youth shotgun options for turkey

[fletcher]

taking my 10 yo daughter for first turkey hunt.

20 gauge semi, what load is enough killing power but easy recoil?

2.75 #6 1 oz full chock, enough if you keep within 30 yards?

I am thinking shooting sticks, chair, blind, ear plugs, maybe a heater.

Practicing with bb gun.

[badlander]

2 3/4 #6 game loads are adequate for a turkey at closer rages, 30 yards might be on the outer edge though. Pattern the gun on paper, if you are putting 8-10 pellets in a turkey head consistently you're in.

Not sure what you are using for sights, but I've hunted with a few youth hunters that struggled to use the bead and front rib when excited, and wound up shooting high at birds. A cheap magnet attached rear sight or a red dot will help. I bought a used red dot for my sons gun on hsolist for $30.

Good luck!

[Borch]

The 20 gauge will do fine. During practice use 2 3/4" trap loads. You pattern the gun with 2 3/4 turkey or pheasant loads. If she shoots at a turkey with the hunting loads she won't notice the difference. Patterning is brutal though for a young person even with a 20 gauge. Heck it's tough on adults too. In the woods with the turkey in front of them and the blood pumping it's not a noticeable difference. Adding sights is a good recommendation as her shots will likely be close in and if you get a bird inside 20 yards the sights will help a lot with the small pattern area.