turkey gun advice mossberg 500 or 535
 

im going to start turkey hunting this spring for my first time and i was looking at shotguns and i came down to either the mossberg 500 tactical turkey or the 535 turkey thug and my question is does anyone have experience with either one and if so which one did you like better all the advice would be a huge help

Both of my turkey hunting buddies shoot the 535. Both are very happy with it.

thanks my question is how is the recoil i heard it kicks hard so my next question what type of recoil pad would you suggest?

I wouldnt trade my Mossberg 500 for anything. Its an awesome shooting gun

The Mossberg is an awesome shotgun. As far as recoil goes, it depends. A 2 3/4'' isn't too bad. However, the difference between a 2 3/4 and a 3'' is night and day. Now a 3 1/2'' will definitely give you a rude awakening. I don't know anything about recoil pads, since I've never bothered with them. Make sure you have the right choke for your gun, along with the correct brand of shells.

"Make sure you have the right choke for your gun, along with the correct brand of shells."


Yep, whatever you decide on, please pattern your gun out to about 40 yards to see that it shots a tight, even pattern where you're pointing and then only shoot at the head/neck of a bird out to what you find that pattern is maintained.

Well, with the 3 1/2 in. shell my buddy shoots, it will loosen your fillings. Lol. I will have to check but I think he uses one of those slip on recoil pads. I shoot the 3 in. Mag Blend out of my Nova and the recoil is not so bad. As others have said, be sure to pattern your gun with whatever choke and shell combo you decide to try.

If you're looking for an aftermarket recoil pad for your "beard buster", check out what's available from kick eez or limbsaver.

out of the two you picked I would go with the 535

thanks everyone for the advice im having a tough time picking the 500 tactical turkey is a little cheaper but the drawbacks is it only chambers 3" and no red dot but on the other but on the other hand the 500 is drilled and tapped so i could add one on and would a 3" shell be ample for turkey? i was going to buy after market choke and try out different shells to find the best pattern for it