Need Help Picking New Shotgun
 

Hey guys I have used a Remington 870 since I started hunting turkeys in 1990, It's a great gun with no problems and I have extremely tight patterns at 40 yards with my Nitro ammo, I will keep this great gun.

Now I want something more modern with camo and maybe the new grip butt.and thumb hole although not necessary
I would like to hear about your experiences with your best or favorite shotgun to help me narrow the field.
Please let me know theshotgun,choke,ammo usedand what your pattern is at 40 yards.
I know this will help a lot of guys save some money and narrow their search too.
Anyone wanting more info on my 870 set up let me know, glad to share it!
Thanks guys!!!! Any info will help!!!

RE: Need Help Picking New Shotgun
 

i have hunted with many guns for turkey and most other game.firearms have been my hobby since i was old enough to know what they were.but this is just my opinion .turkey at 40 yds can be tough with anything less then 3 1/2 shells.i have taken toms at 50 yds (a real 50 yds)with an sp10 Remington at $900 and have taken them with (my favorite turkey gun)my mossberg 835 at $300.most 3 1/2 chambered in 12 gauge or 10 gauge now days will be compatible with each other.there are those that will say that a $1300 browning or barretta will out shoot a cheaper gun.in my many years of firearms experience ,i have not seen that.some will cycle smoother , shoot faster and definitely look better.but the first round down field(the most important one) ,they are all pretty compatible. also i prefer a pump or a bolt over an auto,unless were talking duck and goose where several shots may be needed.i just have had bad expierences with autos in the mud, dirt,ice and such.ill get some heat from that statement.as far as shot and loads ,that will be a little different in any gun you pick.ps the 835 does come in a thumbhole stock and they are very comfortable .

RE: Need Help Picking New Shotgun
 

You have the option of "converting" your current 870 by changing stock to thumbhole or buy another gun. I would definitely consider an semiauto as I've NEVER had problems with any of my autos as long as I keep them fairly clean. A good semiauto will dampen felt recoil slightly too. The shotguns I used to use for turkey until I switched over to bowhunting them were browning BPS 10 gauge pumps. I've compared 10 gauge and 12 gauge,both in 3 1/2" configuration,and with all other factors equal,a 10 gauge will pattern better than a 12 gauge. I customized my bps shotguns by tapering forcing cone,backboring,custom honing choke tube blanks,posted them and drilled&tapped them for red dot optical sights and both would reliably produce 37"-40" patterns at 60 yards for almost EVERY PELLET! If I was still hunting turkey with shotgun and was choosing 1,it would be a 12 gauge 3 1/2" semiauto however because of the lighter weight as those 10 gauges weighed a ton.

RE: Need Help Picking New Shotgun
 

Truthfully it takes less to kill a turkey than most people think. There are some old timers I know who were killing turkeys left and right with 2 3/4" #6 duck loads before a 3" inch shell became the standard minimum.as for me I hunt with a benelli supernova, it can take 3 1/2" shells but why kill your shoulder for nothing? I use 3", dead is dead, you can't kill em any deader with a 3 1/2" than you can with a 3". just my experience

RE: Need Help Picking New Shotgun
 

I use a benelli nova best shotgun I've ever shot killed a lot of birds with it and is fun at clay pigeons to.

RE: Need Help Picking New Shotgun
 

berreta xtrema 2. or, wait for the new browing maxus. check out this video on it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPgy6ZkeBmY

RE: Need Help Picking New Shotgun
 

Stoeger 2000. It's offered in camo with a pistol grip stock, just like you want. It's a great value semi-auto which uses the Benelli Inertia system, but for a whole let less money than the Benelli. I got one last summer and I absolutely love it. Mine is the black synthetic model and cost about $400. The camo models are about $75 more. Comes with 5 choke tubes (Cyl, IC, Mod, Full, extended XF turkey), and has a 3" chamber/action. I've shot everything from middleweight 2 3/4", 1.25oz #8 target loads to the 2oz, 3" magnum turkey loads, and it cycles everything without a hiccup.

Mike

RE: Need Help Picking New Shotgun
 

X2!!! I have 2000 too, same model. Its basically a SBE but not as pretty. Comes w/ 5 chokes. Ive used mine 4 clays, small game ,and turkeys, nice and light too.

I think I paid 450$, worth every cent and more.

I also have a winchester super X 3, 3.5(basically a browning gold) '' for ducks. Sweet gun too, but I dont think you need a 3.5" for turkeys.

RE: Need Help Picking New Shotgun
 

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the helpful info.
I prefer the pump action myself and although I like a shotgun to pattern well at 40 yards all my shots are at 20 to 30 yards and I pattern at those as well. I use a 3 inch shell, it kills just as well as the 3 1/2 at my distances and has less kick.
I have heard good things about the Banelli super nova and some of the Remingtons....reserch reserch...Thanks for giving me more to think about.