10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

Was wondering what everyone prefers for turkey and why.
I personally prefer the 3.5 12, because I don't waterfowl hunt anymore and if I bought a 10 gauge, I could only use it for turkeys. My 12 gauge however, can shoot 2.75's and 3's also, so I can use it for rabbits, birds etc. I hunt turkey's with a Browning Gold 26" Waterfowl, M.O. Breakup, Comp-N-Choke, 4X Simmons scope, and 3.5" Winchester Supreme 2.25 oz. #4's. I also have a Mossberg 835 that I have killed several birds with, but prefer the lighter recoil of the Browning.

RE: 10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

Remington Model 1100...2-3/4"....full choke. Personally, no more gun needed than that. Theres' a difference between a turkey hunter & a turkey killer. It should always be a challenge, to get that bird within' 40 yds. anything longer than that,asfar as I'm concerned, is an Ego shot... but you'll always have the ones who want to be able to kill a turkey at 50+ yrds. Those fellows would be better off with a .22Mag.( and work on their patience!)

RE: 10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

I have shot most of my turkeys with a 20ga. I just don't need that much gun. And when I use my 12ga, the load is 1&1/4oz of 4s.
Gselkhunter

RE: 10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

I have an 835 3.5. I use #6 shot and my shots are usually 30 yards or less in timber. I like that it kills them quickly. I shot a turkey with a full choke 2 3/4 one time at 30 paces and he got up and ran off. Took him 5 minutes to die (or so it seemed). Maybe I didn't hit him squarely but I've shot alot of clay pidgeons with that gun.

RE: 10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

I prefer to shoot them with a bow. Much more challenging and frustrating all at the same time. Prior to starting to bowhunt them I used a 20 ga red label.

RE: 10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

I haven't heard enough possitives about the 10's to warrant a change from my MP153. I shoot 3.5 hevishot with great patterns and light recoil, so I don't think I will be changing anytime soon.

Spatrat

RE: 10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

I guess a sling shot and a rock are also plenty to kill a turkey with but,I prefer the 3.5 because I have the choice of letting the bird come in close enough to kill him with a stick, or not coming home empty handed because he hung up at 50 yds., with the 3.5, the choice is up to me.I prefer the longer more challenging shots myself. I can set there and let him come in to 5 yrds, but what kind of a shot would that be? If he's hot and gobblin his head off, even the most inexperienced hunter could call him in to 410 range, but if he's a wary old longbeard that stakes his claim out there at 45 yards,he's still dead!! If you've hunted turkey's long enough, you've had them hung up out of range from time to time and there is nothing you could do about it!

RE: 10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

So? Where's it written that turkey hunting should be absolute? I'm no expert, but I've killed my share/called for others. A 10 ft shot would suit me jhust fine on a old Tom... at 45 -we try again tomorrow, that's what it's all about. Sometimes you win, most the time , you don't.....perfect!

RE: 10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

There is no absolutes, but at 45-50 yards You try again tomorrow, but I still take my bird home!

RE: 10 gauge or 3.5 12 gauge
 

Not trying to get into a pi$$ing contest here. But, it all boils down to personal choices in what gun-choke-shell we choose. For me, a nice, small, tight pattern all the way out to 40+ yards is what I'm after. The distance most of my birds are shot at, range anywhere between 25-40 yards. Closer than that and the head gets taken off due to the tightness of the pattern at those closer ranges. If you ever want to have your bird mounted, messing up that head isn't a good idea!! So there's Pro's and Con's in everything that we choose. To say what you use is RIGHT, and what someone else uses is wrong, aint the way to go about it. If you like to have your bird come in and parade around for an hour or so, then slowly waltz into within' 15 feet of you before you pull the trigger, hey that's great!! Maybe that's the distance your pattern works best. I enjoy hearing them, calling to them, and having them work in as well. BUT!! I have seen many birds hang-up as well, and it's nice to know that my gun can cleanly harvest them without worrying about crippling them or worse, having them get away due to a poorly patterned gun!! To each his own on what he choose's for his gun, choke, or shells!! Name of the game is to be safe, enjoy the sport, and to harvest one of Natures finest birds!!;)