I have always shot #6's. Today I shot my mossberg 835 with win.#4's and out of three shots I had 8,9,11 pellets in the skull and spine of an h.s. turkey target at 40 yards. I was wondering how many #4's you guys like to have at 40 yards? The reason I am asking is that the pattern just doesn't look as good because of the lower pellet count. With #6 win xtended I am getting 14-18 pellets in the brain and spine at 40 yards. Would you rather have 15 #6's or 10 #4's? I know they would both be dead but you know how us turkey hunters and patterning their guns are. Thanks for the reply adn I hope everyone has an Awsome season.

I was pondering that same question a few years ago and just split the difference and went with #5s (no kidding - my logic was that the #5 would be the best of both worlds with a greater pellet count than 4s and more downrange energy than 6s).

In my opinion this was largely an academic exercise, as he turkeys didn't seem to have a preference - or they simply didn't care to express a preference - following the clean one-shot kills. )

My best is 17,but I average 14 or 15 @ 40yds.With 3.5" WInchester 2oz HV.So you are pretty close.You might just be a little off center?That is a small target,and you can't really tell exactly how close to center your pattern may be.Both of my guns shoot off center,but with the tru glo magnum gobble dot pro sights.I can get it centered.I get a large piece of cardboard.I put a 1" orange dot in the center of it.I usually start at 30yds,and finish at 40yds.

I shoot the spot.Then I make a 12" circle,using the dot as my center.Then I make two lines,one left to right,one up and down...Like a set of crosshairs.Then I count the pellets in each of these quadrants.Then you can see if the pattern is up or down...left or right.

For example:My numbers the other day @ 40yds in a quartered up 12" circle were(108 total hits)Top left 29,topright 26,bottom left 26,bottom right 27.That would be 55in thetop half,53 down in the bottom half.55 on the left half,53 on the right half.So you can see there is no more than a 2 pellet difference in either half.That is close to perfect for me.It doesn't have to be that close,but within 5-10 pellets per half I'd say.

I hope I didn't make that too hard to understand b/c it will really help you center your pattern.If you add up way more in one section you will see which direction you need to move your sight in order to get more shot into an empty quadrant.Just repeat until you get an evenly centered pattern,at 40yds.(Or 30-35 if you prefer to shoot shorter distances).

At 40yds as long as you have more than 3-5 pellets in the brain and spine...Honestly it won't matter what size they are.Even 6's still retain enough energy to do serious damage at 40yds.

Incase you were wondering.....2oz load pellet count average

#4's-270
#5's-340
#6's-450

But still you are getting enough hits to kill a turkey clean.I hope that you found some help amongst all of my babbling.[8D]

Your pretty much good to go with both... I like #4's but my gun will not pattern them very well

Plus those WinExt Range are like 29.00[]

Thanks for the replies, I guess I'll just close my eyes and put which ever one I grab out of my vest into my gun.

6 to 12 pellet holes in the spine or skull is all I count! I use 4s - Winchester Supremes same powder load but reduced shot charge which gives me more punch or muzzle velocity. Easy on the shoulder too with a 3 inch gun.

JW

Fellas a little secret from me to you. I use a remington 870 express with a superfull choke tube. I use #2 copper plated shot and at 40 yds i have have consitently put 20 or pellets in the kill zone of a turkey head. The average has been around 24. I tell you what it stops a turkey at 40 yds. dead. This has been my best turkey gun/load ever.

For lead I recommend 5s as they offer a little longer range knockdown than 6s yet have a higher pellet count than 4s. But when shooting the new lead alternatives I have seen no reason for strictly 4s or 5s. I recommend that most of my customers who are buying HeviShot or Extended to try 6s. Being heavier than lead they have the knockdown of larger shot but still have a high pellet count for better pattern densities.

Now, I know I amplaying the same old tune I always play but since it was recommended in the original post... have you tried Nitro HeviShot and Rhino choke tubes? If you like less than a dozen or so pellets in the head/neck area at 40 yds you might like to know that most 3.5" guns will 230-270 pellets inside a 10" circle at 40yds with a Nitro triplex (4x5x7 HeviShot). My 870 Supermag shoots the Nitro very well through a .665 TruGlo (the old 3bands of ports, not the cheapies of today) but even it pales too my 835 shooting the Nitro's that are made for 835/935 Mossbergs. With a .695 Rhino and 2 1/4oz 4x5x7 Nitro my gun put 22 pellets in a 12 oz drink can at 60yds!!! (Yes 60)

The secret too lead alternative is NOT to overchoke it. To many guys think they must choke it like lead, yet it patterns like steel. Most 3.5" guns will shoot lead alternatives better through quality .660-.670s.
RA

Problem is, not all states allow #2 pellets for turkey hunting, for safety reasons alone. #2 shot is a man killer.

lol...i must have wayyyy too much time on my hands to plan my turkey hunting cause i actually load my gun with alternate fives followed up with fours..in my hunts the fives do the trick but if i need, the fours will finish the job.