i wouldnt reccomend shooting the body...although it is up to you how u bag ur turkey...if u pattern your shotgun and are consistent a shot to the neck or head will bring them down just as quick if not quicker because the bb's will be entering the neck shattering the neck bone aka spine... maybe these old timers couldnt see the sights on the heads or necks anylonger so they just aimed for what they could see...( NO OFFENSE TO OLD TIMERS JUST AN IDEA), do it however u want to its up to u... GOOD LUCK!