rifle turkey hunting

[kix]

   Hello all and I wouldn't be asking this question anywhere but the "Texas" forum because I know a lot of my fellow Texicans have no qualms about turkey hunting with a rifle.Although I have a slate call,decoys,and a good shooting 3" 12 ga.1100 I am still going to carry a scoped rifle which leads me to my inquiry: As far as rifles and bullets go what would be the LEAST destructive combo to use-a .243/6mm class rifle with 80-100gr. S.P.'s or a .30 cal. rifle with 150 FMJ's. I have both. Although I have been deer hunting all my life turkeys were few and far between but this year I get to hunt in a spot along the Nueces River bottom;turkey central. I would like to hear from someone with experience using rifles.  Thanks    Kix

[Mohawk]

Hey Kix. I have used a .243 on many turkeys. Load was factory 100 gr soft points. Damage wasn't too bad. Center punch broad side through the center of the wing and the exit hole is about the size of a golf ball. Turkey just drops.

[kix]

 Thanks Mohawk. I have only been hunting with 6mm class rifles the last couple years and have yet to even get a deer with one,always had something else in my hand at that moment so I didn't know what damage they can do. Makes a lot more sense than toting around an 06 just to kill a bird. Thanks again.  Kix

[jeepmann1948]

Try some 80 grain Full Metal Jacket Bullets. Drops them in their tracks with just a bullet hole in either side. Of course if they are running away from you , no gutting necessary with the famous Texas Heart Shot!!

[Dillohide]

Every turkey I've ever shot has been from a deer stand with a 30-06 during deer season. I look at it as an unexpected gift when an old gobbler walks by. So far only messed one up real bad but missed a few trying not to mess them up. Finally bought a .223 Handi rifle to carry with me just for the turkeys but carrying two guns is a pain. Wish I had never bought that Handi rifle because it got me started and now own 8 of the darn things. 

[markc]

Out of all the turkeys I've shot, none were while turkey hunting.  IN fact I don't think I've ever actually intentionally gone turkey hunting.  I have taken quite a few while deer hunting though and put the 30-06  bullet at the base of the neck.  That way I can breast them out with no damage to the edible parts.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Most of my turkey have been shot the sporting way, with a rifle. The old timers felt that was the only sporting way to take a gobbler. I must say I agree. Now for your question. You have been given very good advice. The 243 with 100 grain is a good gobbler killer. I have never tried fmj's myself, but my pal in Penna. kills his turkey each fall with 130 grain fmj's from his 30-06. I try to hit the wing butts or take out the spine on a broadside shot. The breast hangs low on the body so mostly it is not damaged. A few shots and the chance to dress a few gobblers with help with aiming points I think. The only gobbler I ruined much meat on with a rifle was one I took with a .25-35. I think the long 117 grain rn just came apart too much. This spring I shot a gobbler with a shotgun. With a rifle the walking gobbler would have been a real challenge, , with a shotgun, about as much fun as shooting beer cans off a fence post at 35 yards. Good luck.

[WESTTX4570]

I have used everything from a 222 to a 300 WM on turkeys. Shot placement, broadside, behind the thigh . No meat damage and no need to field dress. Or just shoot'em in the head.

[Jay, Tx]

I've killed many a turkey, and never shot one with a shotgun. Most have fallen to my 222 during spring, and a couple to my 7-08 during deer season. I shoot them all at the base of the neck.

 I know some will criticize us down here for using rifles on turkey. But any I have ever shot during spring season were within shotgun range. I just choose to carry the rifle in case we run up on some pigs while turkey hunting, which happens quite often.

Jay