Zim

Man of the Fall,
I think 40 yards is the number you will hear from most folks. I have some pretty dependable spots I hunt and there I will pass on on shots over 25 but only because I don't like BB's in the breast meat. I want a clean head shot. I took one at 40 last year in WI but he was walking a treeline and I can't use decoys there due to late season educated public toms. Made a clean head shot anyway.

springspur

Yeah, 40-45 yards, I use Winchester Longbeard XR loads and a Jebs .655 headhunter choke. I'm very picky about sighting in because it shoots such tight patterns and if the sights are off it will be a miss.

DTC

I am shooting the Longbeard XR's as well and have added a red dot scope b/c the pattern is so tight. I consistently put 70 pellets in the head and neck at 40 yards on paper. That doesn't mean I would shoot much over that. I would rather let a bird walk off to hunt the next day as cripple him at 50 or 60 yards and let the coyotes eat him.

springspur

Yeah I've got optics on both of my turkey guns. The 870 has a 2.5 scope & Beretta A300 has a red dot.

kellyguinn

If ya don't mind me asking what gun/choke set up are you using? I am still in debate on getting rid of my old mossberg and getting a new set up for next year with a red dot.


I typically limit myself to 40 yrds but I did misjudge one last year and it ended up being 65. I put a stalk on him using a fan from one I shot the day before. I was way off in distance because of the heat of the moment and the wide open dirt field.

springspur

I switched to a Beretta A300 NWTF edition because I won it last year, Jebs headhunter .655 choke, Vortex venom red dot, and a accu riser comb riser kit for a good cheek weld. And off subject, is it you Capt Kelly that updates team scores?

DTC

I actually have 2 turkey guns. My main gun is a Mossberg 835 topped with a truglo scope. It has an adjustable cheeck plate and the Mathews harmonic dampener built in the stock. I currently just have the factory choke it it. My 2nd set up is a Remington Versa Max with an Indian creek choke. I will try to get some pics up.

kellyguinn

I was thinking we could post up our own birds but you are right. Just seen Superstrutter would like the captains to post them. Got all up now I believe.

Strut&Rut

I have no qualms about taking a 50+ yard shot in an open field with my 12ga, but usually limit myself to 40 yards or less in the timber due to unforeseen obstacles. Due to the places I hunt, most of the birds I've killed have been in the woods, and have been harvested at 30 steps or less...

DTC

Here they are.