How far guys, Really

[nyturkeyduster]

I've killed a handful past 40 yards but that sweet spot is always under 35.

[Marc]

Heavily wooded, my shots tend to be 15-30 yards. 

Rolling oaks and meadows (more open areas), 30-40 yards.

Personally, I find more open terrain more difficult to get birds in tight.  I am not super comfortable with a 40 yard shot, unless the bird gives me a very good presentation.

I am shooting a bead, and am to some degree limited by what I can physically see while shooting.  40 yards is the limit that I can get a "hard focus" on the base of the neck.

[zelmo1]

Most here know the drill, and I truly believe that most turkeys are killed between 15-35 yards. Every hunting situation, except in the blind with my wife, I am shooting a tight choke. Worst case scenario is where I want to be. So I shoot a little tighter choke. 25 tards is pretty tight but I am confident that if ole nasty is at 38 yards I can kill him cleanly if I do my part. I actually loosened up from .520 to .525, as mentioned above, why worry past 40. Get your best pattern there and shoot straight, lol. Good luck to everyone. Big birds for the kids, vets and my teammates. God Bless. Z

[Badger]

I like to keep the shot inside 40 yrds and most are around 30 yrds.

[Bowguy]

If I could get em all 8 yards away I would. I like em close and set up for close shots. And yea I've shot a bunch under 8 yards but the majority are prom 25-30 yards.
40 to me, an old standby, and ethical,  is just too far. Not to kill em but for the true turkey hunt experience imo.
I like my deer w a bow under 10 yards too so maybe that shows my mentality.
When I was a kid I had 4 arrows. I missed 3 longer shots that morn.
Found one arrow but was told not to use it dull so I had one arrow.
That afternoon I saw all kinds of deer. Until 5 ran in, 3 veered off at 20, 2 stopped right under me. I drew back fully expecting it to run. Let my fingers slip, watched the arrow go straight through and make a red ring coming out.
Never forgot how intense that was and feel less connected when they're out there a bit past 30. My first turkey was maybe 15 yards as well and I can still see it tip toeing closer. Hmmmm and with a 10g ugh. Good memories with that gun. To each his own I have no prob with anyone staying within effective range of their equipment and their abilities

[kytrkyhntr]

if hes clear inside of 45/50 yards im pulling. most shots are either 40 or 15 for me

[jhoward11]

Distance equals money...Think about golf clubs, baseball bats, bows, or even ED medicine to go longer. Think about putting 2 3/8 oz of powder into a light load 7/8 oz shooting match shell, you'll win every time, and break your shoulder in the process!!! Basically they market a great shell, when in reality, If you look over the years the shell structure has improved very little, but you keep adding that much powder to a regular shell or any shell and it's gonna impress you, no doubt! The biggest influence for me is the barrels and chokes on the guns, without those improvements you could shoot 2 3/8 oz shell at 40 yards long and have a 40 yard wide pattern. No matter what shell I pattern, it will be hair high at 40 for operator range error. It's been many a years since I've shot one over 35, but i like to know it's there if I mis range. No matter what our opinions are here, your free to choose what you shoot and how long.  Note: I'm not promoting any certain clubs, bats, bows, barrels, chokes, or ED medicine, unless there's money involved. Then we can go the distance!   Good luck all!

[Rio Bandito]

The majority of mine have been 20-30ish. Had one on a Merriam's at 50 last year, but I didn't think he was that far. Definitely didn't look like it until I started walking up to him. I have a harder time judging distance in the open country out west. Much different than where I hunt most of the time.

[TrackeySauresRex]

I've made a mistake or two on them field birds as well. 30 is definitely my sweet spot.

[WV Flopper]

Short answer, when in range.

Long answer, have several guns that are different and depends on what I am carrying that day.

I have a 10g that I do not like to have a turkey under 35 yards. 20g's are 40-30 yard guns and the 410 is a 35 to 20 yard gun.

That being said. I have played with the 10g a lot. It will kill a turkey a long ways. I have made mistakes with it and killed turkeys further than you should. The field turkeys can get you for sure, no matter where in the country you are!

I too prefer the magic 40 yard line. Now, once they hit that line I am rubbing the trigger!

[joey46]

Field turkeys always hard to judge.  My solution has been to use a decoy and step off it's distant to my set up spot.  I also carry a small range finder.  We seldom run and gun anymore so this works for us.  Have more problem now with birds getting too close where the pattern is softball sized. Repeating that I'll always use TSS in my .410 but if carrying the 12ga it's TSS days are numbered.  No need for it 40 yards and under IMO.

[Zach.Hannigan]

if hes clear inside of 45/50 yards im pulling. most shots are either 40 or 15 for me

This is my thoughts. 50 is my top end of what i think is long range. I could no doubt shoot farther with my gun setup but that just ain't it for me. And 50 in a pasture is alot differant than 50 in the timber. I don't think I'd shoot over 30 in the timber. Last year I was in a conversation with a fella bragging about shooting a turkey at 100 yds. Whether or not he was truthful it was obvious he thought it was cool. I had to bite my tongue in that conversation. 50 max in a pasture. 30 max in the timber. Toted one out yesterday that I shot at about 15.

[RutnNStrutn]

I've killed 80% of my gobblers at 20 yards or less. The rest of them at 30 to 45 yards. I've killed 3 gobblers at 52-54 yards. All 3 were misjudged on distance. I like the up close and personal game.
With the advent of TSS and very tight chokes, my 12 gauge is good to 65 yards, and my 20 is good to 50 yards. However, I don't shoot that far with either of them.

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[sonas]

Ideal range 40 for me too . Great comments under this thread . Shows yall have a wide knowledge . Love it so far