Ten years ago, most turkey hunters would have told you to bring a 12 gauge. Dense tungsten shot changed that. Today’s 20 gauge turkey loads put hundreds of small, heavy pellets on a gobbler’s head with far less recoil. If you hunt from a blind, carry a light gun or just hate getting hit by a 3-1/2 inch magnum, the 20 is a real option.
This guide compares the three shot types in our 20 gauge turkey lineup: TSS, Hevi-Shot tungsten and plated lead. Payload, shot size and velocity are from each maker’s published data.
Is a 20 gauge good for turkey hunting?
Yes, with the right load and choke. A turkey is killed by pellets striking the head and neck, where the brain and spine are. You don’t need a heavy payload for that. You need enough pellets, with enough energy, in a small area. Dense shot does that job in a 20 gauge.
Lead pellets lose energy faster, so lead loads use bigger #5 or #6 pellets. Tungsten super shot (TSS) is much denser than lead. A tiny #9 TSS pellet can carry the punch of a much larger lead pellet, and you get far more of them in the shell.
TSS 20 gauge turkey loads
TSS loads run 1-1/8 to 1-5/8 oz of #7 to #10 shot. They cost more per shell, but most hunters only fire a few each season.
A few to note. The Apex Turkey TSS #9 lists 590 pellets in 1-5/8 oz. The Apex Greenleaf #9 and #10 blend lists 774 pellets. The Federal Heavyweight TSS Reduced Recoil drops to a 2-3/4 inch shell at 1,000 fps, a good fit for youth hunters and guns without 3 inch chambers.
Hevi-Shot and bismuth loads
Hevi-Shot uses a tungsten alloy that is denser than lead but not as dense as TSS. Bismuth is another non-lead option.
| Load | Payload | Shot size | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hevi-Shot Magnum Blend 20 Gauge Turkey 3″ #5, #6, #7, 1-1/4 oz | 1-1/4 oz | #5, #6, #7 | 1,200 fps |
| Hevi-13 Turkey Loads 20 Gauge 3″ #7 Tungsten, 1-1/4 oz | 1-1/4 oz | #7 | 1,090 fps |
| Hevi-13 20 Gauge Turkey 3″ #6 Tungsten, 1-1/4 oz | 1-1/4 oz | #6 | 1,090 fps |
| Hevi-Bismuth 20 Gauge Turkey 3″ #4 and #5, 1-1/4 oz | 1-1/4 oz | #4 and #5 | 1,300 fps |
The Hevi-Shot Magnum Blend #5, #6, #7 mixes three sizes in one shell. Bismuth, like the Hevi-Bismuth Turkey #4 and #5, is softer than tungsten. Check your choke maker’s notes before shooting any dense shot through a tight turkey tube.
Lead 20 gauge turkey loads
Lead loads cost the least and still work well inside closer ranges. Most use copper- or nickel-plated #5 or #6 shot.
| Load | Payload | Shot size | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester Long Beard XR 20 Gauge 3″ #5, 1-1/4 oz | 1-1/4 oz | #5 | 1,000 fps |
| Federal 3rd Degree 20 Gauge Turkey 3″ #5, #6, #7 Lead, 1-1/2 oz | 1-1/2 oz | #5, #6, #7 | 1,100 fps |
| Federal Grand Slam 20 Gauge Turkey 3″ #5 Copper-Plated, 1-5/16 oz | 1-5/16 oz | #5 | 1,185 fps |
| Remington Nitro Turkey 20 Gauge 3″ #5 Lead, 1-1/4 oz | 1-1/4 oz | #5 | 1,185 fps |
| Winchester Double X Turkey Loads – Magnum 20 Gauge 3″ #5, 1-1/4 oz | 1-1/4 oz | #5 | 1,185 fps |
| Winchester Double X Turkey 20 Gauge 3″ #5, 1-5/16 oz | 1-5/16 oz | #5 | 1,200 fps |
| Remington Premier Magnum Turkey 20 Gauge 3″ #5, 1-1/8 oz | 1-1/8 oz | #5 | 1,300 fps |
| Remington Premier Magnum Turkey #6 | 1-1/4 oz | #6 | 1,185 fps |
| Fiocchi Golden Turkey 20 Gauge 3″ #5 Nickel-Plated Lead, 1-1/4 oz | 1-1/4 oz | #5 | 1,200 fps |
The Winchester Long Beard XR #5 holds its shot in a resin that helps keep the pattern tight. The Remington Premier Magnum Turkey #5 lists 1,300 fps. The Federal 3rd Degree stacks #5, #6 and #7 lead so the pattern holds up close and at longer range.
What size shot for turkey in a 20 gauge?
- TSS: #9 is the common pick. #7 or #8 for more energy per pellet; #9-and-#10 blends for denser patterns.
- Hevi-Shot tungsten: #6 or #7.
- Lead: #5 or #6, plated if you can.
How far can you shoot a turkey with a 20 gauge?
Only as far as your pattern says. Here’s how to find out:
- Put up a turkey head target at 20, 30 and 40 yards.
- Shoot your load through your turkey choke, from a rest.
- Count pellet hits in the head and neck. Many hunters also count hits in a 10-inch circle.
- Your max range is the last distance where hits are dense and even.
Different loads print very differently from the same gun. Try two or three before you buy a season’s supply.
Where to aim and what to check
Aim at the base of the neck, where the wattles meet the feathers. That centers the pattern on the head and neck. Wait for the bird to stretch its neck up. Before the season, check your state’s rules. Some limit shot size, gauge or shell type for turkey, and some restrict which loads you may use.
Shop 20 gauge turkey loads
All the loads above are in our 20 gauge turkey loads category. Hunting with an even smaller gun? See the .410 turkey loads guide. Pattern first, then buy one or two boxes of the load that wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size shot is best for turkey in a 20 gauge?
With TSS, #9 is the common choice, with #7 or #8 for more energy per pellet and #9-and-#10 blends for denser patterns. With Hevi-Shot tungsten, most hunters use #6 or #7. With lead 20 gauge turkey loads, #5 or #6 plated shot is typical.
Is a 20 gauge good for turkey hunting?
Yes. Modern TSS and tungsten loads let a 20 gauge put hundreds of dense pellets on a turkey’s head and neck with less recoil than a 12 gauge. Pair the load with a turkey choke and pattern it to learn your gun’s effective range.
How far can you shoot a turkey with a 20 gauge?
There’s no single answer. It depends on your load, choke and gun. Pattern at 20, 30 and 40 yards and count hits in the head and neck area of a turkey target. Your max range is the last distance where the pattern stays dense and even.
Where do you shoot a turkey with a 20 gauge?
Aim at the base of the neck, where the wattles meet the feathers. That centers your pattern on the head and neck, where pellets reach the brain and spine. Wait for the bird to raise its head, and avoid body shots.
What 20 gauge shells are good for turkey?
Look for loads marked for turkey with dense shot. TSS shells from Apex, Federal, Winchester, Browning, Remington, Rogue and Fiocchi carry #7 to #10 tungsten shot. Hevi-Shot loads use tungsten alloy. Plated lead loads from Winchester, Federal and Remington cost less and work at closer range.
