Missed again

catman529

catman529

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Accidentally posted in gen forum

Really don't know how this time unless I just pulled the shot or he was too far or a sapling or what. He looked 40 yards or so in the woods and was strutting following hens. I only hope he doesn't have pellets in his organs or something. He walked off and putted a couple times. I'm gonna try to make a circle and catch them. I missed 3 times last year and now twice this year. Should have let him walk. Swear he was close enough.

Update

I stepped off to where I'm pretty sure he was. No more than 40 or 45 yards. That's a kill shot so I don't know how I messed up. I did not look over the barrel, I had the bead lined up right. Remind me not to shoot one in full strut again
 
What does your pattern look like at 45 cat? Just curious. I've had guns that got pretty dicey much past 40 when I shot lead.
 
I have shot it at 40 and it's not near as tight as most people's but still puts plenty in the kill zone. This bird looked to be about 40 yards and should have died. I have killed turkey at 45 and 50 standing up, but can't hit one sitting down with the gun on my knee.
 
Have you tried shooting this gun off your knee at a big piece of paper or cardboard? Might want to try that, might tell you what's going on. Possible you may be tweeking it or something from that position.
 
Do you have any pictures of the pattern? If you missed three last year and 2 in the first two weeks of this year, I would think that the pattern may be a little too thin. It might still kill most of the ones you shoot at (including those 45-50 yard kills), but not dense enough for 100% success rate -- especially when shooting at a smaller target when one is strutting. Just a thought. I know you know what you're doing, but it's something to think about.
 
catman529 said:
I have shot it at 40 and it's not near as tight as most people's but still puts plenty in the kill zone. This bird looked to be about 40 yards and should have died.
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What exactly does your pattern look like @ 40 yards and how many pellets are in the spine/brain area?

The meaty area of the neck in not what I define as the kill zone.... just what is in the skull/spine areas.


catman529 said:
I have killed turkey at 45 and 50 standing up, but can't hit one sitting down with the gun on my knee.
Click to expand...

See, that right there may be that "lucky pellet" notion that we keep referring to..... You should either get them in closer to the "without a doubt ~35-40yds" range or do something about tightening your pattern up for longer 40-45yd shots....

Some people I have seen shoot at strutting birds, but for me, there is more area if he is standing there "at attention" with as much head/neck area exposed as possible.
 
Sorry you missed.

IMO, it is REALLY hard to do any long range (40 and over) shooting with just a front bead. Without a rear sight, it is difficult to consistently get the elevation right.

I think if you would try the Beardbuster sights I linked for you after miss #1 that you will be pleasantly surprised and the misses may go away. With just a front bead, you may want to really limit your range.
 
Setterman said:
Target is real small at that range in full strut, real small
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x2. My rule of thumb is 20 or so yards max while in strut, but avoid at all costs if possible. I cannot recall the last one I shot in full strut.
 
Andy S. said:
catman529 said:
He walked off and purred a couple times.
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This alone leads me to believe it was a clean miss.
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he putted, not purred. Autocorrect.... Either way he did not act hurt, but you know they are tough and I hope he didn't take a pellet to anything vital.
 
Say his name, "Tom", in a firm but not loud voice.

He will raise his head!
 
Another thing I would recommend is save you about $60 and buy a kicks 660 or 665 for that gun. The pattern will still be well enough tokill close but those 30-40 yard patterns will be much more consistent shot to shot.
 
PalsPal said:
Say his name, "Tom", in a firm but not loud voice.

He will raise his head!
Click to expand...
I remembered that trick, after he ran off......

Rockhound said:
Another thing I would recommend is save you about $60 and buy a kicks 660 or 665 for that gun. The pattern will still be well enough tokill close but those 30-40 yard patterns will be much more consistent shot to shot.
Click to expand...
I kind of want a tighter patttern but then not really cause I like the more open pattern for closer range. Dont need anything to shoot past 40 really
 
Cat, look into an hs strut detachable bipod. I have the same problem as you. I can't shoot of my knee. I've missed more birds that way than I care to admit on a public forum. I bought one for my gun this year and it has made all the difference in the world. It's super easy and quick to set it to the desired height and it's light enough that I don't notice it when shouldering the gun.
 

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