I think it' s a matter of individual choice. If you feel comfortable and confident enough in using a rifle for turkey hunting where it is legal, then go for it. If you want the bird in close and prefer a shotgun, then go for it. If you make a conscientious effort to make a clean kill, and you enjoy the hunt, I don' t see where it is an issue as far as the " proper" weapon is. Hell, if Daniel Boone had a Browning 7mm Mag with a Nikon 14x scope available, he' d have tossed his old smoke pole in a heartbeat...or maybe not. It' s a matter of choice.