Turkeys are tough. They’re covered in dense feathers, and their vital area is deceivingly small—this is especially true for strutting toms. Because of all this, you must shoot a tom in the head and neck in order to kill him cleanly and ethically. Quite simply, putting the core of your shotgun pattern on a tom’s neck and head will drop him in his tracks.
But it does get slightly more complicated than just “put it on his head!” Turkeys move constantly, and their heads move the most. Shot distances vary, which changes the spread and density of your gun’s pattern. Then there’s the challenge of turkey hunting with a bow, which requires a whole different type of shot placement. In order to simplify turkey shooting and help you make the quickest, cleanest kills possible, I’ve put together an in-depth guide on where to shoot a turkey.
Turkey hunting is an exciting outdoor activity that allows you to get close to nature and harvest wild game for your dinner table. However, as a beginner, you may have questions about the best tools and techniques for the job. Specifically, you may be wondering: what do you shoot a turkey with? This comprehensive guide will provide all the details you need to prepare for a successful first turkey hunt.
Firearms for Turkey Hunting
The most common choices for firearms to shoot a turkey are shotguns and muzzleloaders. Let’s take a closer look at each option:
Shotguns
A 12 or 20 gauge shotgun loaded with the appropriate ammunition is one of the most effective tools for harvesting a turkey. With modern turkey specific loads and chokes, these shotguns can deliver tight patterns out to 40 yards or more. Popular choices include:
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12 gauge pump action shotguns like the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. These are affordable reliable, and versatile for all types of hunting.
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20 gauge semi-automatic shotguns like the Benelli Montefeltro or Beretta A400. These are lightweight and soft-shooting great for smaller-framed hunters.
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.410 bore shotguns like the Winchester SXP. With speciality turkey loads like Federal Premium’s TSS, the .410 can be deadly on turkeys.
Be sure to pattern your shotgun on paper targets at various distances to determine the optimal ammunition and choke tube for your gun, This will ensure reliable performance in the field
Muzzleloaders
In-line muzzleloading shotguns like the Traditions Vortek StrikerFire are legal for turkey hunting during special muzzleloader-only seasons in most states. With a tight choke like the JellyHead from Bull Creek Custom Calls, muzzleloaders can kill turkeys out past 50 yards when loaded with a compressed powder charge and buffered shot.
While not as fast as a breech-loading shotgun, a muzzleloader gives you that old-school, frontiersman feeling. It also allows you to hunt during less crowded seasons. Just be sure to practice and keep your shooting distances reasonable.
Archery Equipment for Turkeys
Bowhunting turkeys with archery gear is challenging but rewarding. Here are some tips for choosing and using archery equipment:
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Select a recurve, compound, or crossbow that you can shoot accurately from a seated position. Most turkey hunting happens from a stationary ground blind.
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Mechanical broadheads with at least a 2 inch cutting diameter are recommended to ensure lethal hits. Brands like G5, Rage, and Swhacker create broadheads specifically for turkey hunting.
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Lower your draw weight if needed. Trying to draw too much weight while seated can lead to awkward shots and injury.
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Consider accessories like a blind with a built-in bow holder to keep your bow in position for a shot.
With practice, scouting, and proper shot placement, you can absolutely put a gobbler in your game bag with stick and string archery gear.
Shot Size and Type Recommendations
Choosing the appropriate shotshells or arrows is critical to a clean, ethical kill on a turkey. Here are some recommendations:
12 and 20 Gauge Shotguns
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#4, #5, or #6 lead or bismuth shot
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Tungsten “super shot” blends like Federal Premium’s TSS in #7, #8, or #9
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Shot sizes between #4 and #6 provide the best balance of sufficient penetration and patterning density at common turkey hunting ranges.
410 Bore Shotguns
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Tungsten super shot blends in #7 or #9 shot sizes
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The tiny pellets create dense patterns that make up for the .410’s limitations
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Federal Premium .410 Handicap and .410 TSS are great options
.410 handguns
-.410 bore handguns like the Judge or Governor can be used if allowed in your state
- Pattern them just like a .410 shotgun and limit shots to 30 yards or less
Archery
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Match your broadhead to the weight of your arrows and energy of your bow
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Mechanical broadheads with at least a 2 inch cutting diameter are recommended
Where to Aim on a Turkey
Shot placement is critical for a quick, clean, and ethical kill. Here are some tips:
Shotguns
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Head and neck hold the vital organs
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Aim for the area just above the base of the neck
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Imagine a line following the contour of the back and aim just below that
Bow and Arrow
-Aim for the lungs and heart in the lower chest cavity
-Aim just above the beard on a broadside gobbler
-Aim at the base of the wing to bust bones and prevent escape
Regardless of your weapon, limiting shots to 30-40 yards helps ensure proper shot placement. Only take shots you are fully confident in.
Safety Considerations
Turkey hunting has inherent risks like any form of hunting. Follow these tips for a safe hunt:
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Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded and never point at anything you don’t intend to shoot
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Confirm your target and what’s beyond it before shooting
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Use a turkey vest or shotgun barrel guard so your gun doesn’t accidentally swing towards others
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Avoid wearing red, white, or blue which can attract hunters looking for a gobbler
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Never stalk sounds of another hunter calling – set up 100 yards away
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Clearly communicate with hunting partners about positioning
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Consider using a dog trained to chase but not attack turkeys to help recover wounded birds
With the right tools, techniques, and mindset of safety, you’ll be ready to get out there and answer the question “what do you shoot a turkey with?” yourself after a successful hunt. Trust your equipment, hunt ethically, and you’ll have memories and wild turkey dinners for years to come. Good luck out there!
Don’t Shoot at a Turkey That’s in Full Strut
Shotgun hunters should avoid shooting at a strutting tom because his neck is curled and his head is tucked close to his body. This makes it easy to miss the core skull/vertebrae area. Turkeys that are hit in the body often roll over and then get up running. This is not an ideal result. To bring a gobbler out of strut, give him a few clucks on a mouth call (but be ready to shoot). If you’re not using a mouth call, simply moving your gun ever so slightly so that it covers the tom is often enough to catch his eye and bring him out of strut. But again, be ready to shoot.
Patterning your turkey gun is critical. Not all shotguns hit exactly where you aim them. You need to know your exact point of impact and the density of your pattern at all the ranges you intend to shoot. Don’t shoot beyond the capabilities of your load/choke/gun combo. For most hunters shooting lead turkey loads, that’s going to be a max of about 45 yards, but it could be less depending on your pattern. You want about 100 pellet strikes within a 10-inch diameter circle, or about 200 pellet strikes within a 30-inch diameter circle. Hunt with a rangefinder.
Read Next: Best Turkey Loads
Get Comfortable Shooting Offhand
In a perfect scenario, you’ll be ready for a tom when he comes in. You’ll be sitting comfortably with your back leaning against a wide tree. Your shotgun will be resting on your knee and pointed in the direction from which the tom will appear. And as soon as he pops his head up, he’ll be within range.
Unfortunately, perfect scenarios rarely happen in turkey hunting. It’s much more likely that the tom will approach from a slightly different spot than you expect, or that he sneaks into range and surprises you. Because turkeys have such incredible vision, moving your whole body in order to get into better shooting position will almost certainly spook him. It’s much better to pull the gun off your knee, level it on his neck and shoot, all in one smooth and swift motion. This means shooting unsupported, which is trickier than it sounds. My advice is to practice shooting offhand and shooting quickly before the season so you’re ready to improvise when a tom slips into range.
WHAT FIREARM TO USE FOR TURKEY HUNTING | Hunters Connect
FAQ
What should I shoot a turkey with?
The best rifle for hunting turkey is actually a shotgun. A 12 gauge with 3” magnum turkey specific loads is the most popular choice. You can bag a turkey with a 20 gauge or 410 but you’re going to have to get up close and personal to do so.
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 gun can you shoot a turkey with?
Q: Can I use a 10-gauge shotgun to hunt turkey? A: Yes. California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 311(a)(opens in new tab) authorizes use of a shotgun, 10-gauge or smaller, using shot shells only and incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
What is the best ammo for turkeys?
| Best 12 Gauge Turkey Load | Winchester Long Beard XR 2 oz. #4 Shot |
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| Best 20 Gauge Turkey Load | Remington Premier TSS 3” 1-1/2 oz. #7 Shot |
| Best 410 Bore Turkey Load | Federal Heavyweight TSS 3″ 13/16 oz. #9 Tungsten Shot |
| Best 28 Gauge Turkey Load | Hevi-Shot Hevi-18 3” 1-¼ oz #7 Shot |