5 Best 20 Gauge Turkey Loads

If you're planning on going turkey hunting with a 20-gauge shotgun, you need to make sure you're using the right load to ensure a successful turkey season. Here are some things to look for when selecting a 20-gauge turkey load:

Shot Size: The size of the shot you choose depends on the range at which you'll be shooting. For close-range shots, choose a smaller shot size like #7 or #9. For longer-range shots, go for a larger shot size like #4 or #5. Make sure to check your state's regulations for the minimum shot size required for turkey hunting.

Shot Material: You can choose from lead or non-toxic shot materials like steel, tungsten, or bismuth. Many hunters prefer lead because of its superior performance, but non-toxic shot materials are required in some areas. TSS (Tungsten Super Shot) has become one of the most popular turkey loads over the past couple of years. TSS has a greater density than lead, allowing greater range; this is crucial when shooting turkey at range, especially with a 20 gauge.

Brand: There are many reputable brands that offer quality 20-gauge turkey loads, including Federal Premium, Winchester, Hevi-Shot, and Remington. It's worth doing some research and reading reviews to find a load that works well for you.

Pattern Density: A dense pattern is essential for turkey hunting, as it increases the likelihood of a clean kill. Look for a load that produces a consistent pattern at the ranges you'll be hunting. For this you’ll want to grab a few different turkey loads and see which patterns best out of your shotgun.

Price: Finally, consider the price of the load. Quality turkey loads can be expensive, but it's worth investing in a load that will give you the best chance of success. With 20 gauge turkey ammo, you can spend anywhere from $1 all the way to over $13 a round for high-quality turkey ammo.

In conclusion, choosing the right 20-gauge turkey load is crucial for a successful and ethical hunt. Consider the shot size, material, brand, pattern density, and price when making your selection. MidwayUSA carries the biggest selection of 20 gauge ammo, You can shop all 20 gauge ammo here.
1

Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS Turkey 20 Gauge Tungsten Ammo

Kill gobblers at longer distances than ever before with Federal HEAVYWEIGHT TSS Turkey Ammunition. Its payloads of HEAVYWEIGHT Tungsten Super Shot provide the highest pellet counts possible. The tungsten-alloy material's 18 gm/cc density is 22 percent higher than standard tungsten and 56 percent more than lead. The result is the most energy and highest velocities at extreme range. Its rear-braking FLITECONTROL FLEX wad performs flawlessly through ported and standard turkey chokes for the most consistent, deadly patterns possible.

Features

  • HEAVYWEIGHT TSS payload with advanced buffering material
  • Extremely high pellet counts
  • 22 percent denser material than standard tungsten; 56 percent denser than lead
  • FLITECONTROL FLEX wad provides extremely tight, consistent patterns through standard and ported turkey chokes*
  • Roll crimp and clear card wad keeps buffering material in place
  • Full-length wads prevent direct contact of the extra-hard pellets and the bore, protecting the barrel
  • A portion of the proceeds are donated to the National Wild Turkey Federation

About Federal Premium

Federal Cartridge Company, as we know it today, started in 1922 when Charles Horn purchased Federal Cartridge and Machine out of receivership. Federal’s first products were shotshells, followed by rimfire in 1924. In 1976, Federal Premium was launched, combining boutique bullets with premium propellants and nickel-plated brass to create the “best of the best” in centerfire ammunition. Over a century later, MidwayUSA offers a complete spectrum of Federal ammunition, ranging from shotshell offerings like: Top-Gun, High Over All, Game Loads, Gold Medal Grand, and Prairie Storm; and centerfire rifle ammunition such as Fusion, Power-Shok, Gold Medal Match, Meat Eater; to centerfire pistol ammunition: HST, Punch, and American Eagle. Federal continues to manufacture rimfire ammo in the form of AutoMatch, Champion, and Game-shok. Federal supports handloaders with standard: small pistol, small rifle, large pistol, large rifle, 209 shotshell primers, and the Gold Medal-series match primers.

Shop Now
2

Apex Turkey Ninja TSS 20 Gauge Ammo 3" #8-1/2 Tungsten Shot 1-5/8 oz Box of 5

The Apex Turkey NINJA Series TSS line in partnership with Woodhaven Custom Calls features an innovative shot size in the most renowned payloads, only offered by Apex. The Ninja Series is packed with a highly polished, dense and uniform 8 1/2 shot that combines the knock down power of 8s with the pattern density of 9s, creating the best of both worlds

 

Features

  • Developed with Woodhaven Calls
  • Highly polished shot
Shop Now
3

Winchester Long Beard Tungsten 20 Gauge Tungsten Alloy Ammo

Winchester takes its Long Beard turkey ammunition to the next level-featuring 17g/cc tungsten shot. It's the most devastating shotshell in the turkey woods.

Features

  • Buffered Payload: Shot flows seamlessly through any choke eliminating flyers for more consistent patterns
  • Incredible Pattern Density: 6X time the number of pellets in a 10" circle at 60 yards
  • Hard Hitting Tungsten: Optimized with 17g/cc tungsten shot for maximum energy transfer

About Winchester

Winchester is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal Customers. Considered one of the world’s leading ammunition and firearms manufacturers, Winchester has built its reputation on delivering innovative products, providing top-shelf Customer service, and demonstrating industry leadership. Along with ammunition and firearms, Winchester offers many gun parts and accessories as well as tools, apparel, safes and storage, air guns, and more. We offer a huge selection of Winchester products, including the Model 70 Rifle, Super-X Ammunition, SX4 Shotgun, and AA Target Ammo. From our research and development efforts to our manufacturing processes, we understand the value of product quality and performance. With a reputation steeped in tradition, we have earned the moniker ‘The American Legend’ by delivering on our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

Shop Now
4

Browning TSS Turkey 20 Gauge Tungsten Ammo

Browning TSS Tungsten Turkey ammunition gives hunters a new edge in the field. Loaded with the densest shot available (60% denser than lead) and offered in duplex payloads, turkeys out to 70 yards don’t stand a chance.

 

A global leader in offering quality and innovative firearms, Browning now introduces a new, full-line of superior performance ammunition for hunting, personal defense and target shooting. Browning and Winchester developed this full line of ammunition products under the Browning brand. The Browning Ammunition portfolio includes popular ammunition offerings in rifle, shotgun, handgun and rimfire, featuring advanced technologies for hunters and shooters.

About Browning

Browning is one of those classic, traditional companies with a long, proud history. To get to the very beginning one would have to go back to 1805, to the birth of Jonathan Browning in Tennessee. Jonathan was the father of John Moses Browning. Like many of his time he sought a life in the West, which eventually had him setting up shop as a gunmaker and gunsmith of some note in Nauvoo, Illinois and eventually brought him further West, with the Mormon pioneers to Ogden, Utah.

Shop Now
5

Hevi-Shot Hevi-18 TSS Turkey 20 Gauge Tungsten Ammo

Hevi-Shot joins the Tungsten Super Shot leagues with Hevi-18 TSS Turkey, bringing best in class performance to the turkey market. Hevi-18 TSS 18 g/cc density pellets offered in shot sizes #7 and #9, provide high pellet counts and long-range lethality. Hevi-Shot achieves incredibly tight patterns thanks to friction-free sealed-in-the-shell spherical buffer. Hevi-18 TSS loads are available for hunters who want to watch the “tom show” up close and personal.

 

Features

  • Ultra-density (18 g/cc vs 11 g/cc for lead) pellets give unequalled downrange lethality
  • Heavy payloads and high velocities for maximum performance
  • Friction-free spherical buffer produces incredibly tight patterns
  • A unique crimp-seal resin resists damage and holds the buffer in the shell
  • Thicker base-wad, hotter primer, and clean-burning propellants ensure all-weather reliability in semi-automatic shotguns

 

About Hevi-Shot

Hevi-Shot was formed by passionate hunters looking for a more effective alternative to steel shot. Lead has been the traditional metal for shot because it is inexpensive, plentiful, and easy to form at low temperatures. When lead shot was banned for waterfowl, steel became the default alternative because it was the next lowest-cost and plentiful. Steel shot, unfortunately, has lower density, thus lower downrange energy. Hunters soon found they were unable to down birds as effectively. Hevi-Shot spent over a year developing a process to form a tungsten-alloy pellet with higher density. Hevi-shot set out to develop a pellet better than steel, they ended up developing a pellet better than lead! MidwayUSA carries a full line of Hevi-Shot Waterfowl ammo, Turkey ammo, Pheasant ammo and Predator Ammo. Every Hevi-Shot customer knows: “I didn’t come this far to miss!”

Shop Now