Handgunning Turkeys?

Forgive my ignorance of the subject, but can anyone chime in on this? Here in Ga, the only way to handgun hunt turkey is with a muzzleloader. I have never been much into hunting turkey, been a few times, but without really being "into" it. With deer season winding down, I was thinking about what to hunt in the spring. I am intending on using a CVA muzzle loading pistol, with a Burris Fastfire on it. (On top of being legal for turkey, it will extend my deer season in Ga next fall, due to being in the primitive weapons class) A few questions for those who are more experienced than I am:
1- Is handgun turkey hunting even feasible? Ethical? Possible?
2- If this isn't a silly idea altogether, what type of bullet would you use on a turkey? I looked for some type of sabot that would allow a "varmint" type bullet in a .50 bore, but had no luck finding anything. I am assuming velocity wouldn't need to be much with a 50cal round ball or wfn, other than whatever was most accurate.
3- Shot placement with a single projectile? Of course with a tight 12ga pattern, this would be easier, but if we were looking for easy, we wouldn't tote handguns into the field.
If this just isn't a bright idea, by all means say so! I am sure there are some guys/gals here that have tried turkey hunting somewhere with a handgun before, and I'd appreciate any feedback or advice on it. There isn't a lot of any info out there on turkey hunting with a handgun, but I'm sure, if I find it anywhere, it can be found here.

In Ky. we are limited to shotguns 20,16,12,10 ga. only or archery .No rifles or handguns fireing a single projectile. Check your regulations closely.

Ive taken many with a handgun, but not with single projectile bullets; shot only.

PM wvhittman, he's taken quite a few with a 454 casull.

I may be wrong, (it wouldn't be the first time) but I believe a muzzle loading handgun would be legal in Ga. ------- In addition, a valid hunting license and a big game license are required. Legal firearms and archery equipment for hunting wild turkey are shotguns (loaded with No. 2 or smaller shot), any muzzleloading firearm, longbow, crossbow or compound bow. ----
The above is copy/paste from the online Ga DNR regs. I considered a 45/410 pistol, as well. I've never shot the 410 from a contender, and wasn't sure of the effective pattern it would provide. KRal, can you enlighten me on what you used, and how well it worked?

I have only taken two; one with a .357 shooting the equivalent of 158 gr. cast bullet .38-44's, and one with a .41 Mag. using 210 JHP's.
As mentioned above by KRal, Dr. Larry Rogers (WV Hitman) has taken many with a FA .454 and 260's shooting for the butt of the wing.

Boot,
I can't post a link from my phone, but if you'll go to the members article and look for "Most Challenging Sport?" it'll give you a little info.

I've got one, and would consider 20 yards to be the furthest I'd be comfortable with. Problem is here in MN a 20 gauge is the minimum for turkey. I have often thought of building a 20 gauge "pistol" like Kim has, but never got 'round to it. Maybe one of these days.

Yep, turkeys are doable with handguns. Did my first one with a M29 and 180 gr. Sierra JHC at 120 yds. Experimented after that. Shot ...and lost birds with 240 gr. HP (.44) ,250 gr. SWC (.44), .357,.223 T/C, .45-70 T/C (500 gr lead). All reasonably good hits. Lots of feathers, but no birds.
Then, the Force was with me...FA .454 Casull, 260 gr. Speer Mag HP. Made about 40 one shot kills, no movement, instant drops. Hit either wing butt (broadside) or neck/body junction (st. on or away shots). Shots out to 90 yds.
ML handguns have been legal in GA for a few years. A friend killed one there a few years ago. I'd say HP bullets in the wing butt should do right.
Good luck, Boot. May the Force be with you.

2x what wvhitman says. He has been there - done that.

I suggest a hollow point pistol bullet in your ML pistol. I have killed a few turkeys in PA fall season with 44 mag revolver and the Contender in 223 and 218Bee. The wing joint or base of neck / spine are the target areas. If you get lower on the body they can often fly away and are lost.

20 gauge pistol?

Kim- Pictures Please.

That's awesome.

I'm not able to post a pic here with my phone, but if you go to my pics on the bragging board you can see a few pics of it on pages: 8, 9, and 10.

Kral, that is a sweet looking 20ga! I looked thru some of your old posts trying to find more info on it, but my search kung fu is not strong enough. I'd love to hear some details on it, and explore the possibility. The biggest reason I was looking into a muzzleloader, was that it would also allow me to hunt deer during our primitive weapons season. I don't turkey hunt nearly as much as deer hunt (yet). Is that 20ga as huge as it looks? I know it had to meet the overall length requirements, but is probably not a full length barrel. What choke are you using in it? Did you have the shortened barrel threaded for tubes? What is your comfortable range with 20ga turkey loads? Inquiring minds want to know!

Boot,
You are correct about it having to meet the NFA length requirements:
1. Barrel must be 18" or longer
2. Over all length must be 26" or longer

Mine has a 20" T/C custom shop barrel (plus ext. choke tube), so it meets the 18"+ requirement. The choke is the factory T/C turkey choke, which is deadly out to 50 yards with 3" #5's. The OAL on it is 26 1/8", which meets the 26"+ requirement. You can't use a pacmayr grip because it will change the OAL to below 26". You, also, can't use a shorter choke tube or it'll fall below the 26" OAL.
It's "technically" not classified as a handgun by NFA's definitions, but as a shotgun with a pistol grip. But to me, it's my 20ga pistol

Oh........you can also get you a muzzleloader pistol barrel for the encore.

You would fall into the "enabler" class with posts like those! I looked online today, and didn't have a ton of luck finding a muzzleloader barrel for a pro hunter pistol. I'm worried that if I go the Encore route, those barrels will breed faster than my wallet will support!

Boot I think you will be happy with the optima handgun. It's plenty accurate for turkeys. Google archery turkey shot placement for ideas. It will be about the same placement with a handgun. Broadside base of the wing will be your best shot. Base of the neck works just as well but get a little low and goodbye breast. As a fellow Georgia native I can tell you there are other ways the muzzleloader will extend your season. Most WMA that have hogs allow hunting them during small game season with small game weapons and a muzzleloader qualifies as a small game weapon. I like the TC handguns but wouldn't consider the 410/45 barrels for turkey hunting. They don't pattern good enough to me. The other problem with them is just a technicality but they are not shotguns so aren't a legal weapon. It's considered a center fire handgun that happens to function with shotgun ammo. Whether or not the GW would hassle you about it I don't know.

KRal,

Thanks for the info on the 20 gauge pistol. It looks great.

I had this same concern years ago, before I would use mine. After asking many MS game wardens, including the commissioner, all replied the same way: "as long as your not using slugs or 45 colt ammo, nor have any in possession, your legal with shot shells within the size allowed by law."

This may not apply in other States, but you won't know till you ask.

As far as it not patterning good enough; it's not a shotgun. That said, used within its limitations, it's very effective. It's not for the hunter that's lacking patience or hunting skills. The bird needs to be within 20yards. The majority of birds I've taken have been within 10 yards.

It would be cool to take a turkey with a muzzleloader pistol, revolver, or a single shot, but they're just not legal in MS.

Hello Friends this is my first post here.
I've taken a couple of turkeys with my FA 454. [img]http://[/img]

cobrad,

Welcome to the forum and nice turkey. Are they mutant turkeys where your from that need a 454? Just kiddin, nice FA too.

Naw, just plain ole' turkeys, but the revolver was new and I just had to shoot something with it!

[quote=cobrad]Naw, just plain ole' turkeys, but the revolver was new and I just had to shoot something with it!
/quote]

You will get a total understanding of that sentiment here.

Taken them with handguns, but never a BP handgun

Turkey hunting never really interested me, but if we were allowed to use handguns here in Tennessee, you know I'd have to try it.