Where to Shoot a Turkey with a .22 Rifle

Hunting wild turkey with a .22 rimfire rifle can be an exciting challenge, but it requires careful shot placement and ethical hunting practices. While some states prohibit hunting turkey with rifles, others allow it during certain seasons or with restrictions. This article provides an in-depth look at the best practices for dispatching a turkey quickly and humanely with a .22.

Is it Legal?

Before considering using your .22, the first step is to check your state’s hunting regulations. Most states restrict turkey hunting to shotguns and archery equipment, but a few allow rimfire rifles of .22 caliber or smaller during fall turkey season. However, regulations can vary for different management units, so examine the rules carefully for the area you’ll be hunting.

If rifles are prohibited abide by the law and use alternate methods. Unethical or illegal hunting jeopardizes hunter access and gives the sport a bad name.

Shot Placement

If hunting turkeys with a .22 is legal in your area, shot placement is critical. The best target is the head and upper neck region to strike the vital nervous system and brain.

Aim for the area right above the base of the neck. This will likely hit the turkey’s head and deliver a quick, humane kill. Avoid shooting at the lower neck or body, as you risk wounding the bird or destroying too much meat.

The precise aim point depends on the turkey’s position

• Head-on Aim right between the eyes

• Side view: Aim at the ear opening to hit the brain.

• Away: Aim at the back of the head where it joins the neck.

• Strutting: Wait for it to come out of full strut to get a clear head shot.

Take the time to steady your aim on this small target before squeezing the trigger. Rushed shots often miss or wound.

Effective Range

Limit shots to 50 yards or less with .22 rimfire rounds. The low velocity hollowpoints lose energy quickly past that distance. The key is getting close enough for an ethical kill.

Use a scoped bolt action rifle to maximize precision. The single shot and repeating mechanisms allow careful aiming versus semi-autos. Sight in the scope to hit dead-on at 25, 50, and 75 yards so you know the bullet drop at various ranges.

Move slowly and use a blind to conceal your movements when approaching within range. Calling with a mouth diaphragm can pull the turkey into range. Avoid risky 60+ yard shots where wounding is more likely.

Ammo Selection

Use only high quality hollowpoint or round nose .22 long rifle ammo from reliable manufacturers like CCI, Remington, Federal, and Winchester. The expanding hollowpoint mushrooms nicely upon impact.

Standard velocity 40 grain rounds are ideal because they stay stable at long distances compared to hyper-velocity loads. Whisper quiet subsonic rounds are also a smart choice to not alarm birds.

Avoid using CB caps or shorts, as they lack the power for a clean kill past 25 yards. .22 WMR cartridges work but come with more recoil. Stick to standard .22 LR rounds for best results.

Go for Headshots

Some hunters aim for a turkey’s vitals, but head and neck shots are more effective with a .22. The lighter rimfire bullet may not penetrate to the vital organs from oblique angles. A missed vitals shot often leads to a wounded bird escaping.

A .22 simply lacks the power of larger centerfire turkey loads. For the most ethical kills, stay patient and maneuver as needed to get clear headshots within 50 yards or less.

Hunting Ethics

When hunting turkeys with a .22, doubledown on your ethical practices:

• Only take clear, ethical shots you are confident in.

• Use quality expanding ammunition to maximize effectiveness.

• Learn your effective range through patterning and practice.

• Avoid risky long distance shots where wounding occurs.

• Let birds come well within your effective range.

• Improve stealth skills to pull in wary gobblers.

• Clearly identify your target before firing.

Following these best practices will lead to clean harvests and keep the sport sustainable.

Final Thoughts

For experienced shooters up for the challenge, using a scoped .22 rimfire rifle can be an exciting new way to hunt turkeys come fall. Just be sure it’s legal in your area, use controlled shot placement, pick your shots carefully, and hunt ethically. Employing a .22 on these big birds pushes your woodsmanship skills to the next level.