Huashua Hunting

[Rogelio]

Hi there:

Next weekend I am going to the highlands to hunt some husashua (hmm...kind of a wild turkey ranging from 6 to 8 kilos in weight) . I usually take them out with a friend´s shotgun (Saga cartridges, EXPORT 32) but recently started to claim them with my dad´s old .22lr (don't know the make) using remington high vel solid copper bullets. Average shooting distance is about 40 meters and they just drop dead at the first shot.

The question is: Will I be able to hunt those birds down with my P-22?? I own a 5" barrel model, and I plan on using hiper maximun (sort of the name..they are made by Aguila) speed JHP ammo....maximum firing distance will be about 20 meters.. (1 yard is about 0.90 meters)

Can I take tem down?? I had the idea of using my P22 because it would force me to get a lot closer to the bird..they are very sensitive animals and I think that is a great opportunity to sharpen up my skills! If I don't kill them I will take my Ranger 4" .38spl with FMJ or LRN....which is a better deal? (I am afraid that I might overkill with the .38spl...

Please give me some help..I am kind of new into hunting...

 

[Dr.Rob]

Hunting birds with a pistol... I wouldn't recommend it.

From that Remington rifle you get a LOT more velocity from the same bullet. You are wise to halve your range, but you might even want to get closer with a pistol.

Most turkey-sized game here is killed with a head shot and usually with a shotgun. Often a shot to the body with a 22 that DOES NOT EXPAND will zip right through a bird.. which clucks and walks away.

Thing is, I've seen it happen on sage grouse. Moight as well have been shooting at it with a bb gun. 22 seemed to have no effect and I know I was hitting it. Maybe the short barrel of the 22 pistol didn't get enough energy for the bullet to expand.. maybe the hollowpoint filled up with down or fetaher strands.. but for whatever reason, I saw a grouse take 5 hits at 15 feet with a 22 pistol and not even act wounded. in fact, it flew off when another hunter stepped on a branch downhill from me, the bird startled and took off never to bee seen again.

Use a weapon with good sights that allow you to take precise aim.

 

[Rogelio]

Thanks for the advice...those little birds were almost impossible to hunt with the P22, but dropped deas with a single .32 acp bullet (FMJ)

I used my old (and also unlicensed because it is not a carry gun and belonged to my granfather) Brescia in 7.65 mm (.32 acp) with a 3 inch barrel at about 25 feet. USed Full metal jacket because we don´t get anything different than that here (except for rimfire).

Nice shooting, you were rifgt about the P-22