Author Topic: 22 mag for Turkey? (Read 1042 times)

vhunter · « **on:** March 29, 2004, 06:54:28 AM »

I am going too use my 22 mag for turkey season and would like to know if anyone else uses a 22-22mag-17hmr for turkey season? I was going to use the CCI TNT 30gr or federal 50gr hollow points. Whats your thoughts?
Thanks!

Shoreline Trapper · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2004, 04:59:13 PM »

Don't want to start a argument here and this is just MY OPINION.
Even if it was legal, I woulden't shoot a turkey with any rifle. With the load mentioned, If you hit the bird in the body,you'll wound it. a big NO-NO. The kill area on a turkey to put it down where you can recover it is the spine and head, a very small target. With a turkey bobbing it's head and moving around the way they do, It would seem to me to be chancy at best.
To me, the sport and thrill is getting the bird in close with calling,leave sounds,dekes etc. Takeing rifle shots just isn't in the pic. for me. Most states have outlawed this. If a challange is what you seek, try a Tom with a bow.

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2004, 01:14:26 AM »

Actually, I was thinking that a .17 HMR might be too hot.

I have a friend who routinely shoots them with a .222. You don't aim for the head, you aim for a front-on shot at the base of the neck. Some people here have reported shooting them from the side through the wings and not losing any meat. Contrary to it being a challege, shooting one with a rifle allows you to sometimes shoot one from a greater range.

I'm not sure about most states outlawing the use of rifles to take turkeys but where it's been done I bet it has more to do with turkey hunters wearing full camo while hunting rather than it being unsportsmanlike.

Shoreline Trapper · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2004, 05:50:27 PM »

Well what i said or met was in refferance to the loads mentioned. a 22 or 22 mag or a .17.
Still a hit or miss kind of shot. Even a fatel hit in the body could still let that bird go a long way. Could be difficult to find. I've seen a lot of people give up on deer that were mortally hit and a deers a lot bigger.
I understand you could shoot them with a 222 all day acroos a field , but that is not my idea of hunting. Sounds like someting you do if you've never killed a Turkey before. I'd rather call the bird in close. I think even 3.5 shell craze is overgun most of the time.
Id like to see the # of states that actually allow rifles to be used. My guess is that it's small.
I can tell you all of New England is shotgun only, and Im glad as you say for the safty reasons.
Unsportsman lies to some extent in the eye of the beholder. A poll here would be intresting.

dukkillr · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2004, 06:23:55 PM »

In Kansas and Missouri it's shotgun only, and only shot size #4 or smaller. I'm not sure what's the point of shooting turkeys with a rifle is, but to each their own, as long as it's safe and legal.

Shoreline Trapper · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2004, 08:06:06 PM »

Quote

I'm not sure what's the point of shooting turkeys with a rifle is

My point exatly.
Rifles are made for long range shooting.
I want to hear that bird gobble closer and closer until I see the white head bobbing through the brush at 20 yards. Thats Turkey hunting.[/quote]

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2004, 11:52:00 AM »

Quote from: Shoreline Trapper

Well what i said or met was in refferance to the loads mentioned. a 22 or 22 mag or a .17.
Still a hit or miss kind of shot. Even a fatel hit in the body could still let that bird go a long way. Could be difficult to find. I've seen a lot of people give up on deer that were mortally hit and a deers a lot bigger.

Ditto shotguns. I shot a turkey in the head and broke it's neck and it took me and four of my buddies like 20 minutes to find it. 2 of them quit thinking I didn't shoot it at all. I shot it on top of a ridge and it ran/rolled quite far with a broken neck.

Quote

I understand you could shoot them with a 222 all day across a field , but that is not my idea of hunting. Sounds like someting you do if you've never killed a Turkey before.

If you hunt in the mountains in the woods, you aren't sniping them or something from 1000 yards. You still call them, you still pick your shot. Shots aren't excessively long.

Quote

I'd rather call the bird in close. I think even 3.5 shell craze is overgun most of the time.
Id like to see the # of states that actually allow rifles to be used. My guess is that it's small.

I would guess in states or areas that only allow shotguns for other game it's small.

Quote

I can tell you all of New England is shotgun only, and Im glad as you say for the safty reasons.
Unsportsman lies to some extent in the eye of the beholder. A poll here would be intresting.

I've said in this forum many times, I wear blaze orange when I'm moving and sit with my back to a tree when I'm not. I feel just as safe as I do when I'm hunting during a shotgun season. People have been shot with shotguns hunting turkeys and it would be my guess that more are than with rifles.

Gitzit · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2004, 04:36:20 AM »

In states that allow them rifles offer an added dimension to turkey hunting. This is especially true in fall hunting. Where I come from the 22 mag is a favorite. I shot one last year with the 17 HMR and it was instantly down with no flopping. The key to using a rifle is proper shot placement. Always take broadside only shots and aim for the wing joint where the wing connects to the body.

mkee · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2005, 11:09:06 AM »

Alabama doesn't allow rifles, but will allow centerfire pistols provided you are using iron sights. My father-in-law shot a gobler at 145 yds with his 223 TC Contender w/ iron sights last season. Hit it almost center of mass from the side. It jump up in the air turned over and fell dead right there. That side of the turdey was pretty messed up as was the insides, but the breast were still good and we didn't have to worry about breaking a tooth on shot. Did this after missing one with his 44 mag the season before.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2005, 01:54:04 PM »

I can't even get one with a shotgun, why would I try one w/ a rifle, rimfire or centerfire? Haven't missed any, just never had any luck w/ turkeys. I think they's psychic and kno when I'm walkin out in the woods. :roll:

earschplitinloudenboomer · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2005, 09:16:40 PM »

...while working at a gunshop, game check station the ratio of lost birds was probably about 5 to 1 shotgun vs rifle, IN FAVOR OF THE RIFLE!!! Some of the guys ''that had never killed a turkey" took shots at ridiculous distances with shotguns. I have taken turkeys at less than 10 yds. WITH A RIFLE!

varmit_master · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2005, 11:57:43 PM »

Hi the 22 mag would work good on turkeys if they law would let you use them i would use one to kill the smart field gobblers lol the ones that hear a call and go in a dead run the other way but my state dont allow it shotguns only no shot bigger than #2 VM

varmit_master · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2005, 11:58:37 PM »

Hi the 22 mag would work good on turkeys if they law would let you use them i would use one to kill the smart field gobblers lol the ones that hear a call and go in a dead run the other way but my state dont allow it shotguns only no shot bigger than #2 VM