Turkey shot

[Potasz]

Hey first time hunting with a shotgun
Always used crossbow
Now I have a 12g 3 1/2 "
What kind of shot is everybody using
I want to avoid lead
Thanks for looking and helping a noob out
Kris

[miro15]

Most turkey shot is lead for the reason being your choke tube!!! Check that out first then decide what your options are. My choke is lead only. I use Winchester double x magnums 3" 12 gauge #5's...what a punch!!!

[Potasz]

I have a baikal mp 153 if that helps

[Gregoire1960]

Just curious, why do you want to avoid lead? It's cheaper, easier to find, and every bit as deadly as any alternative in a properly patterned shotgun.

[Potasz]

Just in case I get some in the meat??
Is that not bad if you get some shot in th meat ???
I'm new to this please help educate me it never hurts to learn from the old boys
I'm 30 and all my hunting buddies are the same age or around there so no body has much experience
Looking for more info that's all
Thanks

[Guelph1981]

No one can tell you what shells to use. You need to find a choke/ammuntion combination that patterns well in YOUR gun. You may have to use a few different chokes and shell types to get a good pattern.

[Hawkman]

Potasz, first of all, welcome to the forums and nice to "meet" you!

Second, people have killed animals using lead shot for a few hundred years now. It doesn't poison the animal or the person who eats the meat. You remove the shots from the meat when you clean the game, and before cooking it.

Sometimes a shot is still in the meat and you 'discover' it while eating. As long as you don't get a damaged tooth, you are fine. I am sure many people have ingested lead shots without any ill effect. I might have eaten some myself - LOL.

I switched to steel shot for a few years for ALL my hunting but then I saw no point for continuing to do so, and have used lead on every turkey that I have harvested. Aim for the neck/head area at all times and use any shells that your gun likes spitting out accurately.

Hope to see a picture of your tagged spring turkey soon.

[finsfurfeathers]

As said lead is fine you can easily remove any shot in the meat prior to cooking. Like 3" gives more pellets without the punch of the 31/2" you want to avoid flinching or pulling the shot.

[hunter391]

I use Winchester supreme 3.5" #6 in my Beretta but recoil is lighter being a semi. Don,t worry about the lead, using cell phone is probably harder on your health . Big Tom,s like a lead lunch.

[Potasz]

Thanks guys