What's your favorite turkey gun?

[campergeek]

On a question like this, It'd be easy for everybody just to name what they shoot, but I'd like to know WHY you chose your turkey gun over other options. I plan to be buying soon (honestly no hurry since spring season just ended), and am currently partial to the Mossberg 835 Turkey camo w/ vented barrel & fiber-optic sights, but I'm curious what better alternatives others might suggest.

Thanks,
CG

 

[Dave McCracken]

I'm not a hardcore turkey hunter,my opportunities are limited and spring's also when the flyfishing gets really good around these parts.

But,good turkey guns aren't hard to find. That Mossy's a fine gun, but the ports will tear up your hearing in short order. Wear protection ALL THE TIME, please.

Choices among the harder core turkey fanatics I know include Big Four pumps, common semi autos like A-5s, 1100s, etc, and one well worn Mossberg bolt action with a numbers of good gobblers behind it, including a 24 lb county record. Common features of good turkey guns include low gloss finishes,tight choke,portability and BIG chambers.

As for what I use, it's a short barreled parts 870 yclept Frankenstein with barrel work and Remington 4X6 Duplex turkeybusters. Choke's about .690".

 

[Rupestris]

I gotta vote 870 Express Magnum

This is my first year turkey hunting and because I live in southern Michigan (Shot Gun Only zone) my turkey gun will have to double as my deer gun. I went with the Remington 870 Express Magnum w/26" vent rib bbl. and a Remington Extra Full turkey choke,The gun sports synthetic furniture too. Its a bit long for a turkey gun according to most but the price was right and this gun will be the do-all SG so 26" it is. A shorter bbl is in the works, probably 20".
I considered the Mossberg 500 but the fit and finish wasn't what I expected.
As far as ammo goes, I use the Winchester 2oz, 3" magnum turkey load in #5. My 14 year-old son took his first this year using this load and left ol' dad thusfar turkeyless. I'll be out tomorrow and Saturday trying to redeem myself.

Dave, theat Mossy bolt action wouldn't be a 395 would it?

Rupe

 

[Dave McCracken]

I think so, Rupe. It's old, maybe 30 years.

 

[HSMITH]

The SuperX2 3.5" does fine for me, before that it was an 870........

 

[5ptdeerhunter]

Last year I used a NEF 10 gauge and it worked great. This year I used a 870 magnum express and it also worked great. I used the 10 gauge the the extra shot with the 2oz+ shot. I use full choke and it shoots great. I used the 870 because my dad used the 10 gauge. My 870 has a Lohmens extra full turkey choke and shoots a good pattern at 40 of my paces. around 2 feet.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Mannlicher]

For me, the turkey gun is my Browning A-5. The barrel is a 26" Hastings WadLock II, I use a Hastings X full choke, and Federal Premium Magnum Turkey loads, the 2oz #4's.

Why do I use this shotgun? Well for one thing, I own it, so I don't have to buy another. Two, it works just fine, having taken Spring and fall gobblers at ranges out to about 40 yards.

This Browning, and my older Sweet 16, have brought home turkeys for over 40 years. I know it is not state of the art, does not have camo coatings, non glare finishes, or any of the other current bells and whistles. It does the job every time though.

 

[ACP230]

My father bought a 12 gauge Winchester Model 12 back in 1935. He used it for ducks in Minnesota and Washington State, and took it overseas and shot fruit bats with it at on an island we lived on for a while. I was a crum cruncher then and scuttled around the yard collecting the shells. I liked the smell of the gunpowder! (Still do.)

A few years ago I took a double armful of shotguns to the range to pattern before my older son and I went turkey hunting. With 6s Dad's Model 12 put turkey-killing patterns on head and neck targets all the way out to 50 yards. I wouldn't have shot at one that far, but it was interesting to know.

Since then I always ask Dad if I can borrow his Model 12 for turkey season. I have gotten permission already and am about to use the shotgun in the late season here next week.

 

[Pat S]

Mossberg 835 "Ulti-Mag" 24" ported barrel with double beads, stock turkey choke, matte black w/ synthetic stock cost new $249.95

Remington 12 ga. 3.5" Hevi Shot #5
Effective range on a Federal Ammunition turkey head patterning target= 60 yds.

This gun will reach out a full 20 yds. further than my 870 would.

Personally, I'm a Remington fan but this gun's range is amazing! I haven't had to shot it that far yet, but just in case.

My advice: If you buy one get the black one--it's cheaper by about $100. Paint it yourself if you like for a few bucks. My gun shoots low but I adjust for it with my hold so it's no big deal.

I just read above where Dave McCracken commented about the ported barrel being noisy. I hunt with a set of Pro Ears "Stalker" muffs to enhance my hearing in the woods so I can't comment on the muzzle blast as I've never shot the gun without hearing protection, but I'd take his word for it about the noise.

Hope this helps.

Stay Safe, Pat S

 

[longbeard]

I just posted the same question on another forum that I frequent. It’s interesting to see what everyone uses for their turkey gun.

I had a Mossberg 835 turkey gun for a short while. It threw a really nice pattern right out of the box. I had a problem with it where the action would come partway open after each shot, and sometimes the empty shell would get stuck because of this. Don’t know what that was all about, could have just been that particular gun. I have a Moss. 500 that I shot with the same loads and had no problems at all. I will ditto what Dave McCracken said. The porting on the Mossbergs makes them LOUD.

I sold the 835 and found a great deal on a used Browning Gold turkey stalker, 24" barrel, x-full Browning turkey choke, synthetic stock and matte black finish. It shoots a nice pattern, but not quite as nice as the 835. Some day I gotta try it with Remington Heavy Shot and see how it’ll do.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Turkey gun

Howdy
My turkey gun would have to be...
3inch 870 Express
20inch, smooth bore, imp cyl choke, deer rifle sights
Remington or Winchester "turkey loads" (which ever is on sale at Wal-Mart) Have used both kinds of ammo, both are OK in my gun, situation.
Only shot gun I own. Have not had a good reason to spend any money on anything else.
Wyo

 

[Leadbutt]

Mine is an old Ithaca Auto-10 3 1/2" with a 26 bbl that has been pro-ported and had chole tubes installed

 

[skippie]

I have until this year used an 870 3" but have always wanted a 3.5". I ran into a great deal on a used 870 super mag for 179.99, it is a bit rough as far as the cosmetic nature, but is still in really good shape in the inside. Anyway, I was a bit worried about the stories I had been hearing about the 3.5" in a pump so I put a pistol grip stock from Speedfeed and on that a Limbsaver recoil pad, along with the Ventilator choke tube recoil is not bad at all. Now just to send it in and get a Second Skin camo done and Presto...

 

[Dave McCracken]

Skippie,please let us know how that Limbsaver pad works out. They're new and might be another good option. Thanks...