callemquacktn
Well-Known Member
String Music":2bqdmsrk said:Wes Parrish":2bqdmsrk said:Usually, what's most "gratifying" to me is simply just having the old Tom put on a good show, then getting him up close, like around 15 to 20 yards, as have been most I've killed over the years. At that range, it really doesn't matter much what the gun or what the shells. In fact, most hunters are handicapping themselves with extra tight chokes if most of their shots are under 40 yards.String Music":2bqdmsrk said:
But, kinda know what you mean, as back in the 90's when we had a 2-bird limit, one year I killed a good longbeard on opening day with my Grandfather's (on my Dad's side) antique 16 gauge side-by-side. The very next day, I killed an even older longbeard (both had 1 1/8 to 1 1/4" spurs) with my Grandfather's (on my Mother's side) older-than-I-was 16 gauge Browning "Sweet 16". Both birds gobbled their heads off, came in strutting, and both were killed under 10 yards. And I was very happily "done" with that year's turkey hunting, went on to enjoy lots of spring fishing. April is a great month for fishing.
What's more, in both those 16-gauge kills, I was using #7 1/2 standard lead field loads, which were left-over dove shells.
That's how I am. My main gun is a SBE2 and I use the modified choke that came with it. I won't shoot at a bird if it is past 45-50 yards.
It was fun toting the small 20 ga around. I knew it would get the job done, but I had to get up close and personal with it. Both the birds I killed were less than 15 yards. It makes you re-think your setup and certainly saves more than a few birds b/c of it.
I'm currently stuck on the idea of killing a gobbler with all the different gauges (12,16,20,28, .410). I'm not sure if it is legal to kill one with a .410, but I'd love to give it a go.
It is legal.
