HuntingNet.com Forums - question on patterning

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RE: question on patterning

Quote:

Seems like you don't have a dedicated turkey barrel (26", I'm guessing non-ported), so the 5-10 pellets at 40 yards is actually pretty decent.

Yes, you are correct, in all aspects.

Quote:

Being that you're new to turkey hunting, have you sighted-in at ~10 yards, just to determine target density and shiftage? Just asking, because it's not like shooting slugs. You just can't set up at 30-40 yards and determine your optimal pattern.

Actually, no I have not. But I will. Now lets say, I am off somewhat. What do you do? Just compensate?

Thanks for the replies guys.

RE: question on patterning

Bobco,

If you are drastically off---hi/lo and/or right/left, you have a few options...

1) Yes, you can just manually adjust. However, I have found this to be quite difficult, as a turkey's head/neck are pretty small targets at 30+ yards as is, let alone remembering to aim 6 inches up and 12 inches to the left...

2) Better option may be to get adjustable fiber optic sights or a scope. Cheap red dots can be had for about the same as a good set of adjustable fiber optics (Tru-glo or Hi-viz). If you are experiencing a large amount of drift, with the majority of your target load, then I would highly recommend sighting one method or another. Overall, you're probably looking at ~$50...

Again, though, I would feel comfortable shooting what you have. BUT, if you could be getting 40-50 pellets in the head---compared to your current 5-10---at 40 yards, then your gun just became a definitive 50 yard blaster instead of a "gutsy" 40 yard gun.

If you have any more specific questions, drop me an email. I'll be glad to help ya' as best I can...;)

RE: question on patterning

Quote:

ORIGINAL: BobCo19-65

I'm fairly new to the sport of Turkey Hunting and have a question. I have been shooting in my gun and have been getting an average of about 7 in the vertebra/skull area at 40 yards. Would you consider this good? And would you take a shot at a turkey with this type of pattern?

What type of gun and ammunition are you using? Have you experimented with different chokes and ammunition?

RE: question on patterning

We've pretty much used that as our standard. The maximum distance we would shoot is where we could consistently get 7 pellets in the head/neck region.

My gun--which is used for everything from deer to turkeys (with different chcokes) gets 7 or better at that range. My friend's new gun just shot about 40 pellets tightly into there from the same range. I was very impressed, but can't afford a new gun just yet.