I handgunned my first few turkeys in the early 80s with a 10 inch octagon barrel Contender 218 Bee with a 4x TC scope. My ammo was loaded with 45 grain soft nose bullets. I have also taken turkeys with a scoped 223 Contender with 55 grain soft point ammo and a S&W 629 with 240 XTP bullets. Others in my family and I have taken many PA fall turkeys with 22 caliber rifles. 218 Bee, 222, and the family favorite, the 22 Magnum rimfire with hollow point ammo. We all agree that the key to securing a turkey with a single projectile is to shoot them in the wing joint or just above if broadside. The neck/spine just above the wing joint if they are facing or facing away. That?s where all the structure and critical organs are. I will see if I can dig up some photos.
All of these birds were PA fall kills. Where rifles and handguns are legal. In the spring PA only allows shotguns.