Shotgun Recommendations for Turkey Hunting

[moy2441]

Hi fellow hunter,

I am looking into purchasing a shotgun for turkey hunting this season. Any suggestions on what I should get?

[Rusty_Buckhorn]

what's your price range? semi auto, single shot, double barrel, pump? a lot of variables.

Mossberg 500 is a good start, Remington 870 is a little more $, but a step above the Mossberg.

It really depends on what you're looking for, and how much you want to spend.

[Trapper]

A 12ga will give you more pellets in the pattern and more ammo choices. If you're hunting from a blind you may want a 26" or shorter barrel, in more open areas barrel length may not be an issue. Removable choke tubes will allow you to select a choke that gives the best pattern with your shotgun. Turkeys have fantastic eyesight so you will want to avoid any high gloss stocks and go for a matte finished barrel.

[moy2441]

I appreciate the input guys. Since Im new, my budget is under $600. Is it better to have a semi-auto or a pump action? Basspro has a sale on Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Grand Slam Semi-Auto Turkey Shotgun 20'' barrel, Remington 887 Turkey Shotgun 22" barrel, Mossberg 535 Turkey Thug 20" barrel. Any of you have any experience with these shotguns?

[theseacow]

you can get a new 870 express around the $300 mark. put a turkey choke or any super tight choke in it and your good to go. i shoot 3" federal #4 birdshot out of my 12 gauge 870. Id suggest you test your shot pattern after you get setup and make sure you have a good pattern at some distance.

[moy2441]

Thank you theseacow.

[reloadyour9]

I always used an Ithaca featherlite in 12 gauge with turkey chime. Really light, pump, that's accurate. Plus it's inexpensive to buy, and doesn't matter if it gets banged up while in your blind. Kinda hard to come by, but if you are interested in one, pm me

[center_x]

I've hammered plenty of birds with my old 870. Id recommend one. You can buy a turkey choke for for less than $50.

And you don't need the fancy camo style either. Get a matte black and your set to kill.

Good luck and take pics and share.

[Trapper]

Unless you intend to only hunt turkeys under conditions that require a short barrel I'd avoid anything marketed as a turkey shotgun. The 870 express with a 26" barrel and a turkey choke will work great for turkey hunting. Change the chokes and it will work for any upland game and most waterfowl.
A quality pump shotgun is more reliable than a low end semiauto. With a $600 budget buy a $400 pump shotgun, an extra full choke, and a good selection of ammo. Pattern several loads to determine which shoots best in your shotgun. Any money left over can be spent on some good camo and a box call or slate.

[180ls1]

Unless you intend to only hunt turkeys under conditions that require a short barrel I'd avoid anything marketed as a turkey shotgun. The 870 express with a 26" barrel and a turkey choke will work great for turkey hunting. Change the chokes and it will work for any upland game and most waterfowl.
A quality pump shotgun is more reliable than a low end semiauto. With a $600 budget buy a $400 pump shotgun, an extra full choke, and a good selection of ammo. Pattern several loads to determine which shoots best in your shotgun. Any money left over can be spent on some good camo and a box call or slate.

Great advice here, i have shot all my turkeys with 2 3/4" and 3" loads but i would opt to pay a little extra so i could utilize the 3.5" loads for the 12 gauge.

[moy2441]

I want to thank all of you who commented. These are great advice.
Thank you for making it easer for me to make my decision.

[portegee]

I might be biased but my 870express mag has takin coyotes, rabbits, chucker, quail, dove, ducks, geese, and all sorts of other little pest animals, Probably the most versitile firearm a person could get and fairly inexpensive. Hell I even use it for trap/skeet shooting too. Get one, you'll never be dissapointed.

[r3dn3ck]

Unless you think you can get really really close then I'd say look into a 3.5" gun and a extra-full turkey choke. The place I usually go I can throw a rock at them and kill one but most other places I've been it's tough getting closer than 40yards.

[21SF]

Remington has a few rebates on shot guns right now...

http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/rebates-and-promotions/Spring2011-RebateRoundup1.aspx

[moy2441]

To 21SF, portegee, and r3dn3ck,

Thanks for your great input. I purchased a Remington 870 last week. Im just waiting to pick it up next week.