Turkey Huntin'

[WiseOwl]

Folks, down here in GA Turkey season starts in a couple of weeks. Actually the weekend I get my hunting license. What better way to celebrate my plastic card by blastin some bird.

Question...I have a Mossberg 500 with the 18.5 inch barrel. Can that be used for hunting these birds or do I need to borrow something bigger, if possible?

If so, what load should I use?

Or should I use my ninja skills and give headshots with the .22?

[qrprat77]

Folks, down here in GA Turkey season starts in a couple of weeks. Actually the weekend I get my hunting license. What better way to celebrate my plastic card by blastin some bird.

Question...I have a Mossberg 500 with the 18.5 inch barrel. Can that be used for hunting these birds or do I need to borrow something bigger, if possible?

If so, what load should I use?

Or should I use my ninja skills and give headshots with the .22?

Go with the 22, it's a lot of fun :)
Long barrells and tight chokes (some even tighter than "full") with magnum loads of copper plated #4 shot are the general rule for turkeys.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

you probably cant get enough pellets on the turkey head with that short barrel. Like he said tight chokes are needed. Some of the new barrels are short but they are real tight shooters. I'll send you a turkey head target on e-mail to print and use

[Matt In Oklahoma]

here maybe these will help someone else who wants to practice or pattern their shotgun

[thedreamers]

Usually barrels 18"or so are used for personel defence and tight quarters fighting. Most hunting shotguns are greater than 26" to hold pattern. I use a 28" with full choke.

[Klayton]

Make sure you check your area's hunting laws. When stuck at Ft Detrick, Maryland .22's were a no-no for turkey. Shotguns ONLY. ;)

[woodssurvival]

can u kill a turkey with a bow

[BioG8r]

Woodssurvival - Here in KY you can bow hunt turkey. Some folks won't do it any other way. Check your states laws.
WO - The 18" barrel is gonna leave a bunch of shot for chewin on all over the bird! It will decrease the on target punch.