Shotgun For First Time Hunting (Turkey)

[samefly]

Getting things together to go hunting for the first time and looking for a good 12 gauge semi auto shotgun. I'm on a budget so $1200+ shotguns are out for me. If not a semi auto, what would you recommend? Here's what I'm considering so far:

Semi Auto:
Stoeger Model 2000
CZ 712

Pump:
Benelli Super Nova

Also do you prefer #4, #5, or #6 bird shot for turkey and what choke?

 

[TexAg]

Well you're getting kind of fancy for me, I prefer an old fashioned pump gun and have taken quite a few with my grandfather's 1912 Winchester (made in '13 I believe). I prefer # 4 or # 5. Federal Flight Control Wad works really well. Anywhere from modified to full choke. Winchester or Remington pump for less than $300 is all you need.

 

[samefly]

any recommendations on which pump?

 

[TexAg]

Remington 870, you'll find a lot of support for them on this forum. And I was raised on the Winchester platform, so that what I use (the older 1912, the middle aged 1200 and the more recent 1300). There are new Winchesters available they're calling the Speed Pump which I believe is just a slightly revised 1300.

 

[StrutStopper]

I've got a Remington 870 and a Mossberg 835. My Remmy is older and the only VR barrel I have for it is 28" and it can only handle 3" shells. I've been very happy with the Mossy for turkey. I think if you bought a Remmy with a shorter barrel w/3.5" capability or a Mossy 835 you'll have a fine functional turkey gun. Figuring out which choke tube/load combo works best for your gun is a fun process, make sure you have a good recoil pad

 

[jmr40]

What type of budget? I like a semi best and use a Benelli M-1. I bought mine used for not much more than a Nova pump would sell for new. If you take your time you could find a good deal on a used auto. I have had good luck with the Stoeger 2000 in the past as well. Never owned one, but I hear good things about the Mossberg 930.

On a pump I like the 870 best, but the Benelli Nova is a good choice.

I use an aftermarket extra full tube, but the factory full choke tubes are probably plenty good.

You don't need or want 3.5" shells. The Nova chambers them as do some other guns you may end up with, but trust me you don't need them for turkey.

Shot size is a compromise any way you go. #6 gives you a lot of smaller pellets in a dense pattern. #4's will hit harder at longer range, but give you less pellets in the pattern. I use 3" #5 shells as a compromise between #4 and #6. The #6 would be my 2nd choice, although any could be effective. You just need to pattern your gun and see what shoots the best patterns in YOUR gun.

 

[TexAg]

Absolutely agree that 3.5" shells are not needed. I have 3" shells, but have killed most with 2 & 3/4.

 

[samefly]

thanks for the recommendations. do you all use any type of optics (I'm thinking the leupold 1-4x) or are you mainly using irons?

Also what's the difference between the Remington 887 & 870 Express?

 

[TexAg]

Just a bead!

 

[CSA 357]

see what your gun likes try #4, 5, and #6 you will see what it shoots best dont take alot to kill a turkey but you need to hit the skull and neck bone, i aim about half way up his neck, i have seen them fly off with there head shot off a few times! or i thought it was anyway, the shooting is only part of turkey hunting, its my favorite time of the year! good luck!

 

[XD 45acp]

If you are on a tight budget (which most of us are nowdays) an 870 Express is a great bang for the buck.

 

[jmr40]

The 887 is a newer gun. It has a plastic coating over everything, including the barrel to help make it more weather resistant. You end up with a barrel about the same diameter as a 2" water pipe. I cannot see any advantage over the 870. I wouldn't have one as a gift.

I'm not crazy about the Mossberg's features, but for the money they generally work well enough. The 870 is the gold standard that all modern pumps are judged against. It is a solid, proven design. There have been some quality issues with some guns, but frankly I've never seen anything that wasn't easliy corrected by the owner.

The Browning is another good gun that is often overlooked. They are heavier than I care for, but a solid gun.

The Nova is the new kid on the block with a lot of modern features. I actually think it may prove to be the best of the pumps in the long run. They come with sling studs and 3 choke tubes that the Remington Express does not. You get a lot for the money with the Nova. I really want to like the Nova, think a lot of them from a mechanical perspective, but they don't point and balance right for me. Not a problem turkey hunting, but I can't hit well with them on clays or flying feathered targets.

The 887 is Remingtons answer to the Nova's plastic receiver. I don't think they did a good job of copying it.

 

[b money]

The 887 is a totally new design, not related to the 870. It has a rubber(ized) coating on most of it and the barrel is chrome-moly(I believe) so the whole gun is (more so) water water resistant than others.

 

[b money]

Seems jmr beat me to it haha. And as far as a gun an 870 all the way.

 

[StrutStopper]

I agree that a 3.5" load isn't necessary for turkey. I use them in my Mossy only because I get the best pattern out of them. Whatever gun you end up with, as soon as you hear that first gobble in response to your calls, you'll be hooked for life!