2 3/4 turkey loads

I don't mean to sound like a Smart aleck.....but any legal shotgun load is a good one......in the range that it puts enough shot into the kill zone.

So.....depends on how far you feel you "need" to shoot.

A buddy is getting ready for his 5th season, the last four being successful ones using a plain barrel model 12 16 gauge with high brass 6 shot field loads, and has not lost a bird.

While I am not an experienced turkey hunter I have patterned more shotguns than I can recall and what one shoots in tight groups, a twin to it may not.

All the new "heavy metal" shot shells are pretty unique with more shot that while smaller, weighs as much as a size or two larger in lead. They are regarded as good loads and those I've patterned were pretty awesome, and probably the most expensive of the pack. The copper coated lead is another that NORMALLY groups well too .......but again, your shotgun will be near as picky for shot size and load as any centerfire rifle is for choices in bullets.

While no longer a cheap option, the best option will be to buy and pattern a few, and stay within the range what your choice shows you it is lethal.

Regardless of how many options there are, there is a lethal range for all of them and, like my buddy who refuses to buy high cost ammo and uses what he has in hand, they still work.....if and only if, used in the range that they do so.

The choke constriction of the old remingtons often are different than todays constrictions for the same "choke" and only shooting different sizes and loads of shot, and shot types will tell you the story.

Many here can give you info on what THEY use, but there is a possibility that your shotgun will not group anything similar with the exact same shells.

Turkey hunting is a real do or die situation for some hunters and they go all out in expense to be able to shoot as far as they can. Nothing wrong with that at all but do not get trapped into thinking it is the "only way".

Like deer hunting, turkey's have been killed with the "same ol, same ol" ammo and ranges for more years than most of us have been alive.

They still will do so too. Your range preference and willingness to spend funds will dictate your best options but unfortunately no one here can tell you "xyz shells" is your best option......or actually even have an idea if your shotgun will pattern them at all but the two choices above have been suggested as some to try.

Me, I'd start with what I have on the shelf and patterning them to get a good idea of what range they would be fine at.

2 cents, as always
God Bless

^^^^^ What steve said. Will you be rolling your own, or using factory ammo?

I have a buddy whos daughter uses a 20g with light load #6's. Just about anything will work ... the effective killing range just shrinks.