Turkey hunting with a 20 gauge shotgun is gaining popularity, but to be effective you need to choose the right ammunition The size of shot you use is one of the most important factors in selecting 20 gauge turkey loads Here’s what you need to know about picking shot size for turkeys with a 20 gauge.
Overview of Shot Sizes for Turkeys
Turkey hunters have a wide variety of shot sizes to choose from in 20 gauge shells including
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#9 – Very small pellets with high pellet counts for dense patterns. Best for close range shots under 30 yards.
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#7 – Smaller shot size that offers a balance of pellet count and knockdown power. Popular all-around turkey loads.
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#6 – Moderate size shot with decent pellet counts. Provides knockdown power out to 40 yards.
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#5 – Larger pellets with lower pellet counts. Good for longer range shots to 50 yards.
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#4 – Large pellets for maximum energy and penetration. Best for 50+ yard shots.
Factors That Determine Ideal Shot Size
Choosing the right 20 gauge turkey load shot size depends on several factors:
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Shotgun Choke – Tighter choke constrictions allow you to use smaller shot and achieve dense patterns at longer ranges. With looser chokes, larger shot is needed.
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Expected Shots – If you expect close range shots under 30 yards, smaller #7-#9 shot works well. For longer shots, move up to #4-#6 size shot.
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Ammo Regulations – Some states prohibit smaller than #4 shot for turkeys. Be sure to check your local regulations.
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Shot Material – Lead, tungsten, and other materials also impact performance. Smaller tungsten shots extend lethal ranges.
Best All-Around Shot Sizes for 20 Gauge
For most 20 gauge turkey hunters, #5 or #6 lead or copper plated lead shot offers the best balance of knockdown power and pattern density:
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#6 shot is a moderate size that provides sufficient energy inside 40 yards. With a tight turkey choke, #6’s can kill out to 50 yards.
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#5 shot carries more energy for longer range shots. The larger pellets penetrate well on big toms.
Both #5 and #6 shot sizes are legal for turkeys in most states. With a modern 20 gauge choke tube and 3-inch magnum loads, #5 or #6 shot have enough power to kill turkeys cleanly and effectively.
Matching Shot Size to Your Hunting Situations
While #5 or #6 are good all-around choices, you can fine tune your 20 gauge turkey loads based on your specific needs:
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For hunting open fields where longer shots are expected, move up to #4 shot or larger Tungsten loads.
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In thick timber where most shots are under 30 yards, smaller #7 or #9 shot allows super tight patterns.
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On public land with lots of hunters, smaller shot prevents pellets carrying too far.
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For new adult hunters or youth, moderate recoil of #6 shot is ideal.
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For maximum penetration on extra large toms, use larger #4 buckshot.
Test several 20 gauge turkey loads on paper targets to see which shot size and choke tube combinations work best in your shotgun. This ensures you have the right ammunition dialed in for your hunting situations.
Final Thoughts on Shot Size Selection
While massive 10 or 12 gauge 3.5-inch turkey loads are overkill, 20 gauge shotguns can take spring gobblers cleanly when you use the right shells. For most hunters, #5 or #6 shot offers the best performance in 20 gauge magnum loads. However, you can fine tune your ammunition selection based on expected shooting distances, local regulations, recoil tolerance, and other factors. Patterning your shotgun and testing different 20 gauge turkey loads will give you the confidence that your ammunition will be effective on hunting day.
Twenty-gauge guns are easy to carry and kick less than 12s, but still hit hard. We hit the range to test 8 of the top 20-gauge turkey loads.
I started turkey hunting right around the time that 3 ½-inch 12-gauge loads became a thing. I immediately had to have one. Why? Because no one offered a 4-inch shell and back then, I wanted the biggest, heaviest turkey loads with the highest number of pellets available.
Gone are the days of needing a shoulder punishing 12-gauge for turkeys. These 20-gauge loads will get the job done. by Michael Pendley
Even with the extra length, I knew that the maximum range of the best turkey loads of the day was about 35 yards. The big guns were heavy, and they punished a shooter, especially at the practice range. A day of patterning left you with a headache, a sore jaw, and a shoulder bruise that would stick around for a week or two.
Light weight and softer recoil are just two of the advantages of a 20 gauge when it comes to turkey hunting. by Michael Pendley
Fast forward 30 years or so. The invention of Tungsten Super Shot meant that hunters could now shoot much smaller shot sizes like No. 7, 8, 9, and even 10 and still carry as much lethal downrange energy as much larger lead shot. At 18.1 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc) compared to lead at 11.7 g/cc, a No. 9 TSS pellet hits like a #5 lead pellet. It didn’t take long for hunters and ammo makers to figure out that they could now pack 20-gauge hulls with as many or more shot as was previously loaded into 3 ½-inch 12-gauge lead loads.
The new 20-gauge loads revolutionized sub-gauge turkey hunting. Guns were lighter, recoil was softer, and patterning a turkey gun became a much more pleasant experience. Today, hunters will find a wide range of 20-gauge turkey loads available. We hit the range and tested eight of the most popular ones currently available.
All but one of the tested loads were TSS shot. by Michael Pendley
My test gun was my wife’s personal turkey gun. It’s a Remington Compact 870 fitted with a red dot scope and a Carlsons Heavyweight TSS choke tube in .555 constriction. Over the past few years, it has accounted for a number of turkeys and more than a few curious coyotes that made the mistake of investigating lonesome hen yelps.
My test gun was my wife’s favorite turkey gun, a Remington Compact 870 fitted with a Carlson choke tube. by Michael Pendley
I shot each load at 30 yards, a good average distance for a shot at a gobbler. Will these loads kill a bird grave yard dead at longer ranges? Absolutely. How far? That’s something you will have to determine with some range time and your gun and choke combination. For some load and gun pairings, that effective range might be 40 yards, others might stretch that out to 50 or even 60 yards. The only way to know is to test your gun with different ammo at various ranges.
While I did measure the total shot count in a 10” circle for the test, that doesn’t tell the entire tale on a quality turkey load. Things to look for when choosing your turkey load include the distribution of a pattern: Is the shot uniform over the entire circle, or bunched up with holes in the pattern? Does the load open way up outside that 10” cluster? Even after a lifetime of chasing turkeys, I still get excited to squeeze the trigger. It’s easy to pull your pattern slightly in one direction or another. A nice, even spread over a wide area will put that bird down, even when you mess up a little with your shot placement.
Finally, it’s important to note that each of these loads had a slightly different point of impact. Because of that, I didn’t pay much attention to “shots in the vitals” on the turkey target. Instead, I flipped the targets over and traced a 9-inch circle around the densest part of the pattern for shot count. I shot each load 3 times and took an average of the 9-inch shot count for the result. Once you have settled on a load, you can adjust your aiming point to dial in the sweet spot of the pattern over the aiming point. While none of the loads were so far off that they would have completely missed a bird at 30 yards, some would have been on the very edge of the pattern. There was a full 18 inches between the center of the patterns on the outer two loads, something to remember if you plan to switch between loads during the season.
THE LOADS
Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS
1 1/2 ounces No. 9
Hits in Circle: 205 One of the easiest to find TSS loads on the shelf today, Federal Premium features a FLITECONTROL FLEX wad that provides extremely tight, consistent patterns through most turkey chokes. This round has an advertised speed of 1,100 feet per second and a full-length wad to protect your gun barrel from the extra hard TSS shot. This round is available in both No. 9 and No. 7 shot size, as well as a duplex blend of the two. I tested the No. 9 version.
The Federal Premium Heavyweights put 205 pellets in a 9” circle. by Michael Pendley
Hevi-18 TSS Turkey
1½ ounces No. 9
Hits in Circle: 223
Hevi-Shot pioneered the heavier-than-lead shotgun shell and their latest version is the Hevi-18 Turkey. The load uses high-density 18 g/cc pellets and a friction-reducing spherical buffer to extend the effective range. Hevi-18 is one of the fastest loads I tested, pushing the 1 ½-ounce payload at 1250 feet per second. Available in both No. 7 and No. 9 shot. I tested the No. 9 version.
The Heavy-18 TSS turkey put 223 pellets in a 9” circle. by Michael Pendley
Boss Tom 18
2 ounces No. 9 or No. 7
Hits in Circle: 133 (No. 9); 118 (No. 7)
With only eight employees, the Michigan-based BOSS Shotshell company sells direct to consumers. Their 2-ounce turkey load sends a whopping 724 No. 9 pellets per shell down range and features a hand assembled, full length wad to protect your barrel and provide super tight patterns. The No. 7 load has 370 pellets. It’s worth noting, although the pellet count within the circle wasn’t as high with these loads as some others, the No. 9 load evenly covered the entire 19×25 target I was using.
The Boss Tom 18 put 133 pellets in the circle, but pretty evenly covered the 19”x25” target. by Michael Pendley
Remington Premier TSS
1½ ounces No. 9
Hits in Circle: 174
Big Green says they tune these loads for the tightest and most consistent patterns possible, and I certainly saw good results on the range. Available in both No. 9 and No. 7 shot sizes. Like the Federal TSS loads, the Remington shells have a spur measuring ruler printed on the side of the hull. I tested the No. 9 version.
The Remington Premier TSS put 174 pellets in the circle. by Michael Pendley
Browning Tungsten Turkey
1½ ounces No. 7 shot
Hits in Circle: 112
Browning Ammunition’s TSS Tungsten Turkey load features a buffering material that helps guide the TSS shot through tight turkey chokes for improved patterns, and at higher advertised speeds. The Browning Tungsten Turkey load is available in both No. 7 and a No. 7-9 duplex load. I tested the No. 7.
The Browning Tungsten Turkey put 112 No.7 pellets in the 9” circle. by Michael Pendley
Apex Turkey TSS
1⅝ ounces No. 9
Hits in Circle: 270
Apex shells have the second-heaviest payload of the test (590 No. 9 pellets), and pushed at the third fastest advertised speed, making for a deadly combo. Apex is a Veteran owned, Mississippi based company. Their turkey loads are available in No. 9, No. 8 and No. 7.5 shot sizes. I tested the No. 9.
The Apex Turkey TSS put a whopping 270 pellets in a 9” circle at 30 yards. by Michael Pendley
Winchester Longbeard XR
1¼ ounces No. 5 or No. 6 copper-plated lead I tested the No. 5 version.
Hits in Circle: 77
The only non-TSS load in the test, the Winchester Longboard XR is a very adequate lower cost option for the 20 gauge shooter with 77 #5 lead pellets in a 9 inch circle. by Michael Pendley
While TSS definitely holds a performance advantage over lead shot, there is a drawback. It is expensive. Most of the shells in this test ranged from $10 to $15 per shot. That adds up in a hurry if you put in some test time at the range and hunt several states. Winchester’s Long Beard XR uses a specialized wad and resin-packed payload of No. 5 or No. 6 lead shot that doesn’t provide quite the range of TSS, but is still a turkey killer inside 40 yards. It also costs about $2 per shot.
If you’re ready for a break from 12-gauge recoil and want to start packing a lightweight 20-gauge into the turkey woods instead, these loads will allow you to drop a gobbler that’s hung up at 40 yards—and maybe a stretch farther—with confidence. Even after a full afternoon on the range with close to 30 total shots, I came away with a clear head and a shoulder that didn’t feel like I had tried to tackle a bus.
Will these shells perform the same in your shotgun? Probably not, each choke and gun combo will give different results. Get together with some of your turkey hunting buddies and buy a few boxes to share to see if one load performs better in your gun than the others.
Turkey Gun Comparison- Shooting 20 and 30yds with 410, 20 and 12 gauge
FAQ
What shot is best for turkey 20-gauge?
I’ve tested countless loads over my 38 years of turkey hunting and Browning Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) is my preferred turkey load. Loaded in size #7-1/2 or #9, the shot gives a high pellet count. Combine this with the high density of tungsten, and it’s the perfect load for a head shot on a tough turkey.
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 is 20-gauge #4 shot used for?
By far, the most common animals hunted with #4 shot are turkey, pheasant and geese. The #4 lead is one of the best lead shot sizes you’ll ever find for medium to large game birds. Lead flies very well and can keep a tight pattern for quite a long range, making it ideal for large birds in flight as well as runners.
What size shot should you use for turkey hunting?
Shooters might use shot as small as #9 for very small birds like quail, or as large as #2 for large birds like geese and swans. For comparison, there are 585 #9 lead pellets in an ounce versus only 90 #2 pellets in an ounce. For turkey hunting, shot sizes 4, 5 and 6 will all work.
What is the best shot size for turkey hunting?
When turkey hunting, it’s best to use a shot size of #4, #5, or #6 for effective and ethical harvest. #4 shot is effective for turkey hunting at distances up to 40 yards. #6 shot is also effective for turkey hunting.
Is a 20 gauge Turkey a good size?
Just for the record, I shoot 3-inch, Hevi-Shot, ounce-and-a-quarter, size 6 turkey loads from my 20 gauge, and have found it to be a devastating shell, especially coupled with an extra-full choke. As with kids, some smaller women—and senior turkey hunters—would benefit from a 20-gauge.
How do I choose a turkey shot?
The first is the size of the shot. Turkey loads are typically available in sizes 4, 5, and 6. The larger the shot size, the more penetration it will provide, but the fewer pellets there will be in the shot pattern. A compromise between penetration and pellet count is often the best choice.
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.
Should I buy a 20 gauge or 12 gauge shotgun?
When it comes to turkey hunting, you will get the same performance with a 20 gauge or 12 gauge shotgun. The challenge is to choose the best shot size that will effectively penetrate the turkey’s vitals with either a 20 gauge or 12 gauge shotgun.
Are 20-gauge shotguns good for turkeys?
Additionally, the advantages of tungsten shells make 20-gauge shotguns indisputably effective turkey killers. Historically, many hunters believed the 20-gauge was inadequate for turkeys, but with tungsten loads, it is a great choice for kids, women or any hunter who wants to carry a lighter shotgun.