Turkey Gun

[Rud Blumentritt]

I have done a lot of experimenting and testing on subgauge and subsonic turkey loads for a friend who has a serious hearing issue (can't fire standard rounds/guns) and in doing so have learned a lot about what it takes (and doesn't take) to kill a turkey at what I consider normal ranges for called birds (out to 35 or so yards). I can tell you that a 7/8 oz load of #7.5 shot at 900 FPS will fold a gobbler cleanly at 25 yards and possibly out to 30. I say possibly only because my penetration tests show it out to 30 but have not killed one yet that far. All that to say you might want to consider #7.5 or #6 shot at those ranges as you would significantly increase pellet count, but sacrifice nothing in pellet lethality over the #5 shot. I know you didn't ask for my opinion but thought I'd share anyway.

Oh and I can't wait to see a photo of that magnificent little gun lying next to a big gobbler!