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Turkey Guns & Shooting => Turkey Guns => Topic started by: fleasmokey on April 14, 2021, 11:14:30 PM

Title: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: fleasmokey on April 14, 2021, 11:14:30 PM
Seems like all my shots have been under 20 yds. The other day I shot at a gobbler and missed at 5 yds. I took a follow up shot and hit him (btw). I would normally shoot from a longer distance, but the lay of the land wouldn't allow it. I live in California so I'm lead free. My gun is a 12 guage Marlin 200, basically an H&R or NEF 12 ga under Marlin brand. Barrel was cut to 23 1/2" and choke is a Sumtoy .665. I'm wondering if I need to live with a golf ball pattern at under 10 yds or if there's any suggestions on load/choke combos to open up a pattern a little bit more at close range.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: MK M GOBL on April 15, 2021, 12:38:50 AM
No need to change choke, put a scope on it and dial it in right on the money at 10 yards. The only way you'll miss then is hunter error...

This is a done deal!

Circle of Death


MK M GOBL
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: fleasmokey on April 15, 2021, 09:56:10 AM
I've got a red dot on it. What scope are you using?
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: mullet dredge on April 15, 2021, 10:40:53 AM
When they get that tight, aim for the black!
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: CALLM2U on April 15, 2021, 10:58:08 AM
Assuming you're shooting TSS since CA is lead free, you could open your choke way up and still be fine out to 40.  When I was a kid, I had a fixed barrel Modified that killed a pile of turkeys-and that was lead. 

That being said, 5 yards is going to be pretty tight regardless of choke. 
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: Borden811 on April 15, 2021, 11:23:42 AM
Quote from: fleasmokey on April 14, 2021, 11:14:30 PM
Seems like all my shots have been under 20 yds. The other day I shot at a gobbler and missed at 5 yds. I took a follow up shot and hit him (btw). I would normally shoot from a longer distance, but the lay of the land wouldn't allow it. I live in California so I'm lead free. My gun is a 12 guage Marlin 200, basically an H&R or NEF 12 ga under Marlin brand. Barrel was cut to 23 1/2" and choke is a Sumtoy .665. I'm wondering if I need to live with a golf ball pattern at under 10 yds or if there's any suggestions on load/choke combos to open up a pattern a little bit more at close range.

Thanks!

Of of any turkey choke, and even factory full, modified, etc., at 10 yards and under, they're all going to be about that size. Gonna be tough to open it up at that range.
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: lowoctane on April 20, 2021, 08:00:11 PM
Yep, optics. Small power scope or 1x red dot. I have a red dot on my single Savage single 12. Deadly with lead... :camohat:
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:26:41 PM
Over under


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Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:26:41 PM
Over under


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That's the next thing I'm building. It really does seem to be the best all around set up for a turkey gun.


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Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:53:53 PM
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:26:41 PM
Over under


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's the next thing I'm building. It really does seem to be the best all around set up for a turkey gun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I missed a couple real close after I started shooting tight chokes XRs/TSS. I shot a few targets at 5 yards. Basically looked like a slug hole


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Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:56:02 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:53:53 PM
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:26:41 PM
Over under


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's the next thing I'm building. It really does seem to be the best all around set up for a turkey gun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I missed a couple real close after I started shooting tight chokes XRs/TSS. I shot a few targets at 5 yards. Basically looked like a slug hole


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Was this with your O/U setup (gorgeous gun, by the way)? If so, have you moved to a different load in the close up barrel?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: howl on April 20, 2021, 09:04:12 PM
Anything other than a spreader load will be too tight inside ten. You can take a body shot or let them go.
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 11:21:11 PM
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:56:02 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:53:53 PM
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:26:41 PM
Over under


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's the next thing I'm building. It really does seem to be the best all around set up for a turkey gun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I missed a couple real close after I started shooting tight chokes XRs/TSS. I shot a few targets at 5 yards. Basically looked like a slug hole


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Was this with your O/U setup (gorgeous gun, by the way)? If so, have you moved to a different load in the close up barrel?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No. I had a sbe3. Sold and got 20ga over under
I use spreader loads in a 585 choke for close under 20-25 yards
TSS handload 9s in 562 for longer


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Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: wchadw on April 21, 2021, 09:03:23 AM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 11:21:11 PM
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:56:02 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:53:53 PM
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:26:41 PM
Over under


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's the next thing I'm building. It really does seem to be the best all around set up for a turkey gun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I missed a couple real close after I started shooting tight chokes XRs/TSS. I shot a few targets at 5 yards. Basically looked like a slug hole


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Was this with your O/U setup (gorgeous gun, by the way)? If so, have you moved to a different load in the close up barrel?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No. I had a sbe3. Sold and got 20ga over under
I use spreader loads in a 585 choke for close under 20-25 yards
TSS handload 9s in 562 for longer


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Patterns at 20 and 40. 5 yard pattern about 10inch spread. Short barrel pattern is not worthwhile over 25. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210421/4bcf6e2978535e297fb0d94d804a63d6.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: ChesterCopperpot on April 21, 2021, 11:05:21 AM
Quote from: wchadw on April 21, 2021, 09:03:23 AM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 11:21:11 PM
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:56:02 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:53:53 PM
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on April 20, 2021, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:26:41 PM
Over under


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's the next thing I'm building. It really does seem to be the best all around set up for a turkey gun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I missed a couple real close after I started shooting tight chokes XRs/TSS. I shot a few targets at 5 yards. Basically looked like a slug hole


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Was this with your O/U setup (gorgeous gun, by the way)? If so, have you moved to a different load in the close up barrel?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No. I had a sbe3. Sold and got 20ga over under
I use spreader loads in a 585 choke for close under 20-25 yards
TSS handload 9s in 562 for longer


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Patterns at 20 and 40. 5 yard pattern about 10inch spread. Short barrel pattern is not worthwhile over 25. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210421/4bcf6e2978535e297fb0d94d804a63d6.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Man I'm jealous of that setup! Been wanting to build something similar but with a Stevens 555 Compact.


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Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: fleasmokey on April 23, 2021, 09:08:14 PM
Quote from: wchadw on April 20, 2021, 08:26:41 PM
Over under


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what o/u you shooting? I've been looking at cz turkey reaper but I'll never shoot 3 1/2"
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: fleasmokey on April 23, 2021, 09:12:06 PM
Quote from: howl on April 20, 2021, 09:04:12 PM
Anything other than a spreader load will be too tight inside ten. You can take a body shot or let them go.

What is a spreader load?
Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: wchadw on April 24, 2021, 09:44:58 AM
Quote from: fleasmokey on April 23, 2021, 09:12:06 PM
Quote from: howl on April 20, 2021, 09:04:12 PM
Anything other than a spreader load will be too tight inside ten. You can take a body shot or let them go.

What is a spreader load?
I make mine with a BPI brush wad load of 7s or 6s. Not sure what options you have for factory loads. I sometimes use pheasant loads instead


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Title: Re: Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?
Post by: Greg Massey on April 24, 2021, 11:07:10 AM
Quote from: MK M GOBL on April 15, 2021, 12:38:50 AM
No need to change choke, put a scope on it and dial it in right on the money at 10 yards. The only way you'll miss then is hunter error...

This is a done deal!

Circle of Death


MK M GOBL
X2 .. scope man myself mostly...