Why Are Turkey Loads So Expensive?

Turkey hunting is an exciting and challenging sport but it can also get very expensive very quickly. Many hunters are shocked when they see the price tag on premium turkey loads with some costing over $1 per shell. But there are several reasons why the newest, most effective turkey loads have gotten so pricey.

The Shift to Non-Toxic Shot

The biggest reason turkey loads have gotten much more expensive in recent years is the shift away from lead shot Lead shot for waterfowl hunting was banned in 1991, forcing manufacturers to develop new non-toxic alternatives like steel, tungsten, and bismuth. These materials are far denser than steel, allowing for tighter patterns and greater knockdown power But that density comes at a steep price.

When lead shot was banned for waterfowl, turkey hunters could keep using it. But with mounting concerns about lead in the environment and fragmenting in meat, there has been a push towards non-toxic pellets for turkeys as well. Steel shot is cheap but does not pattern well in turkey loads. So tungsten and bismuth are preferred, despite costing over 10 times more than steel.

The TSS Revolution

The development of tungsten super shot (TSS) in recent years has also driven costs up. With 40% more density than steel, TSS allows for smaller shot sizes and tighter patterns. It has completely changed the game, extending lethal turkey ranges past 50 yards and opening up smaller 20 gauge and .410 shells for turkeys.

But as an extremely rare metal sourced from few places worldwide, TSS comes with a premium price tag. While a box of lead turkey loads typically costs $10-15, TSS can cost over $50 for just 5 shells. The ability to kill turkeys at longer ranges consistently comes at a massive price.

Smaller Niches and Specialization

Another reason for the high cost is that turkey hunting is a relatively small niche of the ammo market. And turkey shells have become extremely specialized, with specific loads tailored for each gauge. Companies invest heavily in tungsten loads and turkey-specific features like flight control wads. But with fewer hunters and limited demand compared to something like deer ammo, companies have to charge more per shell for the R&D.

There are also fewer options and less competition in the turkey load market, allowing major brands like Winchester, Federal, and Hevi-Shot to charge premium prices. When every company charges $1 or more per shell, hunters just have to bite the bullet if they want the best performing loads.

Supply and Production Costs

Supply chain issues, labor shortages, and higher material costs have impacted ammo across the board recently. But with turkey loads already requiring expensive metals like tungsten, any price increases get multiplied significantly. While basic plinking ammo has doubled in cost, premium loads like TSS have gone up 3-4 times.

Limited availability has also let manufacturers charge more per box, knowing that hunters will scramble to find ammo for the spring season. Even as lead ammo comes back in stock, tungsten loads remain scarce and extremely expensive.

Is the High Price Worth It?

At the end of the day, every hunter must decide if $50 turkey loads that kill to 60+ yards are worth the ridiculous price tag. For many diehard turkey hunters, the chance to drop a gobbler at longer distances or have more success with a smaller 20 gauge is worth the high ammo cost. It hurts to pay $1-$2 per shell, but it hurts less than going home empty handed.

But for hunters on a budget or who prefer calling birds in close, bargain priced lead or tungsten-iron blended loads are a more economical choice. There is no doubt that modern tungsten shells are devastating on turkeys. But their outrageous price has put them out of reach for many working class hunters. The days of cheap shell boxes are gone, but thankfully there are still affordable options for frugal turkey hunters.

In the premium turkey load market, we are likely to see prices remain high and availability tight for the foreseeable future. As long as hunters have an appetite for long-range turkey loads and are willing to pay over $1 per shell, companies have little reason to lower prices. For the turkey hunter on a budget, the best options are to pattern an affordable lead or blended load for reasonable distances, or bite the bullet and save up for a box of premium shells for the season. Either way, gone are the days of taking turkey ammo costs for granted. These days, every shot counts even more.

Frequency of entities:
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lead: 5
non-toxic: 4
TSS: 4
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companies: 2
environment: 1
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demands: 1
options: 1
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