For dang nigh onto....

[Rick Mulhern]

70 years I've read about the ODG killing turkey by shooting them in the head with their muzzleloading rifles and I've often wondered if I could do the same! I can't say that I will but I'm a little closer to the possibility of doing it than when I first read about it at six years of age! That was my first encounter of reading about D. Boone and his exploits! I printed off some real size turkey targets couple days back and got out with the Hawken .54 this afternoon and found how to hold at 50 yards on ole brother Tom's head! First two shots were high as that was with 100 grains KIK 2F so I dropped the charge to 75 grs. and held a very fine bead and just a tat lower for the next three shots. Ole Tom went totally blind for two shots and the previous shot just prior to those two in his eye would have put him on the table as well! I like this rifle!!

Untitled by Rick Mulhern, on Flickr

[Don McDowell]

Yup, just don't pull a shot low and into the body....

[Rick Mulhern]

Shoots pretty good from 200 yards also:

Shot at upper left was prior to learning proper 'hold'. Double at 3 o/clock. Could cover those five with my hand.

Hawken .54 group from 200 yards by Rick Mulhern, on Flickr

[Ironramrod]

Mulhern, That's a good shooting rifle for sure and certain. Not to worry about shooting a turkey in the body; they hit the ground really fast, and the target is a lot easier to hit on a really windy day. Shoulder shots through the wings just leave a 1/2" hole, and that's about it w/ shots 20-60 yards. However, try to stay out of the guts. Conicals or round balls both work very well. I shoot 90 gr. 2Fg w/ 230 gr. patched round balls in my .54 ML w/ excellent results.

Regards