone and running. My second hurried shot resulted in broken glasses and a monster bleeding cut where I had quickly thrown up the gun and not paid any attention to the scope. Anyway, the turkey escaped and I spent the next 20 minutes on my hand and knee's looking for the len's of my glasses. That particular round is a 120 hit in a 10" circle at 40 yard out of the SBE. But, in this case, the gobbler must have been turned at enough of an angle that I just didn't put enough in the head to put him down. FWIW, I think 3.5" for ducks/geese is overkill as the shot string it too long. However, for turkey's I think whatever shoots best shoots best. Out of the ton's of ammo I've tried out of the SBE, the Xtended shoots best. That said, I've never spent the funds on Nitro's before. Here's a pic of the SBE in her turkey clothes.
