New shotgun and barrel length??
 

Ok guys I need some help. I've been deer hunting for a long, long time but I'm getting into my first turkey season in a few weeks. I currently own a 20 ga Mossberg with interchangeble chokes. Typically I use it for doves and an occasional squirrel. If push comes to shove, I will use it for turkeys but I really wanted to get a gobbler-specific gun. I'm looking at a Mossberg 835 12 ga along with a few others. What recomendations do ya'll have? What barrel length is ideal? I'm not trying to spend a ton of money since I'm just getting started. Thanks in advance for all your tips and help!!

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

I have two 835's both with 28" barrels. One wood and one camo syn. The syn one kicks like a mule, the wood is very pleasant to shoot. If I was getting a turkey only shotgun, it would probably be a 835 with a 24" tube, camo, and tri-viz sights.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

The trend seems to be 24" for turkey guns. Seems to be the best compromise between pattering and a fast handling gun in the woods.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

I am all about light weight. 24" is a good choice IMO

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

NEF has a real nice camo 12g pump at dick's for less than $250. remington's new 870 thumb hole/pistol grip turkey camo gun is nice but it's about $399. I shot and old remington 1100 magnum with a 32" barrel. i can kill turkeys at +50yards shooting a 3" heaveyshot high vilocety magnum shell

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

Why not use the 20 gauge until you decide that turkey hunting is for you? You can buy a turkey choke for it now and hunt with it this season, before taking the plunge into a turkey-specific shotgun.Just a thought.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

Re: Barrel Length


Longer than 18".... shorter than 30". Whatever suits you.... the difference in performance is relatively moot. A longer barrel will give you a touch more velocity, and if it is wet and you carry your gun on a sling, the barrel will get hung up in low hanging branches and you'll get a nice shower for your efforts. A shorter barrel is easier to manage in cover, but is louder, and you give up a bit of velocity. The exact amount varies, but the speeds listed on the box are typically with 30" barrels (or so I'm told by "the industry")... for every inch under 30" you go shorter, you'll give up about 7-10 fps. Which is substantially less than going shorter with a rifle barrel where you will typically lose up to 150fps (which ain't no joke). Its really just pretty much academic... get whatever feels good in your hands. An 835 is the finest turkey gun money can buy without your money buying you a 10 gauge.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

I had thought about just buying a choke tube for the time being. I have no doubt that I will enjoy turkey hunting. I've really never had a place to hunt them, but that has all changed now.

I have found a Mossberg 835 for sale for $250 and I know that is a pretty good buy.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

Thanks SwampCollie. I'm thinking that a 24" is probably what I'll end up going with.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

IF YOU ARE GOING TO BUY A NEW GUN GET A REMINGTON 12GA. 870 SUPERMAG EXPRESS, IT CAN TAKE ANY SHELL UP TO 3.5 INCHES, AND THROWS A NASTY PATTERN WITH A TRUGLOW TURKEY CHOKE

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

That fits nicely in the middle.... not too long, not too short. And for $250 its a good buy.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

If I wanted to drop that kind of money on one, this would be the one. But seeing as how this will be my first "turkey only" gun, I'm not trying to spend that much.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

I asked the guy what year it was bought and he said 02-03. He said it has only been shot a couple of times in the last 2 years. Still think that's a good buy?

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

Dicks has the mossberg 535 combo for $299

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

PM sent.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

I'd get a mossberg 500, cheap gun, and it shoots really nice, you should be agle to get them in a 24"-26" barrel.

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

I currently have a Mossberg 500 in 20 ga so I might end up getting a choke for it since this will be my first turkey season. I've had that shotgun for...well I got it when I was 10 and I'm 28 now...so 18 years. It has the "youth" barrel but I don't remember the exact length...I think it's a 22".

RE: New shotgun and barrel length??
 

That sounds like a good deal on the gun, but you probably wanna look it over well before buying. You never know how someone cared for their gun. I have an old Mossberg and can attest that their good guns and tough as nails. I would hold off if I were you, and get it done with the 20 gauge. But then again, I'm thinking about saving up for a Benelli Supernova.

And I really didn't doubt that you'd enjoy turkey hunting. It's a blast!