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8/4/2019 Shotguns for Turkeys2
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Selecting and Patterning a
Shotgun for Turkey Hunting
A Beginners Guide
Note: The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors.
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Your mission as a responsible
turkey hunter is clear:
� Know the absolute range (in yards) at which
YOUR PERSONAL shotgun can consistently:
±
Put 6 or more pellets in the turkeys vertebrae(spine) and brain
± And/or put 100 or more pellets in a 10 circle.
� This will ensure a quick, humane kill.
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Why pattern your shotgun?
� Establishing a guns maximum effective range
is critical because:
±
Ethical hunters know their limits. ± Ethical hunters avoid needlessly crippling birds.
� Other benefits of patterning:
± Gain confidence in your skills.
± Range practice helps eliminates mistakes in the
field.
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Why are spine/head shots important?
� A shot to the birds nervous system drops him inhis tracks (hell flop, but wont go anywhere).
� A turkeys wing feathers are tough and thick.
± Pellets will bounce off at farther distances!
� A turkeys vital organs (heart and lungs) are deepinside the bird, making them hard to penetrate.
� W
ounded birds dont leave a blood trail, makingthem hard or impossible to recover.
� Less damage to the tasty breast meat!
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Key shotgun patterning variables
� The shotgun.
� The shotgun choke.
� Shot size, pellet count and pellet energy.� Turkey-specific shotgun sites (front and rear
sites or scope).
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Shotguns for turkey hunting:
� You dont need a fancy gun to kill turkeys!
� A 12 or 20 gauge shotgun with a plain,
unfinished wood or black synthetic stockworks just fine.
� Guns with a Parkerized finish are best.
± This is a non-glare (not blued) finish that also
withstands field abuse.
± Use camo tape or a gun sock to minimize glare
from stocks and barrels.
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Shotguns for turkey hunting:
� You dont need a special turkey barrel, pistol-
grip stock or permanent camo.
±
Not that those are bad, but theyre not critical.� A standard 26 or 28 barrel (21 for a youth
gun) works great.
± Guns that fire a 3 length shell give you more
flexibility than 2-3/4 only guns.
� For best results, use a shotgun with a screw-
in choke design.
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Some popular pump shotguns
costing less than $450:
� Remington 870 Express (3) or 870 Express Magnum (3.5) ± Available in 20 ga. youth models
� Mossberg 500
� Benelli Nova ±
Available in 20 ga. youth models� Charles Daly Field Grade
± Available in 20 ga. youth models
� Stoeger Industries P-350 ± Also makes an affordable semi-automatic shotgun
� H&R (Harrington & Richardson; includes guns from New EnglandFirearms) ± Available in 20 ga. youth models
± Also sells very affordable single-shot guns
± Takes chokes compatible with Browning/Winchester/Mossberg
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Popular shotguns-2:
� The author personally believes that oneshotgun can be use for almost every type of game bird: ±
For about a decade, he used a Remington 870 ExpressMagnum (26 barrel, black synthetic stock) for turkey,geese, pheasants and the occasional duck, grouse andrabbit.
± Good fortune recently enabled adding an auto-loadingshotgun that holds shells up to to 3-1/2, which also gets
used for all game, plus sporting clays. ± The author also added a 20 gauge 870 Express youth gun
specifically for loaning to beginning hunters.
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Screw-in chokes: you want one!
� A shotgun choke constricts, or narrows, the boreof a shotgun to a specific diameter.
� Chokes adjust the shot pattern so that it is wider
or narrower at a given distance. ± By just changing chokes and ammunition, you can get
optimum performance from one gun for manydifferent types of game.
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Screw-in chokes-2
� Chokes specifically designed for turkey huntingprovide tighter patterns than factory fullchokes.
�
A turkey choke for a 12 gauge constricts the boreto a diameter of .660 - .680. ± A 20 gauge turkey choke has a diameter of .570 - .582.
� Turkey chokes cost $20 to $100.
�
More expensive is not necessarily better.
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Popular aftermarket turkey chokes:
� H.S. (Hunters Specialties) Undertaker
� Primos Jelly Head
� Kicks Industries
� Carlsons
� Rhino Chokes
� M.A.D. Calls chokes (now owned by Flambeau Outdoors)
� Comp-N-Choke
� Patternmaster Black Cloud
� Truglo� Pure Gold
� Hastings
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EVERY shotgun has a personality
� Two guns from the same manufacturer can
shoot completely differently with the exact
same choke and brand of shell!
� This is why patterning YOUR GUN with YOUR
CHOKE TUBE and YOUR AMMUNITION is an
absolutely essential part of becoming an
ethical turkey hunter!
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Turkey ammunition-1
� Whats the right ammunition?
± Its the shot shell that produces the best pattern in
your gun, and
± Producers a recoil level that you can manage,
and
± Retains sufficient downrange energy for a clean
kill, and ± Fits your budget.
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Turkey ammunition-2
� Generally, use shot size #5 or #6. ±
Larger size shot has more energy per pellet, but fewerpellets per shell.
± Smaller shot provides more pellets per shell, but less
energy per pellet.
± If you can keep shots to 15-20 yards or less, its OK to use
#7 shot
� Be aware of state regulations inWisconsin, #4 lead/lead
substitute or #2 steel is the largest shot size permissible.
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Turkey ammunition-3
� Lead pellet size and pellet count:
± Size 4: 135 pellets per oz.
± Size 5: 170 pellets per oz.
± Size 6: 225 pellets per oz
� HEVI-SHOT® Size and Pellet Count
� 7342
�
6237� 5180
� 4107
� 277
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Turkey ammunition-4
� Use shells designed for turkey hunting; they
have more pellets and pattern better.
� You do not necessarily need the mostpowerful turkey load. ± In fact, one of my guns patterns better with a lower velocity 1-7/8 oz.
load than with a high-speed 2-1/4 oz. load!
±
Lower-powered loads have less recoil and may bebetter suited for youth and small frame hunters.
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Turkey ammunition-5
� About copper- or nickel-plated lead shot: it
penetrates better than plain lead.
± If youre keeping shots to 30 yards or less, start
with #6 shot.
± If youre shooting a magnum load at longer
distances, go with #5.
± If youre shooting a modified or factory full chokeat less than 20 yards, go with #7.
� Remington, Federal,Winchester, Fiocchi, Kent and other major brands all
work well.
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Turkey ammunition-6
� Consider high-density (HD) or other
heavier-than-lead alternatives. ± HD turkey loads tend to pattern well.
± According to Federal, its #7 HD shot retains the same
downrange energy as #5 lead shot out to 40 yards.
� Youll get more pellets per shell with #6 or #7 shot, creating a
denser and more lethal shot pattern.
± HD ammo costs more, but its really worth it for 20 gaugeguns or lighter 12 gauge loads.
� Really consider #7 HD if youre shooting a low-power load.
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Turkey ammunition-7
� Popular HD and heavier-than-lead
ammunition is available from Remington,
Winchester, Federal, Hevi-Shot and Nitro
Company Ammunition.
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Sights for turkey hunting
� The typical factory shotgun sight is a metal
bead or small fiber optic dot.
�
These sights are designed for wing shootingbirds on the move.
� With turkeys, you need to AIM your shotgun
at a SPECIFIC spot (the turkeys head/neck).
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Turkey sights-2
� To consistently hit a specific target, two referencepoints are much better than one.
� For turkey hunting, fiber optic open sights a
front bead and a rear V sight increaseshooting accuracy.
� At a minimum, use rear sights that allow you tomake windage adjustments. ± Who wants the confusion of remembering to hold 6
to the left or right when youre gripped with gobblerfever?
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Turkey sights-3
� If your shotgun shoots more than 6 high or
low, consider a sight with elevation
adjustments (up/down).
� Note that it is easier to hold a few inches
high/low vs. guesstimating air space to the
left or right of a bird, as you can pick a
consistent aiming point on the birds body.
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Popular fiber optic turkey sights
� Truglo - probably the best known brand with
the most options
�
HiViz quality products� Williams quality products
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Scopes for turkey hunting-1
� Scopes might not be best for beginners: ± Hard to make a quick shot.
± Scopes can fog up if you breathe on them.
± The possibility of a scope eye cut exists, and thats a
negative experience for a young hunter.
± They cost about $150+ for the scope, base and rings.
± Easier to damage that basic sights.
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Benefits of scopes
� Scopes do allow for precise windage andelevation adjustments.
� A 1.75 4X scope may provide a clearer sight
picture, especially when the foliage getsdenser later in the season.
� Red Dot scopes are also an option.
±
Theyre lighter than regular scopes, but they alsorequire batteries.
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Benefits of scopes-2
� Scopes for turkey hunting MUST have at least4 of eye relief (and 6 is better) or youWILLget scope eye. Popular and affordable choices
include: ± Bushnell Banner 1.5 x 4 x 32 mm
± TruGlo (scopes and red dot options)
± Aimpoint (premium red dot scopes)
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Shotgun patterning steps
� Install the sight of your choice at home, but be sure tobring tools to the range if you need to makeadjustments.
� Install the screw-in choke at home, but again bring
your choke tools to the range.� Consider testing several different types of turkey
ammunition (brand, shot size, shot type). Team upwith a couple of friends to share the cost.
�
Bring a box of ordinary target or small game loads. ± Turkey loads create a lot of recoil. The game loads willhelp you get on paper and save your shoulder.
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Shotgun patterning steps-2
� To tame the recoil and prevent flinching,
wear a thick jacket. ± Even better, use a special recoil absorbing pads, such as those from
PAST, Limbsaver.Or go with a lead sled. ± Or, use a low-powered load, pattern you gun and know your
maximum range.Whatever you do, you dont want to flinch.
� To ensure a steady shot, shoot off a bench or
use crossed steady sticks. ± Make your own crossed sticks with two dowel rods, a bolt/wing nut
and camo tape. Cost: less than $5.
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Shotgun patterning steps-3
� Bring at least 10 turkey targets that show the
birds brain and spine.
± Remember to aim at the base of the head/neck.
� Bring a pen to write down ammo/distance
details on each target.
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Shotgun patterning steps-4
� Take a shot or two at 10 yards using the smallgame loads. This should show you if yourehitting hi-lo/L-R.
�
Make any major sight adjustments at shortrange with the low power loads. ± Note that these loads will probably hit lower than
your high-powered turkey loads.
� Take your first shot with your turkey load at 10
yards close shots happen! ± Consider making sight adjustments if obviously
needed.
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Shotgun patterning steps-5
� Move back to 20 yards, shoot, analyze the
pattern and adjust sights as needed.
± Consider quickly cleaning the barrel between
shots (1 or 2 wet patches followed by 2 dry
patches) to maintain consistency.
� Try to get a good pattern out to 20 yards.
± If you dont get one, consider a different size shotor brand of ammo.
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Shotgun patterning steps-6
� If you have a solid pattern at 20 yards, move
back to 30 yards and repeat the process.
�
If you have a solid pattern at 30 yards, moveback to 40 yards.
± If the pattern is getting spotty (but still a kill),
only move out to 35 yards.
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Shotgun patterning steps-7
� If you have a good pattern at 40 yards, stop.
Dont shoot beyond 40 yards. ± 3-1/2 shells MIGHT be good out to 50 yards with the right choke.
� Turkeys are big birds, so many people thinkthe birds are closer than they actually are.
± You may think the bird is 30 yards away, but its probably closer to 40.
± Pace off your maximum effective range when hunting; jam a stick in the
ground or use a good landmark, like a bush or tree.
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Summary
� You can kill a turkey with any shotgun, IF you
know its maximum effective range.
� Consider investing in (or borrow) a shotgun,
choke, ammunition and sights designed for
turkey hunting.
� No matter shotgun you use, you MUST pattern it
prior to hunting. ± You will be able to CONFIDENTLY take a shot at a maximum
known distance.
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Summary-2
� Turkey hunting without patterning your
shotgun is irresponsible, unethical and leads
to needlessly wounded birds!
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Gun Safety Above All Else
Remember TAB-K:
� Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
�Always point your gun muzzle in a safedirection.
� Be sure of your target and whats beyond.
�
Keep your finger out of the trigger guard untilyoure ready to shoot.
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And Hunting Safety, too!
� Never shoot at sounds, movements or patches of color.
� Only shoot after you have identified your intended target with
100% certainty.
±
In the spring, this means NEVER shooting until you canpositively identify the toms beard.
� Only shoot if you have a clean shot (not obstructed by brush)
at the animals vitals:
± On a turkey, you only have 1 possible shot: the head/neck
area.