$7.40 per shotgun shell

[gobblergetter]

I went to a local hunting store here in southern indiana yesterday and they were selling a new "Nitro" load for $7.40 each. They sold them by the shell not by the box. They tried to sell me some of them. I laughed and joked about how much it would cost to pattern my gun to find out which choke shot best with that load etc. They proceeded to tell me that they "guaranteed" that a Rhino choke with those loads would pattern better than anything I've ever shot it an attempt to get me to by not only the shells but the $110 Rhino choke tube. NUTS is what I called them.

Has anyone seen, heard, or shot these Nitro shells? If so, are they really worth 7+ per shell? What about the Rhino choke tube? Honestly if it ain't broke, don't fix it is my thinking. I've been killing turkey's for 15 years now and don't need some high dollar setup to kill birds. JMHO Any thoughts?

[Ignert]

If so, are they really worth 7+ per shell?

Only if they promise he will strut in, die easily, breast the bird, marinate it, and fry it to a light brown. Only then would I begin to consider those..:D

[headoftheholler]

Nitro's are a boutique shell. Don't get me wrong, they produce superb results and put a lot of time into r&d, researching what combinations of shotgun/choke/shell works. But is it neccesary to have 400 pellets in a 10 inch circle to kill a turkey? I just bought my first stand alone turkey gun this year, an 835 tactical turkey from mossberg, new in the box. (Got tired of lugging a win. 1300 with 30 in. barrel around the turkey woods.) The gun came with a good factory turkey choke and I tested three of the "cheap" ($15 or less) turkey loads from Win, Rem, and Federal. And for $35 I've got cheap shells (winchester supremes) that will put 55 pellets in the head and neck at 30 yards and 30 at 40 yards. Don't even ask why people quote the " 10" circle " thing, I've never seen a turkey with a 10" diameter head before. Not to mention I gave the Remington and Federal turkey shells that didn't pattern as good to some friends. Why spend the extra money?

[gobblergetter]

I've never seen a turkey with a 10" diameter head before

I was thinking abou that yesterday after reading all these posts on the net about 10" circle. Last time I checked, turkey's heads weren't 10" around. I got a laugh out of it anyways.

[tf20]

The 10 inch circle is because a turkey's head is moving and it should being within that 10 inch circle when your shot is fired.
I have used many different loads even loaded my own turkey loads in the years past. Nitro's are costly but highly effective. When I look at the cost of a turkey gun turkey tag turkey calls another 6 dollars to know it will be a dead bird doesn't seem all that bad.

[Willie]

I pay $7 a shell for Nitro Hevi Shot. These are the 4X5X7 shells. I've shot other shells but nothing compared to these pattern.

That's a 3" shell not a 3 1/2".

35 yards and the outer circle is 9 inches.

http://www.wingsupply.com/shop/Scripts/prodList.asp?d=958&p=1042

I use the Rhino .660 two inch extended choke too.

I figure I'll drop at least $300 on hunting turkeys ($190 on KY NR tags) , so what is $35 for shells?

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c174/woodmaster042162/001-1.jpg

[gobblergetter]

The 10 inch circle is because a turkey's head is moving and it should being within that 10 inch circle when your shot is fired.
I have used many different loads even loaded my own turkey loads in the years past. Nitro's are costly but highly effective. When I look at the cost of a turkey gun turkey tag turkey calls another 6 dollars to know it will be a dead bird doesn't seem all that bad.

that is kinda the angle the guy at the store took with me. To each is own I guess. If I know the turkey is going to be dead after a 3 inch #4 ($7 a box) then why spend $7 a shell? People have been killing turkey's for years before the "$7 Nitro" come out. Why the need for them? I don't care if they are $1000 shells. Just b/c you paid that much doesn't mean the turkey is going to die. It just means you spent a lot of $ on a shell. jmo Like I said to each is own.

[yankeegonesouthern]

The 10 inch circle is because a turkey's head is moving and it should being within that 10 inch circle when your shot is fired. Yup, what he said.

that is kinda the angle the guy at the store took with me. To each is own I guess. If I know the turkey is going to be dead after a 3 inch #4 ($7 a box) then why spend $7 a shell? People have been killing turkey's for years before the "$7 Nitro" come out. Why the need for them? I don't care if they are $1000 shells. Just b/c you paid that much doesn't mean the turkey is going to die. It just means you spent a lot of $ on a shell. jmo Like I said to each is own. I guess it is like everything in life... Trucks, guns, bows, decoys, ammo and so on all worked great 20 yrs ago. There is always new stuff coming out, most of it seems BETTER and some of it is better. So some folks want the newer better stuff. I have a 9 year old climber stand that I know the model has been improved but I don't plan on buying a new one anytime soon. That's just how it works.

[wkyhunter]

I've read about Nitros for several years.
This year I finely got some of them, the results are unreal.
The Rhino choke is not the only tube that is recommended.
For most loads the JellyHead by Primos is also, for the Remington it is the .660. I had a .665 that I used, it is really hard to beleive there's that much difference.
I think I'm a convert as long as I can afford them.

[gobblergetter]

I've read about Nitros for several years.
This year I finely got some of them, the results are unreal.
The Rhino choke is not the only tube that is recommended.
For most loads the JellyHead by Primos is also, for the Remington it is the .660. I had a .665 that I used, it is really hard to beleive there's that much difference.
I think I'm a convert as long as I can afford them.


Have you heard of anyone shooting them out of Kicks Gobblin Thunder? Are you shooting 3 or 3.5 inch? I guess my original question is we've all killed birds before these shells came out and there will be thousands of birds killed this year by other shells (that don't cost $7) If the bird is dead with a $1 shell, and a bird is dead with a $7 shell, why spend the extra money? Other than the rare turkey shot at 50+ yards, all shells are able to kill a turkey. A dead turkey is a dead turkey whether the shell is $7 or $1.

[BRADM]

Have you heard of anyone shooting them out of Kicks Gobblin Thunder? Are you shooting 3 or 3.5 inch? I guess my original question is we've all killed birds before these shells came out and there will be thousands of birds killed this year by other shells (that don't cost $7) If the bird is dead with a $1 shell, and a bird is dead with a $7 shell, why spend the extra money? Other than the rare turkey shot at 50+ yards, all shells are able to kill a turkey. A dead turkey is a dead turkey whether the shell is $7 or $1.

Added confidence I guess. I personally have not purchased any but if someone wants to shoot 7 dollar shells more power to them....

But you are correct dead is dead.

About the closest you can come to Nitro's without a second home mortgage is Hevi Shot.

Good hunting. :)

[Willie]

"dead is dead" for sure...but if a particular piece of hunting equipment is better (at least in our own opinions), why not use it?

A 40 pound recurve will kill a deer as in "dead is dead", but 95% of the bowhunters use compounds that are more than likely 60+ pounds pull..

This my turkey gun.. With the Rhino .660 choke, 4X5X7 Nitros and a Simmons ProDiamond scope he is meat in the pan at 55 yards.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Woowoo1/P3290133.jpg

[WKYHNTR]

two turkeys a year, $7 apiece, $14 a year, a turkey is worth that to me.

[KyBucks10]

i still enjoy my mossberg 835 with the tight wad choke and my winchester 3 1/2's...they do the job for me...

[turkeyfan]

I have no problem with the seven dollars a shell. I want to have the best I can have when i go to the field so my odds are better. If that means I can shot an additional 10 yards and make a human harvest so much better for me. Like some ine stated earlier " to each his own".

[12 pointer]

dead is dead guys. No matter how you look at it. How many situations will you come up on that these will make a differenc in a kill or not????

[gobbl4me]

Has anyone ever cut open one of the rhino shells and compared the ratio of shot in the 4x5x7? i am curious if they are mostly #7 shot with some 4's and 5's throwed in for good measure.

mike

[wkyhunter]

Have you heard of anyone shooting them out of Kicks Gobblin Thunder? Are you shooting 3 or 3.5 inch? I guess my original question is we've all killed birds before these shells came out and there will be thousands of birds killed this year by other shells (that don't cost $7) If the bird is dead with a $1 shell, and a bird is dead with a $7 shell, why spend the extra money? Other than the rare turkey shot at 50+ yards, all shells are able to kill a turkey. A dead turkey is a dead turkey whether the shell is $7 or $1.
I'm pretty sure Kicks chokes are not Hevi-shot "rated" .
I am shooting a 3.5" 870 26" barrel the Nitros were 3.5"
I guess it all boils down to personal preference on the shells a hunter shoots, just like the gun he shoots, and what he drives.
I've bought several $$$ in choke tubes and shells through the years. As well as traded off several guns before choke tubes were the standard that didn't pattern like I wanted or who's point of impact wasn't where I wanted.

[wkyhunter]

Has anyone ever cut open one of the rhino shells and compared the ratio of shot in the 4x5x7? i am curious if they are mostly #7 shot with some 4's and 5's throwed in for good measure.

mike
I haven't , but several have and posted the counts in several different turkey forums. They are mainly #7 but, since they are hevi-shot they act more like a #5 or #6 as far as retained energy and penetration.

[littleindian]

Go the the NWTF Board. They have cut open serval shells and counted pellets. A #7 hevi is supposed to be similar to a #5 lead pellet. Nighthawk on there is KY's own Steve Conover. He has won multiple NWTF Still target World Championships. He has gotten some awesome patterns with Indian Creek chokes & the Nitro shells.

[1shot 1kill]

Lead kills 'em dead...face full of 5's...dead is dead! "If it aint broke don't fix it". JMHO

[Big orange]

two turkeys a year, $7 apiece, $14 a year, a turkey is worth that to me.


that how I look at it or try to justify it to myself except here in Tn. it is $28 a year for 4 birds.I just think it is worth it incase you need that one long shot a year and it keeps you from missing or wounding a turkey.most of the turkey i shot are about 20 yards away but you never know when you will get that 50 yard shot.

[Big orange]

I pay $7 a shell for Nitro Hevi Shot. These are the 4X5X7 shells. I've shot other shells but nothing compared to these pattern.

That's a 3" shell not a 3 1/2".

35 yards and the outer circle is 9 inches.

http://www.wingsupply.com/shop/Scripts/prodList.asp?d=958&p=1042

I use the Rhino .660 two inch extended choke too.

I figure I'll drop at least $300 on hunting turkeys ($190 on KY NR tags) , so what is $35 for shells?

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c174/woodmaster042162/001-1.jpg


is that pattern from the 378 load.?i bought the 517 and think it is to much shot in the shell.Trying to decide on the 3" 378 or the 3.5 51013 to try.

[fullstrut1]

You can get to town much cheaper by walking but I bet you don't.

[kywaterfowler]

i would never spend that on a shell, the shells i get at walmart have worked for me for 8 years, theres no reason to buy high shells especially when i cant afford it at this time.

[stratos907]

I think they may be a little more economically viable to someone who hasn't got alot of time to hunt...or someone who hunts tough birds(peabody..LBL). I think the less opportunities to shoot a turkey that you can reasonably expect to get. The more apt you would be to go all out to make them count. I personally don't buy them, and at that price probably never will. But like I said...I get all season to hunt so if I miss an opportunity it's not the end of the world. My set-up is capable of killing a gobbler at 60 yards. However I don't think there is EVER a reason to take a 60 yard shot at a turkey.
870 SM
.665 Kick's GT
Win. Supreme HV 5's

[stratos907]

p.s....I also buy Malto-Meal cerial...I guess I'm just cheap like that:rolleyes:

[BlackWidow]

I am and always have been a fan of "whatever you like or think works best for you is your business" - as long as it's within legal limits. $7.40 a shell seems high to me but if it makes your gotta have it list, and if you can afford them and think they make you a more accurate killer then put'em in the cart and don't look back.

[WKYHNTR]

I agree, an old junker truck will get you the same place a new Z71 will.

[grousec]

To each his own. Lead has worked for me for several years. As of last year I discovered that a 20 ga with #6 lead will talk an ol' gobbler into a ride home.
I don't know about you but for me the excitement is calling them in close! I go to see the show! And I want a close seat!

[RLWEBB]

I've shot nitro's for about the last five or six years. I used the 3.5" 4x5x7 in a Benelli SBE with the Rhino Choke. Awesome performance to 60 yards. Last year I started using a TC Encore 20 gauge with an Indian Creek .555 tube with the Nitro straight #7. Let me tell you, this gun/combo will perform as good or better than 3.5" 12 gauges shooting lead, all while packing a gun that carries like a bb gun. Some don't think it's worth $7 or $8 dollars a shell, but to me it is. I'd buy them if they were $10.00 a shell. To each his own. The thing about nitro to me is, I can get a box of nitro and an indian creek or rhino choke, and know that I have the best patterning combo for my gun from the start. There's no need to test and no need to take all of that recoil. Nitro's are simply the best performing turkey load available.

As far as the 10" circle goes, this is merely a standard to test the performance of a certain load/choke's potential. It also serves as a standardized test for comparison purposes.

[turkeyfan]

A/MEN Brother I could not have said it better myself.

I've shot nitro's for about the last five or six years. I used the 3.5" 4x5x7 in a Benelli SBE with the Rhino Choke. Awesome performance to 60 yards. Last year I started using a TC Encore 20 gauge with an Indian Creek .555 tube with the Nitro straight #7. Let me tell you, this gun/combo will perform as good or better than 3.5" 12 gauges shooting lead, all while packing a gun that carries like a bb gun. Some don't think it's worth $7 or $8 dollars a shell, but to me it is. I'd buy them if they were $10.00 a shell. To each his own. The thing about nitro to me is, I can get a box of nitro and an indian creek or rhino choke, and know that I have the best patterning combo for my gun from the start. There's no need to test and no need to take all of that recoil. Nitro's are simply the best performing turkey load available.

As far as the 10" circle goes, this is merely a standard to test the performance of a certain load/choke's potential. It also serves as a standardized test for comparison purposes.

[WildmanWilson]

People act like a turkey is as hard to put down as a cape buffalo....:rolleyes:

The whole point of me hunting turkeys is calling them into 30 yards or so and putting him down with a well placed shot. I dont want to shoot one 60 yards or blow his head off his neck. Everyone is free to spend their dime how they feel is right....I just see it as a waste of hard earned money. Dead is dead.....and I've put a lot of them down with the el'cheapo shells.

[Willie]

Big Orange,

It is the H378i . It is a 3 inch shell.

I don't want any part of a 3 1/2 inch shell.. OUCH!!

[4onaside]

People act like a turkey is as hard to put down as a cape buffalo....:rolleyes:

The whole point of me hunting turkeys is calling them into 30 yards or so and putting him down with a well placed shot. I dont want to shoot one 60 yards or blow his head off his neck. Everyone is free to spend their dime how they feel is right....I just see it as a waste of hard earned money. Dead is dead.....and I've put a lot of them down with the el'cheapo shells. Amen brother! I've never even shot at one beyond 35 yards. And I know that the Gods are going to smite me in the morning for saying this, but I've never missed or wounded one either. Those old 3" federal lead #6's are good enough for me. I even went to a less tight choke this year, a carlson for my 870. Not because of less or more constriction, but because it is flush with the barrel and my previous one was ported. Makes the gun 1" shorter, and easier to handle in my pop-up blind. And the bird last week didn't seem to notice the difference.

[WKYHNTR]

Never shot at one beyond 35 yards and/or missed one? Man you are good!

[WKYHNTR]

I guess I'm kinda missing the point here but dead is dead right? That’s what everyone is saying, dead is dead? What’s the difference between shooting a Boone and Crockett deer 50 yards or 400 yards? Does it make you a better hunter? No! Most of the time it means being at the right place at the right time. Last Sunday morning I sat by one tree over looking a field and could have shot 7, I repeat 7 different toms and still made it to church for Easter Sunday. Never hit one call (its illegal), Just sat there, do I shoot nitros? My father, brother and I have for over 10 years. Have I shot birds over 50 yards? Oh yeah! I wait all year to hunt these few days and chase these crazy birds and by gosh if he hangs up at 50-60 I’m cracking a shot at him! You can call it what you want but like you all said it dead is dead! Anyways $7 is well worth a wild turkey to me! Hope everyone has a great season!

[jelly head]

I guess I'm kinda missing the point here but dead is dead right? That’s what everyone is saying, dead is dead? What’s the difference between shooting a Boone and Crockett deer 50 yards or 400 yards? Does it make you a better hunter? No! Most of the time it means being at the right place at the right time. Last Sunday morning I sat by one tree over looking a field and could have shot 7, I repeat 7 different toms and still made it to church for Easter Sunday. Never hit one call (its illegal), Just sat there, do I shoot nitros? My father, brother and I have for over 10 years. Have I shot birds over 50 yards? Oh yeah! I wait all year to hunt these few days and chase these crazy birds and by gosh if he hangs up at 50-60 I’m cracking a shot at him! You can call it what you want but like you all said it dead is dead! Anyways $7 is well worth a wild turkey to me! Hope everyone has a great season!
At 60 yards w/Nitros he is pretty much dead. That does not take the chase out of the hunt. It makes u a more efficient hunter!!! The more confident u r in ur equipment, can always make you a more successful killer. I also thaink its funny that some people think Nitros are uncalled for, but shorten their gun length for ease of a POP UP BLIND.:rolleyes:

[WildmanWilson]

How would you like if a shell and gun combo was made that would pattern out to 150 yards but cost twice as much as normal? Would you buy one ? Or would that take too much of the challenge out of it. Is killing a bird the most important part or working a bird and getting him in close? No wrong answer just wondering.

[Tarheeltransplant]

I would agree that it's the thrill of the hunt and this comes from a novice turkey hunter. My wallet is too tight for $7 shells. It's not always about the bigger, better, or best equipment, but the enjoyment of the hunt, IMO.....Good luck to all Sat. :D

[4onaside]

Never shot at one beyond 35 yards and/or missed one? Man you are good!A man's got to know his limitations. :D

[4onaside]

At 60 yards w/Nitros he is pretty much dead. That does not take the chase out of the hunt. It makes u a more efficient hunter!!! The more confident u r in ur equipment, can always make you a more successful killer. I also thaink its funny that some people think Nitros are uncalled for, but shorten their gun length for ease of a POP UP BLIND.:rolleyes: Jelly, an aftermarket carlson choke costs what three nitro shells cost. Three shells! Three. Great scott man. Its whatever floats your boat. I never said that the shells were uncalled for. Just uncalled for, for me. But I really can't imagine shooting a turkey at 60 yards with any choke and and any shell. Great choke, great shell, great shooter or all of the above. I very rarely put a shot in the breast, and it would seem to me that at these extreme ranges fliers would be much more common(ballistically they just would, regardless of the state of the art equipment). I don't like bloodshot meat with feathers driven into it! :)

[finelydeerhunting]

My brother had a custom choke for a Mossberg 835, and it would shoot the cheap shells ever bit as tight as the Nitro's are advertised. He got rid of it after not killing 2 big birds that he SHOULD have killed. The pattern was so tight, that there was no room for error. Now he shoots the jellyhead choke like me. I've had no problems putting the birds on the ground. Granted, it's not like shooting a missle at 30 yards, but it kills the birds just as dead.

[Tha' Hat]

I do like a tight pattern, but I also like a little leeway on a running or flying bird. I've killed several turkeys that were doing both of those (one I got a couple weeks ago in TN slipped to within 10 yards behind a big tree, stepped out, spotted me, and had just turned to run when I shot him).

That's one of the main reasons I've always avoided scopes as well.

[ril7572]

I've never missed or wounded one either.


The only hunters that can make this statement are the ones that haven't shot at enough birds:)

[stratos907]

Jelly, an aftermarket carlson choke costs what three nitro shells cost. Three shells! Three. Great scott man. Its whatever floats your boat. I never said that the shells were uncalled for. Just uncalled for, for me. But I really can't imagine shooting a turkey at 60 yards with any choke and and any shell. Great choke, great shell, great shooter or all of the above. I very rarely put a shot in the breast, and it would seem to me that at these extreme ranges fliers would be much more common(ballistically they just would, regardless of the state of the art equipment). I don't like bloodshot meat with feathers driven into it! :)
Agreed....a TRUE 60 yard shot is too far.

[Ship For Brains]

This fall I wounded and lost a legitimate 180" inch deer because I used a cheap scope on my croosbow. I WILL NEVER LET SUB PAR EQUIPMENT PREVENT ME FROM HARVESTING AN ANIMAL AGAIN.

I like most people have limited time to hunt and travel 60+ mi;les each time I do. IF an extra $7 dollars for a shell would get me an extra 10 yards and allow an increased oppurtunity for a kill, I think $7 is well worth it. Figure in the gas an time for driving back the next day when you could have him the first day. $7 is nothing when factoring in drive time, fuel, and other costs.

[4onaside]

The only hunters that can make this statement are the ones that haven't shot at enough birds:)Or ones that don't shoot at birds that are out of range. :)

[therron258]

dead is dead guys. No matter how you look at it. How many situations will you come up on that these will make a differenc in a kill or not????
both turkeys ive killed have been far away.

one was 47 yards, the other was 53, rolled em over both times.