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    Home»Featured»Pros and Cons of Every Turkey Shotgun Gauge
    Featured

    Pros and Cons of Every Turkey Shotgun Gauge

    Josh HoneycuttBy Josh HoneycuttApril 13, 2023Updated:April 13, 202311 Mins Read
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    gauge
    Choosing the right turkey gauge is a serious decision.
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    A look at everything from the humble .410 turkey shotgun to the mighty 10-gauge and everything in between.

    My good turkey hunting friend once said, โ€œNever insult a manโ€™s wife, dog, or turkey gun.โ€ I disagreed. While Iโ€™d never insult a manโ€™s wife, or his mangiest of dogs, Iโ€™ll tell him exactly what I think about his blasted turkey shotgun. Heโ€™ll hear it straight from me, and no one else.

    If I think itโ€™s lord of all gobbler killers, shining in glory and brimming with honor, Iโ€™ll name it so. If itโ€™s the scum of the turkey shotgun earth, unfit for a half-trained chimpanzees to wave around in a low-budget horror film, Iโ€™ll make it known. I fancy myself a caring, considerate person. But I canโ€™t for the life of me filter the mouth vomit that proceeds from me when observing the nature of gobbler gun. I pull no punches. Itโ€™s no holds barred.

    After all, I do tend to nickname the turkey shotguns around me, mine, and friendโ€™s alike. Noble names such as Gobbler Cleaver, King Strut, Gauge Meister, Kill Monger, and Tom Reaper, and shameful handles, such as Sir Whiff a Lot, Red Rider, Pew Pew, Miss Meister, and Choked Choker, might or might not have been dubbed by me.

    Half-joking rib poking aside, turkey-specific shotguns are rather new to the scene. At least, in relation to the history of the shotgun. Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages to each gauge. Here, weโ€™ll cover the gamut, and provide in-depth analysis of each gauge thatโ€™s available.

    410
    The .410 is the best gauge for youth hunters.

    .410

    Other Than Gauge
    Gauge isnโ€™t the only consideration to keep in mind. Turkey hunters should also analyze and factor other aspects of a shotgun. โ€œItโ€™s difficult to shoot a turkey at 50 yards or beyond with a standard gold bead,โ€ Reich said. โ€œI believe you need some sort of sight system to make longer shots on a turkey. It also needs to have an interchangeable choke system to get a better pattern.โ€ Other things matter, too.
    • Action: Turkey guns are offered in break action, pump action, or semi-auto.
    • Barrel: Various lengths offer pros and cons. Longer produces better accuracy. Shorter is more maneuverable.
    • Choke: Find the choke that performs best with a gun-ammo combo.
    • Finish: Turkeys see well. Find a camo or dark color finish that turkeys wonโ€™t pick out.
    • Fit: The right length of pull and other fit-focused elements are vital considerations.
    • Recoil: Factor in how hard a gun kicks. Gauge, weight, design, ammunition, and padding influence this.
    • Load Availability: Think about how easy it will be to find ammunition for the firearm.
    • Shell Compatibility: Some guns are more compatible with a wider range of ammo offerings.
    • Sights: Turkey guns perform better with turkey-specific sight systems.
    • Versatility: Guns that are easily modified are more versatile with other hunts.
    • Optional Elements: Slings and other add-ons are part of the equation.
    • Price: As always, price matters, too. Remain within the budget.

    While the .410 was once relegated to squirrels, rabbits, and other small game, itโ€™s now a viable turkey shotgun. Per the name, .410 is .410 of an inch. Some might look at this gun in the light they once did, but I urge reconsideration. JJ Reich was once a prolific turkey hunting writer. Today, heโ€™s the senior media relations manager for Federal Premium and Hevi-Shot. And he agrees with me.

    Obviously, the .410 doesnโ€™t quite work for turkeys with lead. The performance isnโ€™t there. But with the advent of TSS, things changed. โ€œOld timers from the 80s and 90s told me the minimum pattern is 100 pellets in a 10-inch circle and 10 pellets in the vitals,โ€ Reich said. โ€œThe .410 can certainly get you that at 40 yards (with TSS shot), but thatโ€™s it.โ€

    Translation? Donโ€™t write off the .410. A .410 with TSS offers nearly identical downrange performance of a 12-gauge with traditional lead shot. โ€œIโ€™m looking at the Federal Premium Heavy Weight TSS .410 load,โ€ Reich said. โ€œItโ€™s a 3-inch load thatโ€™s 1,100 fps at the muzzle. The payload is 13/16 of an ounce (No. 9s). Thatโ€™s 294 pellets. The lead Federal Premium Grand Slam with Flite Control Flex Wad in a 12-gauge, 3-inch load in No. 5s has a 1 ยพ-ounce payload. Thatโ€™s 298 pellets. So, youโ€™re only giving yourself a four-pellet disadvantage by using the .410 in TSS over 12-gauge in lead. As far as density goes, No. 5 lead and No. 9 tungsten are very similar downrange.โ€

    Of course, there is not better option for youth hunters, small-framed shooters, and those sensitive to recoil. โ€œItโ€™s definitely a good gun for youth, for recoil, and being able to control the gun because itโ€™s so light,โ€ Reich said. โ€œAlso, it has some safety aspects, because most .410s are single shots.โ€

    It also offers a great challenge. โ€œA lot of turkey hunters have shot birds with a 12-gauge,โ€ Reich said. โ€œThey want to try something different, and accept the challenge of a smaller gauge, like the .410. They want to rely more on woodsmanship and calling skills. It adds variety and fun to the hunt.โ€

    terrain
    Terrain, and how far your shots will be, should play a role in choosing a gauge.

    Pros:

    • Lightweight to carry
    • Very low recoil
    • Moderate gun availability
    • Good pellet count (with TSS)
    • Unique appeal

    Cons:

    • Lower pellet counts
    • Lower patterning performance
    • Shorter shot distances
    • Not a viable turkey gauge with lead shot
    • Only a viable turkey gauge with TSS
    • Generally offered as a single barrel
    20
    The 20-gauge is the second-most popular turkey gauge in America.

    28 Gauge

    The 28-gauge might be foreign to some. This .550-inch gauge isnโ€™t very popular. For the most part, itโ€™s used by clay killers and upland bird hunters. Very few turkey hunters carry it. Still, for those fortunate enough to have a custom outfit, it offers some advantages.

    โ€œThere arenโ€™t many of these out there in a turkey gun configuration,โ€ Reich said. โ€œMost of these are 2 ยพ-inch guns. Plus, the ammo manufacturers arenโ€™t producing many 2 ยพ-inch turkey loads, especially in 28-gauge. Federal makes 2 ยพ-inch ammo, but itโ€™s only available online through the custom shop (https://www.federalpremium.com/custom-shop/custom-shotshell/). So, you definitely have an ammo disadvantage with the 28-gauge.โ€

    Pros:

    • Lightweight
    • Low recoil
    • Low report
    • Moderate pellet count

    Cons:

    • Expensive ammunition
    • Few turkey-dedicated gun and ammunition offerings
    • Few non-lead ammunition options
    • Limited ammunition shot size
    • Limited ammunition availability
    sizes
    The shot size differences.

    20 Gauge

    The 20-gauge is a storied gun and a mainstay in modern turkey hunting culture. This 0.615-inch gauge is still the second-most popular option on the market. It offers far more advantages than disadvantages.

    โ€œThe 20-gauge is now my go-to,โ€ Reich said. โ€œThere is a lot of ammo out there for it. I think you just need a good, 3-inch load with tungsten, or lead with Flite Control flex wad, which both help with pattern.โ€

    Of course, the advent of TSS changed things. โ€œWith TSS in 20-gauge, you can use a smaller shot size and smaller pay load, and you have a lot less recoil,โ€ Reich said. โ€œYou have less gun to carry around. And you still have the pellet counts you need.โ€

    Pros:

    Gun Gauge Fun Fact
    In addition to the most popular options above, other gauges exist, including 14, 24, 32, and more. However, these exist on other continents, are too rare to purchase, or all-out require specialized hand-crafting and hand-loading to have and operate.
    • Moderate weight
    • Moderate recoil
    • Moderate report
    • Affordable ammunition offerings
    • Good pellet count
    • Great ammunition availability
    • Great firearm availability

    Cons:

    Pulsar Thermion 2 LRF Scope
    • Less downrange power than larger gauges
    • Requires TSS to outpace 12-gauge lead performance
    pallet
    Pellet count has always mattered. It still does.

    16 Gauge

    This 0.685-inch gauge was once more popular than it is today. That said, it isnโ€™t commonly used for turkeys. Generally, itโ€™s a small minority of clay shooters and upland bird enthusiasts who use this option. โ€œItโ€™s a wonderful gauge to shoot at targets,โ€ Reich said. โ€œThe 16-gauge is really fun to shoot.โ€

    Itโ€™s also a great general purpose and small game shotgun. Squirrel and rabbit hunters especially benefit from the decreased weight and recoil that comes with 12- and 10-gauge blasters. Still, from a turkey hunting perspective, it presents major issues.

    โ€œThe 16-gauge has the same problem as the 28-gaugeโ€”gun and ammo availability,โ€ Reich said. โ€œThere arenโ€™t many turkey shotguns. Federal does make a 16-gauge turkey load, but you canโ€™t get it in a store, such as Bass Pro or Academy. You have to custom order it.โ€

    Lead vs. TSS Pricing
    Some might look at the price of TSS and say, is it worth it? Why pay $80 for a box when I can get lead for a fraction of that? โ€œWeโ€™re not duck hunting here,โ€ Reich said. โ€œThe hard-core turkey hunters I know might shoot 10-20 turkeys a season. The average person is shooting a lot less than that.โ€

    So, it isnโ€™t as big of a deal paying for sub-gauge TSS because you arenโ€™t burning as much ammunition. Because TSS doesnโ€™t require as much of a spend for turkey hunters (in terms of shotshell volume), it wonโ€™t hit the wallet quite as hard. However, bigger gauges, such as 12-gauge, are still much more relevant in the waterfowl world given the higher annual usage of ammunition, which would require heavier volumes of TSS. Obviously, this isnโ€™t as much of a factor for turkey hunters. You can purchase a couple boxes of TSS for turkey hunting, and that might last two or three seasons, perhaps longer.

    Pros:

    • Moderate weight
    • Moderate recoil
    • Moderate report
    • Unique appeal

    Cons:

    • Minimal ammunition offerings
    • Minimal ammunition availability
    • Minimal firearm availability
    • Requires custom orders
    • Expensive firearm options
    • Expensive ammunition solutions
    jj
    JJ Reich poses with his turkey, and his 20-gauge turkey shotgun.

    12 Gauge

    The 12-gauge is still king of the turkey woods, no matter how many hunters brag about their .410s. This 0.729-inch gauge is still the most popular option and blisters more gobbler noggins than any other gauge on the market.

    That said, are hunters starting to slowly transition to smaller gauges? It seems possible. Even so, many hunters still use 3 ยฝ-inch 12-gauge turkey loads. More power to them (literally).

    โ€œA 3-inch load going 1,200 fps with 1 ยพ ounce No. 4s or 5s is a stronger-end recoil load,โ€ Reich said. โ€œOur TSS No. 9s in 3 ยฝ inches are probably some of our best-selling loads, but those kick.โ€

    Depending on the specific load selected, these 3 ยฝ-inch TSS loads have over 800 pellets. That certainly offers plenty of coverage, but is it necessary? If you want to see 400 pellets in a 10-inch circle, and 70 in the vitals, the answer is yes. If youโ€™re happy with lower numbers, the answer is no. Itโ€™s ultimately up to the consumer.

    In essence, for some shooters that prefer sub-gauges, the 12-gauge is the new 10-gauge โ€” unnecessary. At least, in terms of using 3- and 3 ยฝ-inch shells. That said, companies are beginning to produce 2 ยพ-inch 12-gauge turkey shotgun loads, which are cheaper to buy and produce less recoil.

    Pros:

    • Available in 2 ยพ-, 3-, and 3 ยฝ-inch shells
    • More downrange energy
    • Higher pellet counts
    • Abundant firearm options
    • Abundant ammunition offerings
    • Abundant ammunition availability

    Cons:

    • More weight
    • Higher recoil
    • Higher report
    • More expensive firearms
    • More expensive ammunition
    gauges
    The size of each turkey gauge.

    10 Gauge

    The 10-gauge is quite rare in the turkey woods. Honestly, Iโ€™ve never even shot one. Nor have I hunted with someone else who did. This 0.775-inch gauge is the largest gauge manufacturers are allowed to sell to hunters for hunting purposes, and no one wants it.

    โ€œObviously, comparing a 10-gauge to a .410, the 10-gauge has a way higher pellet count,โ€ Reich said. โ€œGenerally, the only option is a 3 ยฝ-inch load. Shooting a 3 ยฝ-inch load with 2 ounces of shot is way overkill, especially on a shoulder. Thereโ€™s too much power. You donโ€™t need it.โ€

    Essentially, itโ€™s like shooting a squirrel with a .300 Win Mag. So, whatโ€™s the point? Manliness, man.

    Pros:

    • Greatest pellet counts
    • Greatest downrange energy
    • Unique appeal
    • Automatic man card upgrade

    Cons:

    • Heaviest weight
    • Severe recoil
    • Loudest report
    • Lowest firearm availability
    • Expensive firearm options
    • Lowest ammunition offerings
    • Expensive ammunition prices
    author
    The author poses with a turkey he bagged with his 12-gauge.

    Conclusion

    Overall, the right gauge is different for every hunter. The one constant thatโ€™s always mattered remainsโ€”pellet count. Pellet count is important, just as it always has. If your turkey rig puts enough pellets in the kill zone, it gets the nod. And Iโ€™ll do my best to not give it a quirky name.

     

    Read More: The Small Bore Turkey Gun Debate

    Per our affiliate disclosure, we may earn revenue from the products available on this page.

    April 2023
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    Josh Honeycutt

    Iโ€™ve been an outdoor communicator since 2010. Since then, Iโ€™ve been blessed with a full-time career in the outdoors, and Iโ€™ve worked for most of the major hunting magazines and websites, including Field & Stream and Outdoor Life. As a deer and turkey hunter, these are the topics I cover most, but I also dabble in other areas, too, including conservation, predator hunting, small game hunting, and more.

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