doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Turkey loads for my Charles Daly help needed

I am getting ready to order a 10 pound bag of copper plated #6’s. I started reading about how nickel plated lead shot holds better patterns and penetrates feathers better. Can I safely shoot nickel plated lead in my Damascus barrels?

Yes. The nickel plating is too thin to damage the barrels. Not sure if it's even available.
JR

Thanks, I found some ballistic products #6’s. I never tried nickel plated for turkeys before...always copper plated. I’ve been reading nickel plated lead shoots a little tigger groups as well.

Certainly.

The hardness of the pellets is only very slightly greater than with good magnum lead shot.

Plating acts like a lubricant to penetrate feathers (at least that's the theory).

Given the choice between unknown quality plated lead and known 4 to 6 percent Antimony shot, I'll take the known hard shot.

Think Lawrence or West Coast.

I am set on #6’s. I have found both eagle and Lawrence copper plated. I have found nickel plated #6’s in ballistic products. Any suggestions between the three?

Yes. Skip the Eagle.

Eagle runs under size and has nowhere near the hardness of Lawrence.

I have used the BPI nickel in #5 for years on pheasant in 12 and 20 gauge with very good results.

Thanks I ordered the BPI copper, and then, nickel plated #6’s. I did enough forum readings saying it patterned tighter groups than copper plated lead shot and penetrated further. I figured it might help tighten groups a little bit better. I tried some RST #5’s so far. I put 17 hits on my turkey target neck at yards. I do have a box of RST number #6 1 1/4 oz loads to try yet but figured I’d get started on reloading with my lee loader. Any load suggestions? I have black powder FG, FFG, FFFG, and Pyrodex. I also have 700x, green dot, red dot, and unique. It’s next to impossible to find Damascus black powder equivalent 2 7/8” loads anywhere. I’d like to stuff as many #6’s into my shell as safely possible. Any load data help would be greatly appreciated.

I load the Ballistic Products nickel plated shot (and it's true nickel plating not just a very thin wash) in my "super-duper" 3/4 oz. load for my .410 dove guns. High quality stuff.

Good luck with the turkey loads.

Why on earth would you concern yourself with penetrating feathers on a turkey??

Turkeys are taken with head shots. Place your bead on the upper neck just below the head and fire away.

You'll smash head and neck bones with athority and never have to worry about penetrating feathers at all.

Shoot at enough turkeys and one will eventually find a pellet or two in the body. Even the tightest of patterns will have flyers and spread. Gil