If it weren’t for the lead shot ban in 1991, the evolution of shotgun shells would have likely stagnated. When ammo makers moved to steel so duck hunters could continue legally killing puddlers and divers and geese each fall, turkey hunters benefited … eventually. Steel is hard but not dense, and slowly, shotshell manufacturers began to turn to bismuth and tungsten as non-toxic alternatives to steel waterfowl shot. Both metals are denser, thus more effective at killing. As a side effect, TSS (tungsten super shot) became widely popular for turkey loads, because it hits harder, and patterns better than any other birdshot in production. But, having a hull full of TSS doesn’t mean a turkey load is going to be great. So to separate the good from the great, associate gear editor Adam Moore and I spent a few days shooting every turkey load we could get our hands on to see how they patterned, penetrated, and to check their speed. After some intensive testing, here’s our list of the best turkey loads out there.
When preparing for turkey season, one of the most common questions hunters debate is what size shot to use. Turkey loads generally come in #4, #5, or #6 shot. But which provides the best balance of pattern density and killing power? Let’s break down the pros and cons of each.
#6 Shot
-
Pros
- Highest pellet count per shell
- Results in densest patterns for more hits
- Works well in most shotgun chokes
- Affordable and widely available
-
Cons
- Smallest pellets lack penetration at longer ranges
- Not enough energy to break turkey bones past 35 yards
- Obstructed by brush and limbs more than heavier loads
#4 Shot
-
Pros:
- Heaviest pellets retain energy for longer shots
- Penetrates thick cover and bone better
- Kills more effectively past 40 yards
-
Cons:
- Lower pellet count per shell
- Larger shot doesn’t pattern tightly in some chokes
- Can result in ragged, inconsistent patterns
- Recoil is greater than smaller shot
#5 Shot
-
Pros:
- Balances pellet count and weight
- Penetrates better than #6 shot
- Patterns more consistently than #4 in many guns
- Provides good lethality out to 45 yards
-
Cons:
- Not as dense patterns as #6 shot
- Less energy retention than #4 at long ranges
- Marginal performance in brush and limbs
How to Choose the Right Turkey Load
With so many tradeoffs between the different shot sizes, how do you pick the right one? Here are some tips:
-
Pattern your specific shotgun – All guns shoot differently. Pattern with multiple loads on paper to see which shot size performs best from your barrel.
-
Consider your typical shooting ranges – #6 shot is ideal for closes ranges under 35 yards. For longer shots, go heavier with #4 or #5 shot.
-
Factor in obstructed shots – If shooting through brush is common, lean towards #4 or #5 for penetration.
-
Use #5 for compromise – When in doubt, #5 shot is a good middle ground between #6 and #4.
-
Try different brands – Two #5 loads can pattern differently. Test a few to find your gun’s preference.
-
Follow regulations – Some states prohibit sizes under #4 shot. Always check local laws first.
Finding your shotgun’s “sweet spot” when it comes to turkey loads requires some range testing. But the effort pays off with more effective turkey kills. Don’t just grab a box of shells – take the time to pattern and make an informed choice on shot size.
Best Turkey Loads: Reviews & Recommendations
- Best Pattern (10-inch circle, 40 yards): 270 pellets
- Best Head/Neck Strikes: 25 pellets
- Brister Box: One pellet through 26 pieces of cardboard
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,488 fps
- Buffered shot
- Over a 2-ounce payload
- Dense pattern
Apex produced the best pattern of the test, placing 270 No. 9s inside a 10-inch target at 40 yards through the Remington 870. Benelli’s SBE3 put 156 pellets on target and the BPS placed 67 in the circle. One pellet penetrated 26 of 27 cardboard slats in the Brister box, which was the second worst of all the TSS loads (other than Boss, the rest made it through all 27 panels). But that’s still enough energy to kill a longbeard.
Apex patterns at 40 yards. Left to right: Remington 870, Benelli SBE III, Browning BPS. Joe Genzel
The 2¼-ounce payload was the heaviest of the test, and you can feel every bit of it when you pull the trigger. But you also get 814 pellets downrange, which gives you a better chance of getting a pellet in a turkey’s head than any of the other turkey loads tested. Apex lists the muzzle velocity at 1,190 fps, but the chronograph didn’t read lower than 1,300 fps on three different shots, the best being a spicy 1,488 fps, which is comparable to a waterfowl load.
Apex does not crimp its shotshells. Instead, the company places a sealed paper cap at the end, which makes it less likely to hang up in the action as it ejects because there’s no flaring. GT-3 is offered in 10-, 12-, 16-, 20-, and 28-gauge, as well as .410-bore in shot sizes 7.5, 8, 9, and 9.5.
- Best Pattern (10-inch circle, 40 yards): 253 pellets
- Best Head/Neck Strikes: 46 pellets
- Brister Box: 22 pellets through 27 pieces of cardboard
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,080 fps
- Buffered shot
- Second-best TSS pattern percentage: 253 of 714 (35 percent)
- Patterned the most consistent out of all three guns
- Velocity is lower than advertised
Hevi-18 had the most consistent patterns of the test out of all three turkey shotguns. It placed 253 pellets (46 of which struck the head and neck) inside the 10-inch circle from the 870, followed by 156 (46 head and neck) out of the BPS, and 147 (34 head and neck) from the SBE3. The contents inside the Hevi-18 four-petal wad look much different than any of the other shells. Hevi-18 uses flaxseed at the end of the payload to fill any empty space left in the shell, a common trait in every Hevi-Shot product I’ve ever used.
The Hevi-18 patterns at 40 yards: Left to right: Remington 870, Benelli SBE III, Browning BPS. Joe Genzel
But the buffering—small polymer balls that look like salt and hinder pellet deformation—is heavy. It was so thick that it covered up most of the pellets once I dumped them into a plastic bag. The 2-ounce payload penetrated 27 pieces of cardboard in the Brister box, which it hit with such authority that the box actually jumped up from the sawhorses it was placed on. The load also put 27 pellets inside the 10-inch circle at 70 yards and penetrated ½-inch drywall, proving it could kill a turkey at that distance. Hevi-18 is offered in 12- and 20- gauge, plus .410-bore in shot sizes 7 and 9.
How We Tested the Best Turkey Loads
Before tabulating pellet strikes, we first found the hold point on the target for best pattern results. For instance, the SBE3 has a Burris FastFire II red-dot, so we put that dot right on the turkey’s head at 40 and pulled the trigger to deliver an optimal pattern. The 870 had a mid-neck hold point, and the BPS patterned best when I held it at the base of the turkey’s neck and slightly to the right.
Then we moved on to the penetration portion of our best turkey loads test, shooting each load from 40 yards into a penetration box modeled after one former Field & Stream shooting editor Bob Brister designed decades ago. The wooden box, built by my stepdad and his brother, is roughly four feet long with an 18- by 18-inch opening. There are 27 slots spaced 1½ inches apart inside the box, each of which holds a 1/8-inch-thick piece of cardboard.
I also placed a ½-inch piece of drywall just behind the first piece of cardboard before each shot. This helped slow the pellets. Each load would have simply blown through all 27 cardboard slats without it. If the load penetrated the drywall at 40 yards, that also was a good sign it could kill a turkey. After the drywall and cardboard were in place, I shot into the opening of the box using the 870 (of the three guns, it patterned best) to see how many pieces of cardboard each load could penetrate.
Read Next: Best Turkey Shotguns of 2023
Finally, we tested each shotshell for muzzle velocity by shooting through a chronograph. In my experience, shotshells don’t replicate the velocity stamped on the ammo box. So, I shot each shell up to five times and recorded the best result. I did this because 1) I was relying on a machine (chronograph) to supply accurate data in pretty brutal conditions (it was 20°F with a 25 mph north wind), and 2) not every shotshell always gets the same amount of gunpowder or burns at the same rate, no matter how conscientious ammo makers are about loading shells. There’s always going to be some slight variance.
When To Hunt Turkeys With #4, #5, or #6 Shot | REAL DATA
FAQ
Is a 5 or 6 shot better for turkey?
What shot for turkey 20-gauge?
What size TSS shot is best for turkey?
What do you shoot a turkey with?
Which shot is best for turkey hunting?
It will allow you to quickly and accurate place your shot and get clean kills. In summary, No 4 – No 7 shot can all work well for turkey hunting. We think most hunters would do well sticking to either 5 or 6. The important take away from this article is that you need to pattern you gun before hunting with a new load.
What size shotgun do you use for turkey hunting?
Shotgun hunters typically use sizes 4, 5, or 6 shot for turkey hunting. These sizes provide enough energy and penetration to take down a turkey at a reasonable range. However, the size of the shot can vary depending on the hunter’s preference, the type of shotgun, and the turkey loads used.
How do I choose a turkey shot?
The first is the size of the shot. Turkey loads are typically available in sizes 4, 5, and 6. The larger the shot size, the more penetration it will provide, but the fewer pellets there will be in the shot pattern. A compromise between penetration and pellet count is often the best choice.
What is the best shotgun to kill turkeys with?
The biggest lesson I learned from this test for the best turkey loads (other than there are few guns better than the 870 to kill turkeys with) is that you must pattern your shotgun extensively, and at different distances, with the load you intend to hunt with if you want to kill a bird at or past 40 yards.