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Post by smshinall on May 2, 2009 17:50:49 GMT -5
This is my first year hunting turkey. I have been taking my bow and I have been very fortunate so far to have alot of activity in my hunting area. I can set my blind up litterally under the same tree they roost and they never spook. The past 3 times I hunted there (which is everytime I have been there) I have been in shotgun range but I had my bow. Today was the last straw as a big gobbler came 40 yards but did not like my decoys at all. I've changed setups and still nothing. I'm going to drop the blind and take my shotgun tomorrow. My question for all you shotgun experts. I have a beretta xtrema 2 with a 26" barrel, and I plan on shooting some fiocchi 3 1/2 #5 Golden Turkey rounds through my stock beretta optima plus full choke. I haven't patterned it yet as I was't even planning on using it. What is the max I should shoot at a turkey at? I figured I would be safe at 30 yards or under. I don't have the land to shoot it to test it so I just need to know if my setup will work out to 30 yards. I'm going to the turkey woods tomorrow morning. Thanks
scott
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Post by jajwrigh on May 2, 2009 18:04:48 GMT -5
40 yards or less and you will be in good shape...just don't miss... ;D
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Post by smshinall on May 2, 2009 18:21:02 GMT -5
Thanks alot man for the quick response. I can easily get within 40 yards of them. Hell, my blind this morning was getting pooped on by a jake. Alot of people say easterns move around alot. This birds have some roots in my area I hunt. Same tree everynight and they have the same feeding patters.
Another question though.
Do I need to plug my shotgun up to limit the rounds it holds? I have the plug that came with it but I took it out a long time ago for skeet and trap shooting. Thanks.
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Post by danf on May 2, 2009 18:31:50 GMT -5
There's no legal requirement to have a plug in the magazine when hunting turkeys. Only when you are hunting migratory birds is it an issue.
I'd try really hard to pattern the gun before you go out. My Mossberg shoots slightly to the right at 25 yards, half that distance and it's shooting slightly left. With 3 1/2" shells you'll be slinging more lead downrange so you'll probably be OK, but each gun is different and has different tastes.....
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Post by Decatur on May 3, 2009 8:06:33 GMT -5
You need to pattern before you go! Shotguns seldom throw a dense pattern. Many have holes in the pattern that can lead to a missed, or worse yet, wounded bird. You owe it to the animals you pursue to do everything in your power to ensure a quick, clean kill!
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Post by hornharvester on May 3, 2009 8:44:44 GMT -5
With that much shot and a full choke 40 or less should be alright. You might not be spot on but good enough to kill a bird. h.h.
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Post by smshinall on May 3, 2009 8:50:22 GMT -5
My effin alarm didn't go off. I'm gonna go pattern it today and check if it is ok. Hopefully this ammo cycles fine. I just read about the casings pull apart on extraction and the shell getting stuck in the chamber. Wish me luck.
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Post by quackingtim on May 3, 2009 16:53:08 GMT -5
There's no legal requirement to have a plug in the magazine when hunting turkeys. Only when you are hunting migratory birds is it an issue. I'd try really hard to pattern the gun before you go out. My Mossberg shoots slightly to the right at 25 yards, half that distance and it's shooting slightly left. With 3 1/2" shells you'll be slinging more lead downrange so you'll probably be OK, but each gun is different and has different tastes..... Your gun shoots to the left at 12 yards, and to the right at 25 yards? Is you barrel bent?
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Post by danf on May 3, 2009 21:18:53 GMT -5
It may be the vent rib isn't in line with the bore like it should be. That gun doesn't owe me a thing, and I can still consistently hit clays with it, so I ain't complainin! ;D
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Post by smshinall on May 4, 2009 18:16:22 GMT -5
I just got back from shooting. I started at 10 yards and worked back to where I felt confident at shooting at a bird. I feel 50 is ok for me but I'm gonna be digging alot of pellets out of that breast meat. This picture of my pattern at 40 yards. I used a Beretta Xtrema 2 26" Barrel Optima Choke Plus - FULL" Fiocchi Golden Turkey 3 1/2" #5
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Post by Decatur on May 4, 2009 18:42:07 GMT -5
Where were you aiming? I don't know that I'd feel safe shooting at a turkey at 40 yards with the holes in that pattern, but I'm very picky, and kind of a worry wart. I hope it works out for you.
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Post by smshinall on May 4, 2009 18:50:47 GMT -5
I was aiming at the 4rth crease going down in the center. The paper was already folded up beforehand.
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