16 gauge turkey load

rifleman8 · April 12, 2011, 01:54 PM

I can't find any turkey loads in 16 gauge, so any recommendations on shot size/weight? I have been considering using Federal ammo in #4. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

ligonierbill · April 12, 2011, 08:54 PM

Tight choke, high brass, heavy load of #6. You're shooting for the head and neck.

rifleman8 · April 12, 2011, 09:16 PM

Thanks! I'm hoping to call one in!

bamaranger · April 15, 2011, 09:56 AM

When I was younger, the 16 ga was still popular and you could find "short magnums", which I think held 1-1/4 oz of shot. Not sure about that, 40 years ago ya know. I don't know if a short mag in the 16 is marketed today or not. I certainly have never seen any "dedicated" 16 ga turkey loads as are now the rage.

In a 16 ga, I would go with #6 shot as l-bill advised. A load of 1-1/8 of #6 or maybe even 1-1/4 if you can find them, will be plenty for a turkey head/neck shot to 30-35 yds. Pattern your gun, (it is FULL choke right?) and get a sense of what 30-35 yds looks like in the woods, and you'll be fine.

To me,and any gun of mine I've shot it through, #4 shot, even in 3" 12 ga mag, produces patterns that are a bit thin to my liking. The best gun I've seen for #4 was a buddy's Browning 10ga pump. It was formidable. It also weighed a ton, and was near impossible to keep mounted for an incoming bird, or tote all morning up and down trying to catch up w/ a ridge running turkey. Sorry, got off track.

For quite a few years, I turkey hunted with an heirloom pump cause it was all I had w/ a full choke (Savage Model 1921 12 ga) and shot either 1-1/8 or 1-1/4 oz of #6 shot. It killed birds fine inside 35 yds.

BTW what county in PA are you hunting? I killed my first turkey, lo those many years ago, in Blair county, with the above mentioned Savage, on a SGL near Tyrone, about 1976. You could hunt all season and never see or hear another guy.

Old Grump · April 15, 2011, 01:15 PM

I used a 20 gauge with #6 for quite a few years, now I use #4 in that same 20 gauge. Both work equally well for me using an IM choke and 2 3/4" shells so your 16 gauge and #6 should be more than adequate. 3 1/2" Goose loads not necessary for a bird shot in the neck and under 40 yards even though most seem to think it is mandatory. They are tough but not that tough.

Jack O'Conner · April 15, 2011, 08:25 PM

I hunt 'em with an antique single barrel Iver Johnson with FULL choke. My 16 has taken many many turkeys shooting high base #7.5 shot by Remington. The pattern is very tight at 20 yards which is plenty of reach for my style of hunting. #7.5 at this distance is practically a guillotine.

Jack

bamaranger · May 9, 2018, 04:48 PM

Yes, I know I have pulled a thread out of the grave, but I think this is worth it.

In fiddling around w/ two 16 ga guns here during gobbler season, I found online what could be 3 very good 16 ga loads for turkey.
-Hevishot marketed a 16 ga shell with 1-1/4 Oz of hevi #6 or #4 and called
the load, Hevishot duck. EXPENSIVE, but there are some still out there
at just over $40.00 a 10/box

-the "Nitro Ammunition Co" sells a 1-1/4 oz 16 ga load with hevi-shot,
oddly, the web site does not show shot size.....but I'll bet it's hevi #6.
At $60.00 a 10 box, they're out of my league

-Federal sells a Wing-Shok buffered lead load in 16 ga, in #6 and #4, or at least they used to, it seems seasonal, Midway had it around $20.00 a box

kraigwy · May 10, 2018, 10:54 AM

My grandfather, uncle, and I have shot more then a few turkeys (among other critters) with my GFs old single barreled 16 ga using 4 or 6 shot. Head shooting as mentioned.

Years before I was born some one stuck it in the mud, spliting the end of the barrel without cleaning out the mud so it has nothing that resebles a choke.

Gun is worthless but means the world to me. Shot my first deer with it after picking up pop bottles along the highway to come up with the $.25 cents needed to buy 3 rounds of buck shot it took to kill the deer.

buck460XVR · May 11, 2018, 08:34 AM

I've taken several turkeys with my Fox SxS 16, using Federal Hi-Brass #6. Know your pattern and you'll know your distance.

FITASC · May 11, 2018, 09:23 AM

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/16-gauge?ss=4

Seems Aguila makes some 16 gauge turkey loads, as does Federal and Winchester

bamaranger · May 11, 2018, 05:05 PM

I will agree that knowing your gun and load will help you take more gobblers. I will also agree that any load, within reason, will take gobblers at reasonable distances, based on how it performs in your gun/load/choke set up. No problem. If it patterns well, the standard hi-vel loads w/ 1-1/8oz of shot in any accepted size, will definitely kill a gobbler inside 35 yds, which is ideally the range you should be taking your birds.

When I state "turkey load" in 16 ga, I am specifically referring to an enhanced performance load with 1-1/4 oz of shot and high velocity. Trying to turn the 16 ga into a 12 is not generally a good idea. If one needs 12 ga performance, get a 12.

But, if you are wanting to amp up your 16 ga,and can stand the price, and don't mind hevishot in your older shotgun ( a whole new issue) the hevi's are the way to go. I myself am watching for the buffered lead 1-1/4 oz load from Federal, as I have never, nor will I, shoot space shot for gobblers at a price of $4 to $5 dollars a shot .....ever.

I have two very specific and effective turkey shotguns. I do not need to hunt with a 16 ga. My interest in the 16 ga is purely sentimental and bit novelty driven as well. I'd like to take a gobbler with my Dad's old Savage pump, and an even older Savage 311 double. Problem is, they are both choked modified (well, the pump is fixed modified, the SXS improved cyl/modified. Far from ideal turkey tools. I will have to watch my range, and I am still searching for a load.

The Federal, 1-1/4 oz "wing shok" seems like a good place to start if I can find some.

April 12, 2011, 01:54 PM	#1
rifleman8 Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Location: southeast PA Posts: 72	16 gauge turkey load I can't find any turkey loads in 16 gauge, so any recommendations on shot size/weight? I have been considering using Federal ammo in #4. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

April 15, 2011, 01:15 PM	#5
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	I used a 20 gauge with #6 for quite a few years, now I use #4 in that same 20 gauge. Both work equally well for me using an IM choke and 2 3/4" shells so your 16 gauge and #6 should be more than adequate. 3 1/2" Goose loads not necessary for a bird shot in the neck and under 40 yards even though most seem to think it is mandatory. They are tough but not that tough. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

May 10, 2018, 10:54 AM	#8
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	My grandfather, uncle, and I have shot more then a few turkeys (among other critters) with my GFs old single barreled 16 ga using 4 or 6 shot. Head shooting as mentioned. Years before I was born some one stuck it in the mud, spliting the end of the barrel without cleaning out the mud so it has nothing that resebles a choke. Gun is worthless but means the world to me. Shot my first deer with it after picking up pop bottles along the highway to come up with the $.25 cents needed to buy 3 rounds of buck shot it took to kill the deer. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

May 11, 2018, 09:23 AM	#10
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	https://ammoseek.com/ammo/16-gauge?ss=4 Seems Aguila makes some 16 gauge turkey loads, as does Federal and Winchester __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

May 11, 2018, 05:05 PM	#11
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	turkey loads I will agree that knowing your gun and load will help you take more gobblers. I will also agree that any load, within reason, will take gobblers at reasonable distances, based on how it performs in your gun/load/choke set up. No problem. If it patterns well, the standard hi-vel loads w/ 1-1/8oz of shot in any accepted size, will definitely kill a gobbler inside 35 yds, which is ideally the range you should be taking your birds. When I state "turkey load" in 16 ga, I am specifically referring to an enhanced performance load with 1-1/4 oz of shot and high velocity. Trying to turn the 16 ga into a 12 is not generally a good idea. If one needs 12 ga performance, get a 12. But, if you are wanting to amp up your 16 ga,and can stand the price, and don't mind hevishot in your older shotgun ( a whole new issue) the hevi's are the way to go. I myself am watching for the buffered lead 1-1/4 oz load from Federal, as I have never, nor will I, shoot space shot for gobblers at a price of $4 to $5 dollars a shot .....ever. I have two very specific and effective turkey shotguns. I do not need to hunt with a 16 ga. My interest in the 16 ga is purely sentimental and bit novelty driven as well. I'd like to take a gobbler with my Dad's old Savage pump, and an even older Savage 311 double. Problem is, they are both choked modified (well, the pump is fixed modified, the SXS improved cyl/modified. Far from ideal turkey tools. I will have to watch my range, and I am still searching for a load. The Federal, 1-1/4 oz "wing shok" seems like a good place to start if I can find some.

April 12, 2011, 08:54 PM	#2
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	Tight choke, high brass, heavy load of #6. You're shooting for the head and neck.

April 12, 2011, 09:16 PM	#3
rifleman8 Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Location: southeast PA Posts: 72	Thanks! I'm hoping to call one in!

April 15, 2011, 09:56 AM	#4
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	agreed When I was younger, the 16 ga was still popular and you could find "short magnums", which I think held 1-1/4 oz of shot. Not sure about that, 40 years ago ya know. I don't know if a short mag in the 16 is marketed today or not. I certainly have never seen any "dedicated" 16 ga turkey loads as are now the rage. In a 16 ga, I would go with #6 shot as l-bill advised. A load of 1-1/8 of #6 or maybe even 1-1/4 if you can find them, will be plenty for a turkey head/neck shot to 30-35 yds. Pattern your gun, (it is FULL choke right?) and get a sense of what 30-35 yds looks like in the woods, and you'll be fine. To me,and any gun of mine I've shot it through, #4 shot, even in 3" 12 ga mag, produces patterns that are a bit thin to my liking. The best gun I've seen for #4 was a buddy's Browning 10ga pump. It was formidable. It also weighed a ton, and was near impossible to keep mounted for an incoming bird, or tote all morning up and down trying to catch up w/ a ridge running turkey. Sorry, got off track. For quite a few years, I turkey hunted with an heirloom pump cause it was all I had w/ a full choke (Savage Model 1921 12 ga) and shot either 1-1/8 or 1-1/4 oz of #6 shot. It killed birds fine inside 35 yds. BTW what county in PA are you hunting? I killed my first turkey, lo those many years ago, in Blair county, with the above mentioned Savage, on a SGL near Tyrone, about 1976. You could hunt all season and never see or hear another guy.

April 15, 2011, 08:25 PM	#6
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I hunt 'em with an antique single barrel Iver Johnson with FULL choke. My 16 has taken many many turkeys shooting high base #7.5 shot by Remington. The pattern is very tight at 20 yards which is plenty of reach for my style of hunting. #7.5 at this distance is practically a guillotine. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

May 9, 2018, 04:48 PM	#7
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	I found some.....online anyhow Yes, I know I have pulled a thread out of the grave, but I think this is worth it. In fiddling around w/ two 16 ga guns here during gobbler season, I found online what could be 3 very good 16 ga loads for turkey. -Hevishot marketed a 16 ga shell with 1-1/4 Oz of hevi #6 or #4 and called the load, Hevishot duck. EXPENSIVE, but there are some still out there at just over $40.00 a 10/box -the "Nitro Ammunition Co" sells a 1-1/4 oz 16 ga load with hevi-shot, oddly, the web site does not show shot size.....but I'll bet it's hevi #6. At $60.00 a 10 box, they're out of my league -Federal sells a Wing-Shok buffered lead load in 16 ga, in #6 and #4, or at least they used to, it seems seasonal, Midway had it around $20.00 a box

May 11, 2018, 08:34 AM	#9
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	I've taken several turkeys with my Fox SxS 16, using Federal Hi-Brass #6. Know your pattern and you'll know your distance.