RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

Colin, I am registered on HuntRI as Paul_P. You planning to get out this Thursday for the opener?

Paul

RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

Im registered as 'Colin' on there (surprise).. im not going out opener have to wait for the weekend. GOOD LUCK :)

RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

I have both an 870 Express and an 835 Ulti Mag. I've taken 4 birds with my 870 and 5 with my 835. The longest shot with the 870 was 42 yards and 53 with the 835. In both guns I use The Undertaker choke tubes and think it throws a FANtastic pattern, especially for the affordability of the tubes compared to some of the more expensive ones. I have found in all my guns that the Winchester Supreme turkey loads give me the best results, and I use No. 5 shot. Like anything else, go with what feels right for you. I will make one suggestion though; go with an aftermarket tube, as I tried both the super full and the UltiFull in the 835 both made by Mossberg and was very displeased with the results. I now use a Browning Invector 10 gauge for turkeys, as I call for myself and in my area hunting pressure is very heavy. The have rapidly become call wise and tend to lock up at 50+ yards. I use a Tru Glo Strutt Stopper choke tube in the 10 gauge and WOW!!! I am not exaggerating one bit when I say it will literally take their heads off if they get to within 35 yards as I actually got one that close to me last year, it took me a couple minutes to actually find his head...hahaha:D Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will work well as today's technology is fantastic and I know we all look for an EDGE! Good luck to all this year!

RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

From what I hear, both guns are pretty good. I'd keep the 870 you got and for better patterns try a different choke. Paying $40 for a choke beats buying a new gun any day. I have never really though camo was a major importance. I recently bought a Remington 11-87 with the 3.5 in chamber and I love it. If you're going to buy a gun just for turkey hunting, take your time to pick one out that fits you best.

RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

No it only Handles 3" that is what i wanted,i did not want the recoil of the 3 1/2".
And i agree with the Mosberg being a nice gun i just like the safty on trigger gard rather than on top.
I will soon find out if i can bag one this thursday,friday or Saterday those are my days to hunt Public ground, Keeping my fingers crossed some other hunter hasent got him by then.

Leon

RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

http://www.ithacagun.com/experience/...ing/myth.shtml

RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

If you are looking for an all-around shotgun for multiple hunting applications, I would go with the 870, Very Solid.

If you are turkey hunting only, reports show that the 835 is very popular. Seems like the 835 is geared specifically for turkey hunting applications.

I don't own an 835 so I cannot down it.
I do have an 870, it's the kind of gun you would pass on to your children and then on to their children. The 870 has been and always will be a solid choice.

RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

I remember in the past there are places that you can send your gun to and they will patttern it and put the best choke in it for you for a nominal fee. beats buying multiple chokes and loads yourself. Bad thing is I can't remember who does this. Used to be advertised in the magazines. Anyone know of companies doing this?

RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

835 all the way. love that gun to death. i have the turkey combo w/ teh rifled slug barrel.

RE: 835 or 870? Looking For Opinions
 

I have to agree with you about the 3½" shell. The recoil is Absolutely Brutal! If you read the Itacha site there is analysis of the 3½" ammo and it's pros & cons. Here is the link:

http://www.ithacagun.com/experience/...ing/myth.shtml

Many swear by them and many swear at them. I admire those who shoot them consistently.

I find that as I get older (54 in a couple of weeks) & the miles get longer I am far less tolerant of recoil. I use a Mossberg® Mdl 500 20GA. Not only is the gun lighter but so is the ammo. I helped a close friend pattern his Turkey Gun last month; it was an H&R® 12Ga 3" Mag. It weighed less than 6 lbs. Shooting 3" 2oz Federal® would knock the S!@#$%^&*T out of Superman! One shot was enough to last me a life time! I can just imagine what a 3½" would be like! My late father used a Winchester® Mdl 37 3" 12GA. The gun however weighed 8lbs; I could handle that.

Good luck in your hunt. I'll be hunting Fri & Sat this week myself. Stay in touch.