JW

Nice job and congrats! - but do still pattern to know that gun!

JW

Champlain Islander

Great job and a super bird. Like JW said I would still pattern the gun to make sure you are getting the best possible pattern. I just had a case where I tried out a new hevi shot blend load and used 2 different after market chokes I had. I shot at 40 yds at a bulls eye and made a 10" diameter circle around it. The paper I used was about 3'x3' so I could really see where the center of my pattern was. The performance was great but I could see that with the setup I was going to use the POI was off a bit and robbing me of the center of the pattern. I bought some sights for the gun and sighted in and patterned and now I know that I am getting everything I can from a pattern standpoint. On another note ...I am not all that sure I would have elected to set up laying down in the grass so close to your decoys. You didn't say if it was private or pub lands but that kind of a set up just strikes me as bad. I am not being critical but since this is a sharing forum I have to say that safety in turkey hunting has to be #1. I won't set up without a tree or other solid background behind me to eliminate being shot from the back side where I can't see someone coming. You aren't always as alone in the woods as you think. Just my 2 cents worth.
CI

Compton929

It was on Public land. And I agree on the laying down part but the tree i wanted to rest against was not as strong as i thought and the turkeys were coming in so I just layed down and stayed hidden as well as i could with my wife behind me about 10yrds so she can see everything that was going on. But I do see where the safty thing comes into play and understand where yall coming from and yes i will pattern that gun once i get back from my deployment. But im not taking non of this as critic im taking it as help and advice cuz you can never have enough advise and help so thank you very much for all the input!!!

Champlain Islander

No problem Compton I am glad you took it like helpful suggestion. Some don't take it at all well and it is too bad because lots of people have some pretty good ideas. I found a way to help out with the back rest issue. I have a vest that has a drop down seat with some side straps so I can actually sit in the middle of a field and lean back and not fall over. I still always try to get a backstop to protect the side I can't see but even if it is a small or irregular tree I can quickly adjust the seat to support me. I think it was made by buck lick creek and I bought it about 10-15 years ago. I think one of the bigger companies bought them out and I have seen similar ones advertised. It is a great vest with lots of pockets for calls, shells and head nets/ gloves etc. with a pouch to hold my decoys and even a killed turkey. OBTW and most importantly.....thanks for your service. We are all proud of our fighting men and women.

CI

gun870guy

Good Job.. I've never patterned a gun in my life...
I shoot beer cans

JakeGrice

Haha Im the same way and havnt failed to take down a bird. My buddy shot one with a 4-10 and birdshot and dropped it, he just made sure to get it within 10 yards. I typically use my old remington 870 and a box of gooseloads i have. I just set the deke out 20 yards facing me and shoot the bird before it attacks the deke. Typically I just use modified choke too, I guess I dont have much interest in shooting toms at 50 yards. I dont get too fancy when it comes to turkey huntin lol

gun870guy

If you can see thru a beer can after pounding it at 35 yards you can kill a bird... I don't care about flat, 2d birds and how many pellets go in a 10" circle...
Stick a can on an old arrow shaft and let er have it...