My first turkey was with a 12 ga. 3 1/2 in 97. Only used that gun on two birds and had enough of that!!! But thats what everyone used back then. I now use a 20 ga. 870 with Hevi-13 6s and 7s. Thats all I need Thats the range I like to shoot turkeys. Is a good 35-40 yard gun. Still use a 12 ga on occasion. 3 Hevi13 either 6s or mag blends. Or nothing wrong with lead #5s.