Small Shot (No. 4-6), Extra Full Choke
For turkey hunting -- small, dense shot paired with a tight choke maximizes pellet count and pattern density on a small vital target area.
Runner-up: Medium Shot, Modified/Improved Modified · Retake the quiz
Why this fits you
- You're hunting turkey specifically.
- Maximum pattern density on a small vital area (head/neck) is the priority.
- You're shooting at typical turkey ranges, generally inside 40 yards.
Turkey hunting targets a small vital area (the head and neck), so small shot sizes (No. 4, 5, or 6) paired with a tight choke (Extra Full or dedicated turkey choke) maximize pellet count and pattern density exactly where it's needed. This combination is specifically optimized for turkey and isn't the right choice for larger or faster-moving game.
How it compares
| Setup | Shot size | Choke |
| Small Shot (No. 4-6) | No. 4-6 (small, dense) | Extra Full |
| Medium Shot (No. 2-4 Steel/Bismuth) | No. 2-4 steel/bismuth | Modified/Improved Modified |
| Larger Shot (No. 6-8) | No. 6-8 | Improved Cylinder/Modified |
Buying checklist
- Pattern-test your specific gun, choke, and load combination before hunting -- turkey loads and chokes vary widely in actual performance
- Confirm your shot material (lead, steel, tungsten, bismuth) is legal for turkey in your state
- Stay within your pattern-tested effective range rather than assuming a general maximum distance
When this isn’t the right fit
An extra-full choke with small shot is for turkey. It is not right for upland birds or waterfowl, where a tight pattern is unforgiving and the shot size must suit the bird, and it must be pattern-tested in your own gun. Check the shot material and choke rules where you hunt.
Other results from this quiz may suit your situation better:
- Larger Shot (No. 6-8), Open Choke (IC/Modified): for upland bird hunting
- Medium Shot (No. 2-4 Steel/Bismuth), Modified/Improved Modified Choke: for waterfowl hunting
Hunting regulations, legal calibers, shot types and seasons are set by your state or country, and they change. Check the current rules and take a hunter education course before you hunt.
Run the numbers
Frequently asked questions
Why does turkey hunting need such a tight pattern?
The vital target area (head and neck) is genuinely small, so a dense, tight pattern at the range you're shooting matters much more for a clean, ethical shot than it would on a larger-bodied target.
What's the difference between Extra Full and a dedicated turkey choke?
Dedicated turkey chokes are often even more specialized/tighter than generic Extra Full, and are frequently tuned for specific shot types (like tungsten) -- checking your specific choke and load combination via pattern testing matters more than the label alone.
Can I use this same setup for waterfowl?
Not ideally -- waterfowl hunting typically calls for larger shot sizes and less extreme chokes given the larger target and different shooting conditions; the Waterfowl result in this finder is built for that situation instead.
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