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.
Turkey hunting requires having the right gear, especially when it comes to shotgun shells. Choosing the proper shotshell can mean the difference between bagging a longbeard and going home empty-handed. There are a variety of options available, from traditional lead shells to high-performance tungsten offerings. This article will break down the top turkey hunting loads to consider for a successful hunt.
Lead Shotshells
Lead shot has long been the standard for turkey hunters. It is dense, affordable, and provides excellent knockdown power on gobblers within 40 yards when paired with the right choke tube. Here are some of the top lead loads for turkey hunting:
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Winchester Longbeard XR: This 3-inch 12 or 20 gauge shell uses Shot-Lok technology to tighten lead shot patterns. It excels at 40 yards and beyond when used in the right shotgun. The #4, #5 or #6 shot options provide flexibility.
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Remington Nitro Turkey: Remington’s 3-inch 12 or 20 gauge Nitro Turkey load features copper-plated buffered lead shot for optimized patterns. The #4 or #5 shot performs well inside 40 yards.
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Federal Power-Shok Offered in multiple 12 and 20 gauge options Power-Shok provides reliable bang for buck performance. The 3-inch #4 and #5 loads are great budget-friendly choices under 40 yards.
Though not as flashy as premium shells, quality lead loads are a wise choice for the budget-conscious hunter focused on short to moderate range shots.
Tungsten Super Shot (TSS)
In recent years, TSS turkey loads have become popular due to their ability to produce dense patterns and deep penetration. The ultra-dense tungsten pellets excel past 50 yards when used in a properly choked shotgun. They do carry a premium price tag compared to lead. Here are some top TSS loads:
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Winchester Long Beard TSS: This 12 or 20 gauge shell uses a resin Shot-Lok technology to surround #7 or #9 TSS shot. It provides excellent 40-60 yard performance when patterned in specific shotguns.
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Federal Heavyweight TSS Federal’s FliteControl Flex wad optimizes dense TSS patterns in these potent 3-inch 12 or 20 gauge shells The #7 and #9 loads are lethal past 50 yards in the right shotgun
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Kent Cartridge Fasteel TSS: Kent Fasteel features a Aerospace alloy wad in these 3-inch 12 or 20 gauge TSS shells. The #7, #8, and #9 shot excel past 50 yards when tested and choked properly.
For turkey hunters seeking the added reach and knockdown power on longer shots, TSS is worth the investment. Be sure to pattern your specific TSS load before hunting.
Blended Payloads
Blended payloads combine multiple types of shot in one shell, seeking to merge the benefits of each. Lead and tungsten mixes are popular options. Some top blends include:
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Remington HTL: This 12 or 20 gauge 3-inch shell blends heavy #5 lead shot with #7 HEVI-Shot for lethality inside 50 yards. It brings a blend of affordability with added reach over standard lead.
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Winchester Long Beard TSS/Lead Combo: A mix of #5 lead shot and #7 TSS shot provides a balance of density and value in these potent 12 or 20 gauge shells good to 60 yards.
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Kent Fasteel Varmint X turkey: Kent’s unique blend of #3 copper plated lead BBs, #4 lead, #5 lead, and #7 tungsten shot offers a versatile payload across typical turkey hunting ranges.
Blended shells can provide shot density similar to premium loads at a more budget-friendly price point in the right shotgun. They allow hunters to gain some added range over basic lead shells.
The Importance of Patterning
While premium turkey loads provide outstanding potential downrange performance, their effectiveness comes down to how they pattern in your specific shotgun. No matter what shell you choose, take the time to pattern it at various ranges to determine an optimal point of aim and effective range. This will set you up for the most success on your next hunt.
In the end, today’s turkey hunter has a great variety of shotshell choices. With proper patterning, both affordable lead and high-performance tungsten loads can be used to drop spring gobblers. Take stock of your needs and budget to pick the right turkey load, then pattern it for confidence on your next hunt.
Frequency of Entities:
<ul>
<li>Boss Tom Tungsten: 2</li>
<li>HEAVYWEIGHT® TSS: 2</li>
<li>HEVI-Shot Magnum Blend: 1</li>
<li>Lead shot: 5</li>
<li>Tungsten: 4</li>
<li>Winchester Longbeard XR: 3</li>
<li>Remington Nitro Turkey: 1</li>
<li>Federal Power-Shok: 1</li>
<li>Winchester Long Beard TSS: 1</li>
<li>Federal Heavyweight TSS: 1</li>
<li>Kent Cartridge Fasteel TSS: 1</li>
<li>Remington HTL: 1</li>
<li>Winchester Long Beard TSS/Lead Combo: 1</li>
<li>Kent Fasteel Varmint X turkey: 1</li>
</ul>
Best Turkey Loads for .410 Bore
- Best Pattern: 156 (Mossberg 500)
- Average Pattern: 130
- Cartridge Length: 3 inches
- Payload: ⅞ ounces
- Shot Size: 9.5
- Velocity: 1060
- Price: $63 (per box of 10)
- Excellent patterns from all three guns
- Availability is currently scarce
Apex is largely responsible for the popularity of TSS in turkey hunting which has also bolstered the popularity of turkey hunting with .410 shotguns. So it’s fitting that Apex’s Ninja would win our Editor’s Choice pick. The load produced denser patterns than others in this test. With our Mossberg 500 .410 test gun, the load patterned phenomenally, averaging 154 hits inside a 10-inch circle. That’s better pattern density than a couple TSS loads and lead loads featured above.
The .410 Ninja loads did have an advantage over other .410 turkey loads in this patterning test because they have a slightly heavier payload (⅞ ounces) than the other loads in this test (13/16 ounces). Also, since Apex loaded its shell with No. 9.5s it has more pellets within its payload. Apex says that 403 pellets are packed into this load. The only downside with .410 Ninja is that availability tends to be scarce.
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.
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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.
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FAQ
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