When To Hunt Turkeys With #4, #5, or #6 Shot | REAL DATA
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 พ.ค. 2023
- 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.
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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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Love the quality of info and content you bring us George! Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much!
learning about different types of shot and chokes, this channel has been a ton of help. leaving a comment for the algorithm. thank you!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
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!😊
Really well done...content, voice & graphics. nice job (and thank you).
Thank you so much!
Thanks for all your testing
Thank you!
We use #6s lead. They blew through 1/4” plywood at 40 yards.
Definitely not bouncing off of a turkey!
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.
Thanks so much!
Been waiting on this one!
More is coming!
Awesome video! Great info!
Thanks so much!
Awesome video. I was hoping to see you pattern testing these shells
I pulled this data from previous tests. But more tests are coming!
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.
Just wait for the next video! I am gonna do long range gel testing with the #6 :)
@@TheNewHuntersGuide Very much looking forward to that test!
6s are king i been shooting turkeys with them since the 90s before longbeard or tss they were best then and still best
Yes I think so too, but wait till the next video for more!
👍
5s are best by far
#6and 71/2 been using 23/4 since the 80s Winchester super x
Wow great info for beginner like me. Thank you!!!!
Thanks so much!
Great videos. Thank you
Thank you!
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...
Thanks so much!
Good stuff 👍
Thank you!
Number 5 is the most common shot but 6 shot works well
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.
Misjudging range is one of the biggest issues I hear. People claim #6s bounced off the bird at 40 yards, but truth be told they shot at more like 90! People are inherently bad judges of distance. Only constantly practice and testing can help folks improve. Every season, I take a range finder in, even if its the same spot, even the same blind and range off all trees to remind, reinforce, and help be better judge distance when I'm not sitting in that spot. Same with waterfowl hunting. Range matters so much!
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.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Big takeaway here is test YOUR gun with shot size ammo brand and choke and see what it is doing. Just because your buddies gun works good with a particular ammo or shot size doesn't mean you will have the same results. Do your own testing with your setup. Its the ONLY way you will know for sure. Well said video.
Thanks!
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!
I just use a 10" paper plate, makes it fool proof. Thanks!
Thanks!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
Good one
Thanks!
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.
Absolutely! Thanks!
May the be with you! God bless you and go get them in the marsh!
Haha, thanks Jeff!
@@TheNewHuntersGuide ope it should of read,may the 4th be with you lol!
Great video as always. Two requests for future tests. First, testing a .410 with 9, 9.5, and 10 shot. I think it’s not the most expensive test in the world since the gun can be $200 or less and the ammo tends to be cheaper. Second, I want to see what a #10 load looks like in a 12 gauge. The only load I’ve been able to track down was a 1.5 oz load from federal custom. At 1.5 oz and 1050 fps if should be a noticeable drop in recoil while still getting 785-790 pellets downrange. I think that either video would be great chance to do a follow up videos to the #9 TSS range with 9.5 and 10 shot.
I think the real sweet spot for TSS is somewhere in the 10-12 shot range and that the manufacturers need some help course correcting. I think the name of the game should be to have shot size for maximum desired range and then to give a sufficient amount of pellets to put 100-150 in a 10 inch circle. I.e. If 11 shot kills at 45, then give me the number of pellets needed to effectively kill at that range and save my shoulder and wallet by not giving me pellets that aren’t helping because they’re only making a turkey more dead. A lot of people won’t shoot beyond 30 or 40 for a number of excellent reasons beyond that being the limit of their load. Those hunters would be likely be well served by something like a 1/2 oz load of 12 shot. Hunters deserve a non-toxic alternative that meets their needs without grossly exceeding it and the 12 gauge is supposed to be the king of flexibility. You shouldn’t be forced to use a shot that is deadly out to 90 OR to buy a gun that shoots a lighter load because only 410 has multiple options even for 10 shot (which still may be too much pellet). You can always handload, but TSS shot prices are insane and the smallest available pellet is 10 1/4 to the best of my knowledge.
Rant over, keep up the great work!
I am looking at getting a 410 to do some test videos. But if I do, I'd like to get a decent one. Maybe for next season. I do want to test 10s. I'll see what I can do.
Really like your videos man. Keep going! Do you see a big point of impact change when you switch for the 4s, 5s and 6s shots? Do you have to sight in your red dot or they all hit dead on ?
Oddly, I see a bigger change by switching chokes than shot size. But yes, there is a change, more so between the 1200 fps and the 1050 fps long beard. I would sight in exactly for the one I plan to hunt with.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide thanks for your answer. I am zeroed with the 3.5 inch #4 but there is no more of that ammo anywhere right know where i am… but i have the same ammo but #5 shots…. I wonder if my point of impact would change. The range is close and the hunt begin tomorrow 🤦🏻♂️
Oh man, stick with what you have under those conditions
I shoot an 1187 with a .665 choke. I get horrible patterns with 5s. 4s and double x shoot great. I zeroed my red dot for 4s.
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!
I don't have a 20 gauge yet, but hopefully one day soon. I can tell you that both will kill anything at that range. #7.5 bird shot will penetrate more than enough to drop any turkey out there up to 30 yards. Pattern at that range is going to be the difference between a softball and 2 softballs. I don't think either would have any significant performance benefits over the other at that range. At 20 yards the pattern starts to open up and give you some margin of error. Alot of people miss because they shoot too close and their gun is not sighted in like a rifle, which is what you need at 10 yards. If you can regularly hit a bird within 20 yards, use a modified choke and target loads. No reason to pay for any more than that.
You should use what patterns best in your gun, mine does best with 5's
#6 just seem hard to beat. Plenty of shot on target and ample energy out to 45 yards.
That’s great until you have a bird hung up at 55 yards (max range for my gun using 5’s). Perhaps #6 would do the same but I’ve recovered enough pellets from harvested birds to know that even the heavier 5’s are running out of punch past 45 yards.. The 5’s patterned so well that I’ve never tried anything else so I found this video very interesting but it didn’t tell me anything that I didn’t already know.
And maybe further, another video is in the works.
I am doing some long range gel testing with this ammo soon. Want to get more data on it.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide oh yeah. Regardless of what anybody "knows", it's always still best to gather the real world data and draw new conclusions.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide I would assume there would be. For many of us info junkies, it's just good to witness what rounds actually perform like vs what folks say it can do. Even if your hypothesis are confirmed it's just nice to have confirmation.
Hey. Possible dumb question, but help this noob: can I use tss Turkey shot on waterfowl. Specifically passing Canada Geese or sitting ducks at 50ish meters?
Asking because of ammo availability for my chambers.
Absolutely! It will let you punch out way further than that too. You can probably get 80 yards. But you want faster turkey loads, 1200 fps is ideal.
I think you use what preforms best in your weapon test all three shot sizes and different brands of shells I know it’s expensive but once you find sweet spot your set
That's a fair point there.
One thing I don't know yet if you touch on..each gun is different. I have one that shoots 4's good but is terrible with 6's. No idea why but it doesn't like them. Oddly, same gun, different tube and trying Hevi-shot; 6's were ok but 4's were so bad I wouldn't shoot past 25 yards
I'm actually planning a test with the same load and same choke but different gun. Its absolutely true. I don't think my Mossberg 940 likes #5s. The 930 did, but this one likes #6s way more.
The farthest turkey I ever shot was fifty five paces. With Rem nitros. That bird didn't go anywhere. Several others between between thirty five and forty five yards. all with six shot lead. Nowadays I use t s s.
Thanks!
Pmc made one that was every bit as good as xrs
Nice
I was worried when I started watching that some yahoo was going to steer people wrong with some funky testing. I was pleasantly surprised, gave good info that = what I've learned out over the years.
Thanks!
I bought #6 longbeard. My buddy who has the US slam said it shoulda gotten 4 or 5, smh.
Eh, maybe, maybe not. I know people who have won world sporting clay titles who say to always use the smallest pellet size available no matter what.
Getting into a closer range, I have used 8’s. Not a wiggle 😂. Of course I realize that many people can’t wait for a closer opportunity. In that case, 6-5s.
8s work great at 20 yards!
I would like to know what choke and load combination is capable of putting 100 pellets in a 10 inch circle at 50 yards excluding the expensive TSS loads. I have tried many combinations of guns , chokes and loads over the years. I consider myself fortunate to have come up with a combination that will put 30-40 pellets in 10 inch circle at 50 yards. I currently use a Mossberg 835 with a Hastings turkey choke using Winchester Longbeard XR 3.5 #5 load.
Really? Winchester long beard in #5 or #6 will do that for me using any turkey choke, with 3" shells in my Mossberg 940. The Carlsons Long Beard XR choke is a safe bet to get there with any gun I've shot or seen shot.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide Thanks. I have tried Carlson's chokes before but not the Longbeard. I'll have to check it out.
This video would’ve been better if you had kept expanding range until you either had less than 100 hits in a 10” circle or less than 1.5” of penetration. Do any of those different sized shots maintain these two criteria beyond the others?
This is a good idea
Wait till next week!
I've shot 5s&6s out of my 10 gauge& kill birds all day long at 50-60 yards no problems been turkey hunting 36 years so
Nice!
From my experience the 4s work better on dropping a turkey. 5s next but me personally I haven't had good luck with 6s, yes I got the tom but had to shoot more than once to finish it as it was trying to run/fly away. Again just my opinion and I'm no expert but just what I've personally seen and experienced. Good video 👍
Thanks! How far was he?
@@TheNewHuntersGuide 32 yards in full strut. I try to keep them inside 40 yards.
@@SuperDave-pe1zw #6 should certainly have done the job there. Very odd.
@@TheNewHuntersGuide that's what others say, I only used them 1 time, Federal turkey loads , 3" in 6 shot. Maybe he was Super bad....lol.
I shoot what works. #4 in an 835, and yep, 3.5”. I still shoot the ole 835 with the 3.5” longbeards
Nice!
Are you using 10% or 20% gel?
10% sir.
I’ve shot 6’s my whole life
They work good, no doubt about it.
I hunt with No 6 exclusively.
I lean towards them myself.
Question is , how thick is a turkey neck , and head ? Probably less than an inch from the skin to the neck bone , and the brain . All those loads have significant penatration .
That would be correct except that bone complicates the equation. So you need additional performance margin to compensate
@@TheNewHuntersGuide the equation goes out the barrel once you pull the trigger .
Love your vids George............ and I have to say.... I you aren't a corporate negotiator........... you need to change careers. :)
Haha, I am not, I just play one on TH-cam. Thaks for the support!
No one should even call themselves a Hunter if you can’t get a Turkey in to 40 yards or less.
#5 shoots a softball size group at 20 for my gun. The #6 shot is horrible out of my gun
Is it your gun or choke?
@@TheNewHuntersGuide man idek. I got a 20 gauge mossberg 500 last year and I’ve had nothing but problems. All of my turkey guns shoot high to the right. And all of my buddies shoots dead on. Idk what’s going on
@@westleythompson I bet it's your gun fit. Your length of pull is probably off, possibly comb height. I did a video on the subject. th-cam.com/video/gCkRSsy24QY/w-d-xo.html
My gun paterns 5s a lot titer
What choke?
100 pellets is a bit man, I'd say the old adage of 10-20 pellets in the vitals at the range your hunting kills the bird, your 100 pellets number seems like a bit especially if you aren't shooting a super extra full turkey choke and some tss loads
If you are getting 20 pellets in the vitals, you probably would have 100 or more pellets in the 10 inch circles. The vitals are a small slice of that.
I like hunting Turkey with a 52 grain bullet in the 220 swift much greater range than a shotgun takes the head right off a Turkey leave the shotgun home for home defense be a sportsman and take the head off at 100 yards or more with the swift
That's not legal in our state anymore.
Not legal here either.
MEANS YOU USE 5'S SIMPLE!!
Sub
Thanks so much!
It's called hunting. Not shooting.
Right.
You saying you need 100 pellets in a 10” circle is an opinion and thats the lowest form of knowledge
I'm saying you need a standard by which to judge sufficient performance. That's mine, others may have different ones.
Personaly like the 5s. Best of both.
I know they kill at 60.
Thanks.