4 vs 5 shot size
 

Guys, ive been using #4's for years while turkey hunting. Ive seen where alot here use 5's. I was just worried that 5's wouldnt have the knockdown power but is everyone having goodluck with that size shot? Im sure the added shot helps. I know ive missed a few with 4's since the pattern was to wide. I just got a new choke which helped alot, but I still want to get more pellets in the kill zone.

any info from those of you that shoot #5shot feel free to comment

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

I have never wanted to use anything smaller than #4 shot, but I know a man that shot a fall turkey with a .410.
I guess all it takes is a few BBs in the head and neck.
I personally would never use anything less than a 12 ga w/ #4 shot though.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think 4 shot is larger then 6(as in larger pellets) which means more nockdown power, but the downside is you have less pellets. I think 5 would be fine. I myself use 6 while my dad uses 4. Its just a personal thing.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

I don't think it's a personal thing. It's a physics thing. Larger shot will have better knockdown power but if it comes at the cost of pattern then it's no good. There is a reason why #6 is considered legal in most states. It's because a load of that size with a good pattern WILL kill a turkey. Ask those who shoot 20 guage and use this size shot how it works. Pattern at the desired range is more important. If you can get that desired pattern with a larger shot then all the better.

Now we have various synthetic loads with hi-density and "hevi" shot. There knockdown power is even more effecient than previous turkey loads. As a result you can increase pellet count and/or improve pattern and still whack 'em at the farther ranges even if you use a lower shot size.

Don't worry about the what the number shot ends up being. 4, 5 or 6. Get the right pattern and away you go.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

Amen.Great Job.Also every gun shots different shot them all and go from there

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

My Browning B-80 consistantly put 16-18 pellets into the head and neck of a turkey target with the 3 inch Federal Premuim 2oz #5 loading at 40 yards...With #4s it drops to 6-8 pellets...with 6s I have holes in the pattern...So I listened to my gun...And I have rolled 2 turkeys in the past 5 years at an honest 40 yards...I have killed 8-10 with this loading in the past 6 years, but these two hung up at 40...My hunting buddy killed a gobbler on the second day of our season last year at 53 steps with the Winchester Supreme loading, using #5 shot...Number 5s will do the job...

btw...My dad grew up in the Depression his dad had a country store, dad quit school in the 5th grade to hunt and help his dad make moonshine which was sold at the store....Dad killed hundreds of turkeys to sell with a single shot 12 gauge, 2 3/4 chamber and #6 lead shot...

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

thats what i mean. i would rather have the nockdown power.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

Hey crazyfarmer go for the switch. I think you'll be happy with the results. I started using 4 then switched to 6 and I like the 6s.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

I love 3 inch 5 shot works great for me. I have 72 Gobbler Kills it must work.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

Double Ditto!!;)

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

let the gun tell you what to shoot , theres no substitute for time patterning your gun with different size shot and brand even hand loads that you made up your self. what works perfect in one gun doesent mean its going to work perfect in yours. this is important because this is the link between you and the bird. try 4,5,6 and even 71/2 size shot if itsok in your state.the gun will show what it likes or dislikes.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

thanks for the help everyone.. I was brought up on 4's and like said above, if you shoot past 25 yards you dont have great patterns due to the lack of pellets. Im gonna try a box of 5's and see how they pattern anyway. Up to 25 yards 4's do the job well pattern wise, but if one holds up at 30-35yards I'd like to know that I have a well enough pattern to get the job done.

Like said up top, ill let my gun tell me what it likes best on the pattern sheet

thanks again everyone.. you have been a big help

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

Right on. I'd love to shoot 4's for the knockdown power, but my gun patterns better with 5's so thats what I shoot.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

Wait a minute. Knockdown power? Not to be odd about this but your talking about pellets to the neck and brain notto the body of the bird. If you get a #6 pellet in the kill zone then it will do the job just the same as if you get a #4. My feeling is that you want a shot size that will set a pattern to put as many pellets in thespine and brainnot knock the bird down. Use what will make the pattern work.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

Not to add some more confusion to this debate but I saw some loads that were a combo4/6 that had both 4's an 6's in it. Any input as how well these pattern?

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

Farmer

I have used both in the past with success. I would urge you to move up to the "heavier than lead" shot and shoot #6 shot (which I did last year with devestating results. The idea is to get as many pellets in the head and neck. Of course those pelletsneed to penetrate, but my personal experience with Hevi-shot (although limited at this point) shows me that Hevi-shot #6 is more than adaquate

Another thing - I have read a lot of comments about "knockdown power" in this thread. What is the mathmatical formula for "knockdown power"? I am familiar with energy = mv(2), or mass X velocity squared, which puts an emphasis on the velocity componant but doesn't tell us how effectively shot penetrates a turkey's head.

Here are the average number of Hevi-shot pellets per ounce listed by shot size:

#4 = 107 pellets per ounce
#5 = 180
#6 = 237
#7 = 342

See what happens to pellet counts when you move down in shot size. This season I am making the switch to the Nitro 4X5X7 load, 2.25 oz. This load put a two-shot average of 255 pellets inside a 10" circle at 40 yards.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

I love this thread! Some great comments and most factual, but here is the bottom line.

There are three main variables, your gun (and condition of the barrel),the choke, and the shell (shot size, pellet count, powder charge. In theory, no two combinations shoot the same - even same gun, same choke, same shell.

Now you might not have the time, money or even desire to go out andbuy 6 different chokes and 12 different turkey loads for your single gun, and I'm not suggesting that you (or anyone)need to. But if you did youwouldprove what I am saying above to yourself. I did this two years ago (major effort) shooting three replicates of every combination. I just wanted to see what differences I would get for myselfand was amazed at how very well some combosperformed and how poorly others did.

One suggestion that I've heard guys talk about on here is tosplit the costs up. If you have a coupel of other fanatic buddies, everyone buys a couple different boxes of shells and you ALL get to try them all.

Sorry for jumping on after most of it has already been said but I just like this topic.

Good luck and once you find something that gives you a good parttern stick with it and bear donw on thoseToms!

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

Okay, maybe knockdown power was a poor choice of words, but a number 4pellet will penetrate better at long range than a number 6 pellet will. Short range, I agree that #6 will do just as good of a job as #4s.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

That's it exactly. Both my son & I use 20ga guns to turkey hunt; his a Winchester™ & mine a Mossberg™. My son's gun paterns Federal Premium™ 1 5/16oz #5's better than any other load or shot size. My gun won't pattern #5's worth worm spit; but, #6 is superb in my gun. It's all what your individual gun & choke combo produce.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

I saw some winchester HD extended range #6's but those shells were 30bucks a box. I didnt know if they were worth it over the plain shells or not.

thanks for then info everyone...

oh and does barrel length make a difference in patterns much also? I have a 26inch now but I have a 28 11-87 barrel here im gonna try

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

I switched to a 20 inch from a 26 inch. After playing with choke/loads I got better patterns than I ever did with my 26 inch. If you like a short compact barrel for going thru the thick stuff like me don't let pattern worry stop you. You can get deadly killing patterns out to 40 yds in a short barrel. Again, just have to find the right combo for your gun.

By the way $30USD is overpriced for those shells. I get them here for $24 Cdn. Covert that and you should be somehwere around $20 a box.

RE: 4 vs 5 shot size
 

#5's work great for me but let your gun tell you what it wants.