In terms of turkey looking success, ammunition choice could make all of the distinction between filling a tag and watching a gobbler stroll away unscathed. The times of relying solely on commonplace 2¾-inch, #6 lead area hundreds are lengthy behind us. At this time’s turkey looking market gives an unlimited array of specialised shotshells – from conventional lead and inexpensive metal to premium tungsten alloys and versatile duplex hundreds – every designed to excel in particular looking circumstances. We’ll information you down the trail of choosing the precise turkey shotgun shells to achieve success in your spring hunt.
Turkey Searching Protection on AllOutdoor
Whether or not you’re looking dense Louisiana piney woods or scoping or a deep valley in Pennsylvania, choosing the precise shotshell in your explicit scenario can dramatically improve your odds of success. Within the following sections, I’ll break down the strengths, limitations, and best purposes of varied turkey hundreds based mostly on my experiences within the area, serving to you make an knowledgeable selection in your subsequent spring gobbler hunt.
Turkey Shotgun Shells – Lead
I’ve used lead shot for many of my turkey looking days in Louisiana, primarily as a result of it will get the job performed at an affordable worth. Usually, I am going with #5 or #6 shot for that steadiness of penetration and sample density that works in Louisiana’s cypress and pine woods. The density of lead delivers stable knockdown energy, and with my full choke, I get dependable patterns out to about 40 yards. For my looking model, that is often enough since I want to name birds in shut.
The primary disadvantage is vary limitation. When that massive tom hangs up at 45+ yards, lead patterns begin to skinny out. Additionally, once I hunt public land close to the Mississippi River, rules require non-toxic shot, so I change if I’d in any other case use #2 or bigger lead hundreds.
The place lead really stands out is affordability. At $1-2 per shell in comparison with $8+ for premium alternate options, I can sample extensively with out breaking the financial institution. For many hunters working inside reasonable ranges and authorized areas, lead stays a sensible selection that’s exhausting to beat for on a regular basis hunts. A preferred turkey shell is Remington’s Nitro Turkey which is taken into account a stable finances choice if patterned appropriately.
Turkey Shotgun Shells – Tungsten
For these particular Mississippi hunts the place pressured birds gained’t are available in shut, I pack tungsten alloy shells. These premium hundreds modified my perspective after a trophy tom hung up at 53 yards final season. What impresses me about tungsten is the flexibility to make use of smaller shot sizes like #7 to #9 whereas nonetheless getting devastating penetration. The sample density is outstanding – the place my lead hundreds may put 8-10 pellets in a turkey’s important zone at 45 yards, tungsten can ship 15-20 pellets to the identical space.
This efficiency comes with a steep price ticket – I’m paying $8-12 per shell. That’s why I reserve these for particular conditions: late-season hunts when birds are educated, open agricultural fields the place longer pictures are widespread, or when pursuing a very cussed gobbler.
Whereas not my on a regular basis selection on account of value, I’ve come to see tungsten shells as specialised instruments for particular challenges. They aren’t magic – good calling and looking abilities nonetheless matter extra – however when circumstances demand extended-range functionality, tungsten delivers what lead can not.
I discover that Winchester’s TSS hundreds or Federal’s Heavyweight TSS supply distinctive sample density and ship a robust tight sample at lengthy distances.
Turkey Shotgun Shells – Bismuth
I began utilizing bismuth a number of seasons again when looking a brand new lease that banned lead shot. These shells supply a center floor that’s been surprisingly efficient in sure conditions. Bismuth is heavier than metal however softer than tungsten, delivering respectable patterns out to about 40 yards. It’s gentler on older shotguns – which issues for my outdated A-5 that I exploit sometimes. The non-toxic facet means I don’t have to fret about switching hundreds between my common spots and controlled areas.
The primary limitations I’ve discovered are decreased vary in comparison with tungsten and better value than lead. Bismuth patterns begin opening up past 40 yards, making longer pictures dangerous. At round $3 per shell, they’re costlier than lead however gained’t empty your pockets like tungsten.
For hunters who often cross between lead-allowed and lead-restricted areas, bismuth gives handy versatility with out requiring a number of shotguns or chokes.
A preferred bismuth shell is Hevi-Bismuth made by HEVI-Shot.  It’s a go-to for individuals who need premium efficiency with out stepping as much as the upper value of tungsten-based TSS hundreds, sometimes working round $2 – $3 per shell, relying on availability and retailer.
Turkey Shotgun Shells – Metal
I’ve used metal shells when vital, significantly when looking public lands close to wetlands in Mississippi, however they’re not my choice for turkeys. Metal’s main benefit is being non-toxic and comparatively inexpensive at $1.50 – $2 per shell. I sometimes use bigger shot sizes (#2 or #3) to compensate for metal’s lighter weight, which implies fewer pellets per load in comparison with my ordinary #5 or #6 lead.
The largest limitation is efficient vary. I hold metal pictures inside 30 yards when looking turkeys – past that, the patterns skinny out an excessive amount of for dependable kills. I additionally change to a modified choke quite than full when capturing metal to forestall barrel injury. Metal works in a pinch when rules demand it, however I contemplate it the least efficient choice particularly for turkey looking among the many accessible alternate options.
In case you’re caught with metal, sample it first, hold pictures quick, and use #4 or #2—#6 metal gained’t reduce it for penetration. Nonetheless, for severe turkey looking, bismuth or tungsten shells outclass metal each time. I’ve used Winchester Xpert Metal Shot in 12-gauge, 3-inch hundreds with #4 or #2 shot when on a finances or in areas banning lead.
Turkey Shotgun Shells – Duplex or Combined Shot
On a suggestion from a looking buddy, I attempted duplex hundreds combining #5 and #7 shot a number of seasons in the past. These have grow to be my go-to shells for our assorted looking circumstances in Louisiana. What I respect about duplex hundreds is their adaptability. Whether or not I’m looking open agricultural fields or thick pine stands again dwelling, these shells carry out reliably. The bigger pellets present good penetration whereas smaller ones create denser patterns – a sensible compromise for unpredictable looking eventualities.
They do require thorough patterning, as the combination of shot sizes can create extra variability than single-size hundreds. At $4 – $5 per shell, they’re reasonably priced – greater than primary lead however considerably lower than premium tungsten. For hunters who face assorted looking circumstances and desire a versatile choice with out switching hundreds, duplex shells supply a sensible center floor price contemplating.
When choosing the proper turkey load, contemplate your typical looking surroundings, shot distances, and finances. There’s no excellent shell for each scenario, however understanding the strengths and limitations of every choice will show you how to make the precise selection when that longbeard steps into vary.
I believe Federal Premium third Diploma is a superb selection for its progressive mix of shot sizes, designed to deal with turkeys at various ranges—shut, medium, and lengthy.
