Best shotgun for turkey hunting, and why?
- Thread starter sschintz
- Start date
I haven't done it much, but I turkey hunt with a bone stock Mossberg 500. I might look at adding a red dot next year, but the gun has two beads (one mod-rib) so I can use those to aim it pretty good, patterned at 40yds and was looking good.
Hopefully next year our location plans don't have to change last minute, flooding and road closures screwed us last year...
Hopefully next year our location plans don't have to change last minute, flooding and road closures screwed us last year...
I’ve hunting turkey since the mid 1990s. I’ve used a stock 870 Wingmaster, a Browning Double Auto, numerous vintage SxS etc
The gun isn’t important. What counts is your skill in hunting them. Advance scouting, camo, calling them in and getting them close.
Mind you, that advice is good for all kinds of bird hunting. It's just not what people want to hear. And it's not what the gun and ammo companies say.
The gun isn’t important. What counts is your skill in hunting them. Advance scouting, camo, calling them in and getting them close.
Mind you, that advice is good for all kinds of bird hunting. It's just not what people want to hear. And it's not what the gun and ammo companies say.
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And good ammo for the quarry you chase.
Remember, it's more the guy not the gun. As long as you can put the shot on target, pretty much anything will do. Test ammo and chokes at the distances you think you'll encounter, with whatever gun you have.
Even a cheap single shot, if you can develop a good pattern/load combination, will do the job.
Even a cheap single shot, if you can develop a good pattern/load combination, will do the job.
They're killing em with 410s using that fancy $5/shot federal tss stuff! (In jurisdictions that allow for a 410 to be used of course, pretty sure it's not legal here in BC)
Absolutely. Pony up and buy some turkey loads and targets. Pattern your gun out in 10 yard increments. You are trying to make your shotty act more like a rifle throwing a tight pattern down range. Spend the winter watching Youtube videos
I like Dale Outdoors
1. Any shotgun with removable chokes
2. And that has a "precise" sighting system (rifle sights, red dot, scope, ghost rings, etc.)
3. You need to decide if you want to shoot lead shot or TSS shot
4. Pattern that load with different chokes to see what combination gives the densest pattern
Personally I would go with an 870 and a smooth bore barrel with rifle sights ... and removable chokes ...
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
I like the Mossberg 935 as it patterns ridiculously well with the .775” overbored barrel. You can buy them in multiple barrel combos so it doesn’t have to be a dedicated turkey gun. You can get 28” waterfowl and 24” rifled slug barrels. You can also add a pistol grip stock if you wish.
I’ve been using my 935 for the last 14 years for turkey and waterfowl and have been very pleased with its function and results.
I’ve been using my 935 for the last 14 years for turkey and waterfowl and have been very pleased with its function and results.
Nothing like using Granddads tools that have worked for a very long time.
Congrats and thanks for sharing the results of a proven firearm.
Rob
Thank you FLHCUI and sschintz! Not to steal the OP's thread, I take her out for grouse once or twice a year otherwise she hangs on the wall. Nothing like smoking a Turkey with a 100 year old shotgun and a Remington shotshell my dad likely bought 30 years ago.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
The best shotgun is the one that fits you well and is comfortable to shoot with stout loads, threaded for chokes is usually a good idea but lots of game birds have been shot with older fixed choked barrels. Pattern it at distances and get comfortable with it.
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
I wouldn't even give it a second thought, I'd take my Ithaca NID 4E with the 30" F/F choked barrels and shoot some of my old stock of 1 1/8oz to 1 1/4oz lead loads. Kapow and into the roaster!
OP you do not a specialized "turkey" gun with special sights and chokes to kill a turkey. Pattern your gun at various ranges and find a good combination of load and choke constriction, point of impact and go kill a turkey.
OP you do not a specialized "turkey" gun with special sights and chokes to kill a turkey. Pattern your gun at various ranges and find a good combination of load and choke constriction, point of impact and go kill a turkey.
Your adding to the Op's thread on what works for you and maybe will work for the Op too.
Good Hunting to All !
Rob
Thank you all for the advice and opinions! You've mentioned a few things that I'll look for when purchasing, like the removeable chokes and precision sights. I appreciate all the input on the gun, as well as hunting advice and the YouTube suggestion.
