Shot size

[packmule]

The turkey inputs have definitely dropped off now that the season has closed!

Here's 2 questions for people to answer:

(1) What shot size did you use this year?

(2) If that wasn't available next year, what would you use?

My answers:

(1) I've always had good luck with #5 lead.
(2) I'd like to try #6 Hevi.

[Gobble Doc]

My father in law used #4 with his 20 gauge.  I was skeptical that it would be too few pellets.  It seemed to work just fine and 1 shot was all it took.  I'm sure pattern size, distance, all come into play but in this isolated case the #4 did fine. 

[dawei]

My father in law used #4 with his 20 gauge.  I was skeptical that it would be too few pellets.  It seemed to work just fine and 1 shot was all it took.  I'm sure pattern size, distance, all come into play but in this isolated case the #4 did fine.

Your father in law is not alone. I turkey hunt with a 20ga also; my load of choice is......
• Winchester® Supreme® High Velocity 3" Mag 1200fps 1 5/16oz #4 Pb (#STH2034).

It hits like the absolute "Hammer of Thor"! If this load was no longer available I would switch to this...........
• Federal® Flitecontrol® Mag-Shok® 3" Mag 1185fps 1 5/16oz #4 Pb(#PFC258F 4).

[BPturkeys]

I been using the same old Winchester 12g 3" mag #4 lead shot that I had left over from the old days when we usetacould use 'em for geese. Smooth red plastic hulls, still work just fine. I got about 3 boxes left, for me, that's probably enough to last the rest of my days.

[Bob33]

#6 Hevi shot for me.  There are a third more pellets in #6 shot loads than #5.  A #6 Hevi Shot pellet will penetrate a turkey neck at 50 yards, so I see no reason to use anything larger: more pellets = greater chance of hitting a vital area in the head/neck.

[carpsniperg2]

6 is my fave.

[gaddy]

3 1/2" winchester supreme 6's for me. pattern the best at 30-40 yrds in my choke. will set you on your butt but puts the smack on em. i try to get them in tight, dont like shooting long range pellit density at those ranges is awsome.

[270Shooter]

I shot my first turkey this spring at 30 yards with the federal red box copper plated 5's with the flightcontrol wad. They were 3" shells btw with a 2 oz. Load.

If I had to try something else I would use hevishot 6's if I could find them.

[turkeydancer]

I use whatever size (and manufacturer) patterns best in whichever shotgun I plan to use each day.  Almost all my harvests have been within 20 yards so it probably would never be an issue, but .... 

[CedarPants]

#6 HeavyShot in 3 inch.  Knocks em dead everytime.  Just because I was curious this year, I picked up a box of the 3 1/2 inch HeavyShot in 2 1/4 ounce.  I don't typically think loads like this are necessary for turkey, as I've killed plenty with 2 3/4 and 3 inch.  Decided what the heck and took a box out on a hunt in April.  I like to shoot the birds between 20 - 30 yards for the best patterns, but the bird that morning hung up at 48 yards after coming nearly 300 yards across a field to me.  Waited him out nearly 10 minutes before he got nervous, and since I knew my gun well I took the shot.  At nearly 50 yards, that load nearly took his head off and he dropped without so much as even a wing flap or leg kick.  Will I use the 3 1/2 inchers from here on out?  Not likely, as I'd like to keep my shoulder in it's socket.  Was it an eye opening experience that showed me just how devastating HeviShot can be?  Absolutely.

[bradslam]

You should use whatever works well in YOUR gun.  Get some different loads and pattern your gun at different yardages.  I have been using #6 Hevi-shot, but that was only after putting a bunch of holes in paper.  It's better to spend the extra time and money before the season than missing a big gobbler that you just called in. 

[mossy8352]

For me it has been HS mag blend and HS #7 both in 3 inch shells. Both pattern well with my Mossy 835.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I use nothen BUT winchester  2oz of #5 and if they quit making it I would quit ...

[Battle Ready]

Been shooting Winchester Supreme #5's for a very long time. Ive gone with some Heavy-13 #4's for my 20g

[rgalanti21]

Hevi shot 5 or 6. If it wasn't available I would use winchesters turkey loads in a 5

[packmule]

This has been fun to follow during the past few weeks. . . .looks like a lot of #5 and #6 shot users out there. . . .the one thing that surprised me is that the 20 gauge hunters primarily replied as using #4s.  I've seen some of the patterns from the 20 gauge guys with #4s and they look quite good, so thanks for the new information!

[turkeydancer]

Here's the logic:
#4's have better knock down punch,
#6's you have more BB's
#5's is a good compremise between number of BB's & knockdown power

Still stand by the earlier post as to what patterns best ... two identical shotguns with the same choke can pattern differntly (ie 1 with 5's and the other with 6's) ... and one manufacture will pattern better in one and a different manufacture in another. 

Bottom line:  Use what ever patterns best in your shotgun and choke, or pray heavily to the BB gods.