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 is an exciting adventure that requires skill, patience, and the right equipment One of the most important pieces of gear for any turkey hunter is the shotgun and ammunition Choosing the best shot size for turkeys can make the difference between a successful hunt and coming home empty-handed. This article will examine the pros and cons of various turkey loads and shot sizes to help you determine what ammo is optimal for bagging a big tom.
Overview of Turkey Shot Options
Turkey loads generally come in three common shot sizes – #4, #5, and #6 shot. Each size has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to range, pattern density, and penetration.
#4 Shot
- Pros: Excellent penetration through brush and limbs, retains energy at longer ranges
- Cons: Larger pellet size can cause poor patterns in some guns
#5 Shot
- Pros: Provides a balance of pellet count and penetration ability
- Cons: Not as many pellets as #6 shot, less penetration than #4 shot
#6 Shot
- Pros: Highest pellet counts for dense patterns up close
- Cons: Loses energy quickly past 35 yards, poor penetration in brush
Shot Performance by Range
The effective range of each shot size is a key factor. According to Winchester ammunition experts, #6 shot begins to lose lethality past 35 yards. #5 shot remains effective out to around 45 yards. Larger #4 shot retains enough energy for longer shots, with some premium loads effective to 60 yards or more.
I recommend patterning your specific shotgun with different loads at various ranges to get a feel for their capabilities. This will show firsthand how the pattern density holds up as range increases. Be sure to test out to the maximum distances you may take a shot when hunting.
Importance of Pellet Penetration
Adequate pellet penetration is crucial for clean harvests. According to ballistics tests by Field & Stream, approximately 2 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of energy are required for turkey head/neck penetration. At 35 yards, nearly half of #6 shot failed to reach that 2 ft-lb threshold. Larger #4 shot delivers ample energy, but the pellets can glance off bones if impacting at an angle.
Overall, #5 shot provides the best balance of energy for penetration at common hunting ranges under 50 yards. I prefer loads heavy in #5s for most turkey hunting situations. However, early season hunts when patterning at closer ranges, #6 can be devastating on toms.
Patterning Your Shotgun
The key is to pattern your specific shotgun with various loads first before picking the best performing option. Testing will show how tight or spread out the pellets print on target. Try #4, #5, and #6 shot options to see which creates the optimal density across the turkey’s head and neck at expected shooting distances.
Some shotguns pattern #4 shot poorly due to tight constrictions squeezing the larger pellets. #6 shot may pattern wonderfully in open areas letting you take advantage of the higher pellet counts. There is no universally best performer, so take the time to do your own tests.
Lead vs Tungsten Loads
Another choice is lead vs tungsten super shot (TSS) loads. Lead is more affordable and effective for close range hunting. TSS costs more but delivers tremendously tight patterns that extend lethal ranges. I suggest trying both lead and TSS loads when patterning to see which option your gun likes best.
Recommended All-Purpose Ammo Choices
If I had to grab one standard turkey load for any shotgun, here are a couple that pattern well for most hunters:
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Winchester Longbeard XR 3-inch, #5 shot – great mid-range patterns from this high performer
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Remington Nitro Turkey 3-inch, #5 shot Magnum Blend – blended #5s and #6s balance energy and pellet count
For hunters wanting tighter patterns and extended reach, these TSS loads shine:
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Winchester Long Beard TSS, #9 shot – extremely tight patterns out to 60 yards
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Federal Heavyweight TSS, #7 shot – premium buffered TSS pellets for controlled expansion
There are certainly other excellent options, but these provide consistent performance in a variety of shotgun platforms. Remember to always pattern your own firearm, scout the hunting terrain, and only take ethical shots you are confident in. This will lead to cleanly harvesting more longbeards no matter what load you decide is best.
Summary
Choosing the optimal turkey shot comes down to considering your effective hunting ranges, choke constrictions, and patterning capabilities of your specific shotgun. Test fire at various yardages to get a feel for pattern density and penetration with different loads. This will reveal which shot size and turkey load performs best for your needs and shooting style when pursuing spring gobblers. With the right patterning and intelligent shot selection, you’ll be sure to get your tag filled during turkey season.
TSS vs. Lead Turkey Loads
Hevi-Shot was one of the first ammo makers to employ tungsten in its turkey loads (handloaders used it for some time before mass shotshell production began). They used a combination of tungsten and iron to create a pellet with a density of 12 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc), which is slightly higher than the 11 g/cc density of lead. Since then, more large ammo manufacturers have produced TSS loads, which are not pure tungsten, but rather a mix of 95 percent tungsten and 5 percent nickel and iron powder. TSS has a density of 18 g/cc, which is more than twice the density of steel. Because TSS is so dense, you can load smaller and therefore more pellets of it in a hull. For instance, No. 9 TSS has about the same mass as a lead No. 5 pellet. But there are around 360 pellets per ounce in a load of No. 9 TSS compared to 175 for a lead 5. So, you can see why TSS packs a more potent punch.
TSS is also expensive. A box of five 2-ounce turkey loads can run upwards of $60, which is why plenty of turkey hunters still stick with lead. And that’s just fine. Because many lead loads can kill turkeys out to 40 yards if choked and patterned properly. They also cost one-third the price of TSS. If you shoot most of your turkeys inside 40 yards, there might never be a reason to buy TSS. Field & Stream shotgun editor Phil Bourjaily tested TSS against lead loads in 2021, if you want to see how potent lead is at shorter yardages.
To find out which of today’s turkey loads most effectively kill gobblers, associate editor Adam Moore and I recently tested nine popular lead and TSS shotshells. Here are the results.
Best Turkey Loads for .410 Bore
- Excellent patterns from all three guns
- Availability is currently scarce
- 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)
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.
Which AFFORDABLE Turkey Load is BEST? | Full Test & Review
FAQ
Is a 5 or 6 shot better for turkey?
A single high velocity #6 will kill a turkey past forty yards. Sometimes a #5 load will pattern better than #6. The better pattern increases odds of getting that single pellet on the bone. So, go with whichever load patterns best regardless of shot size.
What type of shot do you use for turkey?
A standard 2 ¾-inch or 3-inch magnum tungsten load is more than enough for killing turkeys out past 50 yards.
What is the best shot on a turkey?
The obvious best shot is a head shot as this will immediately kill the turkey in its tracks, but if you take a body shot it best to shoot a turkey in the back. By that I mean it is best to shoot a turkey as it is quartering away or facing straight away.
What is the best shot shell for turkeys?
The best turkey loads vary from gauge to gauge and gun to gun. However, I found the most consistent to be Winchester Long Beard XR 12 gauge 2 oz. #4 Shot. It’s reliable, produced by a reputable company, and, most importantly, it’s helped me bring turkeys back home for dinner.
What is the best shotgun to kill turkeys with?
The biggest lesson I learned from this test for the best turkey loads (other than there are few guns better than the 870 to kill turkeys with) is that you must pattern your shotgun extensively, and at different distances, with the load you intend to hunt with if you want to kill a bird at or past 40 yards.
Which shotgun is best for putting down a tom turkey?
We will suggest choosing between the Hevi Shot HEVI-18 and the Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS. Both are top-notch performers for putting down a tom turkey. That said, no two shotguns will deliver the same pattern with the same TSS load. So patterning your shotgun to determine the correct load and choke combination is vital.
What are the best shotshells for turkey hunting?
That list of potent turkey-getting shotshells includes loads like Winchester’s Long Beard XR and other shotshells that extends a hunter’s maximum shooting range far beyond the old 40 yards.