Benelli Nova Setup

[Russ McDonald]

Pattern, pattern pattern.  The second most important thing I tell people in my clinics when hunting turkeys.  The other is being still when you for turkeys coming in.  Different loads are going to pattern different in your gun for sure.  3" would do great with your factory full choke.  Used Winchester XR Longbeard in my Winchester 1300 but now I have a Stoeger p350 with a turkey choke and use Hevi-shot Magnum Blend 3".  Knock them down at 40 plus yards. 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[HikerHunter]

I've had awesome results from a factory full choke and basic factory ammo, so don't feel like you have to go high-end on everything. Every gun is different and will like different chokes/ammo. I agree with the advice to pattern, pattern, pattern. This will help you know your distance capabilities and limits as well.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Definitely try patterning with various loads and ranges.  My Winchester 120 with the stock full choke and Fiocchi turkey thunder 3" #6 patterns consistently on the bead with 6+ pellets on a turkey head neck target out to 55 yards (I've yet to shoot a turkey past 40).   

[scooby]

I just got a Benelli Nova setup this year for turkey as well! It's been my first firearm purchase, I'm super happy with it, even if I don't have much to compare it to. I'm looking forward to getting out on the hunt for some birds. What do you think so far?

[scooby]

I found this on Benelli's site a few days ago and figured I would pass it along.


"Our point-of-impact specifications are:

Up to 2" left or right of point of aim
Up to 5" above point of aim
Up to 2" below point of aim
If you choose to pattern your shotgun from a stationary rest, we recommend that you follow the same specifications used by our factory. Benelli shotguns are tested with a patterning board 20 yards from the muzzle using the method illustrated below. Overlay the front bead (red circle in the illustration) and the mid-bead (small black dot on the illustration). The top of the front bead should be held at the bottom of the target center.

Benelli shotguns are designed to place a higher percentage of the shot pattern slightly above the point-of-aim. This patterning design has proven deadly on waterfowl, upland birds and clays for decades and gives hunters the advantage of a more open sight picture. Less barrel covering up your target means better visibility. By design, this equates to the center of the overall shot pattern being a few inches above the point-of-aim.
 
There are ways to adjust the point-of-impact. Options may include adjusting the shims or changing to a larger front bead. We recommend that you contact our customer service department if you have additional questions."

[konradcountry]

so I'm wondering why there are so many options for scoping in a shotgun to aim at a slow moving target at the same distance.  Am i doing a disservice to myself or the birds by not putting a scope on my gun? 

The scope can actually help with shorter range shots. This is because the spread is tight at close range with modern turkey chokes which makes it easier to miss.

I would go with a red dot over a scope for faster acquisition. But that's just my personal preference.

Either that or use front and rear fiber optic sights. They don't cost much and are easy to install. I wouldn't do a plain bead. The fiber really helps in low light conditions.

Make sure to practice taking consecutive shots. The 3.5s can really kick and take some practice getting back on target. Practice with cheaper 3.5 duck loads.