Author Topic: 12 Guage Turkey Barrel-Need Advice for Pig Shooting (Read 857 times)

mikemayberry · « **on:** March 29, 2004, 05:14:10 AM »

I have drawn into a ODWC turkey hunt in late April and will be ready with my 12 guage turkey barrel on the Encore. Have been told there are wild pigs in the area and if a chance arise, take one.

Here's the question: Should I try to shoot a slug through the 12 guage barrel if a pig comes by or is there another better way? I suppose with a slug, I would need to quickly unscrew the factory choke but would I need to install the rifle choke and would it increase my accuracy?

I can see having time to switch chokes to the slug shell if that is the way to go but I thought you guys might have a better idea.

Are there any saboted type loads for a 12 guage or something like that?

Thanks.

Mike

mikemayberry · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2004, 02:57:58 PM »

Maybe I asked the question in a confusing way. What I really want to know is if any of you have used the TC rifled choke in the 12 guage smoothbore. If so, what did you experience?

If not, is there another way in the field to shift between the turkey loads and something that can be reasonably expected to bring down a pig should the opportunity present itself.

A friend suggested there might be 12 guage slugs that fire with sabots or something, I am just not familiar with them and thought some of you would know about them.

Thanks.

Mike

adirondacker · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2004, 03:26:28 PM »

generally sabot slugs are designed to be most accurate with fully rifled barrels.on the other hand shotshell loads work best with smooth bore all the way.your best bet would prob be just some rifled slugs wich should work fine even with your choke tube in.these are not as accurate at longer distances as a sabot out of a rifled barrel but should easily do the job.i shoot rifled slugs from an 870 smooth slug barrel with rifled choke tube but i have used the full choke tubes and see very little difference in accuracy at 50 yds.you might want to check with t/c if you have the turkey tube in to see if ist ok.their tech # is 603-332-2333

mikemayberry · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2004, 01:28:23 PM »

Chris, you are getting to the heart of what I was talking about. I have considered carrying the sidearm for pigs.

But, I was also wondering what the 12 guage would do without any choke at all on it. I think it will be safe to shoot this way and cannot think of any reason not to try it, can you?

No choke equals no constriction so the slug should go right on through. Will just have to see about accuracy.

Mike

savageT · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2004, 03:27:25 PM »

Mike,
I would NOT shoot any load through your smoothbore barrel without having a choke in place. You could really mess up the muzzle internal threads on the barrel as a result.

Jim

mikemayberry · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2004, 05:02:33 PM »

Good point Jim, hopefully I would have thought of that before shooting without a choke in place! I am glad you told me though.

What would be the right choke through which to shoot a slug? Elsewhere on this forum, someone suggested Improved Cylinder I believe.

What would be right?

Mike

mikemayberry · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2004, 04:39:01 PM »

Talked with TC service today and the guy first said not to worry about the inner threads, just take the choke out. I pressed him, he went to ask someone else and came back saying I'd better install an Improved Cylinder or something similar to protect the theads.

I then asked about the rifled choke made and sold by TC for what seems to be the purpose of shooting slugs and causing them to begin spinning. Makes some sense that this would stabilize it in flight. They are shown in the new 2004 catalog.

He knew little to nothing about them and couldn't recommend them or say what they do/don't do.

Regrettably, this phone call, plus the time, cost and energy, will go down as a negative communication with TC. The others I have had before were all positive.

The guy is home asleep tonight thinking he did a good job today, while he actually left a bad customer impression for his company. Worse yet, TC management doesn't even know it happened.

They should train better or have QC on their phone calls.

Mike

savageT · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2004, 04:45:52 PM »

Mike,
Do yourself a favor and try your gun first with the IC Choke and foster slugs........then IF, I repeat, IF you aren't happy consider buying the rifled choke to use with saboted slugs. As you may know, the sabot slugs are quite expensive to purchase and don't really give you any big advantage in the long run.

Jim

mikemayberry · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2004, 06:00:17 PM »

Here's my latest thoughts:

How about forgetting about changing chokes if a pig enters the danger zone (his, not mine) and just switching to OO or OOO buck shot. Faster, probably as lethal on a mid-sized hog and lots cheaper. Local friend of mine said 9-15 shot is like hitting the victim with that many 9mm bullets.

Now for my only remaining question: he (friend) is convinced that regardless of the size of the shot, it will all make its way cleanly out of the barrel and extra tight turkey choke without any conflict (based on size) since it remains in the shot cup until it clears the barrel.

I guess this makes sense. My first thought was that the bigger shot would be struggling with each other to get through the opening.

Unless someone waves me off and says otherwise, I will likely try a OO and OOO through the turkey barrel and TC choke this weekend and wrap up this overthought (by me) plan.

To all who responded, my thanks for your suggestions.

Mike

savageT · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2004, 02:32:03 AM »

Mike,
I must agree with Chris 100 percent. Using buckshot in a turkey x-full choke is NOT a good plan. My only problem as I see it is if you are like me, w/o carry permit than a handgun is not a viable option. That leaves you with one shotgun for both game. By using an IC choke with the appropriate shell for bird you can check out pattern coverage with the birdshot and sight in with slugs at the same time for hogs. KISS works every time!

Jim

mikemayberry · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2004, 05:05:48 PM »

You guys have provided very good information to help me on this question. Thank you.

Tonight I purchased a $20 Hastings IC choke that fits the barrel well. Will shoot both shot and slugs this weekend to see what I now have. Hoping for great results!

Mike

mikemayberry · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2004, 06:09:15 PM »

First, the good news:

Shot 5 shot shells and 10 slugs and my shoulder is not nearly as sore as before when I shot 4-5 shots with the original pad--can only be the Sims Limbsaver recoil pad. TC should take the hint and use these for OE.

Slugs and shot both passed cleanly through the IC choke. slugs hit a bit low at 35 yards and shot shells will need to be limited to 25 yards for an effective pattern.

It was a good experiment, probably a waste of $20 for the choke. I can easily carry a backup handgun but fun to try. I had never shot a shotgun slug before and now know how powerful they really are. My target was hanging on a midsize cedar and the slugs were removing inch thick branches.

All said, turkeys and hogs beware!

Thanks again to all who offered counsel.

Mike

Kcarp · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2004, 01:09:20 AM »

I shoot # 1 and # 4 buck thru a turkey choke with great results.

mikemayberry · « **Reply #13 on:** April 07, 2004, 01:53:13 AM »

Kcarp,

Can you better describe the results of the No. 1 and No. 4 and how they hit at what distances?

Thanks! And what do you use this for?

Mike

Kcarp · « **Reply #14 on:** April 07, 2004, 03:27:45 AM »

First off I agree 00 and 000 might be a bit large for x-full chokes.
A 3" #1 (.300 dia) 24 pellets, is my first choice I use this on deer out to 50 yds, and wouldn't hesitate. The farthest shot on a hog has been around 40 yds with zero trailing. At 40 yds with either shot size you should get near 100 percent pattern inside a 20 inch target.
I know people will pull the BS card on this, but I've taken 2 deer with #4 buck at 70 yds. It just wasn't a clean kill, and I now keep it under 50 yds.

I don't know what choke dia you have, I shoot thru a .675 dia.
A slug in much more deadly, but in this situation I would definately go with the buckshot. If you have a large caliber sidearm as recemmended would be a good choice. My personal problem with that is at 40 yds I might make a good hit with a pistol. I know I'll make one with buckshot.
Pick up a box of 1 and 4 buck, shoot at 40 and 50 yds and see what you think.
good luck
Ken
good luck

mikemayberry · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2004, 03:54:46 PM »

The latest:

Remington buck shot boxes they shoot best when using a full choke--but when I called Remington they said DON'T shoot their buckshot through a turkey choke and that they would change the wording on their packaging to avoid confusion in the future. I recognize that turkey chokes ARE full chokes and I guess they now do too.

Called TC and they also said don't do it. Wouldn't be specific but generally said 4s, 5s and 6s would be the biggest they would shoot through the turkey choke.

TC also recommended during the call using Heavishot. No hesitation whatsoever. Said several of them were using it with good results.

All that said, I give up, will carry a sidearm for the hogs and use Heavishot No. 6s since I couldn't find any 5s today.

Mike

Gitzit · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2004, 11:32:46 AM »

mikemayberry, I have the Encore Turkey barrel and I also have the rifled choke tube. Here are my findings. The rifled choke tube shoots 3" groups at 100 yards with 3" Brenneke KO Sabot slugs. The only drawback that I found was that the point of impact between slugs and Turkey loads is about 18" different. The slugs being lower than the shotshells. I have a red dot scope mounted and have recorded the changes that must be made when switching rounds. I will be Turkey hunting in the mornings and Whitetail hunting afternoons on Red Tag farms with the same Encore.

Raven · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2004, 04:22:39 PM »

I have killed at least a half dozen wild hogs with buckshot and seen at least that many that others killed with buckshot as well. Believe me, a head shot inside 35 yards is extremely lethal. I have seen hogs in the 300 pound range downed with 00 buck at this range. It may take a second shot to finish a large hog, but he should be completely incapacitated after the first round. However, I would never try a shoulder shot, head only. I have used 00 buck out of a full choke with great success, but haven't tried a turkey choke. Since some are saying not to shoot buck through a turkey choke, you may consider just using a regular old full choke. That way you could surely shoot both buckshot or turkey loads with no problem. You may loose a few yards of maximum distance on your turkey shot, but I bet you won't notice much difference. I would hate to have to switch chokes out in the field as a hog was approaching, and vice versa with a turkey - just not a good idea. Otherwise as had been said a 44 mag or 45 long colt will also work, but again, a head shot is a lot more of a sure thing and with open sights, your range is not going to be much more than with the buckshot.

Good Luck!