Just wanted to share my experience with transforming a basic shotgun into a turkey slaying machine!
I started with a 870 20GA Compact model with 21'' barrel. I initially bought the shotgun for grouse hunting. I later got into turkey hunting and quickly realized that this shotgun had a lot of potential, the barrel length was just right, it had screw-in chokes which my other shot guns didn't have, it was lightweight at only 6lbs which is perfect for running and gunning, it was also my only shotgun chambered for 3'' magnum shells. So the transformation began. I started by painting the furniture in a sort of diy realtree pattern. Next I installed a IndianCreek .555 constriction ported tube. These are really hard to find in Canada so I had to order it from BassPro south of border along with some TruGlo Magnum Gobble-dot fiber optic sights. Last but not least I bought the best and most luxirous sling I could find. I settled for the Sako leather sling. It really is the most comfortable sling out there imho but it's camo properties where kind of lacking. So I simply bought a 4$ camo 'gun-sock' and installed it over the sling. It's held together with a couple zip-ties. I'm really happy with the final result.
I killed a my first bird last season with this shotgun, it had a different choke back then, no sights and no sling. Still managed to kill the bird at 35yards. I'm hoping it can perform even better this year! Also with these new fiber optic sights, I gotta say, I wouldn't hesitate to use this as a back-up for my deer rifle. I have to test it with some slugs/buckshot now to see how it does.
Started with this;
Ended up with this;
I started with a 870 20GA Compact model with 21'' barrel. I initially bought the shotgun for grouse hunting. I later got into turkey hunting and quickly realized that this shotgun had a lot of potential, the barrel length was just right, it had screw-in chokes which my other shot guns didn't have, it was lightweight at only 6lbs which is perfect for running and gunning, it was also my only shotgun chambered for 3'' magnum shells. So the transformation began. I started by painting the furniture in a sort of diy realtree pattern. Next I installed a IndianCreek .555 constriction ported tube. These are really hard to find in Canada so I had to order it from BassPro south of border along with some TruGlo Magnum Gobble-dot fiber optic sights. Last but not least I bought the best and most luxirous sling I could find. I settled for the Sako leather sling. It really is the most comfortable sling out there imho but it's camo properties where kind of lacking. So I simply bought a 4$ camo 'gun-sock' and installed it over the sling. It's held together with a couple zip-ties. I'm really happy with the final result.
I killed a my first bird last season with this shotgun, it had a different choke back then, no sights and no sling. Still managed to kill the bird at 35yards. I'm hoping it can perform even better this year! Also with these new fiber optic sights, I gotta say, I wouldn't hesitate to use this as a back-up for my deer rifle. I have to test it with some slugs/buckshot now to see how it does.
Started with this;
Ended up with this;
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. I need to pick up a Imp. Cyl. choke asap. lol. If I add a magazine extension then I'm really left with something which would combine all the features of 4 different models from the Express line-up. I'm not sure about that last part yet though, I might reserve that role to a really old 12GA wingmaster I have laying around.
