shotguns for turkeys2

8/4/2019 Shotguns for Turkeys2

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Selecting and Patterning a

Shotgun for Turkey Hunting

A Beginners Guide

Note: The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors.



Your mission as a responsible

turkey hunter is clear:

� Know the absolute range (in yards) at which

YOUR PERSONAL shotgun can consistently:

±

Put 6 or more pellets in the turkeys vertebrae(spine) and brain

± And/or put 100 or more pellets in a 10 circle.

� This will ensure a quick, humane kill.



Why pattern your shotgun?

� Establishing a guns maximum effective range

is critical because:

±

Ethical hunters know their limits. ± Ethical hunters avoid needlessly crippling birds.

� Other benefits of patterning:

± Gain confidence in your skills.

± Range practice helps eliminates mistakes in the

field.



Why are spine/head shots important?

� A shot to the birds nervous system drops him inhis tracks (hell flop, but wont go anywhere).

� A turkeys wing feathers are tough and thick.

± Pellets will bounce off at farther distances!

� A turkeys vital organs (heart and lungs) are deepinside the bird, making them hard to penetrate.

� W

ounded birds dont leave a blood trail, makingthem hard or impossible to recover.

� Less damage to the tasty breast meat!



Key shotgun patterning variables

� The shotgun.

� The shotgun choke.

� Shot size, pellet count and pellet energy.� Turkey-specific shotgun sites (front and rear

sites or scope).



Shotguns for turkey hunting:

� You dont need a fancy gun to kill turkeys!

� A 12 or 20 gauge shotgun with a plain,

unfinished wood or black synthetic stockworks just fine.

� Guns with a Parkerized finish are best.

± This is a non-glare (not blued) finish that also

withstands field abuse.

± Use camo tape or a gun sock to minimize glare

from stocks and barrels.



Shotguns for turkey hunting:

� You dont need a special turkey barrel, pistol-

grip stock or permanent camo.

±

Not that those are bad, but theyre not critical.� A standard 26 or 28 barrel (21 for a youth

gun) works great.

± Guns that fire a 3 length shell give you more

flexibility than 2-3/4 only guns.

� For best results, use a shotgun with a screw-

in choke design.



Some popular pump shotguns

costing less than $450:

� Remington 870 Express (3) or 870 Express Magnum (3.5) ± Available in 20 ga. youth models

� Mossberg 500

� Benelli Nova ±

Available in 20 ga. youth models� Charles Daly Field Grade

± Available in 20 ga. youth models

� Stoeger Industries P-350 ± Also makes an affordable semi-automatic shotgun

� H&R (Harrington & Richardson; includes guns from New EnglandFirearms) ± Available in 20 ga. youth models

± Also sells very affordable single-shot guns

± Takes chokes compatible with Browning/Winchester/Mossberg



Popular shotguns-2:

� The author personally believes that oneshotgun can be use for almost every type of game bird: ±

For about a decade, he used a Remington 870 ExpressMagnum (26 barrel, black synthetic stock) for turkey,geese, pheasants and the occasional duck, grouse andrabbit.

± Good fortune recently enabled adding an auto-loadingshotgun that holds shells up to to 3-1/2, which also gets

used for all game, plus sporting clays. ± The author also added a 20 gauge 870 Express youth gun

specifically for loaning to beginning hunters.



Screw-in chokes: you want one!

� A shotgun choke constricts, or narrows, the boreof a shotgun to a specific diameter.

� Chokes adjust the shot pattern so that it is wider

or narrower at a given distance. ± By just changing chokes and ammunition, you can get

optimum performance from one gun for manydifferent types of game.



Screw-in chokes-2

� Chokes specifically designed for turkey huntingprovide tighter patterns than factory fullchokes.

�

A turkey choke for a 12 gauge constricts the boreto a diameter of .660 - .680. ± A 20 gauge turkey choke has a diameter of .570 - .582.

� Turkey chokes cost $20 to $100.

�

More expensive is not necessarily better.



Popular aftermarket turkey chokes:

� H.S. (Hunters Specialties) Undertaker

� Primos Jelly Head

� Kicks Industries

� Carlsons

� Rhino Chokes

� M.A.D. Calls chokes (now owned by Flambeau Outdoors)

� Comp-N-Choke

� Patternmaster Black Cloud

� Truglo� Pure Gold

� Hastings



EVERY shotgun has a personality

� Two guns from the same manufacturer can

shoot completely differently with the exact

same choke and brand of shell!

� This is why patterning YOUR GUN with YOUR

CHOKE TUBE and YOUR AMMUNITION is an

absolutely essential part of becoming an

ethical turkey hunter!



Turkey ammunition-1

� Whats the right ammunition?

± Its the shot shell that produces the best pattern in

your gun, and

± Producers a recoil level that you can manage,

and

± Retains sufficient downrange energy for a clean

kill, and ± Fits your budget.



Turkey ammunition-2

� Generally, use shot size #5 or #6. ±

Larger size shot has more energy per pellet, but fewerpellets per shell.

± Smaller shot provides more pellets per shell, but less

energy per pellet.

± If you can keep shots to 15-20 yards or less, its OK to use

#7 shot

� Be aware of state regulations inWisconsin, #4 lead/lead

substitute or #2 steel is the largest shot size permissible.



Turkey ammunition-3

� Lead pellet size and pellet count:

± Size 4: 135 pellets per oz.

± Size 5: 170 pellets per oz.

± Size 6: 225 pellets per oz

� HEVI-SHOT® Size and Pellet Count

� 7342

�

6237� 5180

� 4107

� 277



Turkey ammunition-4

� Use shells designed for turkey hunting; they

have more pellets and pattern better.

� You do not necessarily need the mostpowerful turkey load. ± In fact, one of my guns patterns better with a lower velocity 1-7/8 oz.

load than with a high-speed 2-1/4 oz. load!

±

Lower-powered loads have less recoil and may bebetter suited for youth and small frame hunters.



Turkey ammunition-5

� About copper- or nickel-plated lead shot: it

penetrates better than plain lead.

± If youre keeping shots to 30 yards or less, start

with #6 shot.

± If youre shooting a magnum load at longer

distances, go with #5.

± If youre shooting a modified or factory full chokeat less than 20 yards, go with #7.

� Remington, Federal,Winchester, Fiocchi, Kent and other major brands all

work well.



Turkey ammunition-6

� Consider high-density (HD) or other

heavier-than-lead alternatives. ± HD turkey loads tend to pattern well.

± According to Federal, its #7 HD shot retains the same

downrange energy as #5 lead shot out to 40 yards.

� Youll get more pellets per shell with #6 or #7 shot, creating a

denser and more lethal shot pattern.

± HD ammo costs more, but its really worth it for 20 gaugeguns or lighter 12 gauge loads.

� Really consider #7 HD if youre shooting a low-power load.



Turkey ammunition-7

� Popular HD and heavier-than-lead

ammunition is available from Remington,

Winchester, Federal, Hevi-Shot and Nitro

Company Ammunition.



Sights for turkey hunting

� The typical factory shotgun sight is a metal

bead or small fiber optic dot.

�

These sights are designed for wing shootingbirds on the move.

� With turkeys, you need to AIM your shotgun

at a SPECIFIC spot (the turkeys head/neck).



Turkey sights-2

� To consistently hit a specific target, two referencepoints are much better than one.

� For turkey hunting, fiber optic open sights a

front bead and a rear V sight increaseshooting accuracy.

� At a minimum, use rear sights that allow you tomake windage adjustments. ± Who wants the confusion of remembering to hold 6

to the left or right when youre gripped with gobblerfever?



Turkey sights-3

� If your shotgun shoots more than 6 high or

low, consider a sight with elevation

adjustments (up/down).

� Note that it is easier to hold a few inches

high/low vs. guesstimating air space to the

left or right of a bird, as you can pick a

consistent aiming point on the birds body.



Popular fiber optic turkey sights

� Truglo - probably the best known brand with

the most options

�

HiViz quality products� Williams quality products



Scopes for turkey hunting-1

� Scopes might not be best for beginners: ± Hard to make a quick shot.

± Scopes can fog up if you breathe on them.

± The possibility of a scope eye cut exists, and thats a

negative experience for a young hunter.

± They cost about $150+ for the scope, base and rings.

± Easier to damage that basic sights.



Benefits of scopes

� Scopes do allow for precise windage andelevation adjustments.

� A 1.75 4X scope may provide a clearer sight

picture, especially when the foliage getsdenser later in the season.

� Red Dot scopes are also an option.

±

Theyre lighter than regular scopes, but they alsorequire batteries.



Benefits of scopes-2

� Scopes for turkey hunting MUST have at least4 of eye relief (and 6 is better) or youWILLget scope eye. Popular and affordable choices

include: ± Bushnell Banner 1.5 x 4 x 32 mm

± TruGlo (scopes and red dot options)

± Aimpoint (premium red dot scopes)



Shotgun patterning steps

� Install the sight of your choice at home, but be sure tobring tools to the range if you need to makeadjustments.

� Install the screw-in choke at home, but again bring

your choke tools to the range.� Consider testing several different types of turkey

ammunition (brand, shot size, shot type). Team upwith a couple of friends to share the cost.

�

Bring a box of ordinary target or small game loads. ± Turkey loads create a lot of recoil. The game loads willhelp you get on paper and save your shoulder.



Shotgun patterning steps-2

� To tame the recoil and prevent flinching,

wear a thick jacket. ± Even better, use a special recoil absorbing pads, such as those from

PAST, Limbsaver.Or go with a lead sled. ± Or, use a low-powered load, pattern you gun and know your

maximum range.Whatever you do, you dont want to flinch.

� To ensure a steady shot, shoot off a bench or

use crossed steady sticks. ± Make your own crossed sticks with two dowel rods, a bolt/wing nut

and camo tape. Cost: less than $5.




� Bring at least 10 turkey targets that show the

birds brain and spine.

± Remember to aim at the base of the head/neck.

� Bring a pen to write down ammo/distance

details on each target.




� Take a shot or two at 10 yards using the smallgame loads. This should show you if yourehitting hi-lo/L-R.

�

Make any major sight adjustments at shortrange with the low power loads. ± Note that these loads will probably hit lower than

your high-powered turkey loads.

� Take your first shot with your turkey load at 10

yards close shots happen! ± Consider making sight adjustments if obviously

needed.




� Move back to 20 yards, shoot, analyze the

pattern and adjust sights as needed.

± Consider quickly cleaning the barrel between

shots (1 or 2 wet patches followed by 2 dry

patches) to maintain consistency.

� Try to get a good pattern out to 20 yards.

± If you dont get one, consider a different size shotor brand of ammo.




� If you have a solid pattern at 20 yards, move

back to 30 yards and repeat the process.

�

If you have a solid pattern at 30 yards, moveback to 40 yards.

± If the pattern is getting spotty (but still a kill),

only move out to 35 yards.




� If you have a good pattern at 40 yards, stop.

Dont shoot beyond 40 yards. ± 3-1/2 shells MIGHT be good out to 50 yards with the right choke.

� Turkeys are big birds, so many people thinkthe birds are closer than they actually are.

± You may think the bird is 30 yards away, but its probably closer to 40.

± Pace off your maximum effective range when hunting; jam a stick in the

ground or use a good landmark, like a bush or tree.



Summary

� You can kill a turkey with any shotgun, IF you

know its maximum effective range.

� Consider investing in (or borrow) a shotgun,

choke, ammunition and sights designed for

turkey hunting.

� No matter shotgun you use, you MUST pattern it

prior to hunting. ± You will be able to CONFIDENTLY take a shot at a maximum

known distance.



Summary-2

� Turkey hunting without patterning your

shotgun is irresponsible, unethical and leads

to needlessly wounded birds!



Gun Safety Above All Else

Remember TAB-K:

� Treat every gun as if it were loaded.

�Always point your gun muzzle in a safedirection.

� Be sure of your target and whats beyond.

�

Keep your finger out of the trigger guard untilyoure ready to shoot.



And Hunting Safety, too!

� Never shoot at sounds, movements or patches of color.

� Only shoot after you have identified your intended target with

100% certainty.

±

In the spring, this means NEVER shooting until you canpositively identify the toms beard.

� Only shoot if you have a clean shot (not obstructed by brush)

at the animals vitals:

± On a turkey, you only have 1 possible shot: the head/neck

area.

shotguns for turkeys2

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