Only a nut would shoot a turkey with #9 shot.
Heh-heh. Witty and pithy. Shot any hens lately?
To clarify the use of tungsten shot. Its not for everybody and is similar to your grandfathers #9 lead shot in size only. Its not available commercially loaded in shells. With its current price, it probably wont be. The cheapest source is $50/lb. Shot density is expressed in grams per cubic centimeters (g/cc). The standard, lead shot is 11.1 g/cc. Steel shot, 7.86. Bismuth, 9.60. Tungsten Iron, 10.60. Hevi shot, 12. The tungsten shot used in my handloads is rated at 18, but has been tested to be 17.6. For comparision. depleted uranium used in military applications such as the A-10s 30mm cannons round: 18.6. Saboted tungsten rods are used in tank killer rounds because of tungstens density and hardness. There is a small group of hand loaders that load tungsten shot for turkeys. We buy the shot from a fellow hand loader who is an importer with a direct source in China. We use shot cups designed for steel shot with a mylar wrap inside. It shoots almost too tight; I have abandoned buffer because its tight enough for me without it. We dont want a loose shot outside the wad because it will mar a barrel. The range of shot size used is 7, 8, 9. #9 is sufficient to effectively kill turkeys beyond what some consider ridiculous and ethical ranges. I have experimented with all of the above sizes, but the density of #9 shot loads is superior and It will completely penetrate a gobbler, breaking bones as large as leg bones at 40 yards. Head and neck shots will drop a gobbler like a sack of hammers. This is based on my experience. I dont know this author, cant vouch for the accuracy of what others have said about their usage, but based on my experience at ranges from 30-40 yards, it rings of truth:
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,7593.0.html
