A Premium, Non-Lead 20-Ga. 2¾” Turkey Load

by
posted on April 10, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
image0015.jpg

Owner’s of older, yet still safe, 20-ga. shotguns with a 2¾” chamber are well aware of the few choices in suitable turkey loads, and that number dwindles considerably when a lead-free load is required. Fortunately, Federal Premium's representative in the latter category could be considered “ideal.” Found within the Mag-Shok line, the HEAVYWEIGHT Turkey load features 1 1/8 ozs. of the like-named shot in No. 7 size. Tungsten-based HEAVYWEIGHT shot is 35-percent denser than lead; this results in increased on-target energy, improved energy retention at extended ranges, and deeper penetration. Best of all, the extra-dense shot is delivered via the company’s pattern-enhancing FLITECONTROL Wad, which is propelled to 1100 f.p.s. Even if your 20-ga. shotgun is chambered for 3” shells, I’d recommend utilizing it if you’re introducing a youth or adult novice to turkey hunting, or are simply looking for reduced recoil. For owners of 2¾” 20-ga. shotguns, though, it’s likely the best of the bunch. MidwayUSA currently lists five-count boxes as selling for $16.59.

Latest

Icarry Taurus TX9 Compact 1
Icarry Taurus TX9 Compact 1

I Carry: Taurus TX9 Compact in a Galco Holster

In our latest "I Carry" segment, we pair the new Taurus TX9 Compact with a leather Stow-N-Go holster from Galco, Inc. This compact, concealed-carry kit is rounded out with an Xolotl automatic knife produced by CRKT.

The Armed Citizen® March 13, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: Canik USA MC9 Prime

Canik USA built out its concealed-carry handgun lineup with the MC9 Prime, which is a larger, yet still slim, CCW gun that sits in the same category as other upsized micro-compacts.

U.S. Army Awards Mossberg Contract for Additional 590A1 Pump-Action Shotguns

The U.S. Army has awarded O.F. Mossberg & Sons a contract for approximately $11.6 million dollars to supply the U.S. Army with additional Mossberg 590A1 pump-action shotguns.

250 Years of the U.S. Army: Bolt-Actions & Semi-Automatics on the Battlefield

In just a few decades, the U.S. Army would see itself go from a single-shot, blackpowder design in the form of the Trapdoor Springfield to a modern, semi-automatic fighting rifle in the M1 Garand.

Modernized & Economical Muzzleloaders: The CVA Optima XP & XP-SB

CVA's longest-lasting muzzleloader design, the Optima, has been updated in 2026 with "modern ergonomics and modularity."

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.