I would like some opinions on which shotgun and gage you guys prefer for turkey hunting? Do you think a 3in Mag is enough or is the 3 1/2 the way to go, pump or automatic? I am going to purchase a new shotgun and want some objective opinions, I plan on spending between $600.00 to $1000.00.

Well..there's a lot of ways you could go....If you're on a budget the Mossberg 835 has proven to be a popular pump-action shotgun for many turkey hunters at around $239. So is the Remington 870 (3") and 870 SuperMag (3.5") at around $300 give or take a few. I own both of them and like both of them, but would have to side with my Remington for superior action. There is also the Winchester 1300. Nice gun at a nice price, but I admit I haven't liked the action in the past but maybe someone else can chime in and tell you more about them. Moving up a little, the Browning BPS has great action and hey, it's a Browning...good shotgun but a little spendier (price unknown but I believe $450+). A lot of turkey gunners like the Remington 11-87 at around $800 (I think). Then, if money is no issue, there's the Browning Gold turkey gun and the Benelli Super Black Eagle at around $1000. On my budget and for the money, I like the Remingtons. Great action, great reliability, and a reasonable price. A proven gun. Just a start....maybe more guys will sound off on their opinions so you'll have a lot to chew on....

Ill vote for the 870 on anything. Standard 3" magnum will get the job done for anything.

Doc, you think that price range is going to kill them any
deader? Heck,get a cheap 20ga 2 3/4" and kill them at
20-25yds and feel the thrill of the hunt. When I started
years ago there was no 3-3 1/2" and we all killed many
turkeys.
It's the gunner, not the gun.

that's right Hog. everyone talks of their 40yd pattern. i'd rather talk about my 15-20yd pattern.

as far as the question, you'll get an overwhelming vote fot the 870. mostly cause of the price, second for the reputation. most folk won't go for the high price guns. I'm not knocking the 870, i own 4 of them, but i have since moved on. i don't use them anymore, well i do use one, it's a 24" that was used and i bought it for a beater gun, sent it off to get camoed and keep it for the days it's raining out and down want to use my better guns.

in your price range my top pick would be the winchester sx2. Y? cause #1 it is gas opperated, 2 it is a better gun than the Browning and cheaper. if turkey only i'd get the universal hunter, it's drilled and tapped, 26". next would be the SBE (my top hunting gun for anything other than turkey or deer do to recoil). it's light weight and most dependable. third would be the beretta xtrema.

NOTE: no remingtons!