First Turkey Hunt

Last week I was notified that I was selected to take part in the Disabled Veterans Turkey hunt at Camp Ripley, MN April 19-21! Yeah! First Turkey Hunt (age 50).

So I took my Mossberg 500 to the range today. Using 3″ Kent Ultimate #5 Turkey loads at 25 yards I was consistently able to put on average 30 pellets in the head area of the turkey target. I was centering my sights on the head.

So my question to the experts out there is: Is this a tight enough group? I’m using a Full choke. Any reason to go to an extra full other than longer distances?

Congrats on your first turkey hunt…I hope it’s a great time. So how far do you plan on shooting? 30 pellets to the head will definitely put down a bird. If you are planning on shooting a longer distance then you’re going to want to pattern your gun for that and see what the pattern is like. You may want to go with an extra full choke…depending on the distance.

Congrats on your 1st turkey hunt. The 1st of many I would bet. I agree 30 at 30 yards is fine but then limit yourself to that distance. You can get a Turkey choke and some hevi-shot and extend your range another 15-20 yards if you choose to. But make sure to practice at those long ranges too. I have been turkey hunting for 18 years and every hunt I still get as excited as if it’s my 1st

Congrats and good luck

Congrats and good luck Can’t wait to see some photos.

I usually measure mine at 40 yards and within a 10″ circle so my comparison may be hard to grasp. TO me an acceptable pattern will be over 100 pellets in the 10″. My sons 20 ga for instance throws 170-192 with HTL loads (100% modified gun). I get an easy 200+ with my 12ga with a simple extra full and no machining.

If you have your targets draw a 10″ circle around the best part of your pattern, and count the pellets. One thing to look closely at is holes in the pattern,areas with no hits. A turkeys head is always moving, and you’d hate for that moving head to find that hole.

I would maybe try a different brand of shell. I’m a pretty big supporter of the local brand and their Heavy Weights with Flight Control wads have been working great for us. Personally I haven’t heard much praise for the Kents in the turkey shell catagory.

CW

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I usually measure mine at 40 yards and within a 10″ circle so my comparison may be hard to grasp. TO me an acceptable pattern will be over 100 pellets in the 10″. My sons 20 ga for instance throws 170-192 with HTL loads (100% modified gun). I get an easy 200+ with my 12ga with a simple extra full and no machining.

If you have your targets draw a 10″ circle around the best part of your pattern, and count the pellets. One thing to look closely at is holes in the pattern,areas with no hits. A turkeys head is always moving, and you’d hate for that moving head to find that hole.

CW

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I’m going to give that a try. Exactly the info I was looking for.

With out getting a tape measure out, I think the pattern spread was @ 18″ at 25 yards. I will admit that i am not a shotgun person. Pistol/rifle I know what to expect out of ammo. To me the Kent round seemed to be consistent in the spread, but what do I know!
I’m going to also take the Target to Hart Bros and see what he thinks. He told me if I wasn’t happy with the full he would swap it out for an Extra full.

OK, I went outside in the downpour and retrieved the target from my Jeep.

Keep in mind that I centered my sights on the head of the turkey and it was on a large cardboard backing.

I counted 192 holes inside of the larger circle I drew. So there are @ 250 0r so holes inside of a 10″ area.

Ken:

I’ll echo the comments of many here already, especially regarding the 10″ circle at 40 yards bit. This has always been my gauge for success with a load. Anywhere in the 100 mark and you’re good to 40 in almost any conditions. 150+ and you’ve likely got yourself a 50 yard gun, though make sure to pattern first to check it out. Also, before considering anything past 40, make sure you’re using 4 or 5 lead, or preferably, 4, 5, 6 or 7 Hevi-type load.

The denser-than-lead loads have gained incredible popularity because they hit harder downrange, and typically pattern much better than even the hardest copperplated and heavily buffered loads. Each mfr. has their own name to it, Winchester Xtended, Hevishot, Federal Heavyweights, etc. I’ve shot the Winchester xtended and Hevishot mag. blend the past two years and loved it. I typically see patterns in the 150+ range with my gun.

If you stay with lead, I’d check out the tighter constricted choke you mentioned. If you move to one of the hevi-type varieties, I’d stick with the choke you have.

Of course, all of this is much ado about nothing if you just pattern your gun like you have, and stay inside your max effective range at all times when shooting. Alot of turkeys were killed with single shot fixed full choke shotguns and blue overalls.

You’re going to love that Camp Ripley hunt. Loads of birds, and lots of room to roam. Congrats on doing what it takes now to have a successful hunt then, and good luck!

Joel

Some excellent advice in this thread in regard to turkey loads and patterning!

Good luck Ken and I hope to see you in a picture with a big tom!

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Good luck Ken and I hope to see you in a picture with a big tom!

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Thanks! So do I!