What shell should i use for turkey hunting

I've taken several birds with 4 shot imbedded in them. Get a bird within 35 yards, shoot a tight choke, aim for that spot on the neck where the feathers stop with a dense pattern. Just one pellet in the spine and the bird is yours. Ontario Honker Hunter. Both turkey guns showcased were 20 gauge. If you have the time and a little bit of money, the best thing to do is try a variety of rounds at the range to see which one will pattern the best out of your gun.

Different guns and chokes will all handle loads differently to a certain degree. You will get some more effective range out of it, but you pay a steep price in money and pain for it. Personally I would start out 3 in. The bigger pellets may give you more penetration, but with turkeys penetration is not as critical as getting a good pattern. The last thing you want is to become recoil shy from a Turkey gun. At the end of the day, the most important factor is whatever you feel comfortable with.

One more thing, be sure to check your local laws on allowable shot sizes. I see many here recommending No. There is absolutely in my book anyway! NO reason to shoot a 10 gauge unless you're just a pain freak!

Not taking thing one away from our colleagues here, but why don't you ask your shotgun? We can tell you what we prefer or suggest, but until you pattern different shot sizes and try different shell sizes you won't know for certain. Try shot sizes 4,5, and 6 in whatever different shell lengths your gun accepts at ranges out to 40 or maybe 45 yards and see what patterns the best.

Picking shotgun ammo for you would be like picking a lady for you, chancy at best. Ga hunter. I'm sure that 2. I personally don't wanna shoot a 3. I would suggest though that you take your gun out, shoot a turkey target at 40 yards with different shells, and count the pellets in the kill zone different targets each time and use the shell with the best pattern.

Good luck! Although they are expensive than lead turkey loads, they are worth buying. So, if they fit your budget, definitely give them a chance. Even the best shotgun cannot produce exact results as needed. Different shotshells work differently on the shotgun. For that, it needs a trial of diverse loads to search out the perfect pattern. Layout various shotshells in the order you are going to try them. Place the boxes near the shell and mark the target with the shell used so that you can keep track of results.

The load you are using should be feasible with the choke tube to get good pattern results. It is advised to start with a target set at 30 yards. In the same way, lay out the different chokes and determine the one you are going to use first. Also, the type of chokes makes a difference. The most familiar chokes are modified, improved cylinder and full. And, for the guns having an option of using after-market extended choke tubes, choose among the various quality tubes out there in the market that will fit your thread pattern.

It also requires trying out variety to arrive at the best pattern. You can partner with buddies to have a variety of tubes. Initially, you can initiate for a 12 gauge with.

Short barreled guns frequently use a large choke constriction like. You need an effective place where you can shoot at great distance from 50 yards. But, starting yards is suggestible. It will simply help you understand the distance logic to be used with different shot sizes.

A standard range among different turkey hunters is set at 40 yards. So, try to make it yours also if possible because bringing close the bird can fetch amazing nuggets for you.

I am referring here to a required pellet count. The acceptable pellet count should be holes in a inch circle at a distance of 40 yards. On turkey hunting in the wind , pellets scatter more unevenly. Thus, it is necessary to modify your range if that is not meeting the standard holes count.

Also, try out at close ranges like yards to see the result if in case tom comes close, fortunately. The next thing you can do is to look for a greater pellet density within a inch circle. To see the pellet count more accurately, see it through a light thrown on it. On the target, you will able to see the heaviest pattern part. You just have to draw a inch circle around that area and begin to count holes. Note where the gun is hitting.

Look for deformed patterns as they can worsen the scenario. You want around and consistent with no bunches of pellets in the main pattern. A large number of fliers means the tight choke constriction.

Then, you can swap out your choke tube or just give a chance to smaller shots. Nowadays, most of the shotguns come with shot-lock technology. This shot-lock technology enables to fill the space between pellets to protect hit during in-bore acceleration. This, in turn, will reduce the number of deformed patterns leading to an effective pattern. A good pattern combines best with good penetration.

Whilst, for No. Do not hesitate to round up several shots after noticing the pattern. It may sometimes take time to get consistent hits. To get better results, it is mandatory to have a gun rest which allows steadiness. There are many devices out there that can be used as a gun rest. Use the solid rest that can firmly stand out even in harsh conditions. As you cannot stand all of the time and suddenly end up at flinching after your second or third shot, you should always ensure that you have a stable rest while aiming at your target.

Whatever your selected best shot size may be, if your gun is not stable, then the whole project could become worse for you. A nice eye and ear protection are more than important. It should be your top priority. You can use muffs or roll up plugs for ear protection.

Using a safety glass is must especially if you or someone around you is using a ported choke tube. Plus, you can also take the protection of your shoulders from kicking shotguns.

For that, you can use Lead Sled or past pad. Just place a pad between the butt of the shotgun and your shoulder, and it will work amazing.

Conclusively, if you are shooting at your best, then why compromise with protection because best shot size does not mean to achieve success by any of the way. Thus, we can say that the best time to hunt turkey is after you have patterned your shotgun.

It is like practicing different arrow broadheads while on turkey hunting with a bow. The exact number of best shot size for turkey hunting will only come after you have tried different loads with your favorite shotgun at distinctive ranges. On the other hand, choke tube, and its constriction also play a dominant role in determining best patterns to arrive at the exact shot size.

Hopefully, this article has helped you get insight into the whole concept behind choosing a shot size with all of the mandatory factors discussed above. Moreover, there some extra tips for turkey or duck hunting that you should to know. Shot Size Variants With Pellets The exact measure of diameter and number of pellets are somewhat exciting to know a little bit more about the concept. This table indicates the shot sizes with a diameter of a pellet in inches.

Above is the list of several pellets in different shot sizes. Types Of Shots In market, there are many types of shots available with each having its own characteristics. Tungsten Shot For Turkey Hunting A Tungsten shot is a non-toxic shot that would cost you but has a great deal with hitting turkeys proficiently.

Alloy Shotshells Alloy shots are one of the best alternatives for non-toxic shots. Hevi-Shot These shots, being one of the best non-toxic shots also comes in the list of good penetration capacity. What If We Use No. A Different Outlook No doubt, the whole concern about best shot size for turkey hunting also depends upon limitations and capabilities of your shotgun.

Mainly, we have noticed here: Limitations of your shotgun The difference in material densities of shots Size of turkeys It is also suggested by most hunters to carry almost all shot sizes ranging No. Gun Patterning How the pellets spread out of your gun would determine the right shot size.

There are plenty of less expensive shells available that will also do a good job on gobblers. The premise is that the Flitestopper pellets with their circumferential band will spread providing a wider patter at close range while delivering more downrange lethality. Quick tip : Specialty shotshells for turkeys can be pricey, but remember, there are rebates available, and you should always check your local stores for sales. You might even consider splitting the cost of several boxes of shells with a friend, so you can both test to see which shotshells pattern best in your gun.

Details: A standard-style load using Nitro Mag extra-hard lead shot with a polymer buffer in a Power-Piston wad. Remington suggests percent patterns at a bargain price.

Details: Diamond Shot employs extra-hare lead shot that is polished and then coated with a proprietary material that provides excellent down-range patterns. Mainly used in their competition target loads, its extension to turkey shells is a good move. Details: Apex TSS turkey loads use a tungsten-blend pellet with the increased density of This allows the use of much smaller pellets thereby increasing pattern density.

Be advised that at this writing, their website states they are completely sold out of ammunition, but they promise to have a supply soon. No matter which ammo you choose, it is absolutely critical that you know how your shotgun will perform both where and then how it shoots. At a safe place to shoot, measure exactly 16 yards and set up a target about inches square at eye level and mark the center.

Then, standing at the yard mark, fire three aimed shots. If they impact dead on, fine, but if they deviate even a bit , measure from the center of the aim point to the center of the pattern.

To put this into perspective, if the pattern is two inches low at 16 yards it can be as much as a foot or more low at 40 yards. The industry standard is 40 yards, but if you consistently lure birds to within 30 yards, then set up for that distance. You can buy them ready made from Hunter John. Shooting from a solid rest, like sand bags, a rifle pedestal or Lead Sled, fire a shot, then change the target and fire another for a total of three targets.

If the shot appears to be all on the paper, three may be enough.