I won't even call myself a newbie, as I have not yet hunted turkeys. I know the day will come. There are two seasons in Ohio, and the opportunity will present itself. Anyway, the closest thing I have to a Turkey gun is my grandfather's 16 guage (Model 12 Winchester, made in 1947). It has a bead sight, full choke, and 2 3/4 in. chamber. I love that shotgun, but I'm guessing it's not quite enough.

I also own a NEF rifle, for which I can buy a 12 guage barrel. New barrels are very affordable.It is, however, a single shot.

So, any chance to take a turkey with the sentimental 16 guage? Is the affordable single shot an appropriate route to go? Or should I buy an entirely new shotgun? (Maybe one with an interchangable rifled barrel for deer!)

Eto, I still have the Win. Mod.12,20ga my father gave me in the 50's. I shot turkeys for years with it. My uncle had a Win.Mod.12,16ga that hekilled 100's of turkeys with!

This is way before all this modern ammo we have today!

e 3.14,
You can take turkeys with the 16, but you'll have to get them in close; say inside of 30 yds for a good chance to make a good, clean hit. Even closer is better.
The single shot make a fine turkey buster. NEF sells a barrel choked for turkey. A good friend uses one for his main turk buster. With a 3" shell of #4 hevi-shot, it'll knock'em flat at 50yds.
Finding aturkey load in 2 3/4 " 16ga might be a little tough, and pricey but not impossible. I'd say get a turkey barrel for the single shot 12, and saveup for a Win 1300.

if i were u i'd go with the 16 gauge, i used to use one and he=ave shot many big turkeys with it

etothepii,

My father used a Rem. 1148 in 16 ga. til his health failed him. He took many a turkey with that ole gun. He also used it for wild hog hunting with 00 buck shot, can't count the hogs he took with that gun.

I now have that shotgun and it hasn't been fired since my father passed away. Don't know if you know it, but that Win. Mod. 12 is a collectors' item now, so not only would I recommend hanging on to it for that reason, but most of all who gave it to you.

I have 4 or 5 different turkey guns now, all in 12 ga. so I would go with a new barrel for the nef as others recommended.

dog1