Turkey hunting with a 20 gauge shotgun is gaining popularity, but to be effective you need to choose the right ammunition. The size of shot you use is one of the most important factors in 20 gauge turkey loads Here’s what you need to know about picking shot size for turkeys with a 20 gauge
Overview of Shot Sizes for Turkeys
Turkey hunters have a wide variety of shot sizes to choose from in 20 gauge shells including
- #9 – Very small pellets with high pellet counts for dense patterns. Best for close range shots under 30 yards.
- #7 – Smaller shot size that offers a balance of pellet count and knockdown power. Popular all-around turkey loads.
- #6 – Moderate size shot with decent pellet counts. Provides knockdown power out to 40 yards.
- #5 – Larger pellets with lower pellet counts. Good for longer range shots to 50 yards.
- #4 – Large pellets for maximum energy and penetration. Best for 50+ yard shots.
Factors That Determine Ideal Shot Size
Choosing the right 20 gauge turkey load shot size depends on several factors:
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Shotgun Choke – Tighter choke constrictions allow you to use smaller shot and achieve dense patterns at longer ranges. With looser chokes, larger shot is needed.
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Expected Shots – If you expect close range shots under 30 yards, smaller #7-#9 shot works well. For longer shots, move up to #4-#6 size shot.
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Ammo Regulations – Some states prohibit smaller than #4 shot for turkeys. Be sure to check your local regulations.
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Shot Material – Lead, tungsten, and other materials also impact performance. Smaller tungsten shots extend lethal ranges.
Best All-Around Shot Sizes for 20 Gauge
For most 20 gauge turkey hunters, #5 or #6 lead or copper plated lead shot offers the best balance of knockdown power and pattern density:
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#6 shot is a moderate size that provides sufficient energy inside 40 yards. With a tight turkey choke, #6’s can kill out to 50 yards.
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#5 shot carries more energy for longer range shots. The larger pellets penetrate well on big toms.
Both #5 and #6 shot sizes are legal for turkeys in most states.
With a modern 20 gauge choke tube and 3-inch magnum loads, #5 or #6 shot have enough power to kill turkeys cleanly and effectively.
Matching Shot Size to Your Hunting Situations
While #5 or #6 are good all-around choices, you can fine tune your 20 gauge turkey loads based on your specific needs:
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For hunting open fields where longer shots are expected, move up to #4 shot or larger Tungsten loads.
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In thick timber where most shots are under 30 yards, smaller #7 or #9 shot allows super tight patterns.
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On public land with lots of hunters, smaller shot prevents pellets carrying too far.
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For new adult hunters or youth, moderate recoil of #6 shot is ideal.
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For maximum penetration on extra large toms, use larger #4 buckshot.
Test several 20 gauge turkey loads on paper targets to see which shot size and choke tube combinations work best in your shotgun. This ensures you have the right ammunition dialed in for your hunting situations.
Final Thoughts on Shot Size Selection
While massive 10 or 12 gauge 3.5-inch turkey loads are overkill, 20 gauge shotguns can take spring gobblers cleanly when you use the right shells. For most hunters, #5 or #6 shot offers the best performance in 20 gauge magnum loads. However, you can fine tune your ammunition selection based on expected shooting distances, local regulations, recoil tolerance, and other factors. Patterning your shotgun and testing different 20 gauge turkey loads will give you the confidence that your ammunition will be effective on hunting day.
Helpful Resources for Choosing 20 Gauge Turkey Loads:
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Best Turkey Loads for .410 Bore – Reviews top .410 bore turkey hunting ammunition.
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Where to Buy Cooked Turkey for Thanksgiving – Guide to purchasing pre-cooked turkeys for the holidays.
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How to Smoke a Turkey in a Propane Smoker – Step-by-step instructions for smoking turkey.
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Can Dogs Eat Turkey Stuffing? – Insight into whether stuffing is safe for dogs.
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How Long Can Smoked Turkey Last Refrigerated? – Food safety guide for storing leftovers.
With the right 20 gauge turkey loads, your smaller bore shotgun can take spring gobblers just as effectively as larger 10 and 12 gauges. Focus on picking the ideal shot size for your expected shooting distances and patterning your gun. This will ensure hunting success and ethical harvests this spring turkey season.
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- W.H. “Chip” Gross
posted on March 29, 2023
As people grow older, they tend to downsize things in their lives. And that’s exactly what I did several years ago concerning my choice of a turkey-hunting shotgun. After toting a 12 gauge around the spring woodlands for more than three decades, I made the decision to retire the big gun and replace it with a lightweight 20 gauge. It’s a decision I’ve not regretted. There are several advantages to hunting turkeys with a 20 gauge versus a 12. First of all, most 20 gauges are a pound or two lighter than 12s, and as a result offer faster handling. Twenty-gauge shotguns are also more compact than 12s and usually have shorter barrels. For the hunter, this translates into moving through the woods more easily and quietly. For instance, while carrying a long-barreled 12-gauge shotgun on a sling over your shoulder, how many times have you tried to duck under an overhanging tree limb only to have the muzzle of the barrel snag on the branch? The maneuver usually results in a noisy clank of metal, announcing your presence in the woods. And 20s have other advantages. They are a great shotgun choice for getting kids started turkey hunting, not only because of their light weight and shorter overall length, but also because of reduced recoil. Some models, such as the Mossberg 500 Super Bantam Turkey shotgun I purchased, even come standard with a 1-inch spacer built into the composite, camouflaged stock. My plan is to continue hunting with the 20-gauge until my grandsons are old enough to begin turkey hunting. Then it will be a simple process, with the aid of an Allen wrench, to remove the spacer and shorten the stock. As the boys grow, I’ll replace the spacer when the added stock length is needed once again. Just for the record, I shoot 3-inch, Hevi-Shot, ounce-and-a-quarter, size 6 turkey loads from my 20 gauge, and have found it to be a devastating shell, especially coupled with an extra-full choke. As with kids, some smaller women—and senior turkey hunters—would benefit from a 20-gauge. These people, and I’m including myself in the senior category, simply don’t have the upper body strength required to hold a heavy 12-gauge in the shooting position for the extended time it takes some reluctant gobblers to finally stroll within gun range. Although using a 20-gauge may not totally solve this problem, it will help, as will adding a shooting support stick. And if you are looking to buy your significant other a new turkey gun, a 20-gauge usually costs less than a 12. The ammunition will be priced slightly lower, too. There is one disadvantage to hunting with a 20 gauge instead of a 12, and as you may have already guessed, it is effective range. You will have to work the bird about 10 yards closer—a maximum range of about 30 yards—to make a killing shot. The reason is that a 20-gauge shell simply does not put as much shot downrange as a 12. But you may enjoy this added challenge and test of your turkey hunting skills. After all, isn’t getting really close to a wild gobbler what this sport is all about? A disturbing trend I’ve noticed in turkey hunting in recent years is the advocacy of bigger and bigger guns shooting larger and heavier loads. This gives some turkey hunters a false sense of competence, resulting in them shooting, wounding, and then not recovering birds that were too far out of range to begin with. As for me, I’ll stay with my 20 gauge, thank you. The last five turkeys I’ve killed were with that smaller gun. The sixth bird? Well, let’s just say it wasn’t the gun’s fault that I missed. I’ve also made one more concession concerning growing older and yet continuing to chase wild gobblers: hunting mainly from a blind. I do quite a bit of preseason photography of wild turkeys, and learned early on that most turkeys have little fear of a blind. At first, I photographed mostly from brush blinds, but eventually graduated to a small, commercially made blind to help keep rain off my camera equipment. I was amazed at how accepting the birds were of the blind, even walking right past it the very next morning following the day I’d set it up. That got me thinking that maybe I should hunt from the blind once the season came in. I did, and found that I can sit comfortably for hours in a large, folding camp chair while sipping coffee, munching snacks and making the occasional turkey call. With two or three turkey decoys placed in front of the blind at strategic ranges, it almost seems like cheating. The downside to hunting from a blind is that you are limited to one location, so choose that location carefully. Preseason scouting comes in handy here. Look for areas where turkeys want to naturally congregate after fly-down or where gobblers like to strut mid-morning. My blind is set up along a woods’ edge overlooking a crop field. That way I can slip in and out of the blind from the woods and not be seen. So how about you…is it time to downsize to a 20 gauge? In this article
Turkey Gun Comparison- Shooting 20 and 30yds with 410, 20 and 12 gauge
FAQ
What shot is best for turkey 20 gauge?
I’ve tested countless loads over my 38 years of turkey hunting and Browning Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) is my preferred turkey load. Loaded in size #7-1/2 or #9, the shot gives a high pellet count. Combine this with the high density of tungsten, and it’s the perfect load for a head shot on a tough turkey.
Is a 4 or 5 shot better for turkey?
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#5 shot:Considered a good “middle ground” with a good balance of pellet size and pattern density, making it suitable for most turkey hunting situations.
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#4 shot:Larger pellets with more power at longer distances, but may have a less dense pattern.
How far can I shoot a turkey with a 20 gauge?
This past season I shot a tom at 45 yards with a 20-gauge and Federal TSS No. 7 shot. It is my farthest turkey to date and if it were not for my confidence in the load I never would have even taken a shot at that bird.
What is 20 gauge #4 shot used for?
By far, the most common animals hunted with #4 shot are turkey, pheasant and geese. The #4 lead is one of the best lead shot sizes you’ll ever find for medium to large game birds. Lead flies very well and can keep a tight pattern for quite a long range, making it ideal for large birds in flight as well as runners.