Turkey hunting with a shiny Wingmaster - an exercise in futility?

[WhiteKnight]

I am considering turkey hunting next year, but am wondering if I need (get) to purchase a new firearm.

I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster with a 28" barrel.

Would this barrel be too long + shiny for hunting from a popup blind/ground blind?

Would the shiny reciever scare away birds even if I got a shorter, matte barrel for the gun?

I would prefer not to cover the entire thing in camo tape simply because of how nasty the crap is to get off of the barrel.

I am thinking about buying a $306 Remington 870 Turkey Express from Walmart that comes with a 21" barrel and a camo stock.

I could put the matte slug barrel (that I got used) onto the matte reciever for deer hunting and not have to mess up the pretty reciever/wood on the Wingmaster, and use the factory configuration (21" barrel with Remchoke) for turkey hunting. I could then reserve the shiny Wingmaster + nice wood + telephone pole barrel for dove/clays.

However, to my knowledge the Turkey Express does not come with sling swivels, which I would have to drill for anyway. Also, I know that newer models come with the R3 recoil pad, which I would be adding anyway. Does anyone know how to find out if the model I'm getting has the r3 or not?

Should I try hunting with my long barrel + shiny reciever, or purchase a new barrel, or purchase an entirely new gun?

 

[DigMe]

Personally I don't think it matters. The main thing that will spook them is movement. Turkeys can be fickle though...sometimes they might walk right up to someone in a white t-shirt and neon pink pants but then get spooked by the guy in the ghili suit <sp?>. I hunt with a stock 870 express with black barrel and brown wood stock. I bagged a nice big gobbler with that during the spring season.

Even better if it's matte. A glare on the barrel might be prone to give away movement easier.

brad cook

 

[Art Eatman]

The only importance of barrel length in shotguns is balance and swing. Shorter (26", 28") for upland birds; longer (28", 30" for waterfowl. The overlap has to do with personal feel and preference.

For turkey hunting, full or extra-full chokes are pretty much The Deal. That's why screw-in chokes are important for a multi-purpose gun.

Shiny? Just take pantyhose, scissors and tape and cover as needed.

FWIW, Art

 

[absolute0]

Your stock Wingmaster will work just fine, provided you've got proper (ie full or extra full) choke set up. A couple simple precautions may help tip the odds further in your favour though. If you sit still and stay out of direct sunlight, chances are it's not gonna matter.

If it helps your confidence, by all means try one of the inexpensive, non-marring gun sock gadgets. You can also home brew an effective stock/barrel camo'ing kit out of burlap or pantyhose as Art mentioned.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Actually, I already picked up a gently used super-full choke from the board. I'll have to try the pantyhose thing.

 

[TrapperReady]

If you want a new gun, then this sounds like a good justification. You can make do with what you've got... quite easily in fact... but where's the fun in that??

 

[Rupestris]

The main thing that will spook them is movement.

DigMe is correct. The property I hunt on is old unused farm land. the back of the property is littered with old tractors, a car or two, coffee cans, tires, and other shiney and colorful objects. Even an old washing machine. They don't move so the turkeys have no problem walking through it.
Folks have been taking turkeys for alot longer than camo guns have been available. Just be still and you'll do fine with the WM.

 

[Cindog]

I agree with everyone else about not moving and the shine not being an issue, but why take a chance? Besides, have you ever tried to hold perfectly still when a big old gobbler comes strutting right at you talking the whole time?

 

[Lonestar.45]

I wouldn't spend the money on a camo gun, unless you just really want to. I've shot several turkeys with my shiny 870. If you're worried about it, you can get a camo gunsock type deal to put on your Wingmaster and have more piece of mind.

 

[Mannlicher]

Its almost funny, when I look back on all the game I have taken with 'shiny' blue guns, and while wearing bluejeans and flannel shirts to boot.

 

[Fumbler]

Walmart sells vinyl camp tape. It is not sticky like duct tape or other adhesive tapes.
All you do is clean oil off the surface, peel the vinyl off the backing, and stick it on.
It is the same material as decals people put on their cars.
The great thing about it is it sticks well without leaving residue.
The bad thing is if you leave it on for a long time water could get trapped undreneath the edges or any part that isn't pressed solidly against the surface and rust could result.

Here's a pic of my GP-100 with some camo vinyl tape.


Of course, it's always nice to have a new gun so I won't tell you that you shouldn't buy another

You could always do what I did.
I waited til Walmart put their Mossberg 500 woodland camo on sale for $175 and bought that.
It came with ported 24" barrel and modified and extra full turkey chokes.
That's just a little more than the cost of a new barrel.
I would have waited for any one of the big companies, Rem 870, Win 1300, Mossy 835/500. It just so happened that the 500 was put on sale.
I saw a fully cammo'd 835 at Walmart for $250.
If I were you and was tight on money I would wait for a sale. If I didn't find one I'd just go with the tape or put on some shredded burlap like a ghillie suite.