Originally Posted by
14 ga
you guy's are making too big a deal out of your loads and chokes. spend more time on learning how to hunt, like maybe getting closer to the birds. if you get your bird to well under 40 yards, then most anything will work, go with smaller shot and greater density. the last 10 or so birds i have taken, including 3 this winter have been with my 14 ga. antique muzzle loader with cyl. bore. i use a mix of 6's and 7.5's copper, with a mag. slit shot cup and really flop em' out to 30 yards, have yet to have a bird get up.
cheers
Whoa there cowboy. Saying that you can kill a turkey with most anything is like saying I can kill a deer if I can hit a milk jug at 100 yards. Listen, I took my first turkey with a 20ga and 7.5 shot. I know that it is possible.
While what you say is true to an extent (and I completely agree about getting them closer than 40 yards) the entire reason behind the choke/shot combo idea is to be more efficient and more sure about the shot you are taking.
If I had a to choose between a .22 rifle and a scatter gun, I'm taking the .22. The ability to focus the energy of the shot in a smaller area is what it is all about.
I understand what you are really saying though. The lack of woodsmanship and the idea of taking turkeys (or any game animal) at extended ranges bugs me. I cringe when I see someone talk about 50+ yard shots on turkeys or 500 yard shots on deer.