Full Choke Potent enough for Turkeys???

nick_bleuer76 · 02-26-2008, 07:03 PM

I had this discussion with my brother, too settle this, I want to ask some experts. Is a full choke potent enough to take down a turkey out to 40-50 yards??? Some input would be very nice.

(too cold to test it on my range)

jepcho · 02-26-2008, 07:09 PM

A full choke can kill turkeys sure. I definately wouldn't shoot past 30-35 yards with one though. I dont like to shoot much past 40 with my turkey chokes, although to do pattern very well even out past 50.

nick_bleuer76 · 02-26-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: jepcho

A full choke can kill turkeys sure. I definately wouldn't shoot past 30-35 yards with one though. I dont like to shoot much past 40 with my turkey chokes, although to do pattern very well even out past 50.

Thats what I said, but my brother won't agree, but whatever.

nchawkeye · 02-26-2008, 08:13 PM

What does your brother think they used back in the 1930s???

My dad was a market hunter, killed more wild turkeys than most guys will ever see...His dad owned a country store and they sold the game dad killed out of the store...All he had was a single shot 12 gauge and a single shot .22....

100 years before that, they used muzzleloaders....

kdsberman · 02-26-2008, 08:23 PM

Will it take down a turkey at 40-50 yards? ....possibly it can. Would i ever attempt it? Not a chance. The ol' phrase "this is hunting, not shooting" comes to mind. Personally, i wouldnt do it. In my Mossberg 835 I have an Xtra Full choke and i still wont shoot anywhere past 40. 40 is definetly my max yardage, thats only if that bird just absolutely will NOT come any closer.

Arrowmaster · 02-26-2008, 09:12 PM

It will kill at 20 yards maybe. No way out to 35 yards. You'd have to get that 1 lucky BB to hit the right spot. To risky in my opinion...

Arjuna · 02-26-2008, 09:41 PM

Pattern it out to different distances. See what you are comfortable with. It will be better than my Jellyhead inside 20 yards, that's for sure!

Wingbone · 02-27-2008, 03:32 AM

With some sort of hevi-shot or Win. Extended range, I think the right full choke could reliably take turkeys out to 40 yd. I have an old Win. 97 that will print turkey killing patterns at 40 yd. with the right loads. I took 2 birds at that range with that gun. I have a buddy that has an old bolt action Savage that will do the same thing. However, 50 yd., no way.

kdsberman · 02-27-2008, 06:52 AM

and to add...before i got my new turkey gun, i used a NEF 12ga, which had a modified choke. Longest shot i made cleanly on a turkey was at 25.

HomerJ · 02-27-2008, 08:38 AM

Before I got all "tricked out" for turkeys, I used a Ithaca 37, full choke, and chambered 2 and 3\4 only. I got birds, granted the furthest I took one was 22 paces, and that's not all bad. It taught me patients and the true meaning of sitting still!