Barefoot Friar

Juding by this document, Alabama allows #2 shot and smaller for turkey. Judging by what I've read here and elsewhere, standard seems to be #6, #5, and #4.

My question is whether you would use #3 or #2 shot if it were legal, and why? Also, why is the larger size legal in the first place? What's better about #2 shot for turkeys?

EFH

I use magnum blend and I'm a Bama hunter. I've never even wanted to use 4s or 5s in the past, always was partial to 6's. I know the larger pellets pack more of a punch and bet a 2 or 3 would pop that head good, but I've always liked the idea of more shot per oz for denser patterns. I like to cover that dude up! Lol!!

firelt72

Indiana is A 10-, 12-, 16- or 20-gauge shotgun loaded with pellets of size No. 4, 5, 6, 7 or 7½.
A muzzle-loading shotgun not smaller than 20-gauge and not larger than 10-gauge, loaded with pellets of size No. 4, 5, 6, 7 or 7½. Combination loads using shot sizes other than these are illegal.

Todd1700

No, I would not use number 2 or 3 shot. It has been my experience that it's very difficult to get a decent pattern with even number 4 shot at 40 yards. Never patterned 2's at that distance but I'd be willing to bet that the pattern would be so sparse that it would be worthless for anything other than body shooting a turkey which I would never do. Yeah I'm sure number 2 pellets carry a lot of energy but that doesn't matter if you can't get one to land where you need it to.

Shoot 4's, 5's or 6's; pattern your gun; and aim for the head and neck.

Barefoot Friar

I just want to quickly point out that I'm not so much concerned about what specifically is or isn't legal in other places, but instead am curious about why a hunter would or wouldn't use #2 or #3 shot for turkey. If we could avoid turning this into a comparison of what shot sizes are legal in everyone's jurisdiction, I'd be much obliged.

Barefoot Friar

That makes sense.

As it turns out, one of my guns likes #5 better. I haven't patterned the other yet, but will probably do so this weekend. As far as #2 and #3, I don't recall seeing any on the shelf -- in fact, it jumped from #4 to 00 buck, but that could just be my local store.

I would think the larger sizes would be better for slightly longer ranges. Or am I misunderstanding?

firelt72

I had not completely read the post, my mistake. I actually use 5 or 6. My reasoning is that I get more bb's down range in the kill zone. While there are 450 pellets in a 2-ounce load of sixes, there are only 270 of the number four pellets. so roughly half of the bb's down range and a #2 is 90. The link explains my thoughts better

http://www.clcweb.net/Shooting/ammo/ammo.html

w123t

At shorter ranges No. 2's wouldn't be necessary,
at longer ranges there would be too many holes in
the pattern to be consistent. Sure you might
occasionally kill a bird at longer range with 2's
but the ones you would miss or wound would not
be worth it.

Mr. Longbeard

A lot of people use they for back up shots on a fleeing bird... I have some remington buffered #2's that pattern pretty good at 35 yards... 40 might be pushing it

Barefoot Friar

Excellent point. More chunks of lead equals more chances of a hit. The difference in the amount of shot between #4 and #6 is dramatic, and between #2 and #6 even more so.