What kind of gun to use?
 

What kind of gun do you guys use turkey hunting? I know most of my buddies that turkey hunt use 12 gauges or one uses a 10 gauge. I don't like the limited distance of shotguns so would much prefer to use something like a .22. Anyone use a .22 rifle? Is it enough to take down a turkey? Seems like you could go for head shots and not be picking pellets out of the turkey either. That's another reason I see not to use a shotgun. Or is a shotgun just the best thing to use?

If a 12 gauge is good what's the preferred load? I saw some Winchester High Velocity 3 1/2" turkey loads at Wal-Mart. Are these good?

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

Either a 10 or 12 gauge will work great (IMO, 10 gauge is kind of an overkill) , first thing you need to do it buy a quality choke and shoot a couple of different kinds of loads in your gun first at 25 yards then at 40 yards.

Again, depends on your gun and choke. Make sure your gun can shoot 3 1/2" shells before you buy them. You really need to pattern your gun with a couple of different loads. Swampcollie has an excellent posting at the top to help you along with this

Most states don't allow hunting turkey with a rifle because it's dangerous and somewhat un-sporting. Check your state regulations, where are you hunting?

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

Most states don't allow hunting turkey with a rifle because it's dangerous and somewhat un-sporting. Check your state regulations, where are you hunting?
[/quote]I know why I checked in the fall I couldn't find anything saying you couldn't hunt them with a .22. I just wasn't sure if they had enough power to take them down if you didn't shoot them in the head.

Why would it be unsporting? Not trying to sound like a jerk or an idiot I just really don't know. I don't want to be unsporting I've just never done much turkey hunting.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

I know why I checked in the fall I couldn't find anything saying you couldn't hunt them with a .22. I just wasn't sure if they had enough power to take them down if you didn't shoot them in the head.

Why would it be unsporting? Not trying to sound like a jerk or an idiot I just really don't know. I don't want to be unsporting I've just never done much turkey hunting.
[/quote]

Look in your states turkey hunting regulations. Just cause they don't say you can't hunt them with a .22 rifle doesn't make it legal. Most state regulations willtell youthe legal methods for hunting turkey. I think hunting them with a rifle is first and foremost dangerous because you have a lot of people in the woods dressed in camoflague making Turkey sounds with decoy's within 25 to 50 yards of them. It's dangerous enough with a shotgun. I also say it's unsporting because part of the challenge of turkey hunting is getting the bird within 40 yards without him spotting you take your shot. If some uses a long-range rifle (such as a .223 or other small varmint or deer caliber) it takes away from that challenge (this is just my opinion by the way). That being said, if you were to use a .22 and try and take a head shot, you would probably have to get the bird within 25 yards (and get the bird to stand still while you to make an ethical shot.If I were to hunt turkey with a rifle I think I would use something a little more powerful like a .17 hmr.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

its hard to get a turkey to stand still use a shotgun i use a bow but if you have to use a gun use a shotgun

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

When. I checked on it before and even asked on this sight in the regional area we all thought it was legal after reading the rules and regulations. It didn't say anything about not using a rifle.

If I do go hunting it would be in an area where we own enough land it should be safe and there are good backstops. If anyone hunts with me we will know where each other are.

Would a .22 to the body take a turkey down? A shotgun may be the best solution though. I was just wondering about a .22.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

Why bother, if he's in effective .22 range, he's in shotgun range. Besides I figure if you used a .22 to body shoot a turkey, you'd be lucky to recover 10% of them.

Besides, I'm sure its probably illegal, I don't think many states allow them.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

Ya the whole thing about the 22. isn't a great idea, for the reasons already posted. Well I use a 20 ga. It dosen't have quite the distance like maybe a Mossberg 835 but if you keep shots in from 35-40 yds you should be fine. Thing is with a 20it's Light. A mossberg has an overboard barrel wich makes it heavy. But ya I would say a shotgun and anything between a 12 to a 20 ga should get the job done effectivley.

(I just felt like putting that, hey we are talkin about guns though)

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

If a turkey is shot in the head and neck correctly with a shotgun there won't be too many pellets in the meat of the bird. If you take the time to pattern your shotgun you'll know wear most of your pellets will be hitting. Try different turkey loads in #6,#5,#4 in a couple different brands. You can try lead, and high density. It depends how involved you want to get and how much money you want to spend. A couple different shot comparisons should give you a good start. Oh ya the 12 gauge in 3in or 3 1/2in is probably the most popular turkey gun. Hope I made some sense and was a little help. If not there are other guys on this forum with lots of great info. Good luck.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

Like just about everyone else said, I'd go with a 12 gauge in either 3" or 3.5". The fun of turkey hunting comes from the challenge of calling them into shotgun range. Even if rifles were legal, I still would go with a shotgun or bow just for challenge. You can shoot pretty far out with some of the new turkey chokes and shells. But make sure you know how your gun can shoot before you try any long shots. Good luck.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

We only have the shotgun or bow option to kill turkey with here in Illinois and by far, THE most prefered weapon is the 12 gauge. My favorite 12 gauge load is 3", 2oz, #6 Hevi-13, Hevi-shot. This load is simply awesome in every shotgun that we've fed it to. Good luck and good shootin'

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

I'm still hittin' 'em with the same Rem 4x6 Duplex loads I've been using for darn near a decade. They pattern so well out of my 870, I don't need to change a thing. I will be trying some Hevi out once I eat up all these loads I have yet.

These are what I use: http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/shotshell/turkey/premier_duplex_magnum.asp

This is what I use it in:

Rem 870 with my own paint job. Rear barrel, of course.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

If it is legal to use a rifle where you hunt (I don't have any idea), and you feel like hunting say with a 22 LR or a 22 WMR, I don't feel that is unsportsmanlike. I'm assuming head/neck shots only, meaning you'll need to call them in close anyway. I wouldn't shoot for the body with the LR, maybe with the WMR, but you'd need to be very familiar with turkey anatomy to put a killing shot on one that will also result in a recovery of the bird. You may find the rifle more frustrating to start with, as a shotgun leaves a little more room for error. Bottom line is, the weapon does not make you take an unsportsmanlike shot.

I watched a a TV show with Ray Eye and another hunter. That guy (not Ray) took 2 bad shots on film with a shotgun. After each one he cussed himself saying he never should have shot, couldn't really see the bird, just fired where he thought it was.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

That was Turkey Revolution, the shooter was Paul Butski. Even the pros miss... 2 different birds, I would have been torqued at myself too! I give them credit for airing the bad shots. You don't see realistic hunts on tv that often.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

This got my blood boiling. That right there is how people get shot while hunting. in my opinion this guy should be beat with a wet noodle over and over on the court house steps. Maybe it was a good thing they showed it so some people know exactly what NOT to do while turkey hunting.

Always make sure of your target no matter what your shooting!

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

This got my blood boiling. That right there is how people get shot while hunting. in my opinion this guy should be beat with a wet noodle over and over on the court house steps. Maybe it was a good thing they showed it so some people know exactly what NOT to do while turkey hunting.

Always make sure of your target no matter what your shooting!

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

I don't mind that he missed, I've missed, most everybody will sooner or later. It was him admitting he couldn't even see the bird when he shot that bugged me. He anticipated the bird would enter an opening where he could shoot and he pulled the trigger. His second miss was probably due to misjudgin yardage. He stopped counting at 50 paces, and he hadn't reached the spot the bird was when he shot. That's too far for me. I know other guys have a setup that allows shooting at 50, but my standard full choke limits me to 30-35 max. So, I purposely set upin spots whereany bird I can see is already within that range.

I know hunting, and hunting for a camera, are two different things, but some of these guys try a little to hard to get one killed on film. After the second miss I got up and turned off the TV.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

Here in Florida we're allowed to use rifles. For taking a body shot you'd be better off using something more powerful than a .22, but it is a bit worrysome that others are in the woods using decoys only 20 yards away. I hate the thought of a gobbler coming towards my setup and someone sniping him with a .223 from 200 yards. I work with a guy who uses a .17 hmr, but hitting a turkey in the head with it is tough. He still has to limit his shots to 60 or 70 yards at most and the advantage of the extra distance is negated by the fact that he misses a lot.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

I have several at my disposal. But I'm carrying my Beretta 391 20ga. Right nice toting a 5# gun that kicks like a pellet rifle rather than the man killer 835.

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

well i got an 12 gauge that i use for turkey hunting and it's really up to you on the gun you want to use

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

I use a .22 magnum and most people I know use a rifle around here in WV. Personally if I couldn't use a rifle I would use a bow asI just don't enjoy using a shotgun but I'm not going to bash anyone who does. Some say that using a rifle isn't appropriate..I think that's nonsense but everyone is entitled to there opinion. I got mine last year with the Federal 50gr HP's... a buddy of mine uses Remington 33gr V-Max loads.
My Father prefers a .222 with FMJ's...he does not believe in using calls or 'ambushing' them off the roost. To each his own. My advice....form your own opinions and preferences... if you like the rifle and it's legal in your state then use it...don't let some idiot tell you it's not 'sporting'. I'm sorry but it makes my blood boil when someone that uses a shotgun, decoys, calls, and sets up next to a roost try to tell someone that uses a rifle that it's not 'sporting'.[:@]

RE: What kind of gun to use?
 

If it is legal go ahead if you like, however inmy winchester sx2 i have tried several different chokes six to be exact everything from $20 dollar chokes to the $90 mad max choke. Also tried all different rounds all manufacters lead and hevi shot and copper. i have probably spent $400 or $500 to get the best combo possible out of my gun and it is with a $30 carlson choke and federal flite control lead rounds 14 and 15 strikes in the kill zone at 60 yds. I have toped it off with a 1.5 to 4 power scope but that is due to a eye diease that I have.

Good luck and let us know how you do