Options for muzzleloading turkey guns?

[Shytheed Dumas]

I'm looking for some reasonably priced options for flintlock or percussion (preferred) shotguns for turkey hunting this spring, and with the CVA Trapper no longer in production and inline guns not an option, it's slim pickin's. Any suggestions on guns I might have missed?

Also, it seems to me that a single barrel sidelock with choke tubes would be ideal for turkey, but I'm interested in hearing any other thoughts if I'm off base.

 

[arcticap]

You have to be willing to hunt as hard for the right gun as you'll need to hunt for turkeys.
And when it comes to the largest selection of discontinued muzzle loading shotguns, go to Gunbroker.
If you can't find it there then you're really going to have to hunt for it.
Sometimes you can hunt high and low and find guns in some out of the way place like in an out of town gun shop.
The questions are how much do you want to pay and how much are you willing to hunt for the right gun?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=160482417

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=161278357

The next two shotguns have cylinder choke:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=161302234

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=160893679

About choke tubes, they can shoot patterns farther and more effectively, especially from the less expensive budget guns and compared to those having a cylinder choke. Extended choke tubes are much easier to remove by hand for easier loading of wads between shots, and they enable a smooth bore to be more versatile. Flush fitting choke tubes can be more difficult and tedious to remove between shots since the threading can get fouled quickly, and it isn't much fun to repeatedly unscrew & re-insert them using a wrench.

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

Thanks for the help, Arcticap.

Can anyone comment on suitability of a SxS for turkey? They're certainly easier to find than singles, and I love my 20 ga modern side by side; I just wouldn't have made it a first choice for turkey hunting.

 

[arcticap]

Nothing is worse than having a wounded bird getting away and double barrel shotguns do offer an immediate follow up shot.
But just like with any shotgun, the barrels may not shoot exactly to point of aim without first learning how they pattern and then applying some Kentucky windage if necessary. All the more benefit of having 2 barrels.
Especially when shooting heavy loads, it's important to make sure that an effective over shot card or wadding is in place to secure the shot load in the breech of the unfired barrel during recoil.
The double barrel guns may cost more but they do seem to hold their value pretty well. Plus they can also be used for wing shooting and clays.

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

I picked up a never-been-fired Pedersoli sxs S286 model with choke tubes for $748 delivered... good deal, I hope?!? I am looking forward to spending a day a the range patterning it.

One question on that gun: Is it possible to order 50 cal side by side rifle barrels for it, if so how much, and what would you make of that as a sub 100 yard deer gun? I know I saw a Pedersoli 12 ga/50 cal setup for sale, but not sure if that was a specific model or what.

 

[arcticap]

I have never heard that their shotgun barrels were interchangable with the Kodiak double rifle barrels but it may be possible that they could be.
Pedersoli can be emailed or a Pedersoli distributor can be queried.

Here's the name of an often helpful direct Pedersoli distributor:
http://www.flintlocksetc.com/

The Kodiak double rifles are quite heavy guns to carry and hunt with unless someone is strong. Also one should check their state's BP deer hunting regulations to make sure that it's legal to hunt deer with a double BP rifle.

Congratulations on your new shotgun and please let us how it shoots.