Shooting Turkey under 10 yds?

[fleasmokey]

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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!

[MK M GOBL]

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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

[fleasmokey]

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I've got a red dot on it. What scope are you using?

[mullet dredge]

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When they get that tight, aim for the black!

[CALLM2U]

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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. 

[Borden811]

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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.

[lowoctane]

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Yep, optics. Small power scope or 1x red dot. I have a red dot on my single Savage single 12. Deadly with lead...

[wchadw]

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[ChesterCopperpot]

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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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[wchadw]

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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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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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[ChesterCopperpot]

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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.


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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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?


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[howl]

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Anything other than a spreader load will be too tight inside ten. You can take a body shot or let them go.

[wchadw]

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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?


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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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[wchadw]

• Tweet

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.


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[ChesterCopperpot]

• Tweet

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.


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Man I’m jealous of that setup! Been wanting to build something similar but with a Stevens 555 Compact.


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