This year I shot a bird at about 57 yards, dropped it in it's tracks, and broke its wing with:

Remington 870 supermag in black($350)
tru-glo single bead fiber-optic sight ($20)
31/2 inch federal flight control #5 shot hevi-shot ($32 for a box of 10)
Primos tightwad choke ($25)

This is what I'd consider to be a VERY effective turkey combo for under $400.

I patterned at 60 yards b4 the season this year, just for grinns, and had 14 bb's in neck and head, so I felt pretty confident with the shot.

I would say that the shell had more to do with it than anything else.