Modified choke H&R for turkey??

[riddleofsteel]

I recently got a H&R Model 99 12 gauge single shot shotgun with a modified choke barrel as part of a trade. It is a pretty nice gun. It has a brushed nickle looking finish and nice "hard wood" stock. The gun is in 98% over all condition.
Here is the question. I have a deer lease that is literally crawling with turkeys. I see the same 2 flocks every time I go in there. They work the creek bottoms and hardwood hill sides all day long for food, consume most of my corn piles and roost in the pines along the access road at night. I have not hunted turkey for 5 or 6 years now and as a result I have no suitable shotgun. My 12 year old son is fascinated with hunting them during this year's winter season.
Would this gun be suitable for turkey? What loads should I start to test for patterns? If it is I plan to cover it with a roll of cammo tape. I seem to remember modified chokes not being much good beyond 35 yards. This is no problem as we see these birds closer than that several times a day. (That will change when the first few bite the dust I know)

Let me know what you think.

Thanks
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[ID_shooting]

Full would be better, xtra full would be even better yet. Maybe yours can be threaded for screww-in chokes. As long as you are close you should be fine. Use head shots as the body feathers are dense enough to deflect most shot. I use 2oz of #4 or #5 3in mag lead. There are several makers of dedicated turkey ammo (harsh recoil though). The key is to get them to come to you or to get as close as you can. I like 5 to 10 yards. It is good fun, you should enjoy it.

 

[Greybeard]

Most of the major manufacturers make premo "turkey loads" that sell in boxes of 25. Special buffering, copper plated shot, etc.

4s or 6s probably good on head shots out to 35 yards, but do pattern your gun with whatever brand to check. Lots of retailers sell Shoot'N-See targets made of turkey head and neck. Need to get at least one pellet in vitals shown on those targets.

They are really pricey, but 3" mag Remington Hevi-Shot 4s pattern well out to around 50 yards from my 870 with screw-in modified.

Noticing that you mentioned son being only 12, 3" mags could be a little rough on him. If he's got long arms, ya might think about slip-on recoil pad and/or just 2 3/4" loads. The light single shots can give a pretty good thump. Probably not real noticeable in excitement of dropping a bird, but 3" mags could be discourageing to him on patterning targets.

 

[riddleofsteel]

Comments on recoil noted. He wears a PAST recoil pad to help manage some of the thump. If that does not work a small "sissy bag" of lead shot hanging over his shoulder should do the trick. I have found an old Mossberg bolt action in 20 gauge with a Poly-choke CHEAP. We will play with both guns until we find a load that combines a good pattern with reduced recoil.

Thanks