Suggestions for a shaky old timer

[MOStrutter]

So I'm taking my step-dad out this spring so he can harvest his first turkey.  I have seen him shoot his muzzleloader and he leaves much to be desired for shooting ability.  His shotgun is a Mosssbarg Maverick 88 with a red dot already on it.  He will be shooting Hevi-13 6's (7's aren't legal in Iowa).  The question I have, is size of the choke tube.  I'm thinking a .690 full to allow some "operator error" when its go time.  I'm open to all suggestions. Thanks.

[stinkpickle]

Indeed.  I'd use a more open choke and a shell with a lot of pellets.  By the way, #7's ARE legal in Iowa.   

[jerseyjimk]

get him a set of shooting sticks,they work great for when the arms get tired

[allaboutshooting]

So I'm taking my step-dad out this spring so he can harvest his first turkey.  I have seen him shoot his muzzleloader and he leaves much to be desired for shooting ability.  His shotgun is a Mosssbarg Maverick 88 with a red dot already on it.  He will be shooting Hevi-13 6's (7's aren't legal in Iowa).  The question I have, is size of the choke tube.  I'm thinking a .690 full to allow some "operator error" when its go time.  I'm open to all suggestions. Thanks.

I understand your concern but I'd be careful about going too open with his turkey choke. We all work very hard to get dense and even patterns so that when we hit the bird, he goes down hard. I'd recommend that you look at ways to steady his aim without altering the effectiveness of the gun.

If he's comfortable with the gun resting on his knee, he can probably be pretty steady. I'd look into the H.S. Strutt knee pads that strap on and are contoured to support the fore end of the gun. They can really help steady a shotgun.

A good comfortable seat can also help as can some practice shooting from a proper seated position with one knee in front of him.

My father-in-law could not really hold a gun steady when he was in his 80s, so we built a blind with a shooting rail. At age 83 he was still in the woods taking his fair share of game. It can be done.

Thanks,
Clark

[sugarray]

Shooting stick, and the Primos Short Bipod is great.  it is a little pricey, but works great when sitting and kneeling.  I agree with Clark, don't open too much.  I don't know the bore diameter the the Maverick, but in a standard 12, the .690 would be a lot more open than I would use, or have heard of anyone using with #6 or #7.

[sugarray]

Here is the Iowa regulation on shot size

What are the restrictions on weapons and shot size?
The only legal firearms for turkey hunting are: shotguns and muzzleloader shotguns not smaller than 20-gauge. Permitted shot sizes are: No. 4, 5, 6, 7 1/2 or 8 in lead, or non-toxic shot in sizes 2 through 8. Lead shot larger than No. 4 and non-toxic shot larger than No. 2 is illegal to possess while turkey hunting.

[MOStrutter]

Thanks for the correction on the shot size limits.  I took a salesman at Scheels at his word so thats my fault.  This will be my first year hunting Iowa.  The reason I am reluctant to get such a tight choke is the fact that I expect to have most birds within 20 yards since we will be in a blind and I will be bow hunting at the same time.  My decoys won't be more than 8-10 yards away.  I ran into this problem last year with my girlfriend and she ended up missing the turkey because it was so close.  I will take these suggestions and look into it more. Thanks.

[Gobble!]

Hs strut vpod
It's a great buy!!

[Wycliff]

At those distances why not just shoot lead

[surehuntsalot]

At those distances why not just shoot lead

for some reason most hunters have forgotten that lead will kill a bird

[MOStrutter]

We are going to pattern Win HV #6's as well as the Hevi-13s.  I try to stay away from lead ammunition as much as possible from an environmental stand point, and I like how much harder the Hevi shot hits the bird.  Is it really that important to have a .660 choke if you don't shoot past 40 yards?

[stinkpickle]

... Is it really that important to have a .660 choke if you don't shoot past 40 yards?

Nope...and if your expecting shots of 20 yards or closer, it's a good idea to test the .690 choke at 20, 15, and 10 yards just to see how tight it really is.

[gobblergls]

There is some good advice here.  Most important is that he not only patterns his load, but makes sure his red dot is zeroed for the  load intended.

[joker]

So I'm taking my step-dad out this spring so he can harvest his first turkey.  I have seen him shoot his muzzleloader and he leaves much to be desired for shooting ability.  His shotgun is a Mosssbarg Maverick 88 with a red dot already on it.  He will be shooting Hevi-13 6's (7's aren't legal in Iowa).  The question I have, is size of the choke tube.  I'm thinking a .690 full to allow some "operator error" when its go time.  I'm open to all suggestions. Thanks.

I understand your concern but I'd be careful about going too open with his turkey choke. We all work very hard to get dense and even patterns so that when we hit the bird, he goes down hard. I'd recommend that you look at ways to steady his aim without altering the effectiveness of the gun.

If he's comfortable with the gun resting on his knee, he can probably be pretty steady. I'd look into the H.S. Strutt knee pads that strap on and are contoured to support the fore end of the gun. They can really help steady a shotgun.

A good comfortable seat can also help as can some practice shooting from a proper seated position with one knee in front of him.

My father-in-law could not really hold a gun steady when he was in his 80s, so we built a blind with a shooting rail. At age 83 he was still in the woods taking his fair share of game. It can be done.

Thanks,
Clark

Take this advice.