October, 2008

What is the best shotgun for turkey hunting?

Posted in Turkey Hunting  by admin

In my opinion a 12ga. shotgun with a tight choke is the best thing for turkey hunting. You should have at least a full choke. There are many specialty chokes for turkey hunting. You’ll need to shoot several different loads to see which one patterns best in you gun. Aim for the head since the feathers can slow or stop the pellets and a turkey shot in the body can run or fly off, possibly dying where you can’t find it. Even one pellet in the brain will drop him where he stands. They often flop around after being shot so be careful when you grab the bird since a tom can have sharp spurs on the back of his legs. All the major manufacturers make turkey loads which are usually copper plated and buffered which helps keep pellet deformation to a minimum. My gun, a Mossberg 500 with a 20″bbl and a ported choke (.675) shoots the best patterns with a Federal Premium Turkey load,( 2oz. of 7 1/2 shot, about 700 pellets). It puts about 110 to 115 pellets on a turkey target at 30 yards. Any shot size from 4 to 7 1/2 will work. Good luck and remember, a turkeys vision is his best defense so sit very still and have everything camoed you should do great.

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