What Shotgun Shells for Turkey: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Load

Regardless of experience level, choosing the right turkey shotgun shell and load can make or break your next gobbler hunt. Because improved shot material allows shotgun shell manufacturers to continuously improve performance, they continue to optimize options for hunters pursuing upland birds, turkeys, and waterfowl. Federal Ammunition, an ammunition manufacturer, has led the way in shotgun shell innovation for the past 100 years. They help us break down the perfect loads to consider for your next successful turkey hunt. Table of Contents.

The thrilling sport of turkey hunting requires accuracy, endurance, and the appropriate equipment. A vital component of success is choosing the best shotgun shell for your target. It can be difficult to choose the best turkey load because there are so many options available. This in-depth guide will give you the information and understanding you need to make the best choice possible and increase your chances of catching a gobbler.

Understanding Turkey Loads: Lead vs. TSS

Traditionally, lead shot was the go-to choice for turkey hunters. However the 1991 lead shot ban in waterfowl hunting prompted the development of alternative non-toxic options. Among these tungsten super shot (TSS) has emerged as a popular choice due to its superior density and effectiveness.

Lead Shot:

Pros: Affordable, readily available, proven track record for killing turkeys at close ranges (within 40 yards).
Cons: Less dense than TSS, resulting in less energy transfer and penetration at longer ranges.

TSS:

Pros: Higher density than lead, translating into more energy transfer, better penetration, and greater effective range.
Cons: Significantly more expensive than lead, limited availability in certain areas.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Turkey Loads

Several factors influence the choice of the ideal turkey load for your needs:

Shot Size: The size of the pellets is crucial for maximizing your chances of hitting the vital areas of a turkey. Smaller shot sizes like #9 are preferred for longer ranges due to their higher pellet count and denser patterns, while larger sizes like #4 or #5 are effective at closer ranges.
Choke: The choke of your shotgun plays a significant role in constricting the shot pattern and influencing its spread. For turkey hunting, a tighter choke like full or extra full is recommended for maximizing accuracy at longer ranges.
Range: The distance at which you anticipate engaging your target will determine the optimal shot size and choke combination. For longer shots (beyond 40 yards), smaller shot sizes and tighter chokes are recommended.
Budget: The cost of turkey loads varies significantly depending on the type (lead or TSS) and shot size. Lead loads are generally more affordable, while TSS loads can be considerably more expensive.

Best Turkey Loads for Various Scenarios

Best Overall:

Apex GT-3 TSS 3-inch, 2 1/4-ounce, No. 9: This load offers exceptional pattern density and penetration, making it a versatile option for various ranges.

Best Long-Range:

Federal Heavyweight TSS 3-inch, 2-ounce No. 7/9: This blend of shot sizes provides a balance of density and pattern performance, making it ideal for longer shots.

Best Lead Load:

Winchester Longbeard XR 3-inch, 1 3/4-ounce, No. 5: This affordable lead load offers excellent pattern performance at close ranges, making it a budget-friendly option for shorter shots.

Best .410 Overall:

Apex Ninja: This TSS load provides exceptional pattern density for a .410 shotgun, making it a viable option for turkey hunting with this smaller gauge.

Best .410 Availability:

Federal Heavyweight: This TSS load is more readily available than other .410 TSS options, making it a reliable choice for those who prefer this gauge.

Additional Tips for Choosing Turkey Loads

Pattern your shotgun: Before heading out on your hunt, it’s crucial to pattern your shotgun with the chosen load to ensure it delivers the desired pattern density and accuracy at your intended range.
Consider the terrain and vegetation: The environment where you’ll be hunting can influence your choice of load. For open fields, longer-range loads might be preferred, while denser vegetation might necessitate closer-range options.
Practice regularly: Consistent practice with your chosen load and shotgun will enhance your accuracy and confidence in the field.

Choosing the right turkey load is an essential step towards a successful hunt. You’ll be prepared to take on the task of bagging a gobbler if you take into account the elements covered in this guide and choose a load that suits your unique requirements and preferences. Recall that your best chances of success in the turkey woods are with preparation, perseverance, and the appropriate equipment.

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What Is the Best Shotgun Shell for Turkey?

Now that we have all of this information, let’s see which shotgun shells are best for hunting turkeys based on Federal Premium’s recommendations. Before we go too far, though, we need to talk about another important factor to consider when choosing the right load: the material and the corresponding density of the actual shot used. Shot can be made of lead, steel, or tungsten, as we previously discussed, and each has special qualities that affect its payload, velocity, and number of pellets. Density is a factor that should be taken into account when choosing a shotshell because it influences the amount of pellets and payload in each shot. Steel is the least dense, weighing 7. 8 grams per cubic centimeter (7. 8 g/cc). Lead was, for the longest time, the densest material at 11. 34 g/cc. Copper-plated lead came on the market at 11. 8 g/cc, but it was followed by tungsten about 20 years ago, which can be between 9. 8 – 18 g/cc (the latter is Tungsten Super Shot, aka. TSS). As density increases, manufacturers can increase the number of pellets in the payload by decreasing the size of each pellet while keeping the same weight. To illustrate, due to their different densities, a #9 tungsten pellet weighs nearly the same as a #5 lead pellet, so that allows a 1-ounce shotshell of tungsten shot to carry more than twice as many pellets. Increased weights also result in increased inertia, which enhances penetration and terminal performance by improving velocity at range. “Lead and copper-plated lead is a tried-and-true method that has been killing turkeys for as long as guns have been used to hunt them,” says Compton. “There are lots of options to choose from across all gauges.” They are affordable shells and copper-plated lead can help with tighter patterns. “Tungsten has been used for over 20 years for turkeys. When Tungsten Super Shot was introduced, the density of tungsten options rose from 12–13 g/cc to 15 g/cc and ultimately to 18 g/cc. At nearly twice the density of lead, a #9 TSS pellet has the same amount of energy on target as a #5 lead shot when the two are traveling the same speed. “If there’s a con to shooting tungsten, it’s much more expensive than lead. But most turkey hunters shoot very few times a year, much less than other birds taken with shotshells. $5-9 per shot is expensive but it offers such greater lethality that it is worth the expense. In the end, it boils down to choosing a load that fits your choke(s) and is affordable and easily accessible. It’s a load that you’re comfortable shooting at the max distance you’ll take a shot, too. If you find that right load, great, but nothing is a guarantee. Compton ends by giving some advice regarding shotshells: “You may be looking for a specific load in this ammunition market, or someone may have suggested one to you, but it is hard to find or not available.” You’ll need to be flexible when looking for turkey shells and move to the next smaller or larger pellet size or payload amount. You can find a solution by asking questions of both the employees at the local gun store and your fellow hunters. All loads will kill turkeys.

what shotgun shells for turkey

Which AFFORDABLE Turkey Load is BEST? | Full Test & Review

FAQ

What is the best shotgun shell for turkeys?

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.

What size shot is best for turkey?

Pick suitable shot sizes 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.

Is 12 or 20-gauge better for turkey?

Sure, you can load up the heavy loads and punish your shoulder with the recoil for a little extra reach, but in most cases, the lighter, super-efficient 20-gauge loads are more than enough to get the job done on your bird.

What range should a shotgun be for turkeys?

A good rule of thumb for shotgun shooters is 40 yards. Anything further than that and there’s a good chance you might not hit the head and neck with enough pellets to kill the bird. Any closer than 20 yards and your pellet pattern may not have time to open up enough for maximum effectiveness.