16 Nebraskaland • March 2021
IN THE FIELD
PHOTO
BY
JARROD
SPILGER
Savvy turkey hunters pattern their shotguns before
hunting. Patterning is especially important if using a new
load or choke, as changing either variable can affect a
shotgun's performance.
The benchmark of 40 yards is a good place to start, so set
up a turkey target at that distance. Unlike wing-shooting
flying birds, the goal of turkey hunting is to hit a stationary
gobbler in the relatively small head and neck vitals with as
many pellets as possible.
Many hunters claim a good turkey-killing pattern places
100 pellets in a 10-inch circle at 40 yards. However, we're
shooting turkeys, not 10-inch circles. While 100 hits in a
10-inch circle is good, 100 hits in the head and neck vitals is
even better.
This is entirely possible using an extra- or super-full choke
and magnum payloads. Remember, though, that shots inside
40 yards with an ultra-tight turkey choke require rifle-like
aiming precision to avoid a miss.
If shots beyond 40 yards are anticipated, consider using
tungsten-based shot. Tungsten is heavier than lead and
retains greater downrange energy. While tungsten shot may
make it possible to bag turkeys beyond 40 yards, the goal
should always be to call gobblers inside 40 yards. After all,
that's the real thrill of spring turkey hunting.
It's recently become vogue to use small #9 Tungsten Super
Shot (TSS) to create ultra-dense patterns, but it should be
noted that shot sizes smaller than #7½s are not legal for
turkey hunting in Nebraska. However, loads with #7 (or
larger) TSS are legal.
Not only should patterns be core dense, they should also
be uniform in pellet distribution. That way if a gobbler moves
his head slightly at the last moment, there's enough wiggle-
room in the pattern to still place sufficient hits in his noggin
to get the job done.
And that means wild turkey is on the menu come
Thanksgiving.
By Jarrod Spilger
PATTERN PREPARATION
