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what size shot do you use?

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BHC

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More specifically what choke tube do you use,shot size, and shell length? Hw far are you comfortable shooting one, and at what range are you still holding say a 30% pattern in a 10" circle?
 
I've recently become a big fan of #7 size shot, as I only go for a head shot on a turkey anyway. My 2nd choice is the Hevi-13 "blends" which are 1/3 #7 shot. If I were reloading, I'd probably be using #8 or #9 TSS shot (which is much "heavier than even Hevi-13).

I'm using more than one turkey gun, but most of my hunting is done with an extra-full after-market turkey choke, which I absolutely would not advise without an optical sighting system. It's just too much like shooting a rifle instead of a shotgun. Classic Spring turkey hunting is more about getting them up close. You can do just fine, many would do better, just using a factory modified or full choke and limiting your shots to under 40 yards (especially if you're using #7 "heavier than lead" shot).

With my most dedicated turkey gun, Indian Creek choke, HTL shells, optical sight = I try to limit my shots to 45 yards. Most shots taken are under 35. It's irrelevant to me that a single pellet is capable of penetrating a turkey's head at 60 yards, as that remains a low-probability shot with more probability of putting a pellet in his gut than his head (turkey dies unrecovered).

This set-up is capable of high-probability kills out to 50 yards. My 45-yd limitation is because I frequently misjudge range by 5 yards (or more) at 50 yards, and cannot range every turkey with a rangefinder immediately before shooting. My goal is always to get the bird under 40 yards, then see how close I can get him before he turns to go away. If I start hand-loading the TSS, I will likely go back to a factory full or modified choke for it's advantage of wide pattern at close range.
 
Wes Parrish said:
I'm using more than one turkey gun, but most of my hunting is done with an extra-full after-market turkey choke, which I absolutely would not advise without an optical sighting system. It's just too much like shooting a rifle instead of a shotgun. Classic Spring turkey hunting is more about getting them up close. You can do just fine, many would do better, just using a factory modified or full choke and limiting your shots to under 40 yards (especially if you're using #7 "heavier than lead" shot).
Click to expand...

Good advise. I finally realized I'm not good enough to hunt with a super tight pattern and currently use #5 lead in a standard full choke. Try my best to keep my shots inside 40.
 

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