Scatter gun or CF rifle?

[hnter]

Hi Guys, this is my 1st time here on the turkey thread.

I've never kilt a wild turkey and plan ta hunt next spring here in Wyoming.
CF cal are legal for turkeys in WT and I'm thinking I want to take one with a 22-250 of a .22 Hornet. What d ya think? Is the use of CF's ok or not.

Personally I don't see much more diff useing a 22-250 on turkey anymore than I would useing a .338 Win Mag on a deer, which I have.

Hnter

[jplonghunter]

hnter

You are going to miss the best part of turkey hunting;calling them into shotgun range if you use a center fire.JMHO

jplonghunter

[fabsroman]

I voted for the last option. As long as anything is legal, it is up to the person to choose. There is nothing illegal about shooting at waterfowl at 70 yards, but I prefer to get them as close in as possible.

Shooting a turkey with a rifle is somewhat like shooting a deer with a rifle, but not the same as shooting a deer with a slug gun, muzzleloader, or bow. Turkeys can be hunted with bows too.

I use a rifle on deer where the shots are going to be long, or where I am hunting on a crop damage permit and the farmer really wants them gone.

If you want the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, then use the rifle. If you go with the .22-250, make sure you aren't using varmint bullets in it or there really won't be anything left for Thanksgiving unless you like turkey burger and turkey soup.

Now, if you want a challenge, use a shotgun, and if you really want a challenge, use a bow. Turkey are much harder to hunt than whitetails, just in case you are wondering.

[DogYeller]

I shot one with a 22-250, it spoiled so much meat I never did it again. For the last 15 years I've hunted 'em with black powder. I've killed 'em with a Bow and just about any thing legal. If you intend to eat 'em use a shotgun or a bow.

[hnter]

I've eaten trurkeys kilt with a SG, they've always got quantities of shot left inum unless one spends a goodly amount of time probing for them.
I can keep my shots under 1/2 " @ 200 yds with my 22-250 and 1' with my Hornet.
One of my sons living in a sg state back east :( says his 12ga slug gun will shoot 3" groups at 200 yds, so even the SGs are stretching out.

Truthfully, the lines are blurring all over.

Hnter

[gd357]

IF you're going to use a rifle, stick with FMJs. They're fairly popular in some states down south where rifle hunting for turkeys is legal. JMHO

gd

[hnter]

Which southern or other states allow rifles for turkey?

[jmarriott]

.22 mag rimfires I know can be effective. and not waist alot of meat.

On a spring hunt in most states turkey woods it might get a bit scarry if they opened it up for CF rifles. Not enough line of sight with all new green leaves.

I would use the hornet as it is just a bit more than the 22 mag.
Should be meat left.

[gd357]

They're legal in Virginia and Alabama if I'm not mistaken. Probably a few other states as well. I have a friend who uses the FMJs exclusively out of his 22-250 for turkeys if a long shot is probable. You should be able to get them in bulk as surplus bullets for fairly reasonable if you look around online.

gd

[hnter]

I'm again thinkin about doing a few different things and the turkey idea arose. That thought reminded me of a conversation I'd had a while ago talkin with a dude I know. The dude is a Wild Turkey Federation volinteer worker who does gunshows and promo work for the WTF around WY and the subject came up when I mentioned rifles for turkey.
The dude came onglued on their use.

He ranted/raved on for 10-15 min against their use. He sounded just like an Anti or greenie using the same old whinie tune with different words. Really embarassing to say the least!

Hnter

[Skinny Shooter]

Here in Pa we can use a rifle in Fall season only. If I were to use my 222 or 22-250 I'd try for headshots only with a TNT or similiar bullet that blows up on impact. Which means no long range shots. No body shots for me but that's just my preference.
But then wouldn't it also be fun trying it with a flintlock Pa Longrifle.

Good luck and let us know how you make out. :)

[hnter]

"But then wouldn't it also be fun trying it with a flintlock Pa Longrifle?"

Gotta thinkin bout that last night too. I also gotta thinkin I got waaaay to much time on my hands! :D
Thoughts like that can get expencive. :eek:
;)

Hnter :D

[skeet]

Just my take on the whole matter..If ya want to use a rifle by all means do so if it is legal. I killed one in Md that way years ago. with a 22 mag rifle(winchester pump BTW). It was legal then and I shot the darn thing at about 40 yds. It is a bit more fun to call 'em in but they don't always come as far as we want them to.:D

[fabsroman]

hnter,

When you have too much time on your hands, you better make sure you have too much money on your hands too.

[hnter]

"hnter,

When you have too much time on your hands, you better make sure you have too much money on your hands too."
____________________
Fabs,

Don't know bout "too much money", but I ain't broke ........YET!

But my horses are workin on me. I'm buyin hay by the truckload now. Lord I love 'm!

Hnter
:D

BTW, We put 20 CO prime eaten pheasants in the freezer yesterday.

This year is great on the eastern plains!