Don't see how we did it

[tha bugman]

Took my old 870 out yesterday with the stock full choke...shot several different loads and all were pitiful at 30 yards.  Back in the day we probably would have been impressed with some of those patterns I guess but I would not have used any that I found.  Times they have sure changed for sure!


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[Farmboy27]

Yup. It's amazing what we call pitiful patterns these days. We have progressed so far beyond what is truly needed in most cases that we now measure success by how many holes we can put in a 10" circle, not how well and close we can call in a bird.

[Gobble!]

One of my best birds was killed with a 3" Remington Nitro #4. A load I would now consider unfit for turkey hunting lol.

[wvmntnhick]

The shotgun thing is kinda new to me. Until recent years, I carried a 22 magnum and it patterned just fine all the way to the magical 40 yard mark. 

[TrackeySauresRex]

Took my old 870 out yesterday with the stock full choke...shot several different loads and all were pitiful at 30 yards.  Back in the day we probably would have been impressed with some of those patterns I guess but I would not have used any that I found.  Times they have sure changed for sure!


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The information we gather here on OG is just awesome! It has helped us achieve the maximum performance out of our turkey guns.  Thank You all
B-Well
Johnny

[stinkpickle]

Of course, I didn't miss 20 yard (and closer) shots back then, because the pattern was too tight, either.

[Farmboy27]

Yup. It's amazing what we call pitiful patterns these days. We have progressed so far beyond what is truly needed in most cases that we now measure success by how many holes we can put in a 10" circle, not how well and close we can call in a bird.

I don't think it has to be one or the other. I like calling them in close. As a matter of fact, I think I need to open up my choke a bit; I'm at almost 300 pellets in the 10" and I don't think it would be wise to let a turkey come in to 10 or 15 yards with a tight pattern like that.

I do like overkill, though. I went through too many years where I would shoot a gobbler at 25 yards, he'd be flopping and trying to get away, when I get there he has several pellets in his head/neck but he's blinking, semi-alert, etc. I usually ended up sticking a knife into the back of his skull to end it quickly. All because of sparser patterns than we can achieve today. When I pull the trigger, I want *lights out*. I can easily get that with the loads I use today.

I don't think I ever owned a 12 gauge that wouldn't put the lights out on a gobbler at 25 yards and I don't remember ever having to knife a turkey I shot at 25 yards regardless of the choke or load( not that I have ever knifed a turkey anyway, a wrap over the head with a stick is just as quick and a lot cleaner). Most guns will throw a good pattern at that range with any old high brass shell and any choke. Over 25-30 yards is when things usually start to fall apart.

[Izzyjoe]

I know we all like tight patterns, and Ive done quite a bit of testing with shotgun patterns, and I've found that with most shotgun I've owned they have good patterns at 25-30yds. And I believe they are very capable killing turkeys at that range. I'm a huge fan old shotguns with long barrels, and full chokes. And from time to time I'll rescue one from a pawnshop and let it spend some time in the field.

[Happy]

I like a nice even pattern myself. I like having some wiggle room inside twenty yards. That being said I do love the extra energy that HTL shot brings to the table. I am all for making sure that we have a quick and clean kill however I am not going to be one of those guys always trying to push the outer limits. What we have now is way better than 25 years ago and I appreciate that but sometimes I wish we could slow down on the race for more. Ain't gonna happen but I can dream.

[OldSchool]

Of course, I didn't miss 20 yard (and closer) shots back then, because the pattern was too tight, either.

Good point. I'm limited to shooting my birds at 30 yards and closer with my setup. It's what I've always used and I've always been more than happy with it, but some of the 40 yard patterns you guys post blow my mind. Wicked patterns.

Bob

[woodsrunner]

 When I started hunting turkey I used a 2 3/4" 870 with a Polychoke set on Extra full and the cheapest #6s K-Mart had on the shelf. Killed bird every year.

Then, I got into BP and for next 8 years used a .62 Tulle with #5s and no choke. Killed a bird every year.

  Now I use an H&R 12ga with 3" #5s. Killed a bird every year.

  Of course, I don't try the range some of you do, but, I still eat turkey.

  Good hunting.

[albrubacker]

Killed my first turkey with an old 37 Ithaca fixed full ckoke with 2 3/4" win at 25 yrds. Wish my ithaca 16 GA from father had a full choke. The modified choke is squeaking by at 20