Tactical for Turkey?

[SADshooter]

I have no bird hunting experience at all, nor with clay games. This season, I'd like to try my hand at central Texas turkey hunting. I know they have excellent visual acuity and are sensitive to motion. I'll take all the general hunting advice I can get, but I also have a specific equipment question.

I own two shotguns, a Benelli M1 Super 90, and a Mossberg 590A1. Both carry ghost-ring sights, and the standard 18-20" defensive barrels. The Benelli has the cylinder bore choke installed, and I have two others, not sure which. I'm fair with both at static targets practicing for home defense. So, based on the above, can either of these hunt turkey effectively, or do I need to think about a longer barrel, dedicated shotgun? Asking now so I have time to practice with appropriate loads (suggestions?) etc., and prepare for spring.

Thanks!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Barrel length is inconsequential for this mission, except short barrels are favored because they can be moved less conspiciously. Choke is crucial, though.

Try the tightest tube you have at 40 yards on a turkey target. Using legal shot, place 8-10 pellets in the head/neck portion and you're ready.

HTH, and good luck next spring...

 

[SADshooter]

Thanks, Dave! You just killed my excuse to the wife for buying another shotgun.

Just kidding!

It's nice to know I can work from an existing platform. Now the acolyte repeats the mantra: BA/UU/R.

 

[Dave McCracken]

You're welcome. Don't worry, an excuse to buy another shotgun will be along shortly.....

 

[only1asterisk]

Dave's 8-10 pieces of shot a minimum. Most of my guns can better that.

Load Suggestions,

Don't rush out and buy a box of 2oz loads and call yourself ready. In turkey hunting you rally need to know your pattern since you are using your shotgun like a rifle. Nice even shot distribution is best, but most gun/choke/shell combinations will produce a pattern with dense and less dense areas. If this happens over and over don't worry. You can still use a pattern like this, but you may have to shift you point of aim to put the dense part of your pattern on the target.

You will have to find a load for your gun, but 1 5/8oz of #5 or #6 works well as a starting place. I reserve #4 for heavy 3" 1 7/8 and 2oz loads. The smaller shot seems like it works better from the tighter chokes. Try lots of different loads and me sure to buy current production as older shells may use different components. Nothing worse than finding that perfect load and finding out that the "new and improved" version doesn't work with your gun.


David

 

[SADshooter]

Thanks, gents. *, I appreciate the load advice.

 

[Mannlicher]

My turkey shotgun is a Browning A5, Hastings 26 in WadLock II barrel, Hastings X full choke. My Browning likes those Federal 3 inch Premium #4 Turkey shot.

I would certainly buy another shotgun or barrel, if you can't pattern your shot well enough at 40 yards to cover a Turkey's head and neck.