Is your gun ready?

[Tomfoolery]

Checking the safety is number 1 for me.

[a_jabbo]

How many of these issues do you think arise because a person doesn't take the 20 minutes to shoot a round or two at 40 yards on paper before the season?

Maybe I'm just OCD as well. I've been hunting with the same gun for 5 years now, and the same loads for 4, and I still check every year to make sure, for some crazy reason it doesn't pattern differently. For me, that little practice instills a ton of confidence in my shooting ability when it comes time to close the deal.

I think some of the issues such as the ones originally mentioned in  LaLongbeard's original post can be remedied by taking this simple step. Or at least it has helped me with the turkey fever  ?

Couldn't agree more. I double check everything, but I definitely make sure I shoot a couple down range before any season to make sure my equipment functions and shoots properly. Plus the added confidence booster.

[High plains drifter]

The only bird I ever wounded was because I had IC choke in, from pheasant hunting.The only one I ever missed, was from having no choke in.

[shaman]

I pulled my Mossy off the rack two weeks ago and boxed it up for the trip.  Last weekend was Yute weekend, and my granddaughter was coming out for her first.  We were all going to sight-in that afternoon.

None of that happened.  Thursday night I started hurling and Friday night I was looking a the ceiling of the Emergency Room.  I spent the weekend with my butt in the recliner. 

This is the first time I've not tested the gun before season since I got it in '96.  It's never been off before, and the choke is still on from last season, so I'm not too worried. 

[kjnengr]

There are people that "care" and there are people that just don't.  However, I'm not sure you can make either one cross over to the other side.

No doubt your right ,but how many shoulda coulda stories do people have to read before they put some effort into it?
It was ingrained in the Army and I guarantee if your life depended on it you'd check your gun/weapon. I can honestly say I've never had an empty broken or non functioning firearm when I needed it.

Agreed completely.

[chatterbox]

I always check before the season starts.Never leave anything to chance.

[LaLongbeard]

I think some have missed the point. I'm not talking about pattern testing your gun, I'm talking about making sure it's ready everyday. You could shoot 100 turkey loads at targets a week before the season and still forget to put the choke back after cleaning or not having a shell in the chamber. The point was to make a habit out of doing a quick check of the guns operation readiness....every time you use it.

[Boykin Hollow]

Thanks for the info.  I shoot a lot of clays and have to constantly check the choke for tightness.  Never thought about it on my turkey gun but now I will.

[Gamblinman]

Can't remember how many times I've seen folks fail to load their gun, or lock the chamber closed, only to hear CLICK when gun is fired. I load my weapon at the truck and make dang sure it locks up tight. If I hunt with someone, we both do a quick safety check of each others weapon. Locked, loaded and safety on before we leave the truck. Due diligence with barrel position is all that's needed for everyone to remain safe.

[kjnengr]

Thanks for the info.  I shoot a lot of clays and have to constantly check the choke for tightness.  Never thought about it on my turkey gun but now I will.

Truthfully, shooting sporting clays is what makes me check my choke tube tightness every time I pick up my gun - regardless of the pursuit.