Turkey with a .22?

[Geezer]

It's legal in Virginia, so is there any reason not to go afield with my 10/22T and try for gobblers? Seems like a 40gr solid should put a turkey down pretty well.

[James Jones]

Only if you hit it in the head , the small bullets will not kill a turkey fast enough to find it easly. I shoot Turkey with a bow and even using a big expandable broadhead they will run a pretty good ways if you don't get the spine. I shot them with Judo points , rubber blugon points and the broad head works best , the massive bleeding ensures it'll die soon. the Judo point ripped a 3/4" hole strait through and the bird ran almost 200yds before dieing , luckly it ran strait accross a field so their was no tracking it but even with a broke wing and massive internal injury that can go along way realy fast. I've even seen them shot with 80gr bullets out of a 243 and run 70-100yds.
will it kill it , yes , will you have to look for it , more than likely , can it possibley never be found , a good chance

so the best be it either a killing shot to the head or a massive hole to the body. I shoot squirrls with my 22 in the head out 50-60yds so i don't see why a turkey would be any harder but I would use a good high velocity hollow point. even if you shot them in the body the high spped hollow point would be a better choice as the little heavy solid may just zip throug.

[Crane]

In Alabama it's shotgun, bow or iron sighted centerfire pistol only. I got a .223 Encore along with my shotgun for those stubborn ones that sit way out in the middle of a green field. I shoot FMJ's for less damage, always had them drop; I figured a varmit bullet would turn one inside out.

[Charles B]

Originally Posted by Geezer

Seems like a 40gr solid should put a turkey down pretty well.

Not likely. I cannot think of a good reason to hunt turkeys with a .22 other than that is what you want to do. Head shots are difficult and would be effective if you can get one to hold his head still long enough.

[Ridge Runner]

I've done pretty well with a 22 mag and fed 50 gr hp's, no way shape or form would I try a gobbler with a 22 LR, pound for pound turkeys are as tough or tougher than any animal that walks when it comes to absorbing a bullet.
RR

[Geezer]

Thanks for the feedback. While I'd be pretty confident of a head shot out to 50yds if the turkey would stand still, maybe a shotgun would be a better bet after all. Now all I need is a shotgun. Not sure my granddad's Volunteer Arms Co. single shot would be the best idea.

[Savagebien]

speaking of turkeys being tougher than any animal that walks when it comes to absorbing a bullet, a friend of mine said his dad shot a turkey at least 4 times one day, don't remember the story but he could tell it was the same one because of an odd beard, so yea i'd say they're very tough!