Turkey laods- lead vs steel

[nw_bowhunter]

Okay, I'm a totally green horn when it comes to turkey hunting, but my bro and I are going to give it a try this year. I was told that steel shot is required on public land, but lead can be used on private.

What do I buy? Lead or Steel? 5 shot? OZ size?

[Gutpile]

Lead is ok as of yet for turkeys as far as I know.

Nobody uses steel. A lot of guys go to the non-lead loads like Hevi-shot, heviweight, etc etc. I would not recommend steel shot at all.

I'm old fashioned I still use lead shot but many turkey guys love the non tox loads like Hevi-shot.

[NWTFhunter]

Lead is cool unless you happen to enter a management area where Lead would be banned.  Cant really see that happening, but I guess its possible...   1 Big thing is to make sure your using a optimal turkey choke. With that said, I bet it clearly states on the choke, lead only.

[Moose Eyes]

Copper-plated lead.  Chokes specifically designed for turkeys should be able to handle the harder pellets.

[nw_bowhunter]

okay, thanks for the info

[Intruder]

You don't want to shoot steel.  Lead or one of the tungsten based shots in 6s or maybe 5s.  Pattern your gun so you know how it shoots.

[turkey slayer]

I shoot Remington Nitro Turkey 3 1/2 inch, 5 shot, 2 oz out of my Benilli Nova with a with a undertaker turkey ckoke. I ordered a box of hevi-13 3 1/2, 5 shot so i'll see how they pattern.

My Winchster Model 1300 12 Ga I shoot the the Federal Mag shok loads in the 3 inch, 5 shot. 1 3/4 oz. I use a turkey choke with this gun also

In my Mossberd model 500 20 ga I use the Federal Turkey loads in 3 inch, 6 shot and 1 1/2 oz and I use a ex. full choke.
 
The Pic was at 10 or so yards with nitro turkey 3 1/2, as you can see their was nothing left of the head.

[Jerbear]

Winchester turkey loads 2 3/4 inch, #5 lead shot.  I have shot the 3 and 3 1/2 inch, and have found the turkeys to be just as dead with the 2 3/4, and with less pain to me.

[westcoastsoutherner]

Nitro shells are the best but pricey.  I rotate with the Nitro and Xtended.  I really like the Winchester Xtended 3.5 #6, too.  The hevi 13 never patterned good in my setup.  I would recommend a good after market choke like Kick's, Comp-n-Choke, Rhino, and Indian Creek.  The Indian Creek choke in a 20 gauge is deadly for the smaller frame shooters.

[SptnStlk]

Any recommendations, Hevi-Shot vs Nitro Turkey loads? I was thinking about going with Hevi-Shot this year, but not sure if there is any real benefit to it? Thanks

[Karl Blanchard]

The best thing to do is play with different options.  Every gun is different.  Example my friend has the same shotgun setup as me.  Browning bps with a primos jellyhead choke.  My gun loves Win. Supreme dblx magnum 3" #5's.  His gun doesn't pattern worth a darn with them but shoots exceptional with the 3 1/2" #4's.

[turkey slayer]

Wenatchee is out of Remington nitro turkey  and I tried the hevi-13 but I could not get a patern out past 40 yards. So who has tried the Federal 12  3 1/2 mag-shok flitecontrol thinking about buying a box.

[yelp]

Buy them they are awesome...I have always used winchester 3.5" #5's but my buddies that use those Federals love them.  I am thinking of getting some to try myself.  I need to use up my winchester first.

[Thenewguy]

I heard that 2 3/4 work just as well as 3.5. Did i get bad info?

[Phantom Gobbler]

Slayer, By the looks of your headless Tom picture, I'm glad you can't find any more Rem Turkey Nitros...................might give the rest of us a chance!!