I figured I should probably put some more time into patterning my gun for turkey season this year, I've never killed a turkey before, does this pattern look alright? I probably ought to hold left a bit but I see all the pictures of some wicked patterns with tss and such but do you really need all that?
35 yds
#5 federal grand slam 20ga.
HS Undertaker
26" Mossberg 500

I've shot alot of gobblers and I would not be happy with that pattern at all .

Yes. It could be tighter and more even in the center but you have enough hits to do the deed.

Also when shooting turkeys don't just sit there watching the flop like you see on all the videos. Safe the gun and move ASAP to put your foot on it's neck until the flopping stops. I often wonder how many of those videos edit out the flop and up and running bad shots. Turkeys can be tough.

My last one still had fire in his eye when I got to him and that was a 25 yard shot.

Will it kill I say yes you have some in kill zone, it only takes one. However I like it a little tighter. I would pick up a couple different types of shot and shell. Shoot and compare. Tss is way to go if available and you have the money, but you will pay. Not sure what's available on your area shell wise. But I have Mossberg 500 in 12 with an underertaker and have had good patterns with nitros.

I would not be happy with that. Add in a few sticks and limps, that turkeys flys off. TSS seems expensive until you figure in all that goes with it. Unless you shoot s pile of turkey, after you get patterned. 5 will last you a long time. It will turn your 20 ga into a turkey killing machine, that will rival any 12 ga.

If you want to stick to lead, try a 6 shot. The Winchester LB do ok. What is the construction of your choke?

looks good to me. adjust your pattern to the left a tad and dont shoot any further at a bird. the shot you made would have put it down. do what warrier said when it starts its flop.

Not a pattern I’d use if your off to the right a bit the hole in the pattern gets even bigger.

Minimal


Ideal

Try 6s

Not enough pattern for me to say.

Shoot it on a bigger sheet so you can evaluate the pattern better.

It's most likely good enough, I've killed a bunch of birds and I bet more than 75% were under 20yrds with 95% under 30.

For only 35 yards I'd keep trying something different

it will but not what I'd like agree on 6 shot i still use my model 12 12 gauge 30 inch full

M e either

they are expensive but get a 5 pack of 3" TSS #9's, nothing kills like TSS

According to that pattern it will kill. Would I hunt with it no. You can spend alot on pattering. I shot several different shells and choke tubes over the years in a 3.5 Mossberg and then I bought a primos Jelly head and Winchester Long beard #5 and did a pattern test and was very happy. As mentioned above those TSS in a 20 are the ticket.

Not a pattern I would head to the woods with. If you do not want to go TSS with an appropriate choke, try other shells or shot sizes and different choke tubes until you hit a much better combination. The only way you will figure it out is to try different combinations. Reducing the distance is another way to improve your chance of a clean kill but distance is easy to misjudge in the heat of the moment.

And if you do go TSS, a tighter choke is not usually what patterns best. And, yes, you need to pattern TSS also so you know how the gun/shell combination performs.

if you are interested in shooting TSS look up nitro ammunition and check out their recomendations page

35 yds at a turkey is pushing it for a 20 unless you get TSS in the pipe

Everyone saying 3 inch I've had better luck 2 3/4, funny how it differs person to person. Gun to gun.

The problem with the original post pattern is if you add a little cover between the bird and shooter it’s a missed or lost bird most likely, it would be questionable if the shot was clear.