There was a time when all my turkey, small game, waterfowl and upland shot shells were 2 ¾-inch, #6 lead, 12-gauge field loads. Since then, shotgun loads for all game species, including wild turkeys, have come a long way. These days, turkey loads come in a vast array of configurations, many of which kill gobblers more effectively and at longer ranges than the ammo that used to be available.
In the past, turkey hunters like the great Colonel Tom Kelly regularly killed wily boss gobblers with run-of-the-mill lead game loads. Those guys deserve some serious credit. Compared to what is available today, the ammunition they used had some considerable limitations. With lighter, underpowered loads of soft lead pellets shot out of a 12-gauge shotgun with a full choke, 30 yards was the maximum range for a lethal shot on a turkey.
Modern turkey hunters have much better options. The advent of 3-inch magnum shells allows today’s hunters to shoot a bigger payload of pellets at faster speeds, even with smaller bore 20-gauge shotguns. Hunting ammunition manufacturers also began coating lead pellets with copper, which makes them sturdier. Copper-coated lead pellets penetrate further into flesh and bone, extending the lethal range for turkey hunters.
When lead shot was banned nationwide for waterfowl hunting in 1991, non-toxic steel shot was the answer, but steel is much lighter than lead and lacks lead shot’s killing power and range. These problems led to the commercial manufacture of non-toxic tungsten shot, which is heavier than lead. Eventually, tungsten shot crossed over from waterfowl hunting to turkey hunting.
Turkey Chokes Specialized “super-full” turkey chokes were also developed to constrict pellet loads into tighter patterns than what can be achieved with standard full chokes. A tighter pattern puts more pellets into a turkey’s head and neck.
While turkey chokes do offer the advantage of sending more pellets into smaller areas at longer ranges, hunters need to be aware of one disadvantage. The extremely tight pattern they create makes missing turkeys easier, especially at close range.
At 10 or 15 yards, the pattern of pellets shot out of a turkey choke is the size of a softball. At thirty yards, the pattern is only the width of a paper plate. If you’re using a turkey choke, take the time to bear down and aim very carefully at a gobbler’s neck.
Lead Turkey Loads Hunters still kill thousands of gobblers every year with lead turkey loads, but magnum loads of copper-coated pellets are a better choice. But hunters often argue over the ideal lead shot size for turkeys. Some believe the weight and size of large #4 pellets provides more killing power, while others feel because there are more pellets in a load of smaller #6 that more of those pellets will end up in a turkey’s neck and head.
A good compromise is #5 copper-plated lead pellets loaded in a 12-gauge 3-inch magnum shot shell. With this setup, you’ll be good out to 40 yards, and perhaps 50 if your gun is patterned tight. If you want better range and lethality, you’ll need to consider using tungsten shot.
Tungsten Turkey Loads Based on personal experience, I’m a firm believer in the advantages of tungsten, and there is a lot of data to back me up. Tungsten is much denser and heavier than lead—a #7 tungsten pellet weighs more than a much larger #5 lead pellet. Smaller, heavier pellets penetrate better than larger, lighter ones, and they carry more energy further down range. More pellets result in a denser pattern and more hits in the vital zone. The end result is that hunters can shoot turkeys at longer distances with more killing power than lead.
Federal Ammunition has developed a new premium tungsten turkey load that uses tiny #9 pellets, which gives hunters a shot payload with many more pellets than a load of #6 lead. Their #7 tungsten load offers a similar advantage over #5 lead, and it meets minimum turkey hunting shot size regulations that are enforced in some states, such as Colorado.
Tungsten loads are by far a better choice than lead for turkey hunters, including those who balk at the substantial recoil of a 12-gauge 3 ½-inch magnum load pushing 2 ounces of lead pellets. Those giant, shoulder-punishing 3 ½–inch shells simply aren’t necessary. A standard 2 ¾-inch or 3-inch magnum tungsten load is more than enough for killing turkeys out past 50 yards. Additionally, the advantages of tungsten shells make 20-gauge shotguns indisputably effective turkey killers.
Historically, many hunters believed the 20-gauge was inadequate for turkeys, but with tungsten loads, it is a great choice for kids, women or any hunter who wants to carry a lighter shotgun.
These premium shells come at a cost, though. A box of five tungsten turkey loads will set you back two or three times the price of 10 lead turkey loads. I would have hard time justifying that expense if I was waterfowl or pheasant hunting, since most hunters go through more shells in one duck hunt than an entire turkey season. A single box of tungsten turkey shells, however, should be enough to kill a few gobblers—especially if you pattern your shotgun before the season starts.
Patterning a Shotgun Before you hit the turkey woods, you should pattern your weapon to make sure it’s shooting where you’re aiming. This is just as important as sighting in your big game rifle. All shotguns are different, and some might pattern several inches high, low, left or right.
First, set up a large target at 25-30 yards from a steady rest. Next, aim and shoot for the bullseye with a light game load. The pattern of your pellets should surround the bullseye equally on all sides. Once you’ve established you’ve got a good pattern, repeat the shot on a new target with your turkey load. The patterning results should be similar, which means you’re ready to hunt.
If your gun is not patterning on target after a few shots, try using a different turkey load. Changing ammunition may result in a better pattern. If not, and you are using the factory-installed, single front bead for a sight, consider adding some type of adjustable sight to your shotgun. Rifle-style iron sights, fiber optic sights, peep sights, red dots and scopes are all good options. With any of these systems, a simple adjustment will quickly correct any accuracy problems and you’ll be ready to put your tag on a rope-dragging gobbler.
When spring turkey season rolls around hunters start gearing up with the right camo turkey calls, and most importantly – ammunition. Choosing the right turkey load can make or break your hunt. While there are a variety of options available, #4, #5 and #6 shot are the most common. But is 4 shot really the best choice for bagging a turkey? Let’s take an in-depth look.
Understanding Turkey Load Shot Sizes
Turkey loads generally contain either #4, #5 or #6 shot. #4 shot contains fewer pellets than #5 or #6 but each pellet carries more energy downrange due to its larger size and mass. This gives #4 shot an advantage for punching through brush, limbs and minor obstructions.
Here’s a quick rundown of the differences between each shot size:
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#4 shot – largest pellets, deliver the most energy on target past 40 yards, can penetrate bone and vital organs Fewer pellets overall.
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#5 shot – moderate pellet size and energy delivery, good compromise between #4 and #6 Retains enough energy for lethal hits out to 45 yards
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#6 shot – smallest pellets, least energy per pellet. Makes up for lack of energy with high pellet counts swarming the target. Best for early season and open areas. Effective to 35 yards.
So on paper, #4 shot seems like an obvious choice – hits harder and carries energy further right? Well, it also depends on how each load patterns in your specific shotgun.
Patterning Different Shot Sizes
Before deciding on a turkey load, it’s absolutely crucial to pattern your shotgun with the exact ammunition you plan to use. All guns will perform differently with various loads and shot sizes.
When patterning #4 shot, some guns struggle to produce even patterns. The large pellets can bump into each other at the choke and create ragged holes instead of a consistent spread. This can lead to missed vitals.
On the other hand, most shotguns tend to pattern smaller #5 and #6 shot more efficiently. The higher pellet count also helps deliver dense patterns within typical turkey killing ranges.
If your gun patterns #4 shot well, by all means go for it. But don’t assume it’s the best choice without testing. The key is finding which particular load and shot size creates the tightest, most uniform pattern in YOUR firearm.
Maximum Effective Range Depends on Load
As a general guideline, #6 lead shot is reliable out to 35 yards on turkeys. #5 lead extends that range to about 45 yards. However, with advances in turkey load technology such as Winchester Longbeard XR, effective patterns are now pushed out to 50+ yards.
Longbeard XR achieves this through an innovative Shot-Lok wad that prevents pellets from dispersing too soon. This keeps the pattern tighter even at longer ranges. So modern turkey loads can definitely change the typical shortcomings of each shot size.
No matter what load you use, always stick to your personal maximum effective range for clean, ethical kills. This is the farthest distance at which you can consistently pattern a specific shell/choke/gun combo on a turkey’s head and neck area.
Lead vs. Non-Toxic Shot for Turkeys
Another consideration is lead vs. non-toxic shot. Lead is traditionally used for turkey hunting. But as environmental concerns over lead build up, more states are shifting to require non-toxic loads.
Non-toxic options like tungsten, bismuth and Hevi-Shot retain downrange energy levels on par with lead loads. So they can extend the effective range of smaller shot sizes. This helps compensate for lower pellet counts.
Non-toxics do cost more than lead shells. But they allow hunters to comply with regulations while still getting lethal performance on turkeys.
Telegram for Turkey Hunting Success
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Pattern your shotgun with different shot sizes using the exact loads you plan to hunt with.
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Choose the shell that produces the tightest, most uniform pattern at hunting ranges. This is your most lethal option.
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Maximize your effective range through modern turkey loads like Winchester Longbeard XR.
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Consider non-toxic loads if required in your state. They deliver downrange energy comparable to lead.
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Only take shots within your personal maximum effective range for clean harvests.
In Summary
While #4 buckshot carries plenty of energy downrange, your gun may not pattern it efficiently. The key is finding which particular load and shot size creates the best patterns in your shotgun. Test different ammo options at varying distances to determine your maximum effective range. Modern turkey loads can also extend the typical limitations of each shot size. Following these tips will set you up for success when hunting gobblers this spring.
When To Hunt Turkeys With #4, #5, or #6 Shot | REAL DATA
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