bamaranger
New member
A very common discussion among turkey hunters is appropriate shot size and maximum range for turkey shotguns. I stumbled up on this article recently and it has to be the most comprehensive and scientific study of LEAD turkey loads ever done. If you are a TSS shooter, we know, TSS is a game changer. It is also super expensive. If you shoot lead, (like me) you read on.
The researcher, guy named Tom ROSTER, wrote this up for Outdoor Life Magazine. Roster shot a large number of live domestic turkeys, as well as 200 domestic turkey head/necks (all acquired from processing farm). He then conspired with a vet hospital to X-Ray those heads/necks and count pellets and broken bones resultant pellet strikes.
I have read some amazing stuff on the web concerning opinions/experience on turkey loads and turkey ranges. One guy shoots #8 trap loads. Another guy shoots ballistic gelatin and claims #6 lead can kill to 70 yds. Somebody else shoots layers of cardboard in a shot box. EVERYBODY posts their pet load and how lethal it is (me included)
ROSTER's study uses real turkeys, and scientific method and statistical evaluation. If you're a gobbler hunter, I strongly encourage you to read this study. I am not tech savy enough to post a link, but found the study by searching : "Tom Roster lethality study turkey loads outdoor life" Perhaps someone more competent can post a real link.
The researcher, guy named Tom ROSTER, wrote this up for Outdoor Life Magazine. Roster shot a large number of live domestic turkeys, as well as 200 domestic turkey head/necks (all acquired from processing farm). He then conspired with a vet hospital to X-Ray those heads/necks and count pellets and broken bones resultant pellet strikes.
I have read some amazing stuff on the web concerning opinions/experience on turkey loads and turkey ranges. One guy shoots #8 trap loads. Another guy shoots ballistic gelatin and claims #6 lead can kill to 70 yds. Somebody else shoots layers of cardboard in a shot box. EVERYBODY posts their pet load and how lethal it is (me included)
ROSTER's study uses real turkeys, and scientific method and statistical evaluation. If you're a gobbler hunter, I strongly encourage you to read this study. I am not tech savy enough to post a link, but found the study by searching : "Tom Roster lethality study turkey loads outdoor life" Perhaps someone more competent can post a real link.