Whether you’re new to hunting or a seasoned turkey hunter pursuing a Grand Slam, choosing the right turkey shotgun shell and load can make or break your next gobbler hunt. Spurred on by ever-evolving performance through improved shot material, shotgun shell manufacturers continue to fine-tune options available for waterfowlers, upland bird hunters, and turkey chasers. At the forefront of shotgun shell innovations has been Federal Ammunition, which has been selling ammo for the past 100 years. They help us break down the perfect loads to consider for your next successful turkey hunt. Table of Contents
As a turkey hunter choosing the right ammunition is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Using the proper shot size and load in your 12 gauge shotgun can mean the difference between a successful hunt and going home empty-handed. I’ll explain the different 12 gauge shot sizes available for turkeys and offer recommendations on which loads are most effective under various conditions.
The Basics of Shot Size for Turkeys
There are three common 12 gauge shot sizes used for hunting spring gobblers: #4, #5, and #6. Lead and steel shot have traditionally been the go-to, but new alternatives like tungsten and bismuth are also options. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each:
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#4 Shot – The largest commonly available size these pellets carry the most energy downrange and penetrate well. However some guns don’t pattern #4 shot effectively, especially when using tight turkey chokes.
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#5 Shot – A compromise between #4 and #6, these pellets bring a blend of knockdown power and pattern density. This size often patterns more consistently than #4s.
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#6 Shot – The smallest size, these tiny pellets produce very dense patterns However, they lack the penetrating power of larger shot sizes past 35 yards
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Tungsten – Smaller tungsten pellets match or exceed the energy of larger lead and steel thanks to greater density. Hardness also improves penetration. Expensive but very effective.
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Bismuth – Similar advantages as tungsten in terms of density and penetration. Also non-toxic like tungsten but even more costly per shell.
So which should you choose? It depends on your specific gun, hunting conditions, and effective range.
Matching Shot Size to Conditions
Here are my recommendations on shot selection based on various scenarios:
Hunting in Open Woods
Open hardwoods with minimal brush allow shots past 40 yards. This calls for a magnum load of #4, #5, or tungsten #7s or #9s to provide knockdown power and penetration at extended ranges. The open terrain allows the larger shot to pattern effectively.
Hunting Brushy Woods
Tight overgrown cover limits visibility and shots to 30 yards or less. Use #6 lead or a small tungsten load like #9s. The extra pellets put plenty of energy on target at close range when patterns are naturally tighter.
Hunting Early Season
Take advantage of open woods before leaves emerge. #4 or #5 magnums excel when gobblers are more visible. Just be sure to pattern test first for consistency.
Hunting Late Season
Dense spring foliage limits long shots. Smaller #6 lead or #7 tungsten allows tighter patterns that penetrate brush and limbs without losing too much energy.
Hunting with Young or Small-Framed Hunters
A 20 gauge loaded with #5 lead or #7 tungsten reduces recoil for youths and smaller hunters. Lighter guns are easier to handle but still pack enough power for turkeys inside 40 yards.
Patterning an Older Shotgun
With vintage guns, try various loads and let patterning results dictate your choice. Older bores and chokes favor smaller shot, so start with #6s and only go up in size if patterns warrant it.
The most important thing is to pattern test your specific shotgun. This will show which loads perform best through your barrel and with your preferred choke tube. Test at the maximum ranges you plan to shoot and pick the size that provides the densest, most even spread of pellets.
Recommended 12 Gauge Turkey Loads
Based on my decades of turkey hunting experience, here are my top 3 choices of 12 gauge ammo for consistent performance:
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Winchester Longbeard XR – Excellent knockdown and penetration out to 60 yards thanks to Shot-Lok technology. I prefer #5s for most conditions.
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Federal Premium Tungsten #7s – Great option when you need a dense pattern in thick cover inside 40 yards.
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Winchester Super X Lead #6s – My choice for hunters wanting lead loads. Affordable and reliable on close to medium range birds.
There you have it! When choosing your 12 gauge turkey loads, consider your realistic effective range, local terrain, and time of season. Pattern test to select the right shot size for your gun. With the proper ammunition, your next spring gobbler hunt will be a great success.
12-Gauge vs. 20-Gauge For Turkey Hunting
Turkey hunting is not necessarily a “go big or go home” game, so having a 12- or 10-gauge shotgun is not a requisite to enjoying a successful gobbler hunt. “We have seen tremendous growth in 20-gauge shotguns over the past 15 years for turkey hunting,” says Compton. “In lead loads, wad designs and choke tubes are making this possible by delivering very tight patterns that are extending the traditional ranges of a 20-gauge. TSS loads have made the 20-gauge even more viable with plenty of power and much less recoil. Do not be afraid to hunt with a 20-gauge and some TSS tungsten!”
Understanding Shotguns and Shells
A shotgun is a firearm that shoots a pattern of “shot,” which are pellets made most commonly from lead, copper-plated lead, nickel-plated lead, bismuth, tungsten, or steel. The spread of these shot makes it easier to shoot moving targets (such as birds or small game); although “slugs,” which are a solid lead projectile used for big(ger) game, is another type of shotgun load but not one we’ll cover here. Shotguns come in different gauges. The gauge is a bore measurement like that of calibers for pistols or rifles. The two most common gauges used for turkey hunting, in order, are a 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotgun. A 12-gauge has a larger, wider barrel than a 20-gauge. Here’s how gauges of shotguns are classified. Imagine a round lead ball that fits perfectly inside a 12-gauge shotgun barrel (0.729″). It would take 12 lead balls of that diameter to equal one pound of lead. Since a 20-gauge shotgun barrel has a smaller diameter (0.615″) it would take 20 lead balls to make up one pound of lead. That’s the difference between the sizes of these guns. Shotguns also come in 10-gauge, 16-gauge, 28-gauge, and a .410 (the smallest bore shotgun available).
Shotgun shells are sold by their gauge, shell length, and shot size. The shotgun shell gauge should match the gauge of the shotgun. The length of the shells will range from 2 ½” for most small-bore guns up to 3.5” inches for long-distance shots from a 12-gauge. Shots are categorized with an inverse naming system, where a #1 shot is larger than a #4 shot. One can calculate the diameter of the shot by subtracting the shot-size number from 17 and then dividing that number by 100. Thereby, a #6 shot would have a diameter of .11” (17-6 = 11, divided by 100, equals .11). Just to confuse matters, however, there are larger diameter shots than #1 and they are labeled as B, BB, BBB, T, TT, and FF. The general range for shotgun shells used for bird and turkey hunting purposes, though, falls between #1 (long-range ducks) to #8 (doves, quail, and pigeons). In a moment, though, we’ll cover a #9 shot used for turkey hunting. It’s also worth noting that “buckshot” has an even larger diameter than the shot defined above. These loads are generally for home defense and medium-to-large game, including whitetail deer. Shot sizes for these loads range from #4 (.24” diameter) to #000 (.36” diameter). To visualize the differences in shell sizes based on gauge, length, and shot, a 2 ½” shell for a .410 will hold eight #4 buckshot pellets, but a 3 ½” shell for a 12-gauge will hold 41 of the same size #4 buckshot pellets.
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FAQ
What size shot for 12-gauge turkey?
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.
Is a 4-5 or 6 shot better for turkey?
When hunting early season with little green-up, open areas or simply looking to put as many projectiles into the air, No. 6s are ideal.
What size shotgun is best for turkey?
You’ll need power, range, and the ability to shoot heavier loads at turkeys which make the 12-gauge shotgun likely the best for turkey hunting. If you prefer less recoil or just need a lighter firearm to carry on your hunting trip, a 20-gauge shotgun can also be effective.
How far can I shoot a turkey with a 12-gauge?
45 Yards: Beginning our experiments at 45 yards, we observed the formidable performance of TSS rounds. With penetration energy measured at 490 lb-ft/in² for the number seven shot and 338lb-ft/in² for the number nine shot, TSS exhibited remarkable penetration energy.
How far can you shoot a Turkey in a shotgun?
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.
What size shotgun should I use for turkey hunting?
When it comes to selecting ammunition for turkey hunting with a 12-gauge shotgun, it’s crucial to use loads specifically designed for this purpose. Opt for turkey loads that typically contain dense shot patterns, such as #4, #5, or #6 shot, to ensure effective and ethical hunting. What are the best shot sizes for turkey hunting?
Are 12-gauge shotguns good for turkey hunting?
Experimentation with various turkey loads and chokes is the only way to find the best-patterning combination for your shotgun. Photo by Bill Konway Contrary to what you might see on social media, many folks still use 12-gauge shotguns for turkey hunting. Sure, those buffalo guns are heavier than your new .410, and they kick harder than sub-gauges.
What size ammo should I use for turkey hunting?
The best shot sizes for turkey hunting are generally #4, #5, or #6. What is the recommended ammunition for turkey hunting with a 12 gauge? It is recommended to use turkey-specific loads or ammunition designed for dense shot patterns and optimal turkey takedown. Are there any specific brands of ammo recommended for turkey hunting with a 12 gauge?
Which Turkey load is the best size shot?
When standing at the ammo shelf at your local gun shop trying to decide which turkey load is the best size shot, many hunters simply hedge their bets with the obvious compromise and pick No. 5s. Not a bad choice, but let’s consider what’s good and maybe not quite as good between one shot size and the other.
What size lead shot for a Turkey?
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.