The State of Turkey Guns in 2024

[okie john]

I need a shotgun for turkey hunting.

I know rifles pretty well after decades of hunting big game, but I’m like a hog looking at a wristwatch when it comes to shotguns. I’m not hunting waterfowl, so I probably don't need the versatility of a 12-gauge. I have astigmatism, so red-dot sights are a problem but I’m fine with a scope or rifle sights. I prefer a shortish (~12.5”) length of pull, and I’d like to be able to add different barrels for small game, predators, other upland game, etc.

After lurking on the internet and coonfingering my way through gun shows and shops, I’m leaning toward a 20-gauge, probably either a Remington 870 Youth, the Mossberg 500 Turkey, or one of the Mossberg Bantams. That said, I’m willing to consider semi-autos, single-shots, or anything else. I’d also be willing to get an older gun with a fixed-choke barrel and add a turkey barrel.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,


Okie John

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 870 12/20 covers it all. Super easily to get parts and pieces .

[CP]

I wouldn't over-think it.  Just about any shotgun will kill a turkey.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I wouldn't over-think it.  Just about any shotgun will kill a turkey.

   Just a grouse on steroids that thinks it's a bull elk.

[tgomez]

Love my Mossberg 500 Turkey. It is also a great home defense shotgun because of the 20" barrel. You can get a Mossberg 500 in .410, 20 gauge or 12 gauge.

[Duckslayer89]

I would get a Benelli super nova or nova. I bought my wife a Nova 20. It’s the smaller youth model. I really like it

[birddogdad]

as light a shotgun as you can find... if you sit in a blind nevermind.. but if you walk that should direct your decision... tss will cover performance for whatever gauge you choose... 410/28/20 would be all i looked at.

[salish]

as light a shotgun as you can find... if you sit in a blind nevermind.. but if you walk that should direct your decision... tss will cover performance for whatever gauge you choose... 410/28/20 would be all i looked at.

A couple of years ago I bought a Mossberg 500 Super Bantam Youth Turkey gun in 20ga. The thing weighs about 5.5 lbs and is scaled down a bit for kids. Since I'm a smaller framed guy that wasn't an issue for me, but I did have to add a pad to increase LOP. Added a good carrying sling and you hardly notice its on your shoulder. I prefer hunting with my old vintage shotguns but if I need to be hiking a lot of miles I'll take the Mossberg. I have used both lead and Apex TSS #9's with it and they both kill well, but the TSS kills are longer distances.
https://www.mossberg.com/500-super-bantam-turkey-54157.html

[Hirt]

I took my first turkey at 45yards with a Mossberg 500 20GA youth model. It's light, cheap, and reliable. Invest in a decent choke and pair it with a good patterning round and you are set. I did end up adding a pad to increase the LOP, but I still grouse hunt with it every fall almost 20 later.

[salish]

I took my first turkey at 45yards with a Mossberg 500 20GA youth model. It's light, cheap, and reliable. Invest in a decent choke and pair it with a good patterning round and you are set. I did end up adding a pad to increase the LOP, but I still grouse hunt with it every fall almost 20 later.

I patterned it with the extra full choke that came with my youth turkey gun, but I didn't think the pattern was that great. I bought a Jeb's .555 turkey choke and it's much better. Everything you said is spot on. My initial plan was to out a red dot on it but I've stuck with the factory irons. Good guns.

[kirkl]

Been killing turkeys with a remington 870 for alot of years. cant go wrong.

[okie john]

What about sights?


Okie John

[jackelope]

The choke and the ammo are probably more important than the gun itself.
I’ve been wanting to try out a .410 and the TSS stuff but it’s like $17 a round so I’m out.
(I’m exaggerating)

[hughjorgan]

What about sights?


Okie John

Get yourself a red dot to put on the rail. You can get mounting hard ware from here https://www.meadowcreekmounts.com/

[trophyhunt]

Get a stoger, half the price of a Bennelli but built by the same, awesome smooth action.