What is a good shotgun for turkey hunting?
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1

I'm new to the turkey hunting scene and having only upland shotguns, what is a good type of shotgun for tukeys? I know everyone will say something different, but I have no idea really. What should I look for, and what should I avoid
#4

As rlp said there are as many guns as opinions. My opinion is this, simply get a gun that shoots a great pattern at 40yds. The most important part is the load you use and the choke. You need to match those up and find out which works best. What type of shotgun do you use for your bird hunting now?
The fact is a simple pump or even newer single shot shotgun will work if it is set up right. I have two guns the one I started with - a 28" Benelli Nova and my 21" Mossberg 535 Thumbhole. Both work well. The shorter barrel is a bit easier to swing in the brush.
Now if you are looking for a reason to buy a new expensive gun I guess you have got one. If this is a sport you are going to do for a long time, I recommend a thumbhole stock. Just more comfortable to me. Be safe and good hunting!
The fact is a simple pump or even newer single shot shotgun will work if it is set up right. I have two guns the one I started with - a 28" Benelli Nova and my 21" Mossberg 535 Thumbhole. Both work well. The shorter barrel is a bit easier to swing in the brush.
Now if you are looking for a reason to buy a new expensive gun I guess you have got one. If this is a sport you are going to do for a long time, I recommend a thumbhole stock. Just more comfortable to me. Be safe and good hunting!
#5

Ditto to the above posts. I have a Std Rem 870 12 Ga, 26" barrel with a Carelson x-full choke, and a Winchester 1300 12 Ga, 22" barrel with a Hastings choke. I use 2 3/4" and 3" shells in my guns. Stay away from the 3 1/2" 12ga Magnum, shells are expensive, and for shots inside of 40yds, I don't see the advantage. A lot of turkey have fallen over the years to 12ga guns shooting 1 7/8oz of lead thru a good choke tube.
#6
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: southwestern va
Posts: 753

if i had it to do over again id probably just pick up a nice used 870 with a bunch of barrels, but i got a camo'd mossberg a couple years back at walmart on sale, has the double beads, got a screw in turkey choke on it and came with slings attachments...for the money its a pretty nice setup
#8

Here's what I use; and it doubles as my waterfowl gun.
.............. actually, it doubles as my turkey gun ! LOL
http://www.beretta.com/Long-guns/Fi...v=1&id=894
.............. actually, it doubles as my turkey gun ! LOL

http://www.beretta.com/Long-guns/Fi...v=1&id=894
#10

Any shotgun from 10 gauge down to 410 can be used for Turkey hunting, as long as you limit your shots to that particular guns effective range. 12 gauge probably being the most used for Turkey hunting.