20 Gauge Turkey Shells: A Comprehensive Guide for the Serious Hunter
Choosing the right ammunition is crucial for a successful turkey hunt. While many factors influence your choice, the 20 gauge has steadily gained popularity among turkey hunters, offering a compelling blend of power, manageability, and reduced recoil. This guide delves into the specifics of 20 gauge turkey shells, helping you select the ideal load for your next hunt.
Why Choose 20 Gauge for Turkey Hunting?
The 20 gauge presents a compelling alternative to the traditional 12 gauge for several reasons:
-
Reduced Recoil: For many hunters, especially those new to the sport or with less upper body strength, the lighter recoil of the 20 gauge is a significant advantage. This allows for faster follow-up shots and increased accuracy, especially crucial when hunting the elusive turkey.
-
Improved Handling: The lighter weight of the 20 gauge shotgun contributes to improved handling, making it easier to swing and aim quickly. This is beneficial in close-quarters situations often encountered during turkey hunts.
-
Less Noise: While not a dramatic difference, the 20 gauge generally produces slightly less noise than a 12 gauge, which can be advantageous in quieter hunting environments.
-
Increased Shot Density: While the shot size may be smaller than in a 12-gauge, modern 20 gauge shells often compensate with higher shot density, leading to effective patterns and increased lethality at hunting ranges.
Key Considerations When Selecting 20 Gauge Turkey Shells
Choosing the right 20 gauge turkey shell involves several important considerations:
-
Shot Size: Popular shot sizes for 20 gauge turkey shells include #4, #5, and #6. Larger shot sizes like #4 offer more stopping power at longer ranges, while smaller sizes like #6 provide denser patterns but might require closer shots. The optimal choice depends on your hunting style and typical shot distances.
-
Shot Type: Turkey shells often utilize lead, but lead alternatives like tungsten-matrix and bismuth are also available. These alternatives offer similar performance to lead while complying with environmental regulations and potentially delivering denser patterns.
-
Choke Tube: The choke tube dramatically affects the shot pattern. Choosing the right choke tube is crucial to optimize the performance of your 20 gauge shells. Full or extra-full chokes are commonly used for turkey hunting to create tight patterns for long-range accuracy.
-
Shell Velocity: Higher velocity shells generally provide flatter trajectories and increased range, making them beneficial for longer shots.
Top Performing 20 Gauge Turkey Loads (General Overview - No Specific Brand Endorsements)
While specific product recommendations are outside the scope of this general guide (to maintain impartiality and avoid implied endorsement), understanding the general features of high-performing loads will aid your selection. Look for shells that offer:
-
High-quality shot: Consistent shot size and shape are vital for reliable patterns.
-
Effective shot cup: A properly designed shot cup helps maintain pattern integrity at longer ranges.
-
High velocity: Increased velocity contributes to longer shots and flatter trajectories.
-
Reliable performance: Choose a reputable ammunition manufacturer known for consistent, high-quality products.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice
The 20 gauge is a highly effective and increasingly popular choice for turkey hunting. By carefully considering shot size, shot type, choke tube, and shell velocity, you can select the ideal 20 gauge turkey shells to maximize your hunting success. Remember to pattern your shotgun and ammunition combination before heading out to the field to ensure optimal performance and ethical hunting practices. Remember to always consult your local regulations regarding ammunition usage.
