Turkeys shells

[Country]

I have different guns that can handle 2 3/4, 3, or 3 1/2 shells. What would you guys recommend for shot size and load size?

 

[Hunting Hitman]

We have moved to TSS 9 shot in all calibers due to its devastating performance. Check your local laws for minimums and if not allowed use the closest to that size.
We have shot turkeys at over 90 yards with this load.

 

[Bearbait1]

I have also gone to tungsten shot. Tungsten is very expensive but you dont fire many rounds. I switched to TSS so I could switch to a light 20ga rather than an 8# 12ga.

 

[WAB]

I’m using Heavy Shot, #5’s. I don’t take particularly long shots so I can’t comment on performance beyond about 40. They are very effective to that range. Choke selection has a lot to do with terminal performance.

 

[Tucketed]

TSS number 9, way to go. You cannot do better. Expensive but gets the job done. A turkeys head and neck is like a dove. Nine shot gives the tight pattern and the tungsten gives the penetration for distance.

 

[ActionBob]

That 9 shot sounds interesting! I've been shooting 5's and 6's. I believe Minnesota has a rule against anything bigger than 4 shot. I suspect that is a hunter safety rule?

 

[Tucketed]

Using 9 shot should only be TSS which is tungsten. Not normal lead

 

[Hutch01]

We use our leftover pheasant loads. It’s not much of a science. Just lead number 4,5,6 or if your a very good caller even 12 gauge dove loads. Aim for the head. Full choke is best. Hutch

 

[Deleted member 40394]

I use tss #7.5 shot and it is a field turkeys worst nightmare. I have heard 9’s are good too.
tss weights 18.1 g/cm2. It will go completely through a turkey.
gone are the days where you shoot one at 35 and he flys off from a low shot from using lead. You can body shoot them with tss and kill them 99% of the time.

 

[meigsbucks]

I don’t shoot ‘em at long range (<50yds) and usually under 40 yds. I’ve never had an issue with #4’s, #5’s or #6’s. I’ve also used shells loaded by Nitro with a mix of 4,6 and 7.5.
You definitely don’t need 3.5” mags. More recoil than a .375 to kill a 20# bird?!
The few guys I know that have tried the TSS shot, swear by it.

 

[JimP]

I still have access to a couple of cases of 12 ga 3" shells in BB shot and 10 ga 3 1/2" shells with T shot. All these shells are lead and they are deadly on turkey.

Since they are not legal for waterfowl anymore I have to shoot them at something.

 

[curtism1234]

I use Federal 3 1/2 with #6 shot. I have not had a problem up to 50-55 yards.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

I use 3” hevi shot in #6 shot. I used 3” federal shells in lead #5 before California banned lead hunting ammo.

 

[Deleted member 40394]

The other advantage is with lead the turkey is going to flop and flap around a lot of times. Usually. With tss that gets cut down a lot from my experience.

 

[R.M.C.]

I been using 3 1/2 inch federal #6s with the flite control wad. They've patterned really well out of a couple different guns. Its a decent option if you're looking for something cheaper than the heavy metal stuff. The expensive stuff will definitely extend your range though.

 

[BeeMaa]

Everything is a variable when it comes to shotguns/choke/load so check your patterns carefully. My rig is a SBE2 with a 26" barrel.

I've currently patterned #4 Winchester Long Beard XR #4 3" shells from 30 to 60 yads using a Carlson's Win Long Beard Choke with excellent results. This will be my backup come Spring 2022.

Currently I'm in possession of a Carlson's TSS choke and two kinds of ammo waiting to be patterned. The first is the Federal 3.5", 2 1/4 oz., #7 shot at 1200 fps. The second is Hevi-Shot Magnum Blend 3.5", 2 1/4 oz, #5/6/7 shot at 1200 fps. Assuming one of these produces results better than the Long Beard, I will have a new combo.

I'll be hunting in NY so I can not use shot smaller than #8 shot and not larger than #2. In my home state of VA the only limitation is it has to be smaller than #2 shot. Check your local hunting regs because it does vary.

 

[Deleted member 40394]

65 yards I wanted to see what it would do if I made a really bad judgement in distance.

 

[Safari Dave]

Federal TSS in every gauge and length with #9 shot

.410
20 gauge
12 gauge

With a tight choke, you will need to use an optic to keep from missing because the pattern may be so tight.

My son put 100 pellets with in a 4" circle at 40 yards with a .410.
A friend put 400 pellets in a 4" circle at 40 yards with a 12 gauge.

I talked to a guy recently said he, literally, took the head off a gobbler at 65 yards with a .410 last year.

All with 3" shells.

If you don't want to pay $10-12 per shot, then use 3" or 3 1/2" 12-gauge with #5, copper-coated lead shot. Keep the shot to 40 yards or less.

Make sure you pattern your gun with the load/choke tube combination that you plan to use. If you don't put at least 10 pellets in the kill zone at 40 yards, change something and try again.

 

[Deleted member 40394]

Federal TSS in every gauge and length with #9 shot

.410
20 gauge
12 gauge

With a tight choke, you will need to use an optic to keep from missing because the pattern may be so tight.

My son put 100 pellets with in a 4" circle at 40 yards with a .410.
A friend put 400 pellets in a 4" circle at 40 yards with a 12 gauge.

I talked to a guy recently who said he, literally, took the head off a gobbler at 65 yards with a .410 last year.

All with 3" shells.

If you don't want to pay $10-12 per shot, then use 3" or 3 1/2" 12-gauge with #5, copper-coated lead shot. Keep the shot to 40 yards or less.

Make sure you pattern your gun with the load/choke tube combination that you plan to use. If you don't put at least 10 pellets in the kill zone at 40 yards, change something and try again.

I like a tight pattern but I like it even as well. I want my pattern to have some forgiveness At 25 yards or so but yet be able to reach out there to 65 ish. I find many of my shots are 40-50 yards but I hunt a good many of fields. I used to have a woods turkey gun and a field turkey gun for longer range and that worked out well. Finally figured out I just needed a specific pattern that can be good up close and long distance. Tss is bad medicine for a longbeard.

 

[Pheroze]

I have not found any use for 3.5" shells. I shot everything with 2 3/4 until recently. I am still not sold on 3" with tungsten and bismuth in the game.