So, you want to go hunting for Turkeys, do you? First you need to pattern your Turkey loads, that way you know what your maximum distance is for maximum lethality. Now the rule of thumb is patterns are measured at 40 yards for all gauges, except .410 bore, however we won't be hunting Turkey with .410 loads now will we? NO, we won't.
The ideal pattern for turkey hunting is 100 pellets in a 10-inch circle at 40 yards.
It only takes about 2.5 foot lbs. of energy to penetrate a turkey's head. A Number 6 shot has 2.5 foot lbs. of energy at 40 yards, After that, it drops of to 1.7 foot pounds at 60 yards. However, A Number 5 shot, with the same velocity of 1315 fps has 3.5 foot pounds of energy at 40 yards, and still has the 2.5 foot lbs. of energy at 60 yards.
Patterning is a simple process, yet time consuming. you should repeat this process at least 10 times then figure out the average's of the results. To do this you will need to cut open an unused shotshell of the shell you plan on patterning with and count how many pellets are inside it.
BE CAREFUL WHEN CUTTING IT OPEN PLEASE!!
Ok now that you have a count of the number of pellets, let's get to shooting!
Things you will need...
At least 10 pieces of butchers paper 4'x4' wide.
At least 11 shotgun shells.
(However, you should repeat the process with different loads as well.)
A Pencil/pen and some paper to multiply your results on. (what?! we're doing math?!)
A shotgun. :roll:
1. Get yourself some butchers paper to shoot at, at least a 4' square. draw a + on the center
2. Set it up at 40 yards away from you.
3. Assuming your sights are dead on, aim at the +, and shoot it.
4. Draw a 30" circle in the center of the resulting pattern mass, so that it encloses the greatest number of holes.
5. Count the number of pellets in the circle.
Now once you have done this you divide the number of pellet holes by the number of pellets in the shell you cut open earlier. Do this for every shot you take at the butchers paper. Every shot is different so that's why we want multiple shots at the target. Then you average the results. And that's it. It's easy, and fun. Of course you can also try shooting at different distances to find your sweet spot. Do 5 yards time... You essentially want at least 20 pellets in the Turkey's head and neck area. That way you have a high percentage of kill shots. There should be a good pattern around his/her head.
Remember, It only takes one pellet to kill a Turkey, so why not give yourself an advantage?
All done? Happy with your pattern?
Great job...now you are ready to Turkey hunting with a properly patterned shotty.
The ideal pattern for turkey hunting is 100 pellets in a 10-inch circle at 40 yards.
It only takes about 2.5 foot lbs. of energy to penetrate a turkey's head. A Number 6 shot has 2.5 foot lbs. of energy at 40 yards, After that, it drops of to 1.7 foot pounds at 60 yards. However, A Number 5 shot, with the same velocity of 1315 fps has 3.5 foot pounds of energy at 40 yards, and still has the 2.5 foot lbs. of energy at 60 yards.
Patterning is a simple process, yet time consuming. you should repeat this process at least 10 times then figure out the average's of the results. To do this you will need to cut open an unused shotshell of the shell you plan on patterning with and count how many pellets are inside it.
BE CAREFUL WHEN CUTTING IT OPEN PLEASE!!
Ok now that you have a count of the number of pellets, let's get to shooting!
Things you will need...
At least 10 pieces of butchers paper 4'x4' wide.
At least 11 shotgun shells.
(However, you should repeat the process with different loads as well.)
A Pencil/pen and some paper to multiply your results on. (what?! we're doing math?!)
A shotgun. :roll:
1. Get yourself some butchers paper to shoot at, at least a 4' square. draw a + on the center
2. Set it up at 40 yards away from you.
3. Assuming your sights are dead on, aim at the +, and shoot it.
4. Draw a 30" circle in the center of the resulting pattern mass, so that it encloses the greatest number of holes.
5. Count the number of pellets in the circle.
Now once you have done this you divide the number of pellet holes by the number of pellets in the shell you cut open earlier. Do this for every shot you take at the butchers paper. Every shot is different so that's why we want multiple shots at the target. Then you average the results. And that's it. It's easy, and fun. Of course you can also try shooting at different distances to find your sweet spot. Do 5 yards time... You essentially want at least 20 pellets in the Turkey's head and neck area. That way you have a high percentage of kill shots. There should be a good pattern around his/her head.
Remember, It only takes one pellet to kill a Turkey, so why not give yourself an advantage?
All done? Happy with your pattern?
Great job...now you are ready to Turkey hunting with a properly patterned shotty.