SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I seen on a couple posts,That some of you are taking out birds, At30 +YARDS!!
Just curious what shells you are using? Hevi-shot,winchester xtended range shells or just copper plated lead shot?
One more question does#6copper plated shot have enough punch to penetrate at that kind of yardage?
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

30 yards is the average range that most turkey hunters take the shot.

When a hunter plans on patterning his or her shotgun, they should pattern it at 30 yards. Once you have found the load and choke combo , then try at the 20 and 40 yards to see if the gun is going to make the shots and then you know what to expect...BT

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

30 yrds should be a chip shot for a 12 ga. I shot a bird at 65 yrds with a Benelli Nova w/ a pure gold choke using nitro 3" #5s! This was not done on purpose though, I got a little trigger happy not knowing he was that far and couldn't wait. Im sure there was some luck involved, But my comfortable zonestops atabout 45-50 yrds. Its nice to get one in at about 25 - 30 yrds but i don't mind shooting at about 50 yrds if necessary. Btw, I have a 28" barrel and the choke adds about another 2 inches. Its like moving a cannon around in the woods but it will reach out andslam a bird.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I was a little uncomfortable taking a shot at 45 last saturday, but it was a clear shot, it was a now or probably never situation, and everything fell into place... one cluck on the mouth call, neck stretched out to look, crosshairs right on, BAM. He went down. Copper plated 3" #5s.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

A man who has gone turkey hunting more than once!!:)I did notice you said"Most turkey hunters":)

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

Your right, my 1st tom (1 week ago :)) was at 40 yrds. I finished my celibratory smoke andhe was still twitching, next thing I knowhe was flopping away across the field,I thought I was waiting forhim to expire only to have to finish it at WAY too close range.
I don't regret the shot because I got my bird, but, I'm sure I'll wait for him to come in abit more next time.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

The choke is the key. I have 2 different guns I use for turkeys.

#1 is a NEF handi rifle in a 12 guage 3.5 inch mag turkey barrel, with a extra full choke tube. I am shooting Remington 3.5 inch mag 5 shot out of this one. This one will shoot out to 60-70 yards and keep the bb's in a 8-10 inch circle at this range no problem but this one does kick like a mule and not reccomended for any small person.

#2is a Rem 870 20 guage with a super full undertaker choke tube 3 inch mag. Shooting Winchester 3 inch / size 5 shot shells. This will shoot out to 40-50 yards easily and pattern more than 10 bb's in a 8-10 inch circle at this range.

I have not had to run after a bird yet. Thay have all been pretty dead by the time I get them. If anything just break their neck when you get to them to make sure.

Just my 2 cents.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

30yds is not a long shot for a 12ga if you got a good load and choke combo......at 30yds i put 190 hevi shot 6s on a 10x10 piece of paper....i think thats bad news for any tureky.........and thats not even a GOOD pattern compared to a nitro/rhino pattern.........

tschaef....since you new to turkey hunting you might not know......once you shoot you gota get on the bird QUICK....like the guys you see RUNNING on tv...you gota keep your head and be safe...no need to ACTUALLY run...but shoot..stand up and walk to the bird...i usually straddle them till the quit flopping if they are flopping...watch out for the spurs......someone had pics of GASHES in their hands from grabbing spurs..and if needed grab its neck......dont shoot it again unless its actually running or something!my first bird flopped like he!! becuase i barely hit it....i KNOW i pulled the shot...the bird walked in the direction i pulled...the edge of the pattern hit him..he was down..but not good...i ran and got on him and strangled him......good luck....by all means neccessary if you gota shot him again do it.....but theres other ways to do it.....just thought id let you know since your new to turkey hunting

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I have my gun patterned to where I know I can kill a bird at 50 yards every time if I have to. Now that said, I wont shoot past 40 unless it is absolutely neccessary, but at 30 yards, I can wreck the birds with about 30 pellets in the head/neck.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I hope it's a lot more than 10 hits in an 8-10" circle. Because that's just not enough to get the job reliably done. My daughters 870 20 gauge is getting 15+ bone hits and a nice even pattern at 40 yards with Rem hevishot#6 and a Primos tightwad choke. Although I wouldn't push it too much further out than that.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

Good advice Borch!

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

Great advice BT!!! I try to keep 40-45 yards as my extreme range.
We all hear of people shooting at 50-70 yards, but thats the exception.
There's just too many variables that come into play with taking a extremely long shot,since the possibility of crippling or wounding a gobbler at that range comes ito play!! Stay within your best pattern range, be a better caller, and you shouldn't have any problems.;)

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

This years was 33 yards and last years was 47. One shot on both.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I can blow a hole through a 3/4 inch piece of plywood at 30 yards with my gun/choke/X-tended 6s, with almost 150 pellets in an 8x10 target at 45 yards (30+ in vitals). I won't even hesitate to take a clear 50 yard shot on a bird standingin a pasture...

With that said, even with 15/20 vision IMO there's too much "stuff" in the woods for a safe shot over 40 yards, with 25 to 30 yards the optimal distance. It only takes a single 1/4" sapling to completely ruin your gun's pattern and to me, the only feeling worse than shooting and missing, is staying home in bed ;)

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I'm not sure what angle this post took , but I have to say that what I read makes me hang my head [&o]

What ever happened to the CALL that hunters use in this sport. SPend some more time practicing with the call and shoot the gobbler clean at 30-40 yards not a guessing 60-70 yards [:@]

Not one person answered this post , as it was asked.

Pattern your Shotgun with a number of Loads and find the one load that shoots the best. When practicing use 30 yards , the range that is the most common for hunters that call the bird in and take. Then try 40 yards and see if it will handle a proper load to Cleanly kill the bird. Forget about the 60-70 yard shots.

I have a 20 gauge that will cleanly kill at 50-60 yards but will not take that shot...BT

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

This is my thoughts if the birds comming let him come. to me the real fun
of turkey hunting is getting the bird at least to 20 yds i have killed many
closer like inside 10 or 15 yrds. No need for an extream tight choke. have fun
so you scare one or two what thrill it is o have them close. I think you shoot
them past 30 yrds it just not calling them in.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

Hmmm...

Interesting.

I never considered "hunting" a sport. Most of the sports I know of, the competitors do not die. When I was taught to hunt, we were taught to learn and respect the game, and above all else know our own limitations and stay within those boundaries. People may talk about shooting sports, such as sporting clays or trap, but nobody I consider a good friend considers hunting a sport.

I believe this is a modern phenomenom, as most old-timers took the opportunity to kill game when it presented itself. If it was legal quarry then it either went home or, if the hunter made a mistake, lived to see another day. Sports were played either on courts or ball fields, but not in the woods...

If my gun can make clean killing shots at 50 yards, and I have a clear path, then it is a humane and lethal opportunity. If I've patterned my gun to 60 yards, and I'm sure there is enough killing power to down a bird, then it is a viable shot. Go read my post where I had patterned a bird, then belly-crawled through $hit to get a 55 yard shot at a henned up gobbler, because I was too intent on calling the bird instead of hunting the bird. Take a look at the picture I posted, and get a good glimpse of that gobbler's head...that shot gave him a serious headache...one from which he was not going to awaken.

Some of us do not have the luxury of being a "pro-staffer", and hunting every day of the week, waiting for the correct breeding transition stage to "call in" a bird. Sure, it's great to get a nice tom gobbling on the roost or fired up while runnin-n-gunnin, then call them in to the gun, enjoying every split second of the action and anticipation. We've all done it, and I won't say it's not what drives me to the woods every Spring. But most of us also need to make the most of every positive possibility to harvest an animal, ethically, and hence long clean shots may be an inevitable part of the hunt.

Sorry for the rant, Adrian, but you didn't answer his questions either. And if you couldn't tell, it really irks me when somebody frowns on the most critical aspect of ethically harvesting an animal, which is determining and accepting the hunter's limitationsincluding the gun & ammunition.

As a pro-staffer, I'm not surprised you want to call the birds in close. But I digress, what is the need for a 50 yard gun if you're only going to shoot birds at 25-30 yards? You could argue...misjudged distance. Then my answer is, instead of buying a gun and wasting the money on a new setup, spend $100 on rangefinders so you can learn how to accurately judge distance!!

To me, it's like buying a modern compound bow to possibly take 40 yard shots, then only taking 15 yard shots...incredulous to say the least, IMO.

As for the questions:

1) Yes. You can easily take shots with the new improved combination loads, such as Hevi-shot and X-tended Range, out past 30 yards. But again, it's not always about the load, it's always about the shot...

2) Yes. With the proper choke (so many on the market) fitted to your gun---with the proper load and adequate patterning---you can easily harvest a bird at 40-50 yards.

3) No. I would not shoot past 30 yards with copper-plated #6. I've seen too many people simply knock birds down past 30 yards, with lead #6s, only to have the bird recover and leave. Larger lead loads (#4 & #5) could be lethal, depending on your gun/choke/ammo and your shooting conditions.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

30 yards is fine. 40 yards is usually fine. 50 is pushing it. I won't shoot at anything much over 30 personally, but guys who think they can out to 40 is fine with me.

I killed my bird this year at 15 yrds and my bird last year at 7 yrds. With a buddy last week he killed his at 25 yrds.

50 is pushing it. Anything 40 and less most of the time is a good clean kill.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I use a Mossberg 500 with an xx-full turkey choke (factory) and use Federals 5 shot 2oz. My longest shot this year was 42 steps and he didnt go anywhere. My other 2 birds harvested this year were at 15 yards and at 5 yards.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

Boy, we finely got some answers referring to the question at the start , but like normal not before we Bash someone for what they do. Typical responds to a message board ...BT

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I shoot a Rem. 12 gauge Super Mag, 3 1/2" Win. HV's 2oz loads, copper plated 5 shot through a Madd Maxx .665 choke and at 40 yards this setup puts 85+ pellets inside the head and neck outline of a turkey silouette patterning target. At 50 yds it consistantly puts 45 + pellets in the same target. At 30 over 100 and I won't even shoot at 20. My favorite yardage is 30-35 yards even though I can kill them out much further.

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

Are you talking about yourself bashing those of us that take long, clear shots at harvesting turkeys?

And you're right...typical response from a message board moderator who put his foot in his mouth. There was no bashing, just facts. Period...

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

S&R , to start I never put my foot in my mouth , I read all the posts and there was not anything that said that the poster wanted to know How far you can shoot. Sorry I don't care how well your gun can shoot a pattern, the sport is in the calling, YES Sport , not the lame excuse you have for taking some distance shot , thats just plain lack of confidence in your ability in calling the bird into a ethical range.

It seems you have the wrong out look on the reasons for a tight shooting choke and shell combo, in which a good combo is to give the hunter a better chance at placing shot on the target at a ethical range like no farther then 40-45 yards that most turkey hunters take as their Max distance. I replied some infomation to the thread starter , that Most turkey hunters kill turkeys at the 30 yard range on a normal hunt.

Shooting out past 40 - 45 yards is just a plain excuse for trying to kill a Gobbler and using a Tag to brang. This is where Patiences plays in the game of turkey hunting. Something that makes a turkey hunter wait untill the game in question gets to an ethical range to make a clean and quick kill and if he can not do that he passes on the game so not to wound the game and not recover it, Thats a Hunter

I pass on a lot of post replys in all the detail I post, to allow others to join in and post some of the info that they know that will follow along with the thread. After reading what was posted the whole thread turned into a distance shooting compation, not common sence information.

Then you just had to reply back bashing me because I'm a Prostaffer. Well S&R I am and I am for a couple different companies and I try to help everyone with common sence replies that they should learn from the proper way. I do not miss lead anyone what so ever and do not try to start any conflicks with anyone either. Just so you know and the rest , I am not a Moderator here and am not sure why I still have the name below my name. I did not by any means bash you for the info on shots that you make, I mearly tried to get the thread on track by telling how it was going. You were the one that decided to get defencive , only because of what you had posted. If you don't like others correcting missinformed infomation , then do not post this sort of replies...BT

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I've never read something which is more disappointing on this BBS. Adrian, if you want to stand behind your thinking that most turkey hunters just want to call turkeys during the season, then tell your next clients to stop purchasing tags and just bring their camcorders and digital cameras. They won't need to drop a few hundred dollars on licenses and permits to merely call in a bird entered in a sporting contest. Hell, while your at it, tell them to book you after the season, when there's no competition and the birds are easier to call into good photography range, because the majority of breeding is finished [&o]

As for my ethical range:

I was taught that a hunter's ethical range is one in which 1) he can shoot accurately and precisely, 2) the ammunition being fired is within its effective range, and 3) game can be harvested with a quick, clean single shot. I think this may have something to do with the fact that I actually learned how to shoot a bow long before I ever shouldered a gun. Something about knowing your limitations!!

If you do not want to take shots over 40 yards then fine, but do not come onto a message board and act holier-than-thou and tell people that it's basically a disgrace and a failure to take a 50 yard shot, due to a lack of perceived calling ability. I'm not sure I've heard a bigger load of crap, and I live in a state that recently sent the governor away to Federal prison for embezzlement and ethics misconduct...[:o]

For the record, I'm sorry but the last time I looked I called just fine, shot even better and considered myself a damn good hunter. I've passed on my fair share of shots, both within and beyond my effective killing range. That last comment about my lack of calling ability is unjustified, and completely out of your character.

And this last comment of yours really takes the cake:

"Then you just had to reply back bashing me because I'm a Prostaffer. Well S&R I am and I am for a couple different companies and I try to help everyone with common sence replies that they should learn from the proper way."

I, in no means, was bashing you for being a pro-staffer. I've just never-ever heard a pro-staffer support long distance shooting, unless it was a firearms or ammunitions expert. Then again, you're on the pro-staff of what---camoflauge and calls? Then perhaps by proper then, you're referring to purchasing your company's products (calls & camoflauge) to assist the hunter in killing game.

"You were the one that decided to get defencive , only because of what you had posted. If you don't like others correcting missinformed infomation , then do not post this sort of replies...BT"

Sorry, I tend to get defensive when somebody from the industry---who basically earns a portion of their income off of people like me buying their company's products---tells me that because I may take a long shot within my known capabilities, that I'm not hunting in the proper way. There was nothing misinformed about any of the information I gave, you just have a different opinion. You know what they say about opinions, they're just like a$$holes, everybody has one...

If you're ever in CT, stop by, and we'll have a more than candid discussion about the "proper way"...[>:]

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

One things for sure in the turkey woods nothing is garrunteed 100% of the time.We can gear ourselves up all we want and work 1 or more birds a hunt and still come home empty handed!I agree S&R a hunter should know the limitations of not only his physical health but the quality of his/her equipment and make there own personal judgements to that end as far as taking that "lethal shot".But with that said most folks DONT!!!!I've guided many a hunter over the years including this one and the major majority DO NOT put the time,money,and effort you obviousily have in putting together a quality pattern at extended ranges.
BT gives great advice on quoting the norm referingto the average prospective hunter and his/her equipment,and imho his advice isvery valid!Guide 25 plus clients over a# of years and from that experience comes "the norm"and the advice to take shots 40 yards or closer!Many and I say many bring there waterfowl guns to the turkey woods which theres nothing wrong with that as it will get the job done but makes my point understandibly valid!
Theres no doubt about it that a modern day turkey hunter that wants a gun that kills birds out there at 50plus yards,can put one together today with some time,money,understanding,and effort.But I truly hope that everyone understands here that just because you've went out and purchased a box of heavi-shot and attached an extended full choke to your gun of choice does not garruntee a dead turkey at 50 plus yards.Read over the topics here theres much more that goes into a quality pattern than just a brand name on a box of shells or the purchasing of an aftermarket choke and so on.Compatibilty within all theseincluding making a few adjustments to help ones physical needs such as scope help heretoo!
Even sofor a # of reasons even with the most modern of equipment limits will still be pushed!I see it every season in the duck blind in our public refuges![&:]With that said I still to the day let all my hunters know when to shoot!!!:D;)

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

bob,

Nice post. Not sure why Adrian and I are arguing about this, we typically agree on most things. I guess I just don't appreciate it when someone tells me I don't hunt properly...[8D]...reminds me of my wife !!

I sent Adrian an email, and basically agreed with what both you & he stated, that the average hunter and the beginner probably should not be told to take 40 or 50 yard shots. However, I believe that with the new products on the market combined with a true dedication and large amount of time, long shots should definitely be practiced and in certain situations attempted. Hopefully I've defined those variables well enough for most newbies reading this post understand that the typical shot is ~30 yards, and longer shots should only be attempted under ideal conditions with well-honed experienced and equipment.

Boss, sorry if I ruffled any feathers, no harm or disrespect intended. I get a little cranky when the doctor tells me I have bronchial pneumonia AND a sinus infection, and need bedrest & fluids for 4 days. Glad we have inches of rain falling in New England, otherwise I'd be really cranky [&:]. On that note, if some of you haven't been following our NE weather...parts of NE will see more rain over the past 5 days than during the Great Hurricane of 1938, with catastrophic flooding and major damage projected by the week's end [&o]

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

....glad to see you guys patched things up....you and your posts both arerespected around here...:)

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

I got the email and I understand , I just wanted to let this post fall. Everyone to their own and I don't hold anything against anyone if they shoot birds at a far range other then its hard as heck to call them in next time [:@]

I never ment to effend anyone with my opinions , but I think what I ment got across to most about the highest percentage of Turkey hunters end up shooting their birds at 30 yards. My point was that 30 yards is the best range to pattern that was all I ment.

I'm to tired to argue, I'm running my butt off everyday, so you win :D

The only thing I ask is that if anyone is going to stab me as a Prostaffer then include Rob too because he is in the same boat ;):D...BT

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

Stab you guys as prostaffers?! Hell, most of us only wish we had your life...well the pursuing turkeys everyday part at least.

We'll let you guys do all the permission asking, map-reading, foot scouting, patterning, and people skills...[8D]

RE: SHOOTING BIRDS AT 30+YRDS!!
 

The other variable that often gets forgotten with long range patterns is the pellet's retained energy at long yardages. There's a big difference between punching holes through a paper target and busting turkey bones. With the new loads you can stretch yardages some. But guys shooting turkeys at more than 40 yards using #6 lead shot are living on the edge and will lose turkeys eventually.

These are tough birds and we owe it to them and the sport to do everything we can do to ensure a quick clean kill. Part of that is patterning and calling the birds in close. Part of that is calling and a big part of that is your setup. Whenever I can, I set up so that when I first see the bird he is in range. Most of my setups I'm using a rise, ridge, bend in the road, etc., as a visual block at around 30-40 yards. Anything closer than that is gravy. Most of my birds have been taken from 15-25 yards. This spring was the longest shot I've every taken at 41 yards. My son's bird was called into 15 yards before he took him after a 30 minute strutting at 40 yards display where the bird never presented a clear shot at a good angle until we called him in closer. I spend a lot of time and money at the pattern board every spring to make sure I'm doing everthing I can to ensure a quick clean harvest.

Just remember that it gets really easy to under estimate yardage in the excitement of the hunt. It's just one more reason not the stretch a gun pattern to it's limits right off the bat. This is even more likely to occur with newer hunters. A 40 yard shot can become a 60 yard shot once you pace it off after a shot. Then it's more about luck than skill in most cases if the person actually kills the bird.

To me turkey hunting is about the chase! But it sure is nice to close the deal! :D