Turkey-hunting shotshells come from a wide variety of manufacturers, the most common being Remington, Winchester and Federal. But other brands like Hevi-Shot also make excellent ammunition for turkey hunting.
The trick is to pick the right shot size that proves most successful in terms of patterning and accuracy in your particular shotgun and choke. This can often only be determined by shooting at large paper shotgun targets or ones made illustrating turkey heads on them for realism.
Even then, a tight, consistent pattern on paper does not guarantee death in the field.
Most factory turkey-hunting ammo comes in shot sizes of 4, 5 and 6. I do note some catalogs listing No. 2 shot for turkey, but I have never heard of anyone using it.
Turkey shot is usually made of lead, but versions featuring bismuth and other exotic metals are available. Lead seems to be best for use through the recommended extra full turkey chokes.
Sometimes a gun shoots one shot better than any other. Fro instance, after 40 years of turkey hunting, my Remington 11-87 has a distinct flavor for No. 5 shot. It patterns tight, and when I do my part it is an effective terminator out to 40 yards in the 3-inch version.
Hunters should try a variety of shot sizes and different brands to find the one that hits a tight pattern on paper, but consistently kills gobblers in the field.
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