Range of lead loads

[Browning4140]

I know that using HTL shells the killing range of turkey loads have been extended way beyond what our grandfathers could have ever imagined, but with traditional lead loads what would you say would be the ideal ethical range of a non HTL turkey loads in size 4, 5 and 6 loads

[allaboutshooting]

The maximum yardage may differ from hunter to hunter depending upon how much time he has spent at the range learning just how his gun/choke/shell perform. In any case, 40 yards is the maximum range I'll shoot and I much prefer 25-30.

Thanks,
Clark

[Longshanks]

35 yds and in I am confident with lead that 10 out of 10 the turkey is going down. 40+ it can be risky as I hunted primarily with 6's in the past. Stretching distance with lead is risky business. I stay inside 40yds with HTL. If I am just past 40 with HTL it is because I misjudged distance. Happens to the best of us.

[howl]

It's not so much how far will a high velocity #6 lead kill one. It's how far will it do it reliably and without having to choke it so tight it's easy to miss. A reliable, forgiving pattern will have a practical limit of forty yards. Practical means it'll do it if it is cold and rainy or you misjudged the distance a little.

[Philippe]

Lead loads will honestly take a bird well beyond ethical ranges. However the target in my own opinion whether shooting HTL or Lead is to have them within 20-30 yards.

[catman529]

Have killed to 50 but much prefer 30 or closer. The 50 was just luck with my setup.


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[Ihuntoldschool]

All depends on the pattern.  Pattern fails before penetration in the shot sizes you referenced.

[lowoctane]

At the risk of hijacking this thread, I am always looking for a great hunt, so the hunt is my main focus and my gun does what I am comfortable with. The closer the better is the way I like it! I have passed on a few "maybes" in my times in the woods because I wasn't comfortable with my shot. This is gonna sound crazy, but I have had multiple roosters around me at a time and just watched the show!
They are an amazing critter to watch and if I don't learn something every time I'm in the woods, well, shame on me...

[Gobble!]

As far as they can put 100 pellets evenly distributed in a 10" circle. The Long Beards are the only shell that pushes this limit with what their #6s can do.

[stinkpickle]

All depends on the pattern.  Pattern fails before penetration in the shot sizes you referenced.

Agreed.  This is usually the case.

[Yoder409]

Energy-wise................

6's  +/- 40 couple yards
5's  +/- 50 yards
4's  +/- 60 yards

Now................ try to get pattern density on the 4's and 5's at those distances.............

Ethically.................  +/-40 couple yards for ALL of those shot sizes.