Hevi-shot size recommendation??

[pipemkr]

I just bought a Rem SuperMag SPS-T and got a hevi-shot Remchoke tube. The gun came with two tubes - Turkey Extra Full (.687) and Turkey Super Full (.665) and also orderd an Extended Ported Turkey Tube (.655). I know this is an overkill on tubes but I want to experiment and get the tightest pattern to hunt with. I will only be shooting 3 inch shells.

I have only shot 2's at turkeys since I had a box of 2 3/4 mag 2's left over from goose hunting 20 years ago. I kill turkeys with the 2's (two this spring) but caught the fever to get a new gun and optimize my chances at making head shots and getting fewer pellets in the breast.

Question:
What size lead shot have you guys found to give you the best patterns in any of these tubes that are effective turkey killers? Any brand recommendations?

And

What size Hevi-shot do you recommend for both pattern density and killing ability?

I got some turkey targets and will be running tests with various load and tube combinations as long as my shoulder holds up. I'll report back to you on the results if anyone is interested. Probably be a couple of weeks before I have time to begin.

[lab]

First of all, it is not legal to use 2 shot at turkeys. The most popular shot sizes you will find are 4,5,&6. With nothing under 4 being legal to harvest turkeys.

A bad day hunting is better than a good day at work.

[pipemkr]

Whoa!!!

In Oklahoma there is no shot size restriction for turkeys. So, 2's are legal although few people use them. The only reason I used them was because that's what I had. Now I am ready to optimize my loads using a new 870.

Ain't no way I would violate any gane law.

[lab]

My bad. I was just under the assumption that you were in Kentucky. I have always found that my 11-87 Super Mag patterns best with 3-1/2" #5 Winchester Supreme shells in 1-7/8 or 2 oz.
This is a post that will get you more than enough opinions to give you a starting point. If you were to try all of the shells and shot size that people will tell you, you better have some good recoil pads.

A bad day hunting is better than a good day at work.

[mossyhorns]

I like the #5 or #4 supremes, too. I shot an 870 for 5 yrs before switching to an 1187 SPS-T this year. With the lead, the .655 is hard to beat. One thing that pops up is that larger pellets are harder to pattern in a tight choke. That's probably why #5's are so popular. For the hevi, go with the .675 hevi-shot choke. I used 4's and 5's this year.

I belive the 870 SPS-T comes with the R-3 recoil pad now. If not, get one. Every gun patterns differently and likes different ammo. You'll do well to try several to see what works. My gunsmith has recommended lenghtening the forcing cone and polishing the inside of the barrel to tighten up the pattern on my remington. You might want to consider this. Good luck!

[Multidigits]

Two chains of thought on this one, and in Ky. we don't have to option. They use 2's for body shots. for head shots, you use 4, 5, or 6 or 7.5's.

Then you could use duplex loads from Nitro and have both.

[bowhunter112]

for a .655 choke i use in my beretta my best patterns have came from federal 3 in 2 oz #6's ive never really needed a use for larger shot

[Feedman]

I use Hevi-shot #5's 3 1/2's in the Extra full choke that came with the gun. Patterns excellent with lots of Knock down power

It ain't braggin, if you can back it up.