How close is too close?

[WildTigerTrout]

 I really like to shoot before they get inside 20 yards. 30 to 35 is perfect. I have killed them from 10-12 yards to 45-50 yards.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

The Patterning Board shows that 30-35 Yards is Ideal.  20 Yards or Less is a challenging proposition.

[Divenut2]

To me there is no such thing as to close.  Thats the name is the game for me, trying to get him as close as possible.  If I could get him to put his beak in the choke I would. 

x2 

[Gadget]

As Tom Kelly says, " Once you let them get into the RED ZONE, your chances of killing them go down."

I agree with this statement, once you let them get inside 20yds it's too easy for things to go wrong, and he's not referring to the pattern of your gun.
The perfect range I believe is 20-30yds.

[drenalinld]

With my Rage 2-blade 5 - 10 yards is perfect, but effective range is further than most shotguns.

[ccleroy]

As Tom Kelly says, " Once you let them get into the RED ZONE, your chances of killing them go down."

Truth!

[Woodsman4God]

2 seasons ago, the old man missed...FOUR TIMES in one day...heck in TWO HOURS!!     Now this guy is the best shot I know (Marine Corps Gunnery SGT) go figure.  We get home and he goes to pull his 835 from the back seat of the truck and the scope...pops off in his hand!    We locktighted (blue) the scope ring screws and the first shot at 25 yards was dead on.  Went back out the next morning...same tree, same group of 2 year olds...dead bird at 42 yards.  His second bird?...9 big steps from the muzzle of his shotgun.  It was ugly.  We both have had some trigger work done to our turkey guns so that they break like glass...reduces the chance of jerking the muzzle off target when they get stupid close.

That's a great story. You also mention one of the most neglected subjects when it comes to making your turkey gun shoot well, the trigger pull. We spend a lot of time on shotshells, barrels, chokes, etc. but very little overall on improving our triggers.

There are several things that we all can do to improve the trigger pull on any gun. It all really begins by making sure that the fire control unit (trigger group) is spotlessly clean and that the pivot points (only) are lubricated. Since most guns today can be dry fired without adverse effects, several hundred trigger pulls is recommended. If you're concerned about dry firing an empty chamber, there are several products that can help you there.

If you shoot a Remington 870, 11-87 or 1100, there's also the Timney Trigger Fix that will allow your shotgun to have a trigger like a rifle.

Some gunsmiths will also work on some guns to help polish the critical parts in the fire control unit to smooth out the pull, eliminate creep and reduce the pressure needed on the trigger.

Some gunsmiths will not do this work due to liability issues and we as ethical shooters and hunters must always be careful not to make any gun dangerous for us or for some future owner but a thorough cleaning and strategic oiling is always just fine.

Great post.

Thanks,
Clark

My dad who is in his 70's now has begun to have a problem with jerking a shot while practicing came up to me the other day and said he remembered back when he was in the military they taught that if you were jeerking the shot to use your middle finger to pull the trigger. He said it is much harder to jerk one that way. He started doing that and no problems now. Just a little tip that might help to try out.

[Eric Gregg]

Lots of smoke gets blown in threads here on OG leading up to the season. Ask this question right after the season when there's a little more humility.....

This is true. We are all super man until season starts. Watch how many "help me" threads get started in March.

[gobblergls]

My dad who is in his 70's now has begun to have a problem with jerking a shot while practicing came up to me the other day and said he remembered back when he was in the military they taught that if you were jeerking the shot to use your middle finger to pull the trigger. He said it is much harder to jerk one that way. He started doing that and no problems now. Just a little tip that might help to try out.

Another tip on combating flinching/jerking the trigger:  When I shot handguns competitively, my shooting partner would hand me a .22 and it was either loaded or unloaded, his choice unknown to me.  I'd work my way out of the flinch with his help, light loads and then go to the heavier calibers.  Many people don't think they flinch until they discover they do when they pull the trigger on a gun they believe is loaded when it isn't.  For turkey guns, the same could be accomplished by having a buddy do the same or alternate dove loads with turkey loads at the pattern board.

[Dbrnmllr]

Best idea is what you do for tactical training.  When you load a few rounds in have a buddy load it and mix in some dummy's.  You don't know when thy are coming so you can easily know when you are anticipating.  Also help you get fast (and I mean FAST) at ejecting a misfire and poping off a live one.  good practice drill for several reasons.

[goblr77]

I like the bird to come as close as possible. Coaxing a longbeard within 5-10 yards just adds a whole different experience to turkey hunting IMO. That being said, you better be down on the gun and not shoot at the bird while he's moving if you expect to kill him at that range.