Author Topic: Turkey loads (Read 1250 times)

dakotashooter2 · « **on:** March 13, 2003, 05:25:01 AM »

This may sound a little dumb to some but our turkey season is still fairly new (15 or so years) and I have only had a couple of oportunities to hunt them (we draw for permits). I have trouble understanding why a magnum load (1 3/4- 2 oz.) is needed. The target area on a turkey is the head, not a particularly tough area to penetrate. While there is some movement involved it is generally less and more predictable than that of flying game. In the days of lead for waterfowl it was not uncommon to get 6-8 hits on a flying teal (not a lot bigger than a turkey head) with a 1 1/4oz load @ 30-40 yards with a full choke. With a XF or turkey choke I would think a 1 1/4 -1 1/2 oz load would have plenty of pellet count and velocity/energy to accomplish the task at hand without the pounding to the shooter.

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2003, 05:35:33 AM »

While in theory you can shoot a turkey in the head with a number 71/2 low brass, I'm not going to try it.

Where I hunt, in a good season I'll see a half dozen birds at a range where I can shoot at them and maybe one in a position where I can take a shot. I'll pay for the extra insurance. A box of shells isn't going to go bad anytime soon.

limbhanger · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2003, 11:50:14 AM »

Here in Alabama we hunt in a lot of thick woods with abundant brush. Even at 40 yards, a clean shot is not always there. You might have to shoot through some leaves or high grass and such. The more lead, the more chance of getting that one pellet in a vital spot. I like the high powered, heavy turkey loads so I can blast right through a limited amount of brush.

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2003, 03:54:51 PM »

Actually I'm not sure I'm even going to use a shotgun. My state allows straight wall centerfire handguns

and I might give that a try.

Bowhunter57 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2003, 08:35:11 AM »

dakotashooter2,
Like limbhanger said, the increased pellet count is to increase your odds of making a vital hit on the turkey. The increased velocity is for longer range and killing power at those ranges.

Remember: "Paper doesn't lie." Paper pattern everything you load or purchase and pattern it at the yardages you intend to hunt.

I wished Ohio had a handgun season/ regulation for turkeys. Handguns are allowed for deer and everything else. :roll:

Bowhunting for turkeys is legal and lots of fun too.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57