Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

On another forum a member has held claim to a 107 yard killing shot on a turkey...

Is a 12 ga. with 3 1/2 loads capable of killing a turkey at this range?

I shoot 3and1/2 loads and I would saw 60 to 70 yards would be the border line maximum range... Iwould not take a shot over 55 yards with this load..

Please help members of this forum...

Thank you,,, God Bless,,,John Stahl...

RE: Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

Welcome to the forums.

107 yards is a joke. I couldn't hit a turkey witha deer slug that far. As far as range, I use a Rem 870 Supermag with 3 1/2 Win HV #5's, and I won't shoot past 50 yards. My pattern opens up far too much beyond that, I don't like to shoot past 40, but 50 is my absolute limit. I have patterned my gun several times with different shells and tubes, and none did well past 50.

RE: Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

I think it depends on the load and fps it is traveling:eek: Lets say you have a HV load of Hevi shot #4's and your getting at least 5-6 hits in the vitals (brain/neck veratra). I would say 60 yards if your shooting a gobbler in a field;) I dont think you could get much more than a 40 yard shot in open woods:eek:

For those guys who say they kill gobblers at 50 and 60 yards I really think they do not know how to accurately pace off yardage;)

RE: Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

Are we talking ethical hunting here? Because it would be the very same distance as a 3" gun!!! I hate when I hear that when somebody has a 3 1/2" gun they think they can now take 75 yard shots!! That "AINT" turkey huting!!![:@]

RE: Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

I agree may tom turkey hunting is an up close and personal type of hunting, If you are suppose to shoot them at 107 yards you might as well be hunting with a rifle, who in there right mind would shoot at turkey at 107 yards, he probable shot the turkey at 50 yards wich was to far and the turkey ran and flopped another 57 yards, he then walked it off at 107 and claimed to kill it at 107 yards. You aren't a very good caller or turkey hunter if you have to shoot at them at 107 yards.

RE: Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

I wouldnt shoot a turkey with my 3 1/2" loads past 50 yards, with 60 being the absolute limit. 107 is ridiculous and that guy is not a good hunter at all if he had to shoot at that distance. You would probably be very lucky if you could even kill a turkey from that far away.

RE: Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

I know turkey guns have come a long way these days but for me and my guns 40-45 yards is tops... I hunt big woods (no fields) and I really cant see were I could get much more than a 40 yard shot...

I really beleive that the average hunter can not pace off accurate yardage and when they start to pace off there shot they are adding 10-20 yards to there distance:eek:

So when I hear these stories about people saying they shot gobblers at 50 60 and 70 yards It just reasures what I've known all this time Butt Wipes:D

LEARN HOW TO PACE OFF YARDAGE PEOPLE:D

RE: Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

Ken, LOL!! I recently picked up a Nikon 440 Laser pro Range finder just for knowing the distances around my set-up spots and for doing a more accurate measure of distance at the pattern board!! I also intend to use this for deer hunting as well!!;)

RE: Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

that 107 yard shot was probably with arifle

RE: Effective range of 12 ga. 3 and 1/2" loads
 

Obviously this wasn't with a scatter gun,possibly someone shooting (oobuck) or some ridiculous thing!!At that range you might as well put the shotgun down and shoot a rifle!![:'(]Whatever to each is own!Good way to get someone shot,shooting at that distance with a scatter gun!Calling them in to hundred yards isn't exactly what I call calling them in,but folks that shoot at them at a hundred yards dont know anything about calling them in anyway![:-]