There's a Tom on the Smoker- Spring Success

35 Whelen · Apr 14, 2013

Although I've guided hunters, for some reason, I haven't spring turkey hunted in a few years. Maybe it's the stench of gutting them.... Anyhow, I kind of got the bug to get a Tom mainly for some meat. So, I wait til mid-morning, grab my little '92 Rossi stoked with the wife's .38 Spec Cowboy Action, and call and hie off north of the house.
Called for the better part of 1½ hours with nary a gobble in reply. Just then a heard a cluck from the last direction I expected turkey to come from. I slowly turned to find myself being stared down by half a dozen Jakes. They decided to leave about the time I got turned around and got the rifle up. Managed to nail one of them:

The meat is soooo good slow smoked that I may have to do this again next weekend!

35W

OilyPablo · Apr 14, 2013

Good shooting! What distance, and shot placement?

35 Whelen · Apr 14, 2013

Mmm...I'd say 25 yard when we first spotted each other. Shot broke the right wing and went into the chest. No exit, and no surprize.

35W

OilyPablo · Apr 14, 2013

No need for 357Mag.

35 Whelen · Apr 14, 2013

OilyPablo said:
No need for 357Mag.

OilyPablo · Apr 14, 2013

Just saying at that range, for a turkey, .357Mag is not needed. Not a big deal.

35 Whelen · Apr 14, 2013

OilyPablo said:
Just saying at that range, for a turkey, .357Mag is not needed. Not a big deal.

Oh. The rifle is a .357, but as stated in the OP, I used my Cowboy Action .38 Special loads. Specifically, a home cast 130 gr. RNFP bullet over 2.8 grs. of Clays (or is it Red Dot...)running 835 fps out of the Rossi.

35W

texas chase · Apr 15, 2013

OilyPablo said:
Just saying at that range, for a turkey, .357Mag is not needed. Not a big deal.

Wow, thanks for the contribution.

Patocazador · Apr 15, 2013

Pablo, until you mentioned it, there was no reference to ".357 magnum."

OilyPablo · Apr 15, 2013

Pablo, until you mentioned it, there was no reference to ".357 magnum."

I know that. I can read.

I think you guys are not understanding what I'm saying. I was merely stating that most people will will always go with the 357Mag option for hunting in the 1892 357/38Special gun. Obviously for a turkey at 25 yards 357Mag is not necessary, hence my asking the range.

herkyguy · Apr 16, 2013

listened to a gobbler for a few hours yesterday morning, but couldn't get the critter to come anywhere near me in my blind.

nice hunting. thanks for the pic.

HOOfan_1 · Apr 22, 2013

My dad was out groundhog hunting the other day and missed the biggest gobbler he has ever seen at 100 yards with his .223 Handi-Rifle.

We generally use shotguns when turkey hunting, but I am seriously considering a rifle this year....I have had bad luck calling them into shotgun range.

I shot 1 a few years ago with a .30-06. 150 grain bullet. I know I hit him, but obviously it didn't expand enough to do the damage. I may take a .22 magnum or my .30-30 this year...maybe even as a supplement to my shotgun

Heck I may even use my AR

Patocazador · Apr 23, 2013

A .22 magnum is a good turkey round but you have to hit a vital spot, meaning central nervous system.
I shot a couple of turkeys with my deer rifle years ago and in each case there was not much left to eat that wasn't blown up. An expanding rifle cartridge is going to ruin your turkey. If legal, a FMJ is the ticket when using a centerfire cartridge.

HOOfan_1 · Apr 23, 2013

With a rifle, I would likely aim for where the neck meets the body

Certaindeaf · Apr 23, 2013

HOOfan_1 said:
With a rifle, I would likely aim for where the neck meets the body

I've shot many fool hen and sage grouse with everything from 30-06 to .22.. always aimed for the body. Most times can't even find the hole.

35 Whelen · Apr 23, 2013

Never underestimate a gobblers will to live. I've seen some take some amazing hits and get away. In fact, the one pictured above after taking a .38 bullet into the vitals, managed to stay on his feet for porbably half a minute!
I'd be really careful with shot placement if I were using a .22 rimfire of any kind.

35W

Certaindeaf · Apr 23, 2013

35 Whelen said:
Never underestimate a gobblers will to live. I've seen some take some amazing hits and get away. In fact, the one pictured above after taking a .38 bullet into the vitals, managed to stay on his feet for porbably half a minute!
I'd be really careful with shot placement if I were using a .22 rimfire of any kind.

35W

Oh I hear you, 35.. I wasn't talking turkey, just some other, smaller, game birds.

Fremmer · Apr 24, 2013

I've seen them hit with a .30-06 and fly off, no kidding.

Not "necessary"? That's up do the person doing the shooting.

Nice turkey!

HOOfan_1 · Apr 24, 2013

Fremmer said:
I've seen them hit with a .30-06 and fly off, no kidding.

Not "necessary"? That's up do the person doing the shooting.

Nice turkey!

So have I...my own...

There's a Tom on the Smoker- Spring Success

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