Just curious guys. I'm still new at this, and was wondering what the outside range on a turkey shot is. I was surprised when I paced it off that my second bird from this weekend was out over 50 yards. With a moving bird I thought that was pretty good for a fatboy with a cheap 870 Express shotgun and a camo bag over his head. I know there are factors like your shotgun, choke and load. What you guys have to say on this?

I think anything over 40 is too long.....

To be honest, I probably would've held off if I'd realized the distance, thinking it was out of my range. The first bird was a bit over 30 yards and I knew the second was a bit further, but moving through patches of cover like it was, it fooled me, and I guestimated low. Glad now I took the shot cuz it turned out well, but don't want to throw lead out there and injure a bird that runs off. Like I said, still learning.

make sure when you hunt....to pace off or mark yardage off just like in bow hunting......

it will help you out....

I try to stay away from anything outside 40-45 yds. If you have one inside of that a running shot is no problem. I took one a couple of years ago at 45yds and he dropped like a rock.
The biggest difference is I knew how my gun patterned at that yardage.

I would suggest patterning your gun at different yardages. I would also try different loads and shot to find out which ones perform to your more effective liking. It really comes down to being as comfortable with your shot as possible.

Congrats on the birds!

Yeah, I do that with all my more permanent set-ups, but this was an impromptu turkey set-up, and I didn't really even think the birds were still running. On top of that, they didn't come in where I expected them to be anyway. That is one thing I'm definitey learning. Both last year and this, the birds looped around and ended up where I least expected them to be.

When running and gunning, I don't think its always practical to pace off all possible shooting lanes in advance. But point taken, pace when I can, judge my distances better when I can't.

Thanks. I thought it would come out to 40+ until i walked it off. I have taken some shots to pattern, but wanted to do it better with someone experienced at that. It looked good to me, but I have zero experience at that. Patterning my gun/load better is definitely on my list, but getting a better 12g will hopefully come first.

x2, i like close shots

Sccop , before you buy a "better" 12 ga. try this. Buy a good choke tube for that 870. Try Winchester Elite Extended range shells. My 870 is absolutely deadly with # 4's. I don't know how many turkeys have been killed with my 870 but it is a lot.

Appreciate the advice. I am happy with how my 870 shoots, and it does have a decent choke. I know now it's lethal out past 50... But I've had my mind set on upgrading for quite a while now. Not so much a performance thing. Its just rather plain Jane.... a little rough around the edges. I'm pretty sure I used #5 Hevi Shot turkey loads, but I may get a box of the Winchester when I am doing some patterning and see how they differ. I will definitely keep my old 870 as a backup gun, or for one of my sons to use when they visit. And if I don't like the new one I have a fall-back plan.

I completely understand the new gun fever. I have a sentimental attachment to my old 870 wingmaster. It was given to me as a child by M.L. Lynch , the founder of Lynch turkey calls and a good friend of my family. I didnt hunt with it for years but finally decided it needed to be killing turkeys again.

I've found that straight 7's in Hevi-Shot to be very lethal out to 60 yds, with a very dense pattern, and plenty of energy for an ethical kill. My patterning shows 150 hits in the head and neck area at 60 yds.

That said, I still like to call my birds into 35 yds, but know I can reach out if needed.

Gman

dang bama that is turkey hunting royalty right there. that gun is a prized possesion for sure!



50 yds is about my limit. besides getting in close is all the fun.

With the right choke, ammo and gun 50 yards might be ok. If you dont know i'd stay 40 and under.

My last years bird was at 63 yards with a remmy 870 express, i dont take chances with them spooking. this year im doing it with my bow and i've been practicing at 100 yards consistantly.

The signature says it all..."hold high and let the lead fly"

After patterning my gun with TSS there is no doubt it will kill at 50-60 yards. However, part of the game to me is getting them in close. I don't think I'd ever take a 50-60yd shot intentionally unless an 'ol tom pulled that sit out in the wheat field and gobble for 2 hours or so at 80yds. It was like he knew what would happen if he hit the 60yd mark.

That's the only time I've ever wanted to shoot one with a rifle.

Getting them close is a definite rush. Don't get me wrong... I got the ones last weekend real close. Inside 10 yards... Only problem is they were practically in my back pocket, and my gun wasn't. By the time they looped around and broke cover again they were a bit further off and getting spooked. Last year's bird (my first) cut across about 5 yards in front of me, but I let him play with the decoys awhile before I took him at about 15. Nothing like it.

40 yds is too far with some gun/ammo.

Any distance is too far if your gun/ammo hasn't proven on the range that it'll kill every time at that distance if your aim is true.

60 yards

Took my 1st with an 870 express @ a little more than 55 yards. Dunno if I'd be comfortable going much further than that. Everything else has been in the 20-45 yard range.