airedale

Oh around 25 years ago I had this bunch of big Toms hanging around out back of my place, the wife would go and throw a can of hard corn out for them, they must have always been watching for her because as soon as she got into the house they came down out of the woods to get that corn., she called them the magnificent 7. Al

Just watched a video on fortunecookie 45lc's channel a favorite of mine for reloading tips, he loaded up some 30-40 krag ammo using surplus H4831 powder he purchased back in the 70s but was actually produced in the 40s. When fired ignition went off well, the bullet speed was chronographed and right where it was supposed to be and it grouped well. I personally have had similar results firing old ammo loaded with powder from that era, stored properly it produced the same performance as the day I loaded it. I once read that nobody really knows how long ammo loaded with smokeless powder will keep if stored under proper conditions because all that is tested still goes bang. From what I have seen I would have no problem buying old ammo that was kept well and in good condition especially in hard to get cartridges. As the old saying goes keep your powder and ammo dry and stored properly. Al

Old School all the way, the old Revere Ware copper bottom coffee pot percolating on the woodstove which is also heating my house. Al

I have to agree, a good turkey hunter is still going to kill a bird most times no matter what gun he or she is using. Al

I totally agree and continue to preach the same to anyone who will listen. Al

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I am having a hard time finding these ATI shotguns in stock, if anyone happens to see some on a shelf for sale give me a shout as I would take a drive to get it. It is probably going to be an online sale. Al

The whole premise of this thread was PA's ban on rifles for hunting Turkeys, I was surprised that there was zero mention of any safety factors that had anything to do with their decision. It was all about reducing the number of Turkeys taken, not safety. Al ================================================================ “The Board of Commissioners wants to take the necessary steps to protect Pennsylvania’s turkey populations, which have been below-goal in many Wildlife Management Units,” said Commissioner Scott Foradora, who represents District 3 in northcentral Pennsylvania. “Faced with a decision between either shortening the overall season length which will impact all turkey hunters, or removing rifles which are used by a smaller group of hunters, the board believed that the better option is to remove rifles.” According to recent survey data provided by the DCNR, 14 percent of Pennsylvania fall turkey hunters primarily use rifles, but rifles are responsible for 33 percent of the fall turkey harvest. “Taking rifles out of the fall season will reduce the harvest of hens in that season, without further reducing season lengths, thus giving turkeys further protection without limiting hunters’ time afield,” Foradora said. Commissioners said future fall turkey seasons could be re-extended if removing rifle hunting reduces harvest numbers enough.

As far as I know there is no place period to legally hunt waterfowl with rifles so it is not even up for a debate as far as I am concerned. But I can tell you I also raised a flock of Geese and absurdly they also were taken out with the 22 mag and 17 HMR, shooting them was much more effective than the old chopping block method and less stressful. Beheading my livestock never set too well with me. Al

Your someone image will more than likely have the same habit no matter what they were hunting be it Squirrels Rabbits Deer or Turkeys and be doing it with whatever firearm they were using. Someone that fires at a movement is the worst as far as I am concerned. You do know that the blaze Orange law just went into effect and at least from what I see most Deer hunters try to conceal themselves and wear camo. Personally I am all for blaze Orange and never go into the woods period without a blaze Orange hat on. I will again cite the doom and gloom predictions about rifles being used in the southern zone for Deer saying dead hunters would be stacked up like cord wood if rifles were ever allowed. Bottom line none of it happened. Someone is going to have to show me undisputable proof that in states that allow rifles for Turkey hunting there are more incidents of hunters been shot or injured with a rifle than where shotguns only are used and I have seen nothing of the kind that is official, just hypotheticals of what possibly can happen not what did happen. They are two good calibers that work well for taking Turkeys. Here on the farm for several years I raised a flock of Merriam wild Turkeys. When it came time to harvest one for the pot I used both a 22 mag and a 17 HMR which beat in spades trying to hold a big Tom down and killing him using the old chopping block method. At distances of up to 100 yds those two cartridges were 100% effective with very little meat damage, hit them right behind the wing where it attaches to the body and it is lights out. Al

I have no facts that is why I reserve judgement, I am questioning the law because the exact same argument you are using was made here in NY for many years against rifles for deer hunting in the southern zone. Again I would think in the states that allow rifles for Turkey hunting if there was any sort of evidence that hunting accidents by rifle use was a much greater risk than shotguns they would be banning them and it would definitely be known. I do not see or hear of any such evidence. How about you providing us with your facts that hunters are being shot accidently with rifles during Turkey season, I am all ears. Al

Those shotguns are sweet Robby. Al

I try my best to base any opinion of a law on facts, if there are statistics that show a high incidence of hunters getting shot while Turkey hunting in states directly linked to the use of rifles compared to states that require shotgun only I would be all for a ban. What I will not do is base opinion on hypothetical theory. Al

I understand your concern, the same kind of logic and rational could be used for just about any kind of hunting done with a rifle, it was used here in NY for Deer hunting allowing only the use of slugs for many years. The laws were changed and rifles allowed in many slug only areas and statistics have shown no increase of hunting shooting incidents with rifles. In fact I read somewhere that this past hunting season was one of the safest ever regarding shooting incidents with many more Deer hunters in the woods than Turkey hunters. I also have to believe in states where rifles are allowed safety is closely scrutinized and if there were serious numbers of hunter shooting incidents with rifles it would be well known and rifles would be banned. Don't make much difference to me one way or the other, as with the shotgun vs rifles here in NY I never had a problem killing a Deer with either, any time I put the effort in I never had a problem killing a Turkey with a shotgun. In the end I think it is pretty much what the PA studies show that getting a Turkey with a rifle is easier than with a shotgun having much to do with the rifle ban, Al

If I lived in a state where it was allowed I would have some sort of combination gun, a 22 centerfire and 20 ga with a micro red dot for sighting and use according to the shot that was presented. The same gun would make a first rate varmint calling firearm also. Al

When it comes to eating game animals I have a strong aversion for consuming anything with teeth like a dog, Fox, Coyote, Cats, Possums etc. I am sure a good cook can make any of them taste halfway decent but I will pass. For me it is a psychological barrier that I have a hard time getting past. Al

As far as I am concerned there is no reason for anyone to get shot hunting, I don't care if it was done with a rifle, shotgun or squirtgun, basic safety protocols were not followed in almost every case of a shooting incident. Al

I am hoping that I get my hands on the new ATI over and under Turkey gun before season so I can give it a try, if not I will again use my LC Smith SXS 12. Al

Some States allow the use of rifles for Turkey hunting, many are out west with a bit more open habitat. For some reason I always thought the reason rifles were not allowed for Turkey hunting was a safety issue, was reading why PA closed it's fall season to rifles and their point backed by statistics was that it is easier to bag a Turkey with rifles. Al ================================================================ States Legal to Use a Rifle California Air Rifle Colorado Yes Florida Yes Georgia Air Rifle Maryland Yes Missouri Yes Montana Yes Oklahoma Yes Utah Yes Virginia Yes West Virginia Yes Wyoming Yes

I keep preaching that handloading is the best way I know of to maintain a sure ammo supply. Loading your own ammo is not hard, there are many online resources and youtube videos that will help one learn to learn how use buy and operate equipment. Even though I have been at it for a long time I use those resources all the time and I have always been happy to help members when they have questions about handloading the best I can. Same deal with shotshells, if one shoots 410, 28 or 16 ga the ammo selection is small and prices high, empty hulls can be reloaded for huge savings. For what the crazy selling prices some are charging for non main stream boxes of ammo one can set themselves up with some decent equipment. Al

Last year I had a retarded Tom that came in I could have shot several times, would have been like shooting a barnyard Turkey so I let him have a pass. He was the only Tom I saw, had a pile of Hens though, would like to hear and see some Toms this spring. Al

I have purchased several scopes from SWFA myself, no complaints. Al

The only Trolling I see here is you bud!!! Par for the course! Al

Yes it is a lively entertaining thread with a lot of good input. Al