Apr 24, 2014 photos by luke nilsson not everybody hunts spring turkeys the same way, so one load isnt going to be perfect for everybody. Patterning a turkey shotgun on the brink of turkey season we find ourselves dusting off calls, checking decoys and rearranging all the stuff we typically carry in our vests. Shotgun patterning, handgun and rifle scoring and analysis using turbo targets are the first truly automatic software applications for capturing rifle handgun group data and shotgun pattern data on your iphone, ipad, mac or pc from camera images. The key to hunting turkey with a shotgun is to pattern the shot at various distances to determine how many lead pellets will be delivered. Most shots are taken from a sitting or kneeling position. As jamey explains, modern turkey loads like the new heavierthanlead htl turkey shotgun loads are more expensive than their lead counterparts. Turkey gun patterning is easy hunting, turkey, turkey. In some regions, the spotandstalk method is standard. To pattern your shotgun, you will need two loads of each shot size and six targets that show the fullsize head and neck of a gobbler. So santa brought you that new shotgun for christmas. Most turkey hunters assume there isnt much difference in using the standard shot sizes for turkeys. The range has nothing to do with this 100 pellet average, if you have it at 25 yards you have an effective turkey pattern and if you have it at 50 yards you also have an effective turkey pattern. Turkey hunting using shotgun useful aiming tips are you a novice turkey hunter who would like to improve your shotgun skills. Patterning tests for turkey hunting the ohio outdoors.
In other areas, sitting in a blind on a stool is protocol, or maybe youll be on the ground in front of a tree. I only own one shotgun so for me i run modified for dove and quail and xfull for turkey. It comes set up with a wingmaster hd turkey choke for optimal patterning. The shotgun analyzer program allows you to average as many targets as you. Patterning shotguns for turkey hunting is a little different from what you would normally do for upland bird or waterfowl hunting. While initial patterning of the shotgun can be done from a bench, take into account the way youll be hunting turkey. When it comes to successful turkey hunting skills, there are many small considerations that you can take that can help you take successful aim at your prey. There are a huge amount of variables with patterning for turkey hunting. Heres a look back a dozen years ago to don stears feature article, turkey gun patterning made easy.
Most turkey camps ive visited around the country inevitably involve a supper table debate about the best shotgun range for dropping a spring gobbler. Everything you need to know to pick out the best shotgun for the big birds, plus three good choices in three price ranges. A hunters guide to the 6 best turkey shotguns outdoorhub. Our shotgun editor weighs in on the greatest gobbler guns new and old. Most turkey hunters want a very dense core with as many pellets as possible in a nominal 10 inch circle. Most of us will check out our old gear and maybe break out some calls and start to practice our calling a bit. How to pattern your turkey hunting shotgun realtree camo. Patterning your turkey hunting shotgun, turkey chokes and various shotshells is essential to success in the field. How to evaluate turkey patterns grand view outdoors. Patterning your shotgun for turkey hunting beretta. There are a variety of turkeyspecific models to choose from, although a standard shotgun will still get the job done if needed.
Patterning your shotgun and testing different loads duration. Shot sizes for turkey hunting by ed hall havalon knives. For the price, pretty solid for patterning your turkey choke. Missouri offers some of the best turkey hunting in the nation. Tips to effectively pattern shotgun for turkey hunting. Patterning made easy with computerized patterning board. It is deadly on snow geese out to beyond 60 yards shooting steel ts. Apr 16, 2018 also, brett and jay dubois offer detailed advice for patterning turkey guns as they prepare their mossberg shotguns with aimpoint reddot sights for spring turkey season.
The winchester pattern board allows you to select your gauge, choke, shell length, pellet size, brand, and distance and view the real pattern from that load as well as patterns from comparable loads. Steve meyer, winchester ammunitions supervisor of new shotshell development, has tips on how to pattern your turkey gun in this clickthrough blog post. As we discussed how easy and inexpensive constructing a permanent pattern board would be, one of my sons suggested a remote location on a small tract of land. In addition to our 10gauge model, we offer 12gauge models in camo with fixed full chokes or screwin turkey chokes, and a 20gauge, 22barreled compact model with camofinished. While hunting in oklahoma with a new turkey loadwinchesters long beardand using a custom choke, i found that my pattern at 30 yards was frightfully tightlike, the size of a softball. It does pretty close, high 80s, with lead 6s and the turkey choke it came with. Apr 04, 2012 one kill shot should be all it takes when spring turkey hunting. Best turkey guns and patterning wild turkeywild turkey. Patterning shotguns for waterfowl hunting fowled reality. One kill shot should be all it takes when spring turkey hunting. Patterning shotguns for waterfowl hunting is an often overlooked aspect of the hunt. Patterning a shotgun, though, requires a safe, convenient place for testing. All modern shotguns designed specifically for turkey hunting come with some sort of camo finish typicall realtree or mossy oak.
Shot sizes, shell length, type of shot, amount of shot, etc. Photos by luke nilsson not everybody hunts spring turkeys the same way, so one load isnt going to be perfect for everybody. Last sunday, i went to the range and patterned my shotgun using the new barrel with several different types of turkey loads in order to determine which produced. Coyote shotgun ammo and choke test long range hunting forum. The primary difference is that you will be using a 10 inch diameter circle instead of a 30 in circle. You have to know your choke pattern at different yards with. Patterning takes time, effort, money and commitment, but when that longbeard steps out of the scrub oak at 36 steps and drops out of strut its worth it.
May 05, 2011 whatever patterns best in your shotgun. Turkey hunters should spend time on the range shooting at turkey targets and evaluating the patterns to find a turkey load that consistently places several pellets in the nervous system of a turkey. Patterning your shotgun for turkey randy wakeman outdoors. Our picks for the most innovative calls, guns, ammo, and accessories for hunting. While patterning the last shotgun i bought it kept shooting four inches to the left at 30 yards. Patterning your turkey gun before season or when you buy new shells can be a very expensive pain in the shoulder. An example would be that turkey hunters want to see 100 pellets in a 10 inch. Gloves, masks and oddsandends are transferred from the backpack carried all those days of deer season. Im relatively new at turkey hunting and i thought i might try a different shotgun setup this season, but im not sure if either of the 2 shotguns i would like to try would do the trick. Winchester patternboard the winchester turkey pattern board. So much emphasis is put on decoy placement, concealment, and scouting, but none of that matters if youre throwing a pattern out there that that isnt uniform and has holes in it. When i patterned by shotgun i bought some paper turkey targets and went to the range ultra controlled at 25 yards and tried three different brands of turkey loads. Famous for their handiness in the woods and extendedrange patterning ability, our pardner turkey gun lineup includes a wide range of options from which to choose. Any fullchoked 12gauge with a modern shell should put more than five pellets in a turkeys head at 40 yards.
The payload stays baseball tight with shots taken at under 20 steps, and misses are more likely, especially with that serpentine turkey head juking. The brandmodel of shotgun, brand of choke tube flush mount or extended, barrel length. Heres how to pick the perfect load to match your style of hunting. The best shotgun gauge for turkeys seems to be tougher than ever to determine these days. Very few circumstances will require 3 12 loads especially since 2 34 andor 3 is more then enough, with that note. Plus, you can download a printable turkey head and neck target. Heres a look at some of the heavy hitters in the turkey woods. You can always ask around to see what others are using too. Why patterning a shotgun for turkey hunting is important. Turkey hunting shotguns and patterning grand slam network. So we start doing a little scouting to find some turkey tracks and fresh scratchings, and this gets us even more psyched for opening day. Play with different loads, share your favorites, and see what others are shooting. A turkey hunter can install a scope on his shotgun and deliver a tightpatterned load of shot very accurately to cleanly take a wild turkey.
My buddy had the splatter targets, which were nice for seeing instant results from downrange, but they were ten dollars for twelve targets. Apr 17, 2012 patterning your shotgun and testing different loads duration. How to pattern a shotgun for turkey hunting msu extension service. If you have the time and money, you can buy several chokes and try them out to see which one works best. Before you even step foot in the turkey woods, you must pattern your shotgun. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the office of. Please do not just grab whatever diameter choke and shells i had the best luck with and go hunting. How to sight a shotgun with a scope for turkeys gone. Recently, a turkey hunting buddy and my two sons were wishing for a permanent place to pattern their shotguns. Arguably the most important step as a turkey hunter is to know the range and best pattern for killing a turkey. Sure, this means i could kill a turkey at 70 yards, but it also means i.
If it is 3 you can get turkey loads but they are going to make that short barrel email protected 34 turkey loads are a little easier on you. This is much smaller than the typical 30 inch circle used in patterning for other types of hunting. Mar 16, 2020 there are a huge amount of variables with patterning for turkey hunting. Published in the spring of 2006, the advice remains good for when you dial in your timeworn shotgun again and certainly if you buy a new one soon, even if your season is over for this year. Patterning your shotgun for turkey the national wild turkey federation suggests a 100 pellet average in a 10 inch circle as an ideal turkey pattern. Best shotgun loads for your style of turkey hunting field. Patterning your shotgun for turkey hunting is simply a matter of shooting your shotgun with various shot sizes at different ranges to determine the most effective combination. So we start doing a little scouting to find some turkey tracks and fresh scratchings, and this gets us even continue reading pro tips. How to pattern your shotgun for turkey hunting hunting.
Whats the best range for shooting turkeys with a shotgun. The guns are decked out in mossy oak obsession camo that helps keep. How to pattern a shotgun for turkey hunting mossy oak. I just tacked them to a large piece of cardboard and that did the trick. Get season dates, regulations, permit information, and tips for safe, successful turkey hunting at short. I tried different ammo different chokes still four inches left. Every time you change your choke tube, shotshell brand, go from led shot to extra dense, or change pellet size or sighting system, the pattern will.
Pattern your shotgun in order to find the optimal range, choke and shotgun size. The shotgun is aimed instead of pointed for the vast majority of shots taken. I wanted to find the perfect shot size and choke combination for my turkey gun. American hunter 7 reasons for a red dot on your turkey gun. Also, brett and jay dubois offer detailed advice for patterning turkey guns as they prepare their mossberg shotguns with aimpoint reddot sights for spring turkey season. Feb 12, 2019 i only own one shotgun so for me i run modified for dove and quail and xfull for turkey. Turkey hunting shotgun patterning big game hunting blog. Either you are such a turkey master that you shoot a.
Mar 23, 2020 im relatively new at turkey hunting and i thought i might try a different shotgun setup this season, but im not sure if either of the 2 shotguns i would like to try would do the trick. Every turkey hunter gets excited about the upcoming season as soon as they see birds strutting out in the fields. Heres everything you need to know about patterning your shotgun for maximum turkey hunting success. Jun 27, 2012 patterning shotguns for waterfowl hunting. In preparation for a spring turkey season, i sent my remington 1187 special purpose chambered in 3inch 12 gauge to rob roberts custom gun works in batesville, arkansas.