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Turkey Gun Build & Pattern

A couple years back I set to building out a Thompson Center Pro Hunter 20ga for turkeys. I couldn't find the red dot I wanted in stock before season started so I ended up buying a Truglo shotgun scope to get me through the season. I ended up really liking it and it's been very reliable and is also quite inexpensive.


I think this will be my 4th year with the same setup, and I've crushed a bunch of turkeys with it. Indian Creek/Haymaker choke. I shoot Federal TSS 7s. Deadly.

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@Nutterbuster check your regs, some places let you hunt them with a .22. You were talking about reaching out there. That CZ 512 with a decent scope should be able to smack a head out to 75-100 yards no problem. I know my savage can put 10 out of 10 rounds under a quarter at 25 yards with Eley.
 
@Nutterbuster check your regs, some places let you hunt them with a .22. You were talking about reaching out there. That CZ 512 with a decent scope should be able to smack a head out to 75-100 yards no problem. I know my savage can put 10 out of 10 rounds under a quarter at 25 yards with Eley.
My local leo would have a field day with my azz if I shot a turkey with a rifle. We're bow and shotgun only here. Can't even use the mini. Or a treestand. Or an electronic call. Or a reaper fan. Turkeys have more laws protecting them down here than I do.
 
Wow, he would string you up for a 22. That is a lot of laws.
Every parcel of public I've ever hunted here has signs offering a $5000 reward for a tip that results in the conviction of a turkey poacher. Alabama takes turkeys VERY serious. Wasnt until a few years ago we could decoy them, and on public you can only hunt til 1pm.
 
In VA the first half of season you have to be out of the woods by noon. I also just went and checked again, rimfire is legal for spring turkey. No electronic calls here either. I killed 2 last year. Both inside 20 yards with an 870, vented rib with a bead, and copper played 2x6's. I called a total of 5 minutes. A few clucks at sunrise for the gobbler to pin point me, then shut up. 30 minutes later, dead. The other was 10:30ish, I heard a gobble in the middle of a bunch of Canada goose honks in a field. Hit him with a quick cutting sequence, when he answer I clicked at him, he answered again and I shut up. 20 minutes later he was dead.
 
Killed three birds in four hunts last year and the one unsuccessful was when I didn't show up until 10am and like Loopwing said, it closes at noon. My friends think my calling sounds like $@it but apparently the important ears like it.

I have had a gobbler spook from a reflection from my Vortex red dot though....I just watch where I setup now to avoid it but it can be an issue.
 
Killed three birds in four hunts last year and the one unsuccessful was when I didn't show up until 10am and like Loopwing said, it closes at noon. My friends think my calling sounds like $@it but apparently the important ears like it.

I have had a gobbler spook from a reflection from my Vortex red dot though....I just watch where I setup now to avoid it but it can be an issue.
I don't know how good of a caller I am. I flatter myself with thinking I can make turkey noises even if I'm not a good caller. Kinda like ducks. I'm terrible, but I can quack on a dr 85 and shoot birds.
 
I don't know how good of a caller I am. I flatter myself with thinking I can make turkey noises even if I'm not a good caller. Kinda like ducks. I'm terrible, but I can quack on a dr 85 and shoot birds.

Someone else sorta hit on it but to me, knowing when to shut up will kill you more turkeys than anything else.
 
I just picked up a Stevens 301 .410. I can't technically use it in Indiana right now but it's being discussed for this coming season. I can use it in Kentucky if I decide to get out of state tags and hunt there. I picked up a Tru Glo Gobble Stopper for $60. Haven't shot it yet but it seems good for the money other than being a little bulky. Some guys are getting $250 red dots, $50 aftermarket mounts, and $100 chokes for turkey. Not to mention $5-$10 a shell for the TSS. I'm not trying to spend all of that.
 
Yep, old 870, copper played shot and if you aren't sure of the shot, don't take it. Let them leave a little, and call them back closer next time. I hunted turkey for years before I got my first one, inside 30 yards and felt comfortable shooting it.
 
Why not use the Hickory Creek Mini for turkey?

A couple of "swizzle stick" arrows tipped with "flappers" ought to do the trick... :D
 
You can. I feel like drawing a bow on the ground with a turkey in range would not make my top 10 list of fun things though.
It's a blast and about 100 times harder than with a gun. Pretty much have to draw when his head is behind his fan if not in a blind.
 
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