Spring turkey season can open with a bang, and the particular cartridge that goes bang could make the difference between a successful or unsuccessful spring turkey hunt. If we hunted spring turkeys the way we hunt geese, I would recommend using a 10-gauge or a 3 1/2-inch, 12-gauge magnum shotgun, since that hunting often requires taking body shots or going away shots at heavily feathered birds.
However, the spirit of spring turkey season dictates we lure a love-crazed gobbler to our position where we can shoot him head-on at a range of 40 yards or less. As beautiful as an approaching gobbler is in full strut, even hardcore turkey hunters agree there is nothing pretty about that bird’s bald head, making the gobbler’s head and neck the perfect target for spring turkey hunters. His head and neck provide a soft, easily penetrable target, which is why we aim squarely for his head and neck once he is in range. Nearly any other part of a big gobbler’s anatomy is known for carrying off large amounts of shot. While a body-hit bird may die, he may not be recovered, and we all strive to prevent losing such a special trophy.
Only shotgun and cartridge combinations with authority should be used by spring turkey hunters, including those with the mental control to take only in-range headshots.
Three-and-a-half-inch, 12 gauge loads are unnecessary for spring gobblers. Remember, we are talking about soft targets, the head and neck of a turkey, at a moderate distance of 40-yards or under. Additionally, 12 gauge, 3 1/2-inch loads recoil ferociously.
Premium 12-gauge loads, loaded with hard lead shot for better patterns, are perfect for spring gobblers. Using a 3-inch, 12-gauge magnum shotshell rather than a 2 3/4-inch shell provides that little bit of extra insurance we like to bag our big gobbler. Fact is, the 3-inch magnum cartridge is deadly on turkeys to 50-yards, but most turkey safety experts suggest limiting shots to 40 yards. Premium lead loads deliver quite a bit of energy on target, and because of the hard shot, they pattern quite evenly. If you want to make the pattern a tad tighter and a tad more uniform, use copper-coated lead shot, which patterns and performs superbly.
Generally I would not suggest a 20-gauge shotgun combination for spring gobblers. On the other hand, if you are taking a youngster or a woman out for turkeys, the recoil of a big 12-gauge might lessen their enthusiasm to continue hunting as a pastime, so a 20-gauge then becomes a plausible option.
Federal recently introduced an excellent 20-gauge, 3-inch magnum load carrying 1 1/2-ounces of Heavyweight shot, a tungsten-alloy pellet that should prove deadly at spring gobblers at reasonable ranges. Denser than lead, such pellets are heavier than lead pellets of the same size. That density allows the tungsten-alloy pellets to provide more on-target energy than lead while providing slightly longer range than even hard lead shot. This does not make this cartridge a long-range load, however, even though it is a legitimate 40-yard spring turkey load when you do your part.
Additionally, Federal’s new 20-gauge Premium Heavyweight Turkey load uses Federal’s patented FliteControl wad, which is designed to allow the shot pattern to pull away from the wad once it exits the barrel, resulting in more even patterns. Federal’s tungsten-alloy shot with FliteControl wads have previously been used very successfully in Federal Premium 12-gauge turkey loads and are both popular and effective.
Federal’s new Heavyweight 20-gauge turkey loads are pricey, as are other non-toxic, tungsten-based loads. On the other hand, you are hunting turkeys so you are not firing lots of shells as sometimes occurs when hunting geese or other waterfowl. You will be taking carefully considered, in-range shots after luring a nice gobbler within range. Calm and precise turkey hunters will use few shotshells, and the new Federal 20s will do the job.
Many turkey hunters do not pattern their turkey gun, which makes their hunting results a crapshoot because different chokes and guns pattern various loads and brands of ammo differently. Obtain targets showing a life-sized silhouette of a turkey’s head and neck, along with large squares of plain paper to attach the target to, so your point of impact can be determined. Additionally, patterning a gun is the best way to be sure a particular turkey load is patterning evenly, without obvious gaps. Tack a large sheet of paper with a centered turkey target to a backstop or wooden frame at the range or some other safe shooting area.
While tradition calls for patterning a shotgun from 40 yards, I prefer to pattern smoothbores from both 30 and 40 yards. Each shotshell gets a clean target, with shotshell info jotted on the target to study after your range session. Wearing shooting glasses and hearing protection, aim your gun at the center of your target and fire a round. Look carefully to be sure your shot hits the center, or very near the center, of your target. Repeat each shot at least once more, and check for proper shot placement with any other shotshells you are considering using for this spring’s hunt.
Patterning traditionally calls for determining the percentage of pellet hits that fall within a 30-inch circle, but in this case the more important aspects of your pattern are being centered and being even. Draw a 30-inch circle around the bulk of your “hits” and look closely at your pattern to be sure the turkey’s head and neck are covered evenly by pellets, as well as the bulk of the 30-inch circle.
That kind of trial and error can help determine the particular shotshell and shot size that delivers the best combination of pattern and power in your shotgun for turkeys. With that all-important part of your hunting preparation completed and carefully considered, you can search for a spring gobbler confident that your gun and ammo are up to the task.
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