What choke is best for turkey hunting?

For shots inside 40 yards a dedicated full turkey tube (about .660 in a 12 gauge) is the sweet spot. Past 40 yards move to an extra-full tube, and inside 25 yards — or when reaping — open up to improved modified so the pattern is wide enough to hit with.

What shot size should I use for turkeys?

It depends entirely on shot material. With lead, #4 to #6 depending on range. With tungsten blends, one to two sizes smaller. With TSS at 18 g/cc, #9 shot carries more energy at 40 yards than #5 lead while putting roughly three times as many pellets in the head and neck.

Is a 20 gauge enough for turkeys?

Yes, with the right load. A 3-inch 20 gauge loaded with TSS patterns well past 40 yards. With lead, treat 35 yards as the honest ceiling.

How do I know my pattern is good enough?

Shoot a paper target at your maximum range and count pellets inside a 10-inch circle centred on the head and neck. Aim for 100+ pellets with lead or tungsten blends, and 150+ with TSS. If you cannot hit that number, shorten your range or change chokes.

Does the same setup work for spring and fall turkeys?

Mostly. Fall birds are often scattered and shots come faster and closer, so many fall hunters open the choke a notch and accept a slightly shorter effective range in exchange for a more forgiving pattern.

Interactive tool

Turkey Choke & Shot Size Picker

Enter your gauge, shot material, and the longest shot you will take. Get a specific choke constriction, shot size, and payload — plus the pattern count that proves it works.

Choke

Full / dedicated turkey choke

.660"–.670" (12 ga) · .575"–.585" (20 ga)

Shot size

#9 or #8.5

1 1/2 – 1 3/4 oz TSS, 3" shell

Effective range

40 yards with this combination

Target 150+ pellets in a 10-inch circle at your max range.

Gauge

Shot material

Longest shot you will take

How you hunt

Why this load, in plain language

Out to 40 yards a standard dedicated turkey tube gives a dense core with enough spread to forgive a small aiming error.
TSS is 18 g/cc — roughly 56% denser than lead — so a #9 TSS pellet carries more downrange energy than a #5 lead pellet while tripling the pellet count in the same payload.

Shot size, shell length, and legal shot material are regulated by state and differ for spring and fall seasons. Confirm your state's rules before hunting.

Gear that matches this setup

Turkey choke and shot size questions

What choke is best for turkey hunting?: For shots inside 40 yards a dedicated full turkey tube (about .660 in a 12 gauge) is the sweet spot. Past 40 yards move to an extra-full tube, and inside 25 yards — or when reaping — open up to improved modified so the pattern is wide enough to hit with.
What shot size should I use for turkeys?: It depends entirely on shot material. With lead, #4 to #6 depending on range. With tungsten blends, one to two sizes smaller. With TSS at 18 g/cc, #9 shot carries more energy at 40 yards than #5 lead while putting roughly three times as many pellets in the head and neck.
Is a 20 gauge enough for turkeys?: Yes, with the right load. A 3-inch 20 gauge loaded with TSS patterns well past 40 yards. With lead, treat 35 yards as the honest ceiling.
How do I know my pattern is good enough?: Shoot a paper target at your maximum range and count pellets inside a 10-inch circle centred on the head and neck. Aim for 100+ pellets with lead or tungsten blends, and 150+ with TSS. If you cannot hit that number, shorten your range or change chokes.
Does the same setup work for spring and fall turkeys?: Mostly. Fall birds are often scattered and shots come faster and closer, so many fall hunters open the choke a notch and accept a slightly shorter effective range in exchange for a more forgiving pattern.