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Not being a turkey hunter, I've been surprised to read so many stories in the "Worst Recoil" thread about guys getting creamed by 12 gauges shooting 3 1/2" shells at turkeys. Will a 2 3/4" shell not get it done? Or, does a 3 1/2" buy you an appreciable amount of range?

Just curious,

FC


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I don't do a lot of shotgun pattern testing, but must say I have killed plenty of turkeys with pheasant loads (usually 2 3/4 inch #6 shot) out of both 20 and 12 gauges with regular chokes. Ranges from 5 to 40 yards. Unless you're taking shots at 50 or so yards, all that crazy turkey gadget stuff is worthless IMO, especially the "heavy turkey loads".



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Personally I like to stack the odds in my favor when it comes to turkey hunting, for me that equals more shot cause I don't usually have a problem getting the birds in front of me...well....except for last year. Lol


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Nothing wrong with 2 3/4 12 guage with #6 shot. I shot a lot that way. Have a Mossberg 835 and still prefer 2 3/4 but now #4 copper plated. I like to see them 30 yards or so.

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I use and load 2 3/4 shells with no.5 shot.
They have been shot in a lot of different shotguns and in one case the nice fellow shot a turkey on the wing at 45-50 yards.
After hearing this I took the same loads on a chicken hunt and had a blast,the longest was 60 yards on the wing.
They don't have to hurt on both ends in order to work well.

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Turkeys don't wear Kevlar. 2-3/4" #5 or 6 shot will do, assuming your gun patterns it decently. Maybe even #4 would be OK, but I never went there. Never tried a 40 yard shot but 30 or closer and the deal gets closed.


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2 3/4 works fine, I've killed all but 2 of mine with a 20 ga.

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Originally Posted by DigitalDan
Turkeys don't wear Kevlar...


I was starting to think they did, like modern elk do... grin

FC


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Yes to the distance question. The 3 1/2 12's and 10's in no 6 throw around 500 pellets. combine that with an ultra tight choke and you gain considerable distance. I shoot em at 30 yards or less. I wont push it any further with my 20 ga.
A buddy I hunt with pops em at 50 plus all the time. He rolled one at 70 yds with a 10. I would have never taken that shot, but he dumped it like a sack of potatoes.

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a 17 Rem is also a hell of a good turkey rig...in case there was any doubt...



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Originally Posted by Folically_Challenged
Not being a turkey hunter, I've been surprised to read so many stories in the "Worst Recoil" thread about guys getting creamed by 12 gauges shooting 3 1/2" shells at turkeys. Will a 2 3/4" shell not get it done? Or, does a 3 1/2" buy you an appreciable amount of range?

Just curious,

FC


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The big magnum 12's with tight chokes will give you some extra range but not as much as you might think. Lesser loads/gauges will kill turkeys every bit as dead if you are content to get a bit closer before pulling the trigger. I used to shoot heavy loads in a 3" 12ga and killed turkeys out as far as 52 yards with it. I switched to a 3" 20ga about 10 years ago. It kills turkeys every bit as dead and only gives up about 10 yards in effective range.

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A jeep at about 65 will do the trick but I'm told it is hell on radiators. frown

Last edited by T_O_M; 02/24/12.

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I shoot my turkeys with a Vinci with 3 inch chambers, I have not shot anything but 2 3/4 shells in it. My last tom I shot last fall, a load of 6's. I don't shoot to far. And I know the loads work, I spent a lot of time shooting patterns, so I know were I look the shot goes. Last year's bird, Less than 20 yards. The only time I even use a full choke is turkey hunting, most of the time its either Imp Cyl. or Mod. I even done in a few with a 28 ga. Back in the day I did some of my best wing shooting with an 870 pump in 28 ga. I think it was because the shotgun fit me just about right.


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Originally Posted by Tom264
Personally I like to stack the odds in my favor when it comes to trolling, for me that equals more whining cause I don't usually have a problem getting the cawk in front of me...well....except for last night. Lol


Really?


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Originally Posted by KSMITH
Originally Posted by Tom264
Personally I like to stack the odds in my favor when it comes to trolling, for me that equals more whining cause I don't usually have a problem getting the cawk in front of me...well....except for last night. Lol


Really?
What the hell kinda goddam stupid assed worthless schiot is that anyway ?

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It's all about marketing. I've killed gobblers for the past 40 years with my 870 that I bought with money from a delivering newspapers back in 71. But Mossberg, Remington, Winchester need to sell guns & Federal needs to sell ammo.

Just like them elk hunters all need the latest Super Duper Mag---I've been killing them with a Model 700 in 30/06 since 73 again with money from the paper route.


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Blackheart He's just an extension of steelheads Large intestin.

He's my new buddy I guess.

Last edited by Tom264; 02/24/12.

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Learn to talk turkey, don't now if it will help but it seams to do wounders here.grin

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17 would be good, .204 would too...I was in the .223 camp last time on Turkeys...

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Holy Moly...they got a head the size of a tennis ball....cant understand why shotguns are popular for them....


"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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