When To Hunt Turkeys With #4, #5, or #6 Shot | REAL DATA

The best lead shot size for hunting turkeys with Winchester Long Beard XR is either #4, #5, or #6. Bigger pellets provide more penetration while smaller shot provides higher pattern density in turkey ammunition. Each has pros and cons, but the data clearly shows the percentage increase in number of pellets vs. the ballistics gel penetration depth when you change shot size. To obtain maximum range you need to enough power with enough pellets to deliver that power. The best ammo for turkey hunting is the one that gives you pattern density you need at the range you want to hunt with the shotgun and choke tube you plan to use.

I am not advocating for long range turkey hunting but if you want to be able to do so, I recommend you explore Tungsten Super Shot (TSS). That is the only tool that will truly let you reach out to extreme long range. This video is based off of first party data from my own ballistics gel testing.

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[Eric-nged]

learning about different types of shot and chokes, this channel has been a ton of help. leaving a comment for the algorithm. thank you!

[joncavallo]

Using Winchester LB XR, 12 gauge, 3 inch, #5 shot, out of a Mossberg 835 3.5 inch, a Carlson X-Full choke, with a Tru-Glo Gobble Red/Green dot within a circle, head and neck inside circle representing 30 yards, Tom is dirt napped with this combo! Aim is just above wattle! Always works for me, but I like em closer, say 20-30 yards, but no problem with those that hang up!😊

[CampbellsCoins]

Love the quality of info and content you bring us George! Keep up the great work.

[paulwylie]

I've been studying this for years George and by measuring real turkey heads and necks plus "x-ray" targets, I come up with a vital (quick kill) area of 10 sq inches. In a 10 inch circle there are 7.8 vital areas. If 5 shot hit a turkey in the vital area at 40 yds, he's a goner. I'm talking #'s 4, 5, or 6 lead. If so, one needs to average 39 pellets in a ten inch diameter circle. Key word, average and be able to center that pattern on the vital area. Hence, pattern your gun, choke and load at 40 yds shooting 2 -4 shells to get an average. Forget about the reactive turkey targets and put up a 24 to 36 inch square piece of paper or cardboard and shoot twice at a measured 40 yards. If ya can't draw out a 10 inch diameter circle, just put a 9 or 10 inch diameter paper plate over the densest part of the pattern and count the pellet holes and divide by 2 shots. Voila!

[mattsweet]

Good video based on sound testing. It essentially proved my reasoning for always having used #6 shot. I used to use Winchester XX which always did the job for me. 99% of my hunting is in the woods with a fair amount of underbrush. I switched to Longbeards 3 years ago. As you stated, they are the best and have worked for me. Most likely because I don’t launch “Hail Mary” shots at field birds at 70 yards.

[corymattson]

We use #6s lead. They blew through 1/4” plywood at 40 yards.

[bdubs]

Couldn’t agree more. Watched to end but right when I hit play I thought, any of those as long as they pattern correctly out of your gun.
Last 6 turkeys I’ve killed, I went from 4s for the first 2. 5s for the 3rd, then the last 3 all with 6s. Most 25-30 yards but the first one with the 6s was close to 40. None of them took another step.
Problem I see when people start shooting passed 40 is every 5 yards more is hard to estimate. Helped a guy look for his bird on public land a few years ago that he said was 40-50 yards. He showed me where it was when he shot and where he was sitting. I walked it off and was more like 65 yards. Know your range, know your gun, and know your ammo.

[MikePatton-hb]

You should use what patterns best in your gun, mine does best with 5's

[jerrodladner]

6s are king i been shooting turkeys with them since the 90s before longbeard or tss they were best then and still best

[eduffy]

#6 just seem hard to beat. Plenty of shot on target and ample energy out to 45 yards.

[teamflanneloutdoors]

Appreciate this one! Very helpful. My 20ga. likes LBXR #6 out of my long range barrel and Fiocchi golden pheasant 3" #6 out of my short range barrel. I personally do not want to shoot over 40 yds. YMMV. And yes-
the key is to pattern your gun to find what choke, what shell, what shot size, YOUR gun prefers.

[stephenhair]

I have a Remington 1100 LW 20 gauge that is only chambered for 2 3/4" shells. The problem I've found is finding Bismuth or Tungsten Super Shot in that length in stock. So I've had to go with Lead in a High Velocity Upland Load. I've killed Turkeys at 30 yards with 7 1/2 shot out of a Carlson Turkey Choke.
This has worked for me so far. Thanks for sharing this!! God Bless.

[crudersphere]

My rule isn't 100 pellets in a 10" circle, but rather no fewer than 3 spinal/cranial hits on an anatomically accurate turkey silhouette (repeating the test 3 times). If I can get a load that gives me an average of 5-10 hits in the spine/brain, I feel really good about the load.

This is mainly because I use a 20 ga, and have fewer pellets to begin with. In some cases, 100 is almost the whole load. With 5s, it's around half the load. Still, I've been having a really hard time getting a viable turkey pattern beyond 30 yards without resorting to TSS.

[aronkoppold]

Number 5 is the most common shot but 6 shot works well

[johnrandolph]

Really well done...content, voice & graphics. nice job (and thank you).

[toddandangelbrowning]

I shoot what works. #4 in an 835, and yep, 3.5”. I still shoot the ole 835 with the 3.5” longbeards

[larryjistel]

Great video, choke is key for different shot sizes... I would not hesitate to shoot at a range where only 50 shot hit in a 10 inch circle... I've always been a fan of 4 shot (lead)... TSS is a game changer...

[wdtaut]

Excellent presentation. My only comment is you have to test _your_ gun with _your_ choke and _your_ shells at the range you want to shoot. For whatever reason my gun generally patterns better with #6s than with #5s, but different brands give different results. Also, as one of your videos shows, different shells can have different points of impact. So, test for pattern and adjust your sights.

[outdoorswithroostercurrie]

Awesome video. I was hoping to see you pattern testing these shells

[MrJoe]

Could you test winchester super X and federal premium #4 and #6 out of 20 gauge? At maybe 10-15-20 yards? Really curious on the penetration and pattern at that medium close range distance. Winchester super X is straight lead at 1220 fps and federal premium is 1350 fps and are copper plated.. would love to see that go head to head in a 20 gauge!