Honest question

[GoodOlBoy]

WHY do turkey hunters need a 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge magnum shotgun to shoot a turkey at 18-30 yards? I just got through watching a hunting show where they catually called the turkey to within 15 yards and plugged him with a 3 1/2in 12 guage. . . . whats the freakin point here guys at 40 yards I can kill a turkey with a 2 3/4 inch 20 guage, heck in fact at 50 yards I can shoot him in the head with a 22 lr!

I really want to understand, I really aint just tryin to tick off the turkey hunters, but I was thinking about going turkey hunting this year and started tuneing in shows and this has me baffled.

Thanks

GoodOlBoy

[toxic111]

I think it is the same reason some guys use .300WinMags on deer when a 6mm will kill them just as dead.

I say use whatever you feel comfortable shooting. If you do that within reason, there is no reason to be over gunned.

[Jack]

" heck in fact at 50 yards I can shoot him in the head with a 22 lr"
Well, yeah, but that's illegal in a lot of states (many states require shotgun only for turkey)
"whats the freakin point here guys at 40 yards I can kill a turkey with a 2 3/4 inch 20 guage"
You have a 20 gauge that gives great turkey patterns at 40 yards- many don't.
If turkeys always came right in to 18-20 yards, indeed, no one would need a 12 gauge 3 or 3 1/2. Turkeys being the contrary buggers they are, often stop at 40 to 50 yards and won't come closer.
If you do much patterning of turkey guns, you'll discover that at 40 + yards, a 12 gauge 3 inch or 3 1/2 delivers a lot better pattern density than smaller stuff. Result being that the big guns will deliver cleaner kills more consistently at 40+ yards.

[multibeard]

A turkey is not an easy to bird to kill unless you have a dense pattern. The more shot you have in a load the better chance you will have that dense pattern.

I was patterning the 20 gauge that I bought for my grandson when he was 4 weeks old this spring. he was finally old enough to hunt this spring. When I was shooting to see just where it point of aim was I used some cheep dove shells. I never saw so many holes in a pattern in my life. It would have been hard to kill a dove with them. When I switched to the turkey loads it had a great pattern. I wouldn't hesitate shooting out to 30 yards but with the limited amount of shot in the shell i wouldn't want to stretch it any farther.

I shoot a Mossberg 835 3 1/2 inch, not because I need the extra power, I want the extra lead to do the job. I also shoot 6's because of all the extra shot compared to 5's or 6's. I have had to shoot some pretty long distances on some stubborn limb hangers that didn't want to commit suicide.

Remember that most of the programs you watch on the tube are not the real world.

I have also taken a few with my double 12 front stuffer that I had to get to under 20 yards to be sure of a good kill. The one year huting with it I let 5 nice toms walk because they were not close enough to make sure they dropped stone dead.

[rubicon]

In west virginia I often use my 20 ga for spring gobblers but in North Carolina and in Maryland I use my 3 1/2 12 ga with terkey loads. The early spring growth is much more dense and the more mature gobblers are a lot more cautious than they are in the mountains and quite frankly I need all the help I can get.

[GoodOlBoy]

Ok now see that makes sense, particularly if you get a stubborn bird that stops 40 to 50 yards out, THAT I can see using a nice 12 (Still not completely sold on a 3 1/2 but I will let it drop) Like I said what had me baffeled was watching these guys call a turkey up close enough I coulda throwed a shell at him and cold cocked him, then they plug him with a 3 1/2 inch 12 guage. As for the 22, yeah it aint legal to take deer in alot of states with one either but even Texas Parks and wildlife admits more deer have been taken in Texas with a 22 illegally than have been taken with anything else legal.

In point of fact I will even admit that I can see using the 3 1/2, now that I think about it, if you have a bird sitting at say 60+ yards. Kinda like using an old 10 gauge goose gun.

Anyway thanks for the replies guys, now that I am less confused on the issue I think I may just hafta grab one of those tags.

GoodOlBoy

[drummer]

Remember also that "Hunting-porn" outdoor shows exist to sell products, which is at the crux of your question.Alot of things we don't need per se.
Some people are great at longer shots and they feel comfortable taking them,which requires adequate equipment. Personally I don't like to take long shots, so I use a 12 ga chambered for 3"

[Nulle]

Only gun I have used on turkey is the 20 ga. and works well for me .

[skeet]

All the turkeys I have killed(except 1) have been with a Rem 1100 trap gun in 2 3/4 in with Number 5 turkey loads. But can tell you tha the darn birds are big and tough. I do have a 3 1/2 in shotgun and do use the big shells on geese. Most of my shots on geese are 20 yds or so but there are ocassional shots that are quite a bit farther. You don't predicate what shell you shoot on the average or normal short range shot but on the unusual or abnormal shots...so the 3 1/2 inch shell is used by some for an insurance type of ammo on the unexpected longer range ..or cripple follow up shots. Better safe than sorry. Heck I used the big 10 for a lot of goose hunting. Did I need it for all the shots?? Heck no but I really felt comfortable when I had that big ol gun in my hands. To be really honest with y'all..It was a LOT better shooter than the 3 1/2 inch 12...by far. And I think I have had enough experience with waterfowl to know the difference. BTW the exception on the turkey..I shot it with a 10 ga SP 10 at just over 45 yds...DRT. Sucker wouldn't come one step closer!!:rolleyes:

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Ah GOB, for one thing it is one good reason to buy a new toy if you don't already own one of the turkey cannons. They can be a tough target at times. One thing I would like to remind the shotgun pattern shooters.....this is a must do....place a target only 10 yards from you and take a shot. You just might be surprised at where the 'hole' will be located as to where you had your sights placed......we like to count the numbers of shot at say 30yds or 40yds but I for one was surprised at where I made the 'hole' at my target at only 10yrd...the pellet group is like shooting a 1" slug at that distance and by doing this....is the reason I took a 22lb 12" bearded bird at 10yds.....or I would have missed him..I had to place my bead even with the left side of his neck in order to place the x on the spot. I also spoke to those in charge at the 835 plant finding out they built this shotgun for #5 shot and this works fine for me also ....I guess to each his own but this is food for thought.....yes...also taken birds with 2 3/4 at 30yds 12g....but do like the numbers of BB's in one of those 10g shells...I think the 3 1/2 inch 12's are to be about 90% of a 10guage....is this right?.....now to convince the boss hen of 35 yrs that I need a 10g semi for my one shot turkey hunt....na...my single shot 10 works fine....