My first time hunting with a scope on my shotgun and when a TOM entered my area I was very exited. I wasn't even able to spot his beard because a fallen tree was blocking my view :OGani:, but I cranked the zoom on the scope as high as it goes, all the way to 5x, and by the look of the TOM's head I was able to confirm that it was indeed a male.
In all the excitement, It didn't even enter my mind to estimate his range, I just placed the crosshair on his head and pulled the trigger. He looked 'close' through the scope lollllllll.
Well after the shot I get up and run to 40yards in front of me. To my surprise no bird is in sight, I start getting worried...did I miss??? No bird flopping noises anywhere either. I keep moving forward and extra 20 yards slowly and after a tense 30 seconds of searching I finally spot him. He never even flopped around BANG DEAD dropped right there. He had multiple hits to the head (3-4), 1 to the beak, and multiple hits to the neck. He was bleeding from everywhere.
I went back to the same spot the next day to hunt again for tag#2 and to laser verify the range of the shot. 67yards!!! Just as the publicity advertises! Incredible this long beard ammo.
I don't recommend shooting birds this far, but the LB_#5 was able to compensate for the my misjudgement of range. Very forgiving ammo this is!
Leason learned from 2014 season = use a scope
Leason learned from 2015 season = use LB and respect #5 size lead shot...wowwwwwwwww
On a side note; there's lots of talk about turkey scopes, but the one I use, Bushnell Legend HD 1.75-5 never gets mentionned. It's affordable around 200$, designed for shotguns, uses ED prime glass and it's crystal clear. I would put it up against a leupold any day! Give it a try if you can.
(http://s24.postimg.org/unbds3so4/dindon1.jpg)
:TrainWreck1:
Awesome glad you got one that ammo is definately awesome have heard hits up to 70 yard with that longbeard xr
Quote from: yelpaholic on May 04, 2015, 07:40:53 AM
:TrainWreck1:
X2 not to mention the not verifying of a beard. I don't know what state you are in but most states require a bearded bird don't they? Even a tom sometimes is missing his beard. Not saying yours don't have a beard but if you don't verify and it has no beard then you could end up with a fine. :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1:
congrts glad you got him we all make a mistake every now and then.
You misjudged 67 yards? How far did you think it was? 55? :funnyturkey:
You were only 22 yards short of the world record 89 yard (measured) kill by Ralph Winger from Columbia, Missouri.
lol 89 yards, using what shell? Tungsten?
:TrainWreck1:
This is not going to last long. Just a question, are you in any way affiliated with Winchester? 15 yards is quite a misjudgment let alone almost double that, 27 yards is a large misjudgement of distance. I'm glad it turned out the way it did for you.
Invest in a rangefinder! ::)
I thought we didn't speak of this on OG......
Sent by this stupid phone
Quote from: BowBendr on May 04, 2015, 11:41:13 PM
I thought we didn't speak of this on OG......
Sent by this stupid phone
I did too! :TrainWreck1: :newmascot:
Quote from: g8rvet on May 04, 2015, 02:25:51 PM
You misjudged 67 yards? How far did you think it was? 55? :funnyturkey:
I shoot all my birds at 40 yards...give or take 30 yards. :TooFunny:
If you misjudge that bad you probably shouldn't be turkey hunting....
Didn't understand the reason for the original post? As most do no advocate long shots to begin with, but a long shot that was mis ranged would be acceptable?
:TrainWreck1: TOO MANY things went wrong with this!!!
Leave the guy alone, he was just saying how good long beard is and saved him on this one and was just stating how shocked he was. If you've been hunting long enough you can misjudge in the moment and if you know you can kill a bird that far with your set up which not all ppl can, but you can, why not.
Here's a pure case stone cold dead at 67, another 9 of out 10 times bet his set up will produce the same results. Sorry for the folks that can't do this. And I don't urge everyone to do so. Winchester and other manufacters wouldn't advertise this stuff saying you can go out so far if it couldn't. They've been in the feild and killed em out there. There's not a fall off a 40yd, "sorry guys that big bird you've been hunting all season is at 43yars no way you can kill him gotta let him pass" is just not real and you'd be lying to yourself if you actually thought that. So it's only down to your set up if you can't kill them that far out. It's your responsibility of knowing if it can. If your gun doesn't have the ability that's it you can't done and over with. And base of this is saying know your equipments ability.
On that note good job man and congrats on the bird.
Why is it that nobody reads the forum rules before they start posting ? The OP didn't say one thing about being sure that his gun would kill at 67 yds, 9 out of 10 times....
This website belongs to someone that kindly ask' us not to promote ultra-long range shooting. That's all he ask....that and to be civil. But for some odd reason all of that has flown out the window since the invention of the LongBeard shell......
Sent by this stupid phone
Quote from: NFW on May 06, 2015, 01:19:16 PM
Leave the guy alone, he was just saying how good long beard is and saved him on this one and was just stating how shocked he was. If you've been hunting long enough you can misjudge in the moment and if you know you can kill a bird that far with your set up which not all ppl can, but you can, why not.
Here's a pure case stone cold dead at 67, another 9 of out 10 times bet his set up will produce the same results. Sorry for the folks that can't do this. And I don't urge everyone to do so. Winchester and other manufacters wouldn't advertise this stuff saying you can go out so far if it couldn't. They've been in the feild and killed em out there. There's not a fall off a 40yd, "sorry guys that big bird you've been hunting all season is at 43yars no way you can kill him gotta let him pass" is just not real and you'd be lying to yourself if you actually thought that. So it's only down to your set up if you can't kill them that far out. It's your responsibility of knowing if it can. If your gun doesn't have the ability that's it you can't done and over with. And base of this is saying know your equipments ability.
On that note good job man and congrats on the bird.
First of all, yes,misjudging distance can happen, but 30 yards should not happen.
Second, this statement is, in my opinion as well as others I believe, is highly naive and incorrect. That's the point of advertisement. Not sure if you have seen it or not, but a few sections down in the pattern area, Hornady's shell is up. The picture, from their website, shows a pattern with less than the "100 hits in the 10" at 25 yards yet claim that it is good to 50. Also, if you ever look on a box of say, Hevishot waterfowl, it shows images of the "supposed" range stating that it can kill out to 80-90 yards, which is again, untrue. The main point of advertising is to get you to buy a product, and they will say anything to do so.
Lastly, as Bow said, we mainly do not want to promote long range shooting as it will end up with more injured and unrecovered birds by people who do not put in the effort to pattern their set-up and just believe the manufacture's advertisements that this shell will kill to 70 yards no problem. Also, no one is saying they will not shoot at 43, it is, again, just to promote limiting yourself to an ethical range, hence approximately 40 yards. This is all seen in the rules of the forum. As Bow also said, the op did not know his set up would kill "9-10" times at this range.
Whatever happened to learning to call. I have let more walk than I can count at the maybe range and hope to have a few more humble me before I am through.
I don't want to poke a fire, but I felt like I got the point across to not promote long range shots, but only if you have the ability in this case he happened to, and if you don't you cant. Sorry for not trying to clarify it more. I agree it doesn't help anyone for irresponsible shooters to think that just because they have a this shell they can shoot 70 yards, but like I said that's all on the hunter being responsible and knowing his equipment.
Advertisement can blow a lot of smoke places where the sun don't shine, but once you see other ppl or even for yourself the way new shells today and have a somewhat guideline you can somewhat trust it but I should add you need to find out for yourself.
Also this guy is just telling us a good story about the success he's had this season, and everybody just want to hop on him for one thing, just say good job, obvious one person stated yes it was a far shot ok he gets it.
I don't mean any disrespect to anyone or the former rules, he could have prevented this, but now he knows, no reason at beating a dead horse.
:deadhorse:
Somethings just don't need to be put on OG, or just lie and say it was 40! :funny turkey:
Every turkey I have shot has been exactly 40 yards or closer, except when they weren't.
Quote from: snapper1982 on May 04, 2015, 08:38:24 AM
Quote from: yelpaholic on May 04, 2015, 07:40:53 AM
:TrainWreck1:
X2 not to mention the not verifying of a beard. I don't know what state you are in but most states require a bearded bird don't they? Even a tom sometimes is missing his beard. Not saying yours don't have a beard but if you don't verify and it has no beard then you could end up with a fine. :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1:
I won't comment on the distance the shot was made, but I will say that I have pulled the trigger many, many times at toms that I never saw a beard on. Even killed one with 1.5" spurs that had no trace of a beard whatsoever. Killed alot of others with beard rot. Most states I am aware of, the regs read a male turkey OR bearded bird. I would fight any ticket for shooting a non-bearded gobbler and I would bet I would win.
Perhaps, if you can't tell the difference between a tom and a hen without seeing a beard, you shouldn't be turkey hunting......
Quote from: Hooksfan on May 13, 2015, 11:58:43 AM
Quote from: snapper1982 on May 04, 2015, 08:38:24 AM
Quote from: yelpaholic on May 04, 2015, 07:40:53 AM
:TrainWreck1:
X2 not to mention the not verifying of a beard. I don't know what state you are in but most states require a bearded bird don't they? Even a tom sometimes is missing his beard. Not saying yours don't have a beard but if you don't verify and it has no beard then you could end up with a fine. :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1:
I won't comment on the distance the shot was made, but I will say that I have pulled the trigger many, many times at toms that I never saw a beard on. Even killed one with 1.5" spurs that had no trace of a beard whatsoever. Killed alot of others with beard rot. Most states I am aware of, the regs read a male turkey OR bearded bird. I would fight any ticket for shooting a non-bearded gobbler and I would bet I would win.
Perhaps, if you can't tell the difference between a tom and a hen without seeing a beard, you shouldn't be turkey hunting......
There is at least one state with a beard length regulation, offhand I cannot remember what state. I'm thinking Arkansas or Mississippi.
Must be Mississippi. They have a no jakes policy. Pretty dumb reg and I would still say a fella could beat a ticket on a beardless mature bird.
In Mich. it is illegal to take or possess a bird without a beard.
Quote from: Hooksfan on May 13, 2015, 01:13:47 PM
Must be Mississippi. They have a no jakes policy. Pretty dumb reg and I would still say a fella could beat a ticket on a beardless mature bird.
Most hunters in Mississippi are quite pleased with the no-jake rule.
Quote from: Hooksfan on May 13, 2015, 11:58:43 AM
Quote from: snapper1982 on May 04, 2015, 08:38:24 AM
Quote from: yelpaholic on May 04, 2015, 07:40:53 AM
:TrainWreck1:
X2 not to mention the not verifying of a beard. I don't know what state you are in but most states require a bearded bird don't they? Even a tom sometimes is missing his beard. Not saying yours don't have a beard but if you don't verify and it has no beard then you could end up with a fine. :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1:
I won't comment on the distance the shot was made, but I will say that I have pulled the trigger many, many times at toms that I never saw a beard on. Even killed one with 1.5" spurs that had no trace of a beard whatsoever. Killed alot of others with beard rot. Most states I am aware of, the regs read a male turkey OR bearded bird. I would fight any ticket for shooting a non-bearded gobbler and I would bet I would win.
Perhaps, if you can't tell the difference between a tom and a hen without seeing a beard, you shouldn't be turkey hunting......
In ohio you would loose! In Mississippi if it was a jake you would loose. The law is the law and you sir are not above it.
If the comment about not being able to tell the difference was ment toward me you are sadly mistaken. I don't need to see a beard nor do I need to see a head to tell the difference but I do need to see a beard and no matter the state will always make sure it has one to make sure I don't have to worry about fighting a ticket!
what happens if somehow you mange to shoot the beard off then what do you do?
It had a beard when you shot it so you are fine and would be able to fight it if a warden did ticket you(which I don't know one that would). You would be able to prove it with the beard strands on the ground that would match DNA.
alright thanks for info
Quote from: snapper1982 on May 13, 2015, 04:27:08 PM
Quote from: Hooksfan on May 13, 2015, 11:58:43 AM
Quote from: snapper1982 on May 04, 2015, 08:38:24 AM
Quote from: yelpaholic on May 04, 2015, 07:40:53 AM
:TrainWreck1:
X2 not to mention the not verifying of a beard. I don't know what state you are in but most states require a bearded bird don't they? Even a tom sometimes is missing his beard. Not saying yours don't have a beard but if you don't verify and it has no beard then you could end up with a fine. :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1:
I won't comment on the distance the shot was made, but I will say that I have pulled the trigger many, many times at toms that I never saw a beard on. Even killed one with 1.5" spurs that had no trace of a beard whatsoever. Killed alot of others with beard rot. Most states I am aware of, the regs read a male turkey OR bearded bird. I would fight any ticket for shooting a non-bearded gobbler and I would bet I would win.
Perhaps, if you can't tell the difference between a tom and a hen without seeing a beard, you shouldn't be turkey hunting......
In ohio you would loose! In Mississippi if it was a jake you would loose. The law is the law and you sir are not above it.
If the comment about not being able to tell the difference was ment toward me you are sadly mistaken. I don't need to see a beard nor do I need to see a head to tell the difference but I do need to see a beard and no matter the state will always make sure it has one to make sure I don't have to worry about fighting a ticket!
Easy there, I was not directing that towards you in the slightest. I am glad you know the difference between a tom and a hen. Guess I just don't like seeing a fella excited about his kill get drug over the coals with highbrowed comments. I am fully aware of the Jake rule in Mississippi- I grew up hunting there. I also know the rule is fairly popular and also doesn't apply to yourhs.
I will stand by what I said when I said MOST states Stipulate a male or bearded bird.
I also say requiring a beard is a stupid rule--That's just my opinion--not a belief that I am above the law. Trust me, I am reminded of that periodically when I see flashing lights in my rearview.
I suppose if our foubding father's held such a high regard for the law, we would still be saluting the Union Jack.
Now, back to the original post, I do not condone shooting turkeys at that yardage, but I would rather see a guy admitting to making a mistake, as we all have, and posting something others can learn from.
I do believe a range finder would be in order for our friend.
But, all turkey hunts don't go down the way they do on t.v., and fellow hunters areally often too quick to pile on. :z-twocents:
Quote from: Hooksfan on May 13, 2015, 07:06:52 PM
Quote from: snapper1982 on May 13, 2015, 04:27:08 PM
Quote from: Hooksfan on May 13, 2015, 11:58:43 AM
Quote from: snapper1982 on May 04, 2015, 08:38:24 AM
Quote from: yelpaholic on May 04, 2015, 07:40:53 AM
:TrainWreck1:
X2 not to mention the not verifying of a beard. I don't know what state you are in but most states require a bearded bird don't they? Even a tom sometimes is missing his beard. Not saying yours don't have a beard but if you don't verify and it has no beard then you could end up with a fine. :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1: :TrainWreck1:
I won't comment on the distance the shot was made, but I will say that I have pulled the trigger many, many times at toms that I never saw a beard on. Even killed one with 1.5" spurs that had no trace of a beard whatsoever. Killed alot of others with beard rot. Most states I am aware of, the regs read a male turkey OR bearded bird. I would fight any ticket for shooting a non-bearded gobbler and I would bet I would win.
Perhaps, if you can't tell the difference between a tom and a hen without seeing a beard, you shouldn't be turkey hunting......
In ohio you would loose! In Mississippi if it was a jake you would loose. The law is the law and you sir are not above it.
If the comment about not being able to tell the difference was ment toward me you are sadly mistaken. I don't need to see a beard nor do I need to see a head to tell the difference but I do need to see a beard and no matter the state will always make sure it has one to make sure I don't have to worry about fighting a ticket!
Easy there, I was not directing that towards you in the slightest. I am glad you know the difference between a tom and a hen. Guess I just don't like seeing a fella excited about his kill get drug over the coals with highbrowed comments. I am fully aware of the Jake rule in Mississippi- I grew up hunting there. I also know the rule is fairly popular and also doesn't apply to yourhs.
I will stand by what I said when I said MOST states Stipulate a male or bearded bird.
I also say requiring a beard is a stupid rule--That's just my opinion--not a belief that I am above the law. Trust me, I am reminded of that periodically when I see flashing lights in my rearview.
I suppose if our foubding father's held such a high regard for the law, we would still be saluting the Union Jack.
Now, back to the original post, I do not condone shooting turkeys at that yardage, but I would rather see a guy admitting to making a mistake, as we all have, and posting something others can learn from.
I do believe a range finder would be in order for our friend.
But, all turkey hunts don't go down the way they do on t.v., and fellow hunters areally often too quick to pile on. :z-twocents:
My apologies. I actually like the bearded bird policy instead of male because I have talked to and read posts from people who can not tell the difference in a lot of instances. Mis judgements happen but 30 yards is more than a slight error. I am glad the bird went down but at that distance it easily could go the other way. Just because he killed doesn't mean that his setup can do that distance 100 percent of the time it means that at least 1 pellet landed in the brain or spine.
No problems,man. And yes, 30 yards is a mega miscalculation. Maybe he is from Texas... ;D
Congrats...Range underestimation can happen. Saw it happen to an experienced friend of mine. The yardage was WAY long.
Indiscretion forgiven but don't count on a happy ending at those yardages...This is how you wound birds. Does nobody any good...
Sounds like a sales pitch or promotion to me but if not congrats and don't count on good kills at that range with any shotgun or load, practice that range estimation!
As a life long bow hunter I think my range estimation skills are pretty fair. I am sure that most turkey hunters plan ahead when they are hunting in the woods, as I do. There is a tree which is 30 yards from me, there is another which is 40 yards, etc. Open fields can be challenging. For me depth perception changes when I am low to the ground. In an established blind on a field edge I sometimes pile a couple of rocks on top of each other at predetermined ranges. Another trick that helps me is to learn what parts of a turkey my own eyes can clearly see at certain fixed ranges. I practice this with a life sized decoy. For example, for me, if I can clearly see a gobbler's eyes he is in range. It is something you must learn for your own vision! jperch
Quote from: jperch on June 16, 2015, 08:56:01 AM
As a life long bow hunter I think my range estimation skills are pretty fair. I am sure that most turkey hunters plan ahead when they are hunting in the woods, as I do. There is a tree which is 30 yards from me, there is another which is 40 yards, etc. Open fields can be challenging. For me depth perception changes when I am low to the ground. In an established blind on a field edge I sometimes pile a couple of rocks on top of each other at predetermined ranges. Another trick that helps me is to learn what parts of a turkey my own eyes can clearly see at certain fixed ranges. I practice this with a life sized decoy. For example, for me, if I can clearly see a gobbler's eyes he is in range. It is something you must learn for your own vision! jperch
I am not a bow hunter, but this is great advice and much of what I do. Many times as I set up on an open field I quickly mark distances with a stick or something. I also carry a rangefinder to mentally mark things, such as that high corn stock or spot of grass, in case I have to set up quickly and do not have time to walk into the field or if they are there and do not want to spook them.
Quote from: jperch on June 16, 2015, 08:56:01 AM
As a life long bow hunter I think my range estimation skills are pretty fair. I am sure that most turkey hunters plan ahead when they are hunting in the woods, as I do. There is a tree which is 30 yards from me, there is another which is 40 yards, etc. Open fields can be challenging. For me depth perception changes when I am low to the ground. In an established blind on a field edge I sometimes pile a couple of rocks on top of each other at predetermined ranges. Another trick that helps me is to learn what parts of a turkey my own eyes can clearly see at certain fixed ranges. I practice this with a life sized decoy. For example, for me, if I can clearly see a gobbler's eyes he is in range. It is something you must learn for your own vision! jperch
Good post
I do pretty good myself. And I owe that to archery. I have been bow hunting since I was 9 and I'm now 30.
Fields it can be very easy to misjudge yardage. I misjudged a 140" buck 4 or 5 years ago in a bean field. Went right over his back. I shoot a single pin slider and I keep it l set at 25. I'm shooting 313 fps so I don't move the sight unless I'm taking a 37 yard shot or longer. I thought thus deer was around 30 yards but I know I often think they're closed 5 Han 2 hat they are in an open field. So I thought "in all reality he's probably closer to 40. I didn't move my sight, I just held a little high on him. Sailed right over his back. He was 32 yards. I invested in a range finder within 2 weeks of that day.
I really like the idea you had abo it learning "your" eyes and a characteristic of the bird you can clearly see to let u know he's in range. I very rarely fudge up when I comes to range but ya never know. Anything can happen at any time. We all have our DA moments from time to time.
My biggest issue with yardage is not turkeys, it is when I'm over 20 feet up. I have one stand that is 34 feet up. The higher up I get, the harder it is for me to judge yardage
No doubt a 5X view contributed to the misjudgement.
I hunt with a 4x scope and never had an issue because of the scope.
I assume that would be because you're experienced, and know what you're doing.
Quote from: dejake on June 16, 2015, 10:36:16 AM
I assume that would be because you're experienced, and know what you're doing.
Ahh man, thanks for jinxing me! :o ;)
Quote from: davisd9 on June 16, 2015, 10:07:17 AM
I hunt with a 4x scope and never had an issue because of the scope.
Atta boy - X2.
If the bird was coming in, then why crank the scope to max. If you cant tell a gobbler head from a hen with naked eye at that range, then quit hunting and start studying. If birds didn't flop just because of 3-4 shot in the head then hardly any of mine would have ever flopped. And the worst, if this is true, yet another person who took the long range Kool-Aid and thinks that they will be able to do it every time. some times I think all turkey(and bow) hunters should take a mandatory range estimation class!!
Safety is the main issue here...
I have seen hunters turn things into animals or game they want to shoot, and sometimes our brains do funny things... At least he shot a turkey.
Looking through a scope at a turkey (which I have never done), I can see getting a bit more excited and wanting to take the shot... I'd have no idea how to range a bird looking through a scope, without lifting my head to look at the bird... That may or may not occur to someone full of excitement, never having had such an experience before.
California states the bird must "have a visible beard," but I am sure that states vary.
Glad the loads worked, and I am always looking for a load capable of taking game further than I actually "want" to shoot it...
Man... after 20 .. I'm shootin a 20? Lord have mercy. Hang in their buddy! It's all good.
:z-guntootsmiley:
Not my rant, but if misjudged by 30 yards... I have never had the issue because of my scope, it is made to give you "It's under 40 yards" estimation. For me I am at the under "20 Yards" and mostly happens at 15-17 yard range.
MK M GOBL
Quote from: silvestris on May 06, 2015, 10:02:44 PM
Whatever happened to learning to call. I have let more walk than I can count at the maybe range and hope to have a few more humble me before I am through.
Amen to that
just about no such thing as a turkey hunter anymore, all anybody wants to do is see how far they can shoot
Vpsaline
I know you are getting flack for taking your shot
But when you use a rifle scope on a shotgun
You change your visual perprespective and it
Complicates judging distance.
For this reason I use a Burros fast fire 3
And can shoot it or the open sight depending
On need at the time. Without magnification
It is easier to judge distance...
Congrats on your gobbler!!
A month out till season here in wv!!
Longbeards
Oh sad but true.
Guys it's cool to get excited. We all make some mistakes. However if someone can't tell its 70 yards away it's either a person with a problem or a poke n a hope.
Far as the 9 out of ten times thing, if you were wounding 1 out of every ten birds Id say that youre certainly being irresponsible.
Mistakes happen, we all misjudge, maybe he misjudged 10-15 yards since he already knew it was way long. There's no way 70 yards is an innocent mistake, if it was than the shooter needs to reevaluate himself. The bird shoulda been passed. Nothing high brow about it. Simply ethics .
Quote from: Bowguy on March 20, 2016, 04:06:52 PM
Guys it's cool to get excited. We all make some mistakes. However if someone can't tell its 70 yards away it's either a person with a problem or a poke n a hope.
Far as the 9 out of ten times thing, if you were wounding 1 out of every ten birds Id say that youre certainly being irresponsible.
Mistakes happen, we all misjudge, maybe he misjudged 10-15 yards since he already knew it was way long. There's no way 70 yards is an innocent mistake, if it was than the shooter needs to reevaluate himself. The bird shoulda been passed. Nothing high brow about it. Simply ethics .
Not joining in on the bashing but I totally agree. I hate wounding animals and will not shoot if the bird appears to be farther than 45 yards. A couple seasons ago here in NY I was hunting on a dairy farm by a lake and the fog was thick inside the tree line. I had a gobbler come into about what I thought was 50 yards and next to a tree with an orange Posted sign attached. I let him walk after I couldn't get him any closer. A couple days later, I was back at that same spot and used a range finder only to find that he was at 41 yards when I let him walk. Yes I was upset with myself for not getting him but I was more pleased with myself that I didn't take a long range shot that I was uncomfortable with and didn't wound an animal. We all misjudge yardage (maybe 10-15 yards) but 60-70 yards is really bad. My suggestion is to buy a range finder or switch to a red dot & take all of the comments on here as constructive criticism, learn from your mistakes, and have a great remaining season.
'''''''' my max range is 35 yards with 6 shot''''''''''m'. This was certainly necessary to have a basic understanding of how the loads would perform on the hunt at varying distances, but it wasn't really much of a pattern test of my own at the range using a box of 12-gauge 3-inch No. 6 Long Beard XR Magnum loads
Shots were taken at distances of 25, 40 and 60 yards, and no optics other than the shotgun's standard front bead sight was used. For each shot, I counted the number of pellets falling within a 30-inch diameter circle and a 20-inch diameter circle of the point of impact. I then divided these numbers by Winchester's estimated pellet count (425) for the No. 6 Magnum loads to determine the pattern performance and core density, respectively.
At 25 yards, which is near the distance where I shot my bird, the patterns were incredibly tight, with almost all of the pellets falling within the 30-inch circle. The averaged count was 413 pellets, which led to a pattern performance of around 97 percent. Core density, an especially important measurement for turkey hunters, was equally impressive, dropping off by only 2 percent.
There was very little reduction in performance as I extended the distance to 40 yards. An average of 391 pellets remained inside the 30-inch circle, resulting in a pattern performance of about 92 percent. The number of pellets within a 20-inch circle of the point of impact did fall off slightly, with approximately 339 pellets staying inside the circle for a core density of about 79 percent. This is still very good, and the patterns visibly illustrate that a turkey caught in this spread would certainly regret it.
As is to be expected with any load, performance tapered off more substantially at 60 yards. Even so, the Long Beard XR Magnum loads managed to deliver ample pellets on target. An average of 320 pellets struck within a 30-inch circle for a pattern performance of 75 percent, while an average of 198 pellets fell within a 20-inch circle for a core density of around 46 percent.
Quote from: NFW on May 06, 2015, 01:19:16 PM
Leave the guy alone, he was just saying how good long beard is and saved him on this one and was just stating how shocked he was. If you've been hunting long enough you can misjudge in the moment and if you know you can kill a bird that far with your set up which not all ppl can, but you can, why not.
Here's a pure case stone cold dead at 67, another 9 of out 10 times bet his set up will produce the same results. Sorry for the folks that can't do this. And I don't urge everyone to do so. Winchester and other manufacters wouldn't advertise this stuff saying you can go out so far if it couldn't. They've been in the feild and killed em out there. There's not a fall off a 40yd, "sorry guys that big bird you've been hunting all season is at 43yars no way you can kill him gotta let him pass" is just not real and you'd be lying to yourself if you actually thought that. So it's only down to your set up if you can't kill them that far out. It's your responsibility of knowing if it can. If your gun doesn't have the ability that's it you can't done and over with. And base of this is saying know your equipments ability.
On that note good job man and congrats on the bird.
No way. With #5s at 67 yards his pattern is not there 9 out of 10 times.
Not something I would even think of mentioning. I would look into getting a fixed power scope, just my thoughts since it seems the excitement kept you from cranking it back 2X or whatever the minimum setting is. like some have said you need to make sure it has a beard before you shoot. The worst fear of LB XR is making a shot at that distance and being "lucky" you killed the turkey, looks like that just happened. We all have misjudged distance before but 27 yards beyond an acceptable max range is unacceptable in my book. Hopefully you learned from it and will either use a range finder to mark acceptable shot distances learn how to guesstimate 40 yards.
I started bird hunting with my father at an early age... Never shot anything with fur, but was in a duck blind with my father at 4 years old...
Started turkey hunting in my 20's, and I can attest to the fact that a 70 yard turkey looked like it was in good range to someone who was used to shooting ducks... I currently have enough experience under my belt that there is no excuse for making such a mistake, but I will admit to having shooting at birds far too far in the past... And realizing it right after.
I am NOT a fan of these shell companies advertising (and in my opinion encouraging) long-range shooting on birds. I see it as advocating irresponsibility and killing as opposed to hunting...
On the flip side of that coin, I want a load that is capable of killing birds further than I want to shoot them, so if I do make that misjudgment, I still come home with a bird. I just do not care for the way that these loads are frequently marketed.
As to the OP, not having any knowledge as to his experience level, and never having shot through a shotgun scope, I will refrain from judgment as to his misjudgment, and congratulate him for taking a bird home, as well as being honest about his own shortcomings...
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Whipping a deadhorse aren't we?
I believe there was more than enough thrashing over this when it was posted in May 2015. Probably not reason to dig it back up and whip him again.
Quote from: hobbes on April 01, 2016, 12:29:04 PM
Whipping a deadhorse aren't we?
I believe there was more than enough thrashing over this when it was posted in May 2015. Probably not reason to dig it back up and whip him again.
Amen brother. Clicked on just to say what you had already said. Maybe someone needs to post up some new topics. Really slow around here when people are posting on threads over a year old. Lol
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on April 01, 2016, 12:38:10 PM
Quote from: hobbes on April 01, 2016, 12:29:04 PM
Whipping a deadhorse aren't we?
I believe there was more than enough thrashing over this when it was posted in May 2015. Probably not reason to dig it back up and whip him again.
Amen brother. Clicked on just to say what you had already said. Maybe someone needs to post up some new topics. Really slow around here when people are posting on threads over a year old. Lol
X3. Time to move on fellas.
Mistakes happen, but this is a pretty big one. My gun is good out past the 40 yard range, and I've killed a couple much farther
The only reason I personally want a gun that is good out past 40 is for the just in cases.. Such as I muff the first shot and have to shoot him further out there... It happens and I know my gun will. I personally like shots 30 and under, and pass up birds at 40 a good bit of the time.
As far as someone saying the hevi shot waterfowl won't kill at 80-90... You are dead wrong. I have seen steel kill snow geese at those ranges. It's all in the hands of the shooter. I personally don't take shots like that, but I know even steel will kill em way out there, and I have seen hevi shot do it as well.
I have to agree, without piling on that misjudging a bird that is 67 yards away is a pretty big miscalculation. Glad it worked out, but dang
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QuoteI have seen steel kill knock down snow geese at those ranges.
Fixed it. Snow geese are not tough. If you can knock them down, the dog can get them. I have hunted and killed them in 2 states and one other country. A busted wing doesn't bring a Tom to the table.
I have seen #2 Hevi kill at snow, straight up, at 75 yards. Had a bloody hole on his back - full penetration.
No, you didn't fix it. I have seen them stone dead with steel at those ranges. It's not an exaggeration. These are not the 5 pound lessers either. I've shot snows in 4 states and two different flyways, and our geese are significantly bigger than lessers. Sure a lot will get sailed, but I've seen them sailed out at good decoying ranges. I've seen the same person make shots on ducks with steel, that you and I wouldn't attempt. But the man is a great shot and knows his capabilities. That's the whole point. you're not going to agree and that's fine, but I can promise you I'm not fabricating anything.
My point was, in the right hands, our weapons and shot will do the job far beyond our comfort level. It's like a bow. My bow is fast and flat and has the ability to kill a deer out to ranges I wouldn't even attempt. My comfort level is 35 yards and under.
My turkey gun shoots well, and I still like a gobbler to be within 30 yards of me. My only problem which seems to be the same for most on this thread, was the extreme misjudgment. I don't need to kill a turkey that badly and if it's marginal I pass it up.
90 yards, with BBs, I would have to see to believe. 2s is not possible. A question of energy, not shot ability. I have hunted them in Missouri, so I would have to say "Show me". lol.
Good luck and hope all your turkeys are at 25 yards. Mine too. I actually prefer 25 to 15. But I have shot them at less. Gotta do whatcha gotta do.
Really ought to lock this one. People have been shooting turkeys too far and justifying it since time immemorial and that kind ain't never gonna listen. Coyotes gotta eat too.
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