Turkey shot size - #4s or #6s?

[WhiteKnight]

I often see #4s mentioned in turkey hunting articles, with #6s trailing by a significant frequency.

I'm going out this year for my first turkey hunt(s) and am unsure as what I should buy/pattern/take/use.

Also, chances are that I'm going to be doing most/all of my hunting early in the season, so I would guess most foliage will not have completely matured while I'll be in the turkey woods.

Turkey hunters, what's your favorite shot size?

 

[Greybeard]

Evidently, the mfgrs. think 5's is a good compromise. I saw some today at Academy, in fact. Spend the extra bucks and go for the copper plated loads that come 10 in a box. They are worth it - no more shots than you'll get on Mr. Tom anyway.

And while I'm helping to spend your money , you might want to try some Remington Hevi Shot in 4s. My 870 throws an awsome pattern with them from a modified choke.

 

[RCL]

I usually grab 5's when I can find them. They seem to be more available then they used to be.

 

[steveno]

buy some of each and pattern them in your shotgun so you know what they will do. different guns will pattern differently and use the load that gives the tightest pattern

 

[Lennyjoe]

ditto steveno's comment. I found that #4 patterned better than #5's & #6's in my shottie with an extra full turkey choke.

 

[landon74]

My granddad always used #7 1/2 in 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 loads, with the reasoning that within shotgun range the smaller shot should make a tighter pattern, and should have enough energy to kill with pellets striking the head and or neck. Now with that being said, he had harvested a turkey every season as long as I can remember with that load.

 

[jefnvk]

I usually use 4

 

[Pat S]

I use #5 in Hevi-Shot. Patterns out to 60 yds. in my gun. Try several and find out what your gun likes.


Pat S.

 

[only1asterisk]

4, 5 or 6 doesn't matter. I use what patterns best.

David

 

[beards]

I used to shoot #5s in the old Activ shellls

my new nitro hevishot is a triplex load of 4x5x7. i love it because the pattern is the so dense, the best ive ever shot at 40 yards. it does cost more than the other copper plated and rem hevishot.

 

[Mannlicher]

While still a lad, I took more than my share of turkey, with 20ga Stevens single barrel, and #6 shot. Just did not know any better then.

Now I use a Browning A5, 12 GA 3" Mag, and I use Federal Premium #4s, with two ounces of shot. They sure kill turkey, but I sure have not taken as many with that Browning, as I used to do with the Stevens.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

#5

 

[GutHook]

Personal choice (has proven effective):
3 1/2" magnums #4

I LOVE my 870 Super Mag

 

[WhiteKnight]

4, 5 or 6 doesn't matter. I use what patterns best.

I realize that this is probably the best option (trying them all), but I was trying to keep ammunition cost under the $200+ potential dollars that could be spent on trying a box of each from MidwayUSA.

 

[Greybeard]

Quote: "While still a lad, I took more than my share of turkey, with 20ga Stevens single barrel, and #6 shot. Just did not know any better then."

Yep and back then, probably more inclined to have the time to know the capabilities (and limitations) of the gun.

WK, IMHO, the Remington Hevi Shot in 4's would be my pick if only wanting to pop for one ($15 to $20) box (of 10). Hevi-Shot 4's are about the same size as lead 5 or 6s. Some round, some tear-shaped, some egg-shaped, etc. Amazing though the way the things hold a pattern.

 

[Guyon]

You have to pattern.

Winchester HV Turkey loads do well in my gun/choke combo in #6 shot. However, switching to Remington Hevi-Sho and changing the choke to a Hevi-Shot choke, I had to switch to #5 shot to get the pattern I liked.

So you just have to try different loads/shot sizes and see what works best in your gun.

Good luck!

 

[birddog]

They'll all work. I like 5's as a nice compromise, but killed a nice tom last year while woodcock hunting with....

#8 Skeet loads.

Pattern, pattern, placement.

(Turkey season was open and yes, I had a permit)

 

[ID_shooting]

I hope at least that you have a group of guys that you are going out with, chances are, they might give you one of thiers to try. At least that is how we tend to do it when we get a new gun into the group. Everyone just choughs up one or two shells so the guy has a variety to test with. You might ask before you go spend a bunch of $$ on shells that wont pattern with your shotgun.