RE: turkey gun question
 

I used to hunt with an old 870 Express with a 28" barrel. Stick an extended choke on that baby and you're talkin a long barrel. I love that gun, put a nice camo stock on it, sims recoil pad, low power scope... The only issues I had with the gun were the barrel was too long and it got heavy carrying it around all day. Don't get me wrong, it did the job, but this season I picked up a mossberg 835 with a 20" barrel. That gun is light! It was a pleasure slinging it over my shoulder and not getting hung up on every twig in sight. Also, I could set up almost anywhere and not have to worry about the barrel being too long to swing because of saplings in the way, etc. I have a sims pad on the 835 too. Lighter gun = Murderous recoil. The sims pad helps alot. In the field it doesn't matter, you don't feel the recoil whenyou shoot aturkey. You sure feel it when patterning at the range though. Btw, I put a jelly head choke on it and with hevi-13 3.5" 2.25 oz #6's it shoots a very nice pattern at 40.

RE: turkey gun question
 

I am almost embarassed to post this but, I hunt turkey with a New England Arms 12ga. No special Chokes no special camoflage. Just me and my ole Partner in the woods. I do put a lot of effort into my calling or not calling. I also invested in a camera last Christmas, now I need to work on the computer.

RE: turkey gun question
 

If you are looking to buy a gun specifically for turkey hunting I would suggest using guns that are designed for just that ie: Mossberg 835/935, Remington 11-87, or what others there may be. When I went looking for a gun specifically for turkey, I was able to find a used Mossberg 835 for around $250 that had the mossy oak break up camo on it, tru glo fiber optic sights, and the factory choke.
If you have a used gun dealer in your area I am sure you can find a used Mossberg any where from $150-250. If your not partial to Mossberg I am sure you can find a quality Remington or any brand of gun for a decent price that is set up for turkey hunting. Then you wont have to worry about adjustable sights, buying a choke, or the barrel length.
Good luck to you!

RE: turkey gun question
 

26" barrel is fine. Are you sure it only has a single bead? Check the vent rib and see if there is a really small bead there.

RE: turkey gun question
 

The choice of a shotgun isn't as important as you preparation for the hunt. Scouting, calling, etc. As you can tel by all the types of guns used. I use an Ithaca model 37 with a full choke and 30 in barrel. My wife uses a Remington 870 Wingmaster, full choke, 30 inch barrel. Both do the job and are good for other game as well.
Good luck. Hope you enjoy turkey hunting.

Spurow from Mo

RE: turkey gun question
 

I agree with most of the replies here. I've turkey hunted with gun with 21", 23", 24",26" and28" barrels and they all worked fine. Just be sure find a good turkey tubeand take the time to work a patternfor it. Try several different brands, shot, shot size and powder loads.Don't think that because something worked well in your buddy’s gun will work the same out of yours. Even if it's the same gun, choke and load, they allspit them a little different.Don't get me wrong, asking what someone uses with the same choke/gunyou have is OK and can be a great way to narrow things down but it should never be, "it's good enough". Always check your gun to seehow your choke & turkey load is throwing things.


I forget who posted it but they said adjustable sights and not important. I don't agree 100% with that one. If you got a gun with achoke &turkey load worked up and it'****ting perfect, than he's correct thatyou don't need an adjustable sights but I find that hard to believe. I've been turkey hunting almost 20 years now and out of the 6 different turkey guns I've owned over the years, not one of them was dead nuts. I'm sure a lot of guys will swear that their does and it might butonly one of my turkey hunting buddies I hunted withall those years& in 6 states, had a gun that was spitting adead nut pattern.


When I first started they didn't have the affordable add on adjustable sights they have now. So I was forced due to my lack of money to use the ole Kentucky windage on my gun and I made the best of it. If you need and can afford an adjustable sight, I'd say get it. There's nothing worst than having a gobbler come ingetting your blood pumping,your heart pounding and all excited only to miss him because you forgot to hold high left.
[&o]