Turkey shotgun
 

Hey guys! I'm looking for a new turkey shotgun this year. Can anyone tell me which are the best shotgun and choke combinations for turkeys? Thanks, Tim

for me I have the Mossber 835, using a Indian Creek Choke, and HeviShot13, 3.5", 2.25oz., #6

You can spend as much as you want on a gun, and quite a bit on chokes and shells.

I've been killing them just fine out to 35 yds with a Mossberg 500, standard full accuchoke and Winchester Super X 3" #5 shells. I generally set up where I can't see much more than 40 yds, so when I see the bird, he should be in range.

Any of the "turkey guns" out there will work. To get the most range, you will need to try some chokes and loads. There are basic guidelines for which kind of shot (lead vs. other stuff like hevi-shot) to use with certain choke constrictions. I'm no expert there though.

Extrema with extended turkey chokes


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Expect a thousand different answers to this question, as "best" turkey gun is largely a matter of personal taste. Similar to asking someone what their favorite dessert is.

For me a couple come to mind:

Remington 870 3.5" supermag with the Sure-Shot stock, Primos Jelly head or Indian Creek 660 or 665

Mossberg 835 with a Star Dot .676, Rhino or Indian Creek

I just bought a benelli supernova, and am gonna put an indian creek .665 choke on it. Along with some hevi-13 6-shot shells, it will be good to go

Remington 870 SuperMag w/ a Jellyhead .660 and Nitro ammo, either 4X5X7, or straight 7's. I have this combination for my back-up gun, as well as putting it together for several of my friends. Excellent patterns.

Gman

remington 870 12 3" winchester turkey 6's and HS strut choke

In my opinion whatever gun fits you the best would be fine. I have owned several 12 ga turkey guns they were fine but I love the 10 ga bps that I just bought it patterns a lot better than the 12's did and the recoil is minimal due to the weight of the gun.my 12 ga guns had more recoil firing 3.5 inch turkey loads than the 10 ga does firing winchester #5 2 1/4 oz 3.5 inch turkey loads. Put a good sling on the 10 ga and it is fine to carry around.

It is hard to beat the Brownings (BPS, Gold, etc), Winchester autos (Super X2, X3), or the Mossberg 835 for patterns. Those big barrels really help.
Any of these with an Indian Creek or Pure Gold choke tube shooting Hevi-13 #6's (maybe #7's too) or Nitro #7's will definitely get the job done for you.

Having said that my favorite is the Ithaca 37.

It's not nearly as much the gun as it is the calling and the setup. Sure, you have to be able to hit what you shoot at, but learn to get them close and you don't have to worry as much about the gun.

That being said...

I'm not the best turkey hunter/caller in the world, so I like to be able to throw as much lead downrange as I can. I traded in my Mossberg 88 this year for a 535 turkey gun. I had a tom hang up at about 40 yards last spring, and with the setup I was shooting I knew that it would be a questionable shot. My new gun will smoke them at that range.

Look at the Remington 870's and Mossberg 500, 535, 835's. They have many fans. Just find a gun that's comfortable for you. They're all good guns. Try a couple 'turkey' chokes and different shells. Go in with some friends to buy several different loads and you can split the cost up (patterning turkey loads gets expensive). You'll find something that will pattern well in the 30-40 yard range.

good luck!
rw