I need a new hunting shotty for deer and turkey!

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So I was out hunting deer with my bro's 28 inch 870 and I thought to myself, there has to be something better that this. The gun was too long, constantly getting caught in the branches and brambles, the sling was traditionally mounted which made one handed carry difficult. So I start thinking, seeing as I wasnt seeing any deer.

My needs are simple:
Deer: most shots are less the 75 m.
I usually use 2 3/4 shells NO BUCKSHOT
I hunt in some thick areas ie brambles and such
A legal lowlight sighting device is needed

Turkey: most shots under 30 m
My bro has taken all turkeys with 3 inch shells.
Again, hunting in thick areas
A sighting device is needed.
I need to have threaded chokes for both cylinder and x-full.

So I was thinking something like a tactical shotty might be interesting. However, will shorter barrels decrease shot/slug velocity significantly? How short is too short? I see winchester 1300 has a turkey shotty with a 18 inch barrel. What about shorter? Would vertical grips enable faster recovery time and more stable shooting? Is 3 1/2 needed for turkey? Any ideas for sighting devices and their attachment other than a saddle mount?

I am sure I will have other Q's later but thanks for the advice in advance.
 
You do not need 3.5" for anything.

There are many different 870's that would fit the bill. I had an 870 SPS-T. Camo, synthetic, 23" barrel, 3.5" chamber, screw in chokes, red dot style sight, camo sling. It was a killing machine for both deer and turkey.
 
Used this Mossberg 500 this past opening day for whitetail here in Michigan. Took this nice buck as well as a spike. It's killed two Canadian black bear and 3 wild boar as well. 24" rifled barrel with a 3 power Redfield scope. Using Remington Copper Solids, 2 3/4", it with shoot flat to 100 yards with 3" groups. Works so well for me that I don't carry a rifle hunting anymore.

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rifle guy
 
canadiankestrel said:
So I was out hunting deer with my bro's 28 inch 870 and I thought to myself, there has to be something better that this ... I was thinking something like a tactical shotty might be interesting. However, will shorter barrels decrease shot/slug velocity significantly? How short is too short?
Click to expand...

Going back to the original question .... I have wondered the same thing myself many times. I just don't like carrying my long-barreled shotgun in the field. However, I have not patterned short barrels. Has anyone out there tried this? Anybody using an 18" barrel for hunting?
 
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Go with a BENELLI NOVA. They are well engineered and have 3 1/2" capability if you decide you need it. Optional mercury tube recoil reducer is available. Slug barrels available too. I have two and like both of them.
 
If you don't want a saddle mount, there are quite a few different fiber optic rifle type sights that will clamp onto the ventilated rib of most shotguns. The 500 Mossbergs mentioned above have the reciever drilled and tapped to accept a Weaver type mount. I have a 500 I use for waterfowl, but I am planning on ordering a 20" barrel for it (24 " is also available) to use for turkey and deer. I'll be going with the clamp on style rifle sights, so I can quickly convert back to a waterfowl gun without messing with the sights ( just remove the short barrel and put the 28" back on). By the way, 3" is plenty, 3-1/2 is for masochists.
 
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Anything under 22 inches and you start to lose too much velocity... and if you are concerned about recoil you should still get a 3.5 inch gun... the longer forcing cone allows you to shoot 3 inch shells with less recoil... you guys really need to do some research!
 
Bojangles said:
Go with a BENELLI NOVA. They are well engineered and have 3 1/2" capability if you decide you need it. Optional mercury tube recoil reducer is available. Slug barrels available too. I have two and like both of them.
Click to expand...

Where did you buy your slug barrel and the recoil reducer? Seems no one has them in stock right now and there is still a 6 month wait wherever I ask (and I asked 6 months ago also).

BT
 
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