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ANDN Avid Hunter Friend was one of the first to mean Gobbler when the spring hunting began in the central Wisconsin almost four decades ago.
Then the conventional wisdom regarding firearms was: “bigger is better.” So he borrowed a double double-person in addition to charging 3-1⁄2-inch shells stuffed with granules No. 4. To-but with 32-inch barrels and weighing the almost dozen pounds.
In the following decades, turkey hunting developed lightweight years, and the selection of the highest quality shotguns designed specifically for turkey hunting is still developing and evolving.
Sorting by indicators
When the federal introduced the 3.5-inch load on the Magnum water birds with a length of 12-ordered (which could accommodate larger steel granules), the longer hull was soon burdened with immense loads of lead shot for turkey hunting.
Availability of a popular model, from almost every shotguns and chamber manufacturer for 3.5-inch, 12 placed loads 10 size pistols From considering turkey hunters.
Despite the noticeable advantages of 3.5-inch shells, during a few seasons of racing gobblers, I was able to apply 3-inch, 12 loads in the range of 15 yards to 55 yards.
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I suspect I could do as well using the appropriate 23⁄4-inch shells. But because the 3-inch ammunition modeled well in my turkey shooting, I still stayed with it.
The appearance of TSS loaded ammunition (Tungsten super shot) Pellets turns into the game, enabling pistols with a resolution of 20 and 28, and even models of the opening .410, be a solid turkey weapon.
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Remember when the size of the hole decreases, as is the number of ammunition pellets, which makes it extremely essential to keep the tight, uniform shot pattern.
Hunters using pistols 20 and 28 with TSS ammunition can continue to expect a connection with the murder of 40 yards and a little further. However, if I hunted with the .410 bore, I would limit my shots to 30 yards, maybe less. Before buying a 28 or .410 meter, check that its apply is legal in your condition.
Selecting action
Virtually every company that creates or imports, shotguns, offers special turkey models, available as pumping, semi -automatic, over/under models, breaking a single shot or screw action. Street prices range from around USD 300 to over USD 3000.
The pistols are one of the most practical and versatile. They are uncomplicated to apply, reliable in various field conditions, cheaper than autoloaders and double pistols, and they easily go to hefty and lightweight loads.
My first turkey was a 12-inch BPS game gun, which was delivered with a 20-inch barrel, a back of a choke and an extremely full of turkey choke. This pump pistol was deadly for deer and ideal for turkeys, which is several bucks and numerous gobblers. It was the only gun I thought I would never sell. But a few years ago I thought in some way that I needed a lighter semi -automatic one than a pump worth 8.5 pounds.
I replaced the pump for Autoloader Weatherby, which was 1.5 pounds lighter. After experiencing a few twice of remorse, the seller and adding a comb and red optics vertical, I felt sure that I took him and dropped the gobbler only 10 steps from the mouth. I appreciate its 22-inch barrel, 13.5-inch action and tactical grip.
I recently went to Mossberg 940 Turkey Pro Autoloader, full of a gun that has become popular among turkey hunters throughout the country. It easily survived the entire 12 ammunition, from severe turkey loads to lightweight target loads, without the need for adjustment.
Its configurable supplies allow for a perfect fit. Cutting at the back of the receiver allows uncomplicated installation of reflex optical eyesight. Both autoloaders provided less perceived recoil than my pump, because the operation operated by gas uses part of the recoil to the round of the next round.
You can make a good argument for the Over/near Turkey shotgun. You can have a modified choke tube in one barrel for birds that are approaching, and extremely full of chokes to shoot cleanly at more distant gobblers. Lack of additional length of the pump or autoloader receiver, O/U can be compact even with 26-inch barrels.
Turkey pistols in single shots are gaining popularity because they are lightweight, brief and uncomplicated to maneuver. While most of my turkeys required only one shot, if necessary I like to have a quick second shot.
Proper fit and finish
The key to success in every shotgun is having one that suits the shooter properly.
A properly matched turkey gun is often different from a shotgun designed for education. Barrels at turkey shotguns usually have a length of 18.5 to 24 inches. My current pistol has a 24-inch barrel, which is the maximum practical length of the pump or autoloader.
When you are in a blind tent or outside, surrounded by vines, cuttings or brires, you do not want to hesitate a gun with a long barra. One morning I wore a shotgun in my blind. This pistol had a 28-inch barrel and a total length of 49 inches. Suffice it to say that it did not go well.
Perhaps you also need a shorter supply on a turkey gun. Most general shootings are equipped with supplies that are 14 inches or longer.
When you sit, he rotted at the base of the tree, you do not have as much range as possible when he gets up and shooting at flying birds in the pheasant field. You will appreciate shorter supplies. I shortened my herd to 13.5 inches, while raising the comb 1⁄8 inches.
The choice of shotgun that can be fired well also includes weight and recoil. I prefer weight from 7 to 7.5 pounds for a pistol with a capacity of 12, a lighter pound for 20 and 28 pistols and from 5.5 to 6 pounds for the opening .410. You may have to escalate your weight depending on your tolerance.
Most of the current turkey shooting contain some kind of camouflage finish, but I used pistols with wrestling and barrels with a matte finish and I did not have cases of terrifying birds.
Accessories
Because turkey shotguns are generally directed to a stationary gobbler, not swinging on pheasants rinsing or luring ducks, they should have monuments more precise than metal beads.
Many shots designed for turkey hunting now have one green or orange fiber optic view mounted on the front of the barrel. Some may also have fiber optic rear monuments.
Based on my experience, optical views best focus on the tight pattern of the Gobbler’s head and neck. Burris 2.5x The range of my bronze pump worked well, offering a wide field of view for birds that fell close, as well as a precise point for gobblers over 40 yards.
When I concentrated Vortex Strikefire Red Dot Gobbler’s neck, when he left the forest, the charge of shot No. 6 dropped 10 steps from his semi -automatic mouth. My current turkey shotgun has Holosun Reflex Sight mounted at the receiver’s cut -out.
Most turkey shooting is equipped with an extended, extremely full of immense tube. If it does not produce the desired designs, try another ammunition or tube on the secondary market.
Cheap, but essential, turkey shooting accessories are a suspension that makes it easier to wear a gun, while releasing your hands to carry lure and other hunting equipment. Most turkey shotguns have rotating dowels, so the slings can be easily attached or removed.
Regardless of the one you choose or action, the turkey shotgun must be able to consistently put a sufficient number of granules tightly enough to break the bones in the head and neck of the turkey.
