Whats the best thing to turkey hunt with in Georgia?

Dr45ACP · January 27, 2001, 01:59 PM

In thick woods and river bottoms, range would be 30 to 40 yards max. Should I go with a 12 gauge or would something smaller be adequate?

In particular, i think it might be fun to hunt with a 410, but have never done that before and dont know how well that would work.

Point Blank · January 27, 2001, 03:28 PM

In Georgia?????? I heard a slingshot.........to lob a stick of dynamite!!!!

**Bud Helms** · January 27, 2001, 03:58 PM

If you're going to hunt with a shotgun, stay with a 12 ga. A .45 front end loader that's really dialed in, with round balls, is the best medicine.

Dr45ACP · January 27, 2001, 10:06 PM

Whats that supposed to mean, Point Blank? Got a problem with the great state of Georgia?

**Bud Helms** · January 27, 2001, 11:11 PM

Yeah! Dynamite's good enough for river fishin'! What's yo' prollum?

Al Thompson · January 28, 2001, 04:51 AM

Sounds to me like Point Blank is a wee bit frustrated with Turkeys. They will do that to you, ya know.

sensop - there is a black powder season for Turkey in GA?

Dr45ACP - I'm one state over (SC) and the common gun is a tight choked 12 ga with number 6s or larger shot. Key seems to be the precise placement of shot on a turkey's head. If a 410 could be loaded with 6s or larger and give a tight enough pattern at a given range, it'd work. Need to test the heck out of it though.

My feeling is that the hunt is over when I decide to kill an animal. Then the mission is to kill the animal as quickly as possible. Regardless of the tool used, anything less than optimum is (IMHO) morally lacking. That's why I don't use a .223 on deer or a .270 on elk. When I make the decision to kill, I want one shot and DRT. Practice and adequate tools have been successful so far.

Giz

Poodleshooter · January 29, 2001, 11:06 AM

At 30-40 yds, patterns will be tight enough with #5 or #4 shot. If you're a believer in velocity, go for a 1-5/8 or 1-7/8oz load. If you believe in payload, try and find some old Activ 3" turkey loads with nickle plated shot and 2-1/4oz of shot. Nobody made a 3" load any heavier. I have 8 left and treat them like gold nuggets. A Federal/Remington/Winchester 2oz load will do just fine though.

gfrey · January 29, 2001, 12:40 PM

First answer.

ME!

But I am not in Ga.

I suggest the 12, 20 if you HAVE to go smaller.

I do not think .410 would be an option in turkey hunting for me.

And no matter what,

PATTERN the loads you buy. try at least 3 loads, and with the chokes you think you might use.

What works best with out buying every load and every choke? having a few buddies with similar shotguns, buy some ammo and a choke, try all until best choke/load for each gun is found.

YMMV.

**Bud Helms** · January 29, 2001, 12:57 PM

Giz,

There isn't a special muzzle loader season for turkey, but it's a "legal to take" weapon for them during the existing season. I can't remember the minimum cal, but I think it's .45. Too bad. There are some tack driving .36s out there.

January 28, 2001, 04:51 AM	#6
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	Dynamite? Sounds to me like Point Blank is a wee bit frustrated with Turkeys. They will do that to you, ya know. sensop - there is a black powder season for Turkey in GA? Dr45ACP - I'm one state over (SC) and the common gun is a tight choked 12 ga with number 6s or larger shot. Key seems to be the precise placement of shot on a turkey's head. If a 410 could be loaded with 6s or larger and give a tight enough pattern at a given range, it'd work. Need to test the heck out of it though. My feeling is that the hunt is over when I decide to kill an animal. Then the mission is to kill the animal as quickly as possible. Regardless of the tool used, anything less than optimum is (IMHO) morally lacking. That's why I don't use a .223 on deer or a .270 on elk. When I make the decision to kill, I want one shot and DRT. Practice and adequate tools have been successful so far. Giz __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

January 27, 2001, 01:59 PM	#1
Dr45ACP Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Posts: 281	In thick woods and river bottoms, range would be 30 to 40 yards max. Should I go with a 12 gauge or would something smaller be adequate? In particular, i think it might be fun to hunt with a 410, but have never done that before and dont know how well that would work.

January 27, 2001, 03:28 PM	#2
Point Blank Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2000 Location: Armpit of the South...Atlanta Posts: 516	In Georgia?????? I heard a slingshot.........to lob a stick of dynamite!!!!

January 27, 2001, 03:58 PM	#3
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	If you're going to hunt with a shotgun, stay with a 12 ga. A .45 front end loader that's really dialed in, with round balls, is the best medicine.

January 27, 2001, 10:06 PM	#4
Dr45ACP Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Posts: 281	Whats that supposed to mean, Point Blank? Got a problem with the great state of Georgia?

January 27, 2001, 11:11 PM	#5
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Yeah! Dynamite's good enough for river fishin'! What's yo' prollum?

January 29, 2001, 11:06 AM	#7
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	At 30-40 yds, patterns will be tight enough with #5 or #4 shot. If you're a believer in velocity, go for a 1-5/8 or 1-7/8oz load. If you believe in payload, try and find some old Activ 3" turkey loads with nickle plated shot and 2-1/4oz of shot. Nobody made a 3" load any heavier. I have 8 left and treat them like gold nuggets. A Federal/Remington/Winchester 2oz load will do just fine though.

January 29, 2001, 12:40 PM	#8
gfrey Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Fort Atkinson, WI USA Posts: 143	First answer. ME! But I am not in Ga. I suggest the 12, 20 if you HAVE to go smaller. I do not think .410 would be an option in turkey hunting for me. And no matter what, PATTERN the loads you buy. try at least 3 loads, and with the chokes you think you might use. What works best with out buying every load and every choke? having a few buddies with similar shotguns, buy some ammo and a choke, try all until best choke/load for each gun is found. YMMV.

January 29, 2001, 12:57 PM	#9
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Giz, There isn't a special muzzle loader season for turkey, but it's a "legal to take" weapon for them during the existing season. I can't remember the minimum cal, but I think it's .45. Too bad. There are some tack driving .36s out there.