Rifle

[snapcrackpop]

Dad (79) and I hope to hit SD this fall for mule deer and turkeys.

With limited turkey hunts under our belt and the focus on mule deer I was looking for opinions on rifle caliber and shot placement for turkeys. I'm thinking 17HMR with the 20gr for head or spine shots and maybe my .357 rifle (1.5" groups @ 100 yrds)

[bobbymalone]

people hunt turkeys with a rifle?

Not sure about MN, but some states don't let you hunt them with a rifle.

[goblueM]

many states allow rifles. Minnesota does not.

Very popular in Texas, some folks in Virginia use them. Myself, I'd rather shoot one in close, but for those looking just to get a bird a rifle is a good option. Very nice for large fields. I would think smaller caliber is better, wouldn't want to have just a mangled mess of bird left with no good breast meat

[Borch]

I would think that either of those would work fine.

I know Donbo does a SD combo trip ever fall. He may have more insight for you when he checks in.

[Wanderer]

It is legal in SD and several other states to hunt turkeys with a rifle. If you can get them in the head, either should work, but that's harder than you might think. For a body shot I'll bet you blow the bird to Ransom come with the .357 rifle.

Speaking from experience (shot at a tom in SD with a .22.250), a shotgun is your best bet. You can bench shoot a target all you want but if you have the slightest bit of adrenaline flowing and don't have an outstanding rest, you are not likely to hit the head/neck on your first shot and even less after that.

This is just my opinion though, so do what you like.

[rundrave]

im not a turkey expert, nor a rifle expert, but I do know that it is legal to shoot turkey with a riflein South Dakota.

This is from the SDGFP:

http://gfp.sd.gov/hunting/big-game/regulations/default.aspx

Turkey - Shoulder-held firearms using ammunition which is factory-rated to produce at least 700 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle and handguns using ammunition which is factory-rated to produce at least 500 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle may be used in the hunting of wild turkeys. Muzzleloading firearms of at least .44 caliber and muzzleloading shotguns may also be used in the hunting of wild turkeys.

[goblueM]

Just to add to Wanderers point about accuracy - this spring my buddy was trying to use his 30-30 as a desperate move to get his first bird. He had some shooting sticks to set it up, so he could stay accurate given adrenaline. Well, that whole deal made him way too visible and the birds picked him out - even though the bird was 120 yards away

So if you're gonna use one with a rest make sure you are well hidden and can cover various areas in your view field without having to reposition your bench/sticks

[Cheetah]

Dad (79) and I hope to hit SD this fall for mule deer and turkeys. With limited turkey hunts under our belt and the focus on mule deer I was looking for opinions on rifle caliber and shot placement for turkeys. I'm thinking 17HMR with the 20gr for head or spine shots and maybe my .357 rifle (1.5" groups @ 100 yrds)

Shoot for the vitals on body just like the bow hunters. Spine shot from behind is good I've been told by guys who have done it in SD. Try not to use a big shell like for deer or you'll blow up a lot of meat.

Late spring season out in the Black Hills you can drive the forest roads and basically call and shoot right from the truck. Can cover a lot of ground that way to locate birds. I'm told a lot of the locals will do that. For fall hunting though I don't know if the same tactics work other than trying to spot the bird and shoot before it gets out of range.

[snapcrackpop]

I'm thinking that the "big and slow" .357 won't expand. If I'm fortunate enough, maybe I'll try one with each rifle and report back.

[mrklean]

you would be surprised what those shells would do, i have seen the damage of a .357 on a deer can only imagine what it would do to a deer

[snapcrackpop]

I have reloading equipment, so maybe I'll work on a 38 Special round nose load for it...

[DonBo]

Most of the guys from SD I've talked to that use a rifle, use a 22.250, or .223.