Turning my HD shotgun into a Turkey Gun?!?!

[itgoesboom]

Looks like turkey might be on the menu here before too long.

Due to other purchases happening right now, I can't afford to purchase a whole new shotgun just for turkeys.

Right now I have a Mossberg 500, and two barrels. 18.5" and a 28" modified choke.

Do I need to get a new barrel for this endeavor (can't use choke tubes on either barrel)?

What else do I need to do with this shotgun in order to use it (successfully) for turkeys?

Thanks in advance.

I.G.B.

 

[Dave McCracken]

A tight choke and turkey ammo. Depending on your skill levels in hunting them, the Modifed barrel with the right ammo may be enough.

Here in MD,4,5 amd 6 shot are all that's legal. If t'were me with just a Mod choke, I'd pattern some premium 4s, maybe even Hevishot, and figure out my max range.

HTH....

 

[Preacherman]

+1 Dave.

You'll find your 28" barrel with Mod choke will do the job for you, but you won't have the same effective range as you'll have with an Extra-Full or Turkey choke. The latter might give you an effective pattern out to 35 or 40 yards, whereas the Mod will give you the same pattern, but at 25 to 30 yards, depending on your gun and the load.

Buy a few different loads and pattern them in your gun, using a turkey-head silhouette target. Determine the best load to give you a killing pattern on a turkey head at the best possible range. Then, limit your shots in the field to that range. It'll get the job done.

BTW, I know a local good ol' boy who hunts turkey with a cylinder-bore 18½" barrel on his Mossberg. He simply hunts in very bushy territory, where his shots won't be longer than 10 to 15 yards. He calls 'em in and shoots 'em just fine... even though any righteous turkey hunter would have fits at the thought!

 

[itgoesboom]

Thanks Dave & Peter.

I will pattern it in a few weeks. Probably won't go turkey hunting this year, so I will see for next year.

I.G.B.