How long of a shot is too far?

[bushmaster_5bko]

hi, i'm using my 20 ga. mossburg, 3 inch shells remington turkey load. i'm using my full choke that i got that came with the gun. I've owned the gun for 4 years now, but i've never really shot a turkey farther than 15 yrds, i'm just wondering how far i'll be able to shoot, and still put plenty of shot in the head

[BSTNFREEK]

PATTERN your gun, starting at 15 yards, and you should back up in 5 yard increments, when less than 50% of your shot is in a 30" group, youve gone to far back. Heavy-shot will improve this, I prefer the Federal heavyweight, 3 or 3 1/2 #5 shot with flight control ( $20 - $25 for a box of 10). You should be able to reach out an additional 10 yards with this shot. Typical distances ae 35 to 40 yards with lead and 45 to 50 yards with heavyshot, any further than that and you'll likely just scare, or injure the bird. Just make sure that if you purchase any type of heavyshot, you have a choke that is capable of shooting heavyshot and or steel shot.

[Wingbone]

BSTN.. is right. You really should pattern your gun to see what its limitations are. I've seen birds killed cleanly at 35 yd. with a 20 ga. and a good choke. You really need to find out what your gun can do.

[huntnma]

i agree with them totally, every hunter needs to know his/her abilities and his equipments abilities before they set foot in the woods, i wont go over 35 yds with my gun....anyway you want that bird to get as close as possible , it's just part of it....close up and personal...but not too close, lol........dont shoot anything that is closer than 10 yds....you might miss, lol.........or worse wound it...