Quite a discussion among turkey hunters and I appreciate the information I am learning. I have only shot one turkey and it was years ago with a Remington 870 and number 6 shot. A friend called him in to about 35 yards. The turkey stuck his head up and I shot. He fell over dead. Forgive me and I realize I haven't the experience the rest of you have but I always wonder why in the world somebody needs a 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge magnum to kill a turkey. Ethical hunters shoot at the head and I agree with Dean about density of shot. Sure you can use buckshot, number 2's etc. but as I read above the head and neck is not made of steel. It is soft flesh and bone. I would think that within 30-35 yards a 20 or 16 gauge gun with a pattern that centers the head/neck should be ideal. I wonder what mega loads our forefathers with blunderbusses used. I wonder if they had a 3 1/2 inch style wheellock or flintlock back then. Probably not. If I had to shoot my turkey all over again I would be happy with a 20 or 16 gauge gun with an ounce of 6's. Again I don't mean to be offensive just wondering why everyone simply HAS to use a cannon to kill a bird IF aiming at the head.
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