How Far??

live2hunt009 · 02-25-2006, 01:01 PM

This year will be my first for turkey and i shoot a mosseburg 20ga with 3in shells. i havent pattered my gun yet but i was wondering what distances doI need to bird to be at to kill em?

Rebel Hog · 02-25-2006, 01:30 PM

How Far?? It's not how far, but how close can you call them in. Partner, 30yds is 90ft. Go and measure and mark how far an object isat 90ft!

I don't take shots over 40yds (120ft),95% of the time they are under 30yds.
IMO, there's a difference between a Turkey Hunter and a Turkey Shooter. To each his own!

live2hunt009 · 02-25-2006, 01:38 PM

Yea that makes a hole lot of sense. I know you wanna get them close i was just wondering in case one hung up or sumthin thanks alot tho.

Mr. Longbeard · 02-25-2006, 03:06 PM

l2h good ?... For some one just getting into turkey hunting and not knowing much about turkey guns / chokes / turkey loads...

A 20ga is prob the minimum I would use for a turkey...

you really need to get your self some decent turkey target... Primos has some of the best... They are actual x-rays of a turkey neck... so it's like shooting at the real thing

I usually burn copy's of them so I don't have to buy a lot...

Next you need a decent turkey choke... Tru-Glo, H&S Strut Undertaker are a few decent ones... Next you need some good turkey loads... As far asI'm concerend Winchester are the best!!! I would recomend 5's or 6's

MAKE SURE THERE TURKEY LOADS not upland game loads

Now for how far... I would set my first target up at 20 yards...(use a tape measure)

Shot at 20 and count the hits you get in the vitals(brain/neck vertebra)

You'll hear a lot of controversy about this but I say at least 4 or 5 hits to virtals...

Try this at each yardage(20,30,35) until the number of pellets you get drop below 4 or 5... That will tell you how far you can shoot your 20 gauge

now remember you need to shot more than one target at each yardage... I like to shot 2 or 3 at the short yardages and shot maybe 4 or 5 at the farther yardages... Do a average.

Say at 30 yards you take a shot and get 4 hits in the vitals and then set another target and shot and get say 7 hits, then set another target and shot and get 1 hit you could say your averaging 4 hits in the vitals which in my opinion is the minimum

I hope this helps you not wound turkeys this spring

GOOD LUCK!!!

Tree climber · 02-25-2006, 04:30 PM

you got some good advise there. just stick to it and you will know how far.

me ; I don't shoot past 30 yards.if they hangup, just wait to another day.better that than a wounded bird to die that night.if he dies that night then you want get a chance at him tomorrow.

just make you calling so sweet that he will come in running and you can shoot in selfdefence.

Arrowmaster · 02-25-2006, 07:01 PM

I would say no more than 30 yards

live2hunt009 · 02-25-2006, 10:07 PM

Hey thanks alot everyone i agree i DONT wanna injure and bird at all thats the worst feeling in the world. Thanks once again for the advice.

huntnma · 02-26-2006, 06:48 AM

my longest shot was 31 yds... and i really thought it was closer.i wouldnt of taken it if i had known, but i'm glad i did, , he's one my wall

just take your gun, see what it's capable of.....dont take high risk shots or rush a shot.....take your time, if the bird hangs up, they'll always be anpther day , another bird...wounding a bird is not an option , at least for most of us...i'm sure you want it that way too......but you betterhurry , turkey season is sneaking up fast .....wooooooooooohooooooo