Can You Use Steel Shot for Turkey Hunting?

Turkey season is here and eager hunters are gearing up A common question arises – can you use steel shot for turkeys? Steel shot is prevalent for waterfowl hunting But regulations and performance vary for turkeys. Let’s examine if and when steel shot works on these wary game birds.

What is Steel Shot?

Steel shot consists of small pellets made from, you guessed it – steel When fired from a shotgun, the pellets spread out to strike the target Lead was once the standard for shot. But due to environmental concerns, steel became required for waterfowl starting in 1991.

Steel is lighter than lead So more pellets fit in a shell of the same size. This helps compensate for steel’s reduced density. The hardness of steel prevents shot deformation, keeping patterns tight But steel doesn’t retain velocity as well downrange.

Is Steel Shot Legal for Turkeys?

Always check your state’s regulations before using steel shot. Most states prohibit lead for waterfowl only. But regulations are expanding, so confirm your area’s current rules. And certain public lands may ban lead when the state doesn’t.

As of 2025, here are the seven states restricting lead for upland game and turkeys:

• California
• Colorado
• Indiana
• Maine
• New York
• Vermont
• Virginia

If hunting in any of these states, you must use steel, tungsten, bismuth or other approved nontoxic shot. For turkeys, typical approved sizes are #4, #5 or #6 shot. Some states limit quantities and shot size, so review regulations.

Effectiveness on Turkeys

Given its legality, how effective is steel shot on turkeys compared to lead? Performance depends on multiple factors:

Shot Size – Use #4 or #6 shot for the best compromise of pellet count and knockdown power. Larger than #4 is often illegal.

Range – Pattern steel shot at the distances you plan to shoot. 40 yards is typically the max for turkeys.

Penetration – Steel doesn’t retain velocity or penetrate as well as dense lead. Keep shots closer.

Number of Pellets – More pellets impacting the turkey improves chances of clean kills. Denser tungsten outperforms steel here.

Choke – Tighter constriction keeps steel patterns denser at distance. Use turkey chokes meant for steel.

Given its lighter weight, steel shot requires careful range discipline. But it can kill turkeys cleanly under 40 yards with the right loads, chokes and shot placement.

Recommended Steel Shot Turkey Loads

Many major ammo companies now offer steel turkey loads. Try various brands and sizes in your gun to see what patterns best. Here are some top-performing steel turkey loads:

• Winchester Xtended Range HD – #4 or #6 shot
• Federal Heavyweight TSS – #5, #6 or #7 shot
• Remington Nitro Steel – #4 shot
• Rio BlueSteel – #4 or #5 shot
• Kent Fasteel – #4 or #5 shot

Kent Fasteel has performed exceptionally for hunters in terms of patterning and penetration. The velocities achieved with steel shot require compromise – a tight choke constriction can deform pellets. Kent’s process optimizes speed while retaining roundness for better downrange patterns.

Using Steel Shot in Your Shotgun

Check your shotgun manufacturer’s recommendations before firing steel. Many modern shotguns handle steel just fine. Some things to know:

• Use only steel-approved chokes, often with extended constrictions. Improved Cylinder or Modified chokes work well.

• Stick to 2 3⁄4″ or 3″ shells to avoid excessive pressure with steel.

• Avoid very tight turkey chokes like Extra Full unless approved for steel.

• Semi-autos may require adjusting gas settings when using lighter steel loads.

• Clean your shotgun thoroughly after shooting steel to prevent corrosion.

• Steel may increase wear on choke tubes and barrel interiors over time.

With the right loads and patterning, steel shot can drop turkeys within ethical shooting distances. Train with it extensively before your hunt. Be aware of potential crippling and stray pellets. As with any shot, only take high percentage shots.

Steel vs Other Nontoxic Turkey Shot

Besides steel, what other nontoxic options work for turkey hunting? Here’s how they compare:

Bismuth – Very dense like lead but expensive. Mediocre patterning. Often banned for waterfowl where steel is required.

Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) – Extremely high density for phenomenal reach and impact. Expensive but excellent performance.

Tungsten Matrix – Blended tungsten pellets that achieve TSS-like ballistics for less cost. Brands like Federal Heavyweight TSS offer affordable tungsten turkey loads with superior patterning to steel.

Hevi-Shot – Another tungsten blend with excellent reach and lethality. Performs better than steel with tighter patterns.

For hunters without lead restrictions, tungsten products provide the best performance. Within typical turkey distances, they noticeably outpenetrate steel. But modern steel turkey loads remain lethal when used correctly.

Is Steel Shot Right for You?

Many diehard turkey hunters never warmed up to steel shot. They viewed it as forced upon them by regulations rather than superior ballistics. But with new loads and choke tubes, steel merits consideration even where legal.

Turkey hunting regulations change faster than magazine subscriptions can keep up. So always consult your state’s rules first. Where mandated or allowed, steel requires some adjustments in range and patterning to be effective on turkeys. But it can work fine where precise shot placement is emphasized.

Give steel shot a fair shake in your shotgun this season. Hunters survived the transition to steel for waterfowl, even as lead performed better. With realistic expectations and smart shooting, steel can take spring gobblers cleanly and ethically. Next fall you can always go back to lead for more forgiving upland birds. But this spring, steel may surprise you on turkeys.