16ga.com ~ View topic - Buffered Turkey Loads or Just Turkey Loads in a Turkey Choke

Joined: 28 Aug 2014 Posts: 924 Location: Eastern Tennessee

Does anyone have a 1 1/8 oz or 1 1/4 oz load they use?

I've not played around with buffer outside of steel shot and based on bowbuilder's work I am thinking it will improve my patterns out of the trulock turkey choke.

Sadly there are few lead loads I have with buffer included. Bowbuilders is the actual source for every load I have. I have received contact from bow, but I am waiting for a follow-up from him that will hopefully help me.

I would like to stick to plastic wads and fold crimping.

This leads me to a starting point:

Wads - VP80 or Z16
Powders - Steel
Primers - Ched209, CCI209
Shot - #6 magnum lead or nickel plated
Hulls - Cheddite
Buffer - #47 and/or Mica Wad Dust
Fillers - 18FW20

Thank you for any help given.

dont need to buffer 6's no gain except pressure Buffer 4's or larger

brydog is right. If you are going to use #6 shot then you are better off going with a good nickle plated shot. Also use a wad that covers all of the shot. This will give you a tighter pattern.
If you go with #4 shot you are better off going with a 12 gauge anyway. There are a lot of Buffered loads in Lymans 4th for buffered loads. Roster has a whole chapter on buffered loads in there.

Joined: 28 Aug 2014 Posts: 924 Location: Eastern Tennessee

I've been doing some reading (to make up for some lack of experience). Here are some theories I would like feedback on:

1. The slower burning the powder, the better (thus suggesting Steel should be my powder).

2. A reasonable PSI is preferable to reduce to setback deformation (say 8500 to 9500).

3. A reasonable FPS is preferable to reduce deformation as well (say 1150 to 1220).

4. Over shot cards should be avoided if possible (could impact pattern).

5. Ideal wads will have legs or compression area to manage gas and retain all or very close to all of the shot in the barrel (push back would mean a minor over load would be okay).

Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 224

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

I have had what I consider very good patterns ( plenty consistent enough to kill a turkey at forty yards ) with this load that bowbuilder developed

Load #2: (This is a great load IMO and patterns very, very well for me.)
· 1 ¼ oz #6 lead shot (Remington)
· Cheddite Green Hull (8 mm brass) 2 ¾” 16 ga
· Win209 Primer
· 22.5 grains Longshot powder
· Cheddite 1628 wad

FPS (1209, 1211, 1217, AVG 1212 ES 8 )
PSI (11000, 10600, 11200, AVG 10933 ES 600)

I have had the best patterns using #6 nickle plated shot .

With my very tight choked LC Smith get an average of 16 pellets (in what I would consider real world kill shots on a real life size turkey target (Head neck) I shot 10 targets to get that average . Also within a 10" circle an average 78 pellets . Good enough for me

The 2 other guns tried in have had similar results

Thank you bowbuilder for the load !

I plan on trying you buffered load also .

Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 224

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

I just got the buffer the other day , So when I get a chance to load em and shoot them I will let know how they compare .

Member Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 61 Location: Salina, KS

For 16ga I generally buffer 5.5 nickle. I've buffed 6's and it definetly makes a difference. The two loads I am found of, one uses 800X the other Long shot.

Keep in mind that different buffers equal different pressure readings.

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

Went and did some more Patterning , this time with the buffered load bowbiulder developed .

My LC Smith did not like this load as well as the un buffered load .

Counts as follow .

Buffered #6's nickel plated from BPI 10 target ave , 10 lethal shots in head neck and 65 pellets in a 10" circle at a measured 40 yards .

Buffered # 5 1/2' nickle plated from BPI , 10 target ave , 11 lethal shots head & neck , 70 pellets in a 10" circle at a measured 40 yards

The first patterns ( un buffered ) I did were done with Precision Reloading's Nickle plated shot . maybe it is better shot not sure , but i have some more on the way and will stick with the first loads.

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida