What is the reasoning behind turkey shot #4 or smaller?

[EasternWaArcher]

I'm guessing it has something to do with pattern and effective ranges, but there is no explanation of the rule in the pamphlet so I figured I'd ask here. Also, what is the difference between a box of 'turkey' loads say #4 steel hi-velocity, and a box of 'waterfowl' loads also #4 steel hi-velocity?

I'm just wondering because I can't help but wonder if I'm not getting taken a bit for a small box of turkey loads that run about $10 more than what appears to be the same thing for a lot less and more rounds just down the shelf.

Any other info on this subject is appreciated, thanks for your consideration.

[Bob33]

Safety, most likely. Larger shot travels further.

[Russ McDonald]

So the reasoning in shot size has to do with range and how much more lethal large size shot is not for just tukerys but hunters to.  Also ethical kills of turkeys.  When your hunting with your shotgun your going for head shots.  Less bb's less chnace of a good ethical kill.   This was also aimed at not allowing rifle or handguns to hunt turkeys.  Dont get me wrong any size shot is lethal out of a shotgun.   I actually am friends with the guy who pushed the shot size for turkey in the state.

Now for the ammo side.  I believe that there is a bit more powder with a turkey load than duck loads but you can use either one.  Turkey loads are going to steel, tungsten or enviro freindly loads now to.  I shoot Hevi-Shot Magnum Enviro Blend.  5 6,7 shot

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[Pegasus]

Yup the size limitation is definitely to protect other hunters. In the old days it was not uncommon to hunt turkeys with a .22 or with buckshot. Turkey hunting has a high number of hunting accidents. Most turkey loads are a combination of alloys and are designed to keep the pattern tighter for longer distances. Many duck loads are designed more for speed since you are shooting at a flying bird. Don't every shot at a turkey flying. They are capable of huge acceleration and if you don't hit them in the head you will likely never find the bird. Learned that lesson a hundred years ago and have never shot at another turkey even if it is just launching. The new TSS shots put a heck of a lot more shot down range and have become very popular.

[buckcanyonlodge]

Curious...How many turkey hunters are shot each year..how many duck hunters.. upland bird.. and so on.. Where could a guy find those stats?

[Pegasus]

Curious...How many turkey hunters are shot each year..how many duck hunters.. upland bird.. and so on.. Where could a guy find those stats?

Don't know where the stats are but seeing turkey hunting quoted constantly as one of the more dangerous parts of hunting by many states leads me to believe that it is correct. Plus common sense  about the hunt such as hunter wearing camo, making turkey sounds and shooting at something low to the ground instead of something flying over your head increases the odds of a hunting accident. Of course if you are sitting in a duck blind with three other hunters and dogs and someone has been passing the bottle around for a couple of hours to keep warm then all bets are off.

[Russ McDonald]

I believe hunter ed instructors maybe able to get those stats or we access to them? 

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[Machias]

In Missouri they used to average 18 to 20 people shot every spring.  The spring foliage is so much thicker and greener than here, that's no excuse, but part of the contributing factor.  That's why is is extremely frowned upon to try and sneak up on a bird, very dangerous for you and someone else sneaking in.

[Russ McDonald]

That is what I call turkey's of the non feather kind

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[C-Money]

Lots of pellets in the head and neck is the name of the game. I  have killed gobblers with #4, #5, and #6 loads. Federal 1 7/8oz  and Reington 2oz of shot. These turkey loads are very effective and deliver a lot of payload to the target. That said, hunting with my nephew years back, he blasted a gobbler, and it folded up nicely. I asked him what he used and he showed me his Federal 1 1/8 7.5 shot trap load.  The main difference between waterfowl loads and turkey loads is the the amount of shot and the wad for a tight pattern.

[h2ofowlr]

When I used to help instruct, turkey hunters had the highest level of accidental shootings.  This was due to the two main methods of hunting them.  Spot and stalk or calling them in.  Why we also instructed hunters to never carry anything red with them as they may be mistaken for a turkey.

If you get a turkey into range, 30 yards or less you have a very dense pattern with a smaller shot.  Some of the new TSS loads are #9 shot, denser than lead and you have a 2 oz or 2-1/4 oz load.  They hit hard.

[HikerHunter]

I'm not so sure about there being more powder in turkey loads but there is usually more shot total weight. You can compare that pretty easily, a 12 gauge 3-inch turkey load will have about 1.75 oz shot but the same size duck load will be closer to 1 or 1.25 oz.

I'm speculating now, but since the same shell has the same total volume constraints for powder and shot, I believe that more shot means less powder in turkey loads which is why they shoot a little slower. I think the heavier load is also why turkey loads seem to have more kick to them.

Since you mentioned steel turkey loads, be careful if you're using a turkey choke. Some are only rated for non-steel loads.

[C-Money]

Turkey loads are usually a max dram load, not sure how many grains of what powder, but they still load them with plenty of powder. The wad shot cup is deeper to accommodate the heavier payload.