Using Black-Powder Guns for Hunting Turkeys

EDITOR'S NOTE: Two of the fastest-growing sports in America today -- turkey hunting and black-powder hunting -- add a new dimension to both these sports. Combining these two sports also tests the mettle of the hunter because he must be very precise with his calling to get a turkey in closer than he needs to with conventional weapons, know the maximum range of his shot pattern and be extremely accurate in judging distance. He also has to employ all his woodsmanship skills for success. Black-powder hunting for turkeys also provides an added challenge and makes the trophy far more valuable and more exciting to hunt than when you utilize conventional weapons.

Most black-powder shotguns today are cylinder bore, which means they are straight pieces of pipe that aren't choked or narrowed down to tighten the pattern. For this reason, oftentimes taking a turkey at more than 12 to 20 yards is difficult. The pattern may spread out and not be effective at distances any further than this.

However, many black-powder shotguns on the market like CVA's come fitted with screw-in chokes. You can have a full choke barrel by simply screwing one of these new choking systems into a black-powder shotgun fitted for one, like those designed by CVA for the growing sport of hunting turkeys with black powder. Not only does this single shot black-powder shotgun have a screw-in choking system, it also has posts for a sling and a recoil pad to help take the beating out of a turkey shotgun and allow you to spend more time on the range sighting in the gun.

When using a CVA black-powder shotgun for hunting turkeys, you can aim at the wattles on a turkey-head target and put about 17 shots in the turkey's head and neck area at 30 yards with a full choke screw-in tube. Without the tube, only one to three shots will be in this same target at this distance.

Here's a test you can do. Screw the choke out of your black-powder shotgun, and load the gun with 1-1/8-ounces of powder, next a plastic shot cup and then 1-1/8-ounces of shot by volume. Place the overshot patch over the load. Screw the choke back in, aim and shoot the target. The charge should produce about 17 shots in the target.

If you then reload the gun but don't screw the choke into the black-powder shotgun, the pattern will begin to lay down at about 15 yards and continue to fall on the ground all the way to the target. The hunter only may put about two shots in the pattern, getting the same results each time he fires. Then, if you return the choke to the shotgun, it will produce the dense pattern it has in the past.

That consistent 15- to 17-shot pattern means you'll enjoy turkey hunting with a black-powder gun. When you squeeze the trigger on a black-powder gun, you want to be sure you have a better-than-reasonable chance to down the bird. There's no more sickening feeling than knowing you've made a good hit on a turkey and then watching the bird run off because the pattern is so loose you've not hit the turkey's vital organs.

To learn more about CVA's black-powder guns, call (770) 449-4687; email info@cva.com; or, see the catalogue online.

To learn more about hunting turkeys, go to Night Hawk's home page, and click on books to find out information about John Phillips' three turkey-hunting books: "The Masters' Secrets of Turkey Hunting," "Outdoor Life's Complete Turkey-Hunting Book" and "Turkey Tactics." Call (800) 627-4295 to order.

TOMORROW: LOADS FOR BLACK-POWDER TURKEYS