I find this shot size discussion interesting. Old man Lynch, of the "Lynch box call fame" said "there isn't a turkey alive that can withstand a load of 7 1/2's in the head at 30 yards or so" but he did not say out of what choke. I have killed several with 7 1/2's called in at under 30 yards and they died right there. I dont think I would go below 6's for a well called in tom what with decoys and all.

I'll be shooting 7 1/2's out of all my guns this year and likely will use either my Parker GH, Meriden or Lefever. The Meriden is the killer.

https://i.imgur.com/SY7fYvC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tGOxjT8.jpg

JMHO

I have every intention of killing a turkey with a 16 SxS this year, something I've never done. Which gun?

VH 2 3/4" C/IC
Trojan 2 1/2" F/F
GH 2 1/2" M/F
aYa 2 1/2" M/XF

I'm just guessing you guys/gals won't be pulling for the aYa. It's an old coin finished rainy day gun. I have a hunch it's gonna be the GH I just got in. Just have to find a load in that length from RST now.

I would take the Trojan hands down!!





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I’m going to take one of these two . 2 ounces of #6’s in the right barrel and 2 ounces of #4’s in the left barrel .

I think either of those 8-bores will deliver the message you want to send.





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Biggest question in the equation is if I can get my butt out the bed and go ! For me it’s a lot harder to get up early in the spring than it is in the fall .:whistle:

Just as a question.... In Illinois we are allowed to use any shotgun from 20 ga up to 10 ga. What states are you hunting that allow 8 ga. guns ? And, do your regulations specifically say 8 ga. is legal ?

Oh, yea, #4 shot is the biggest shot allowed in IL

Thanks

That's the problem a couple of my hunting buddies experience. They watch, squinting in the early sunrise from the camp windows down across 450 yards of corn stubble to the edge of the woods as the longbeards topple and for a few seconds flap weakly on the ground and a second or two later they hear the "POW" of my gun.

I get out there when the stars are still out and they just roll over in their sleeping bags as I noisily stoke up the fire and curse their lazy carcasses just before I step outside. :biglaugh:





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Bruce, as your "neighbor," Missouri also prohibits using anything larger than a 10 gauge. It seems an antiquated prohibition with all of the changes to shotguns that have occurred. So, we can shoot a 2+ ounce loads through a 12 gauge, but not a smaller load through a 100 year old 8 gauge. Go figure.

Garry:

My question exactly. However, and dont shoot (the pun is intended) the messenger but.... I can see the wardens going nuts having to figure out the length and weight of a given 8 ga legal load just like when we changed to Non Tox for waterfowl. They would need a scale etc. and so many wardens now days dont come from hunting/shooting backgrounds that they dont even know about older shotguns and loads.

I suspect the various agency's would have to run workshops for their wardens/CPO's, and as you having been in the education business like I was for 37 years, I think that could be a cluster.

Let me state, I am all for it.