Thread: Ammunition shortage vs Turkey hunting

For some reason the trend seems to be shooting turkeys at longer distances. Some of the tss loads pattern well enough (and hit hard enough since its more dense than lead) to make a clean kill at 60 yards and beyond. I don't think I've ever shot one farther out than 20 yards though.

Shooting a turkey now involves a serious financial decision due to the cost of premium, heavier than lead ammo. Fortunately, I probably have enough Hevi-shot ammo to last me the rest of my turkey hunting career as long as I don't shoot more than two turkeys a year and as long as the red dot scope stays accurate. I am a huge fan of the 3.5 in. shells because they are often called upon to do some brush clearing between me and the turkey. I get so excited when that ugly bird comes in that I never notice the recoil---I think I could shoot with the stock against my nose and never notice until afterward when I had to clean the blood off my face. (I shoot a Mossberg 935.) I have shot turkeys from awkward positions (you wouldn't believe some of them, but none that would make the Kama Sutra) and never noticed the recoil until I found the multicolored bruise later on. I appreciate the extra range from the heavier than lead shot because at least a third of the gobblers I've called in will come to about fifty yards out and stop, knowing that the hen he's after should have met him by now, or at least be standing where he can see her, and his native suspicion kicks in and without that extra range, mama won't get to eat turkey for Easter. If you can consistently call old gobblers in to within 20 yards, then you are fully entitled to walk around with a sign around your neck saying, "I AM A BETTER MAN THAN YOU ARE."

Life is full of hard decisions and for me, that's springtime when the turkeys start gobbling and the fish are biting at the pier. Lucky for me, I can't make a bad decision on this one.

Speaking of choices, have you ever noticed----when you have to make a choice between two things, with a 50% chance of one of the choices being correct, that whichever choice you finally make has a 90% chance of being wrong?

See y'all on the pier in about a month.

George, my (limited) short range turkey hunting successes can mostly be attributed to luck and persistence. Also, in my experience Rio Grande turkeys tend to be more likely than Eastern turkeys to come in to a call rather than hang up 50 or 60 yards out. Its not always the case, but I've certainly had more Rios at close range. The last 2 (might have been 1-7/8) oz load I shot through my old 12 ga separated the vent rib from the barrel. That was an expensive shot.

Poker night at the camp...

Originally Posted by ironman172

Out of a less than 6 lb. Single shot... In a single word-OUCH. Still better than not getting out there though.
If you're a rifle shooter 2 oz is equal to 875 grains. A very average 30-06 bullet is 150 grains though its moving a good bit faster. Just a little something to think about in terms of recoil.
As far as turkey loads go, thats a pretty decent price.

Just took the picture, I remembered someone was commenting , and surprised seeing the 3 boxes at this store in my travels..... I'll go out if I'm at the cabin to still hunt and listen, but usually on the gulf fishing for 1/2 our spring season .... my wife likes farm raised turkey
At least I don't need to buy a tag

Originally Posted by fordguy

Out of a less than 6 lb. Single shot... In a single word-OUCH. Still better than not getting out there though.
If you're a rifle shooter 2 oz is equal to 875 grains. A very average 30-06 bullet is 150 grains though its moving a good bit faster. Just a little something to think about in terms of recoil.
As far as turkey loads go, thats a pretty decent price.

Here in Michigan the 410 trend is in full bloom. A 5-pack of the TSS in 410 is $38. Thankfully, my crossbow works just fine.

If turkey hunting has become so easy that a .410 is needed to keep things interesting, that's self-confidence.

On price of ammo, I may have to switch to morels. They never come no matter how well you call, but you can stalk to bayonet range.

Apparently Gainer had no issues...

On FB, Ritchie Russel wrote:

My friend John Gaines got it done at our camp in Carolina west of Andalusia!
Nice big ole bearded Turkey