Anyone remember the article in DGJ a few years back where a guy got a Grand Slam on turkeys by taking one with a Parker in each of the 6 standard gauges (10 to .410 bore) in one season? Smaller gauges can definitely be used, but it's not for the casual turkey hunter who primarily wants to kill a bird. I have hunted ol' Tom all my life, but only recently have switched from 3" magnum modern guns to damascus Parkers with 1-1/4 oz. low pressure loads. I've had good success but I limit my range with discipline, and let them walk if I can't call them in close. I figure I haven't done my part and don't deserve them (happens more than I'd like, too). I've killed enough turkeys in my time that now I'm more interested in HOW I kill one (i.e. the gun used) than adding more beards on the wall. I think the same philosophy would be appropriate for anyone contemplating using a small gauge gun (I have a 20 ga. Parker that I'll take along someday). Turkeys are much tougher and harder to put down than most people who've never shot one realize. NOTHING will make you feel worse than working hard for a bird and losing it with a bad (or ill-advised) shot - even worse than a nice buck in my opinion. They are too majestic to waste.
