UNCC Grad - The number thrown around by the " experts" is 2.6 foot-pounds of energy. That is what you need minimum to consistantly penetrate, break bone, and kill a turkey. I believe that number is based on some research that has been done on the subject. As someone already stated, lead #6' s drop below that minimum at around 35 yards.

Does that mean it is impossble to kill a turkey at 40 or 50 yards with 6' s? No. Will 4' s or 5' s produce more consistant kills at those distances than # 6' s, assuming you have a sufficient number of pellets in the kill zone? Probably.

I don' t think most turkey hunters go out planning to shoot 40 yards at a turkey anyway, but if the bird hangs up at that distance it is nice to know that the option is available. If you are concerned about misjudging the distance at 40 yards, 4' s or 5' s would give you a couple yards to play with, assuming your gun will pattern well with those loads.