Author Topic: Good Shotgun for Turkeys ? (Read 7908 times)

krzy4elk · « **on:** November 06, 2013, 01:48:14 PM »

Howdy all, Looking for some advice on what would be a good gun & shells for doin some Turkey hunting in the near future? Any advice most welcome, have'nt hunted them ever!

THANKS!!!

bowhunterforever · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2013, 05:53:48 PM »

Remington 870 with turkey choke and 3inch or 3 1/2, 4 or 5 shot. That's what I use anyways and have killed turkeys to 55 yards with mine

packmule · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2013, 07:58:00 PM »

Don't start turkey hunting, you'll never be the same. Seriously, I'm warning you

There are a lot of great turkey shotguns out there. If you're just starting out you might want to think about a pump shotgun (Remington 870, Browning BPS, Mossberg 835 or 500, Benelli Nova to name a few) and try a few different chokes. I've had really good luck with TruGlo Strut Stopper Xtreme (SSX) chokes and they're relatively cheap (around $30).

Also, 3 inch shells in #5 or #6 lead are a great place to start. Get some large sheets of paper and try some patterning at 35 yards or so and see what loads pattern best. There is a ton of information available for turkey guns at www.oldgobbler.com.

Good luck!

krzy4elk · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2013, 02:53:37 AM »

Thanks for the info.,bowhunterforever & packmule , I'm left handed so I'm thinking the Browning BPS might work out better for me ,due the fact that ejects the shells from the bottom { If my memory serves me right } Plan on checking out some shotguns this weekend down in Centralia ,gun show. Funds are a bit tight so will have to go used. THANKS again, appreciate it!

turkeydancer · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2013, 02:24:42 PM »

I use 4, 5, or 6 shot dependent on what patterns best in the shotgun. Also try different manufactures which can make a difference. Your choke should be an extra full turkey choke. Many good shotguns out there ....

I do turkey hunting seminars each spring that teaches all the basics and some more advanced things I think will help you. The first one is scheduled for Feb 22 @ 1 pm - 3pm at Cabelas in Tulalip. Been asked to do another during their Great Outdoor days, but no day or time is scheduled yet. Have also done two each spring at Cabelas in Olympia for several years (but haven't heard from them yet) and other sportmens club and other venues over the years. Will post as dates/times are established.

CP · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2013, 02:59:58 PM »

Any shotgun 20g or better with a full choke. #6 to #4 lead shot. They aren’t as hard to kill as many like to make them out to be.

krzy4elk · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2013, 01:14:11 AM »

Howdy turkeydancer & CP, thanks for the reply's. I did find a Browning BPS at the gun show , Paid $ 435. for it. Stopped at Cabela's on the way back to compare prices. They did'nt have one but found out later they list for around $550. new. So I'm happy with my new, used shooter. Has a full choke in it also, can't wait to put some shells through it. I'll be lookin forward to your Turkey seminar, turkeydancer. If any other hunters would like some company on a Turkey jaunt, let me know. Thanks again for the tips!

jblackburn · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2013, 04:37:15 PM »

A good pump like a Rem 870 or Mossberg 500 or 835 will be a turkey killing machine. As far as shells and chokes, well there are tons of options. I prefer #6s because of the higher pellet count. My 835 with a factory Xtra Full loves 3 or 3.5 Winchester Supreme XX loads, 3 inch shells will kill them dead, but there are more pellets with the 3.5 inch shells. I have killed birds over 50 yards (don't really recommend that, but I did).

Then you have the heavier than lead option. I have an 870 that I set up for Hevi shot and it is absolutely insane! I shoot 3 inch Hevi-13 #6s through and Indian Creek Choke tube and I get a wicked pattern. The downside is the expense for the shells, but they way I look at it is that I don't shoot very many times in a season, so I am ok with it. My best pattern was 204 hits in a 10 inch circle at 40 yards!

krzy4elk · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2013, 05:11:29 PM »

Howdy jblackburn; Thanks for the info. Now it's tryin to locate some areas to try & spot a bird to blast. will look to central WA. for starters.

lokidog · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2013, 06:37:10 PM »

Shorter barrels are nice in the brush.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2013, 06:45:43 PM »

WINCHESTER 1300 ...For me .... deadly ...takes out everything in its path when loaded with 2oz of #5 shot in a 3in mag !

Turkeys · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2013, 03:50:33 PM »

Quote from: CP on November 08, 2013, 02:59:58 PM

Any shotgun 20g or better with a full choke. #6 to #4 lead shot. They aren’t as hard to kill as many like to make them out to be.

C-Money · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2013, 03:58:09 PM »

I am using an 11-87 with a Remington turkey choke. 2oz of 4,5, or 6 's...deadly!

PA BEN · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2013, 06:28:43 PM »

Quote from: Turkeys on December 14, 2013, 03:50:33 PM

Quote from: CP on November 08, 2013, 02:59:58 PM
Any shotgun 20g or better with a full choke. #6 to #4 lead shot. They aren’t as hard to kill as many like to make them out to be.

jblackburn · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2013, 08:30:53 PM »

Quote from: CP on November 08, 2013, 02:59:58 PM

Any shotgun 20g or better with a full choke. #6 to #4 lead shot. They aren’t as hard to kill as many like to make them out to be.

I 100% agree at 25 yards or less. But until you have had a bird or two run/fly off at 35 yards, you might not agree. There is a certain element of chance when pulling the trigger on a Longbeard, I prefer to make sure I stack the deck.

turkeydancer · « **Reply #15 on:** December 16, 2013, 02:52:42 PM »

I hear ya ... most of my birds have been taken at 20 yards or under (as I like the show) usually with my Mossberg 835 shooting 2-1/4 oz # 6 in a 3-1/2. Longest shot was 35 yards although effective to at least 45 yards. Have shot them as close as 10 feet.

Main thing no matter what shotgun and choke you have is to pattern your setup with #4, 5, or 6's at different ranges ... and try different manufacturers also ... to find your effective harvesting range. NWTF says minimum of 6 hits in the brain pan ... I prefer a minimum of 10 hits as I don't believe in the magic BB or depend on the BB gods.

follow maggie · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2014, 06:45:15 PM »

My turkey gun is my old 870 express 12 ga, shooting 2-3/4" #4s with a super full turkey choke. Can't remember th real name for the choke, hats just what I call it. Kills 'em dead very time.

scottcrb · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2014, 07:02:36 PM »

this is my benelli supernova with a Carlson turkey choke and the hevi shot magnum blend (#4,#5,#6 combined )@ 30 yards. all you need is a turkey choke and some good shells.

lokidog · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2014, 07:41:19 PM »

Quote from: scottcrb on January 28, 2014, 07:02:36 PM

this is my benelli supernova with a Carlson turkey choke and the hevi shot magnum blend (#4,#5,#6 combined )@ 30 yards. all you need is a turkey choke and some good shells.

Nice pattern, but many turkeys dropped to my old 870 fixed choke full 2 3/4" shells through the years. I only ever missed one and that was a squib round from a friend's reloads.

I think the answer to the OP is whatever shotgun is in your hands when a turkey comes into range, if you know what your killing range is.

kevinlisa06 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2014, 07:58:13 PM »

I shoot a Mossberg 835 12ga and haven't had any problems with being a lefty shooter. My wife shoots a Mossberg 500 in 12ga aswell. We both shoot Remington 4x6 3" shells. Just pattern whatever you get to the load and gun and choke you choose. What I tell people you are essentially shooting your shotgun as if it were a rifle.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

irishevox · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2014, 10:06:06 AM »

REMINGTON 870 with superfull turkey choke!

rittem1 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2014, 11:42:02 AM »

Winchester 1300 with Primos Tight Wad choke and Winchester XX High Velocity #5 3 inch 2 ounce. Late in the fall Winchester came out with a new shell called Long Beard XR. Essentially, the shot is packed in a resin which disintegrates when you pull the trigger. This is supposed to keep more of the shot intact and headed down range. Interested to try it out and curious if anyone on here has gotten their hands on some. Tests have shown a fair amount of shot making it out to 60 yards.

HuntandFish · « **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2014, 04:41:33 PM »

Quote from: jblackburn on December 14, 2013, 08:30:53 PM

Quote from: CP on November 08, 2013, 02:59:58 PM
Any shotgun 20g or better with a full choke. #6 to #4 lead shot. They aren’t as hard to kill as many like to make them out to be.

I 100% agree at 25 yards or less. But until you have had a bird or two run/fly off at 35 yards, you might not agree. There is a certain element of chance when pulling the trigger on a Longbeard, I prefer to make sure I stack the deck.

Agreed, they drop like a sack of potatoes under 25-35yrds with a good head shot. But take a long and or running flying shot and your in trouble. Unfortunately I have shot a few turkeys that I never did find..... The more gun the better, these birds can seem like they are wearing a flack jacket if you don't get a well placed head shot!!

I use an 870 mag. the 3.5" really helps you reach out in touch them in a spot and stalk situation.

Regards,
H&F

lokidog · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2014, 06:16:36 PM »

Quote from: HuntandFish on January 29, 2014, 04:41:33 PM

... a spot and stalk situation.

Regards,
H&F

Oh no you didn't....

PA BEN · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2014, 05:15:16 AM »

Lots of fun using my smokepole

turkeydancer · « **Reply #25 on:** January 30, 2014, 07:49:14 AM »

Very cool PaBen .... beats my TK2000 smoke pole .....

News:

Advertisement

Author Topic: Good Shotgun for Turkeys ? (Read 7908 times)

Advertisement

Quick Links

Recent Topics