Noob Turkey Hunter wants to buy a shotgun!

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Wretched

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Yep, I'm the noob turkey hunter.

In fact, I'm new to hunting.

I want to get involved - but am hesitant to start off with large game. I guess you could make fun of me for my pink panties, but I'm just not sure I want to jump into the world of hunting having to field dress a deer (or similar). Especially considering I've only ever seen it done on youtube or whatever.

Now turkeys! Well I love a good turkey sandwich, with some mayo and I'm real keen on this hot/sweet mustard I've found lately. Lightly toasted bread and some Havarti cheese to top it of....... Yum.

It's probably pretty easy to tell I'm a fatguy, isn't it?

Plus, the blood and guts factor would be much easier for me to deal with seeing as I'm so inexperienced and whatnot.

So anyways - I guess I should cut to the chase.

I need to buy a shotgun to go turkey hunting. I was hoping people could kind of walk me through what to look for when choosing a good bird shotgun.
Barrel size, preferred action, etc?

Maybe even recommend a specific one?

I guess my top end price would be about 8 bills or so.

Thanks!
 
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the sx3 is a great shotgun .a mossburg 535 turkey would do you just fine for a lot less cash .I used one for 10 years without a single problem and killed a pile of turkeys with it .thy come with a 21 inch barrel and a turkey choke .get some fedarel # 5 shot with flight control wads and away you go many years of turkey hunting ahead of you .once you are ready to move on to deer you can just switch the barrel and shot all the slugs you want .Dutch
 
dutchhunter said:
the sx3 is a great shotgun .a mossburg 535 turkey would do you just fine for a lot less cash .I used one for 10 years without a single problem and killed a pile of turkeys with it .thy come with a 21 inch barrel and a turkey choke .get some fedarel # 5 shot with flight control wads and away you go many years of turkey hunting ahead of you .once you are ready to move on to deer you can just switch the barrel and shot all the slugs you want .Dutch
Click to expand...

^^^What he said...but really, any reasonable 12 gauge with a full or turkey choke will work, worry more about the shot/load and the pattern. The federals are good and so are the winchester long beards.
 
If the gun fits you it will work. I enjoy turkey hunting simply because I can use such a variety of shotguns. Action doesn't matter. I've used single shots break action and bolt. Pumps. Over under. Semi auto and side by side in 20 12 and 10 ga.
The thing is to choose a gun that fits you and shoots where you look. Figure out a load that it patterns well and hunt to that limit. Turkey chokes are nice but factory full chokes work as well. I've even used mod chokes. The idea is to have as many pellets hit the head and neck as possible without blasting the breast meat

Mossberg makes a great pump in many styles and most come in camo as well
I prefer wood and blue steel in light fast handling guns so I use sxs 12 ga most often with fixed full and mod chokes. Never needed more. Turkey hunting can be simple. A $100 used single shot and $20 box call and you're good to go. Or you can spend every paycheck for the entire winter on gear and gadgets. Best of luck
 
"Turkey hunting can be simple. A $100 used single shot and $20 box call and you're good to go. Or you can spend every paycheck for the entire winter on gear and gadgets. Best of luck"

I like that, and agree. I suggest that you find a good used pump preferably with choke tubes, that fits you well. 3" is nice, but not imperative. Forget 3 1/2".
And take the time to pattern the gun. Ammo can cost you, but hey, shootings fun anyway.
Good Luck and Enjoy!
 
I was in the same vote as you shot a few of my buddies guns and then went to store to see what guns that were on my list that my buddies didn't have. Get a gun that fits you and pulls up nice. You will know when you get to that one. Do your research on reviews to guns in your price range. I ended up with the Benelli Supernova. Love that gun but I knew I was going to get into geese and ducks also. if you go with used or new they will all put down a turkey. And as others stated pattern your gun.
 
Get yourself an 870 combo deal with either a waterfowl and turkey barrel or rifled barrel and turkey barrel. If youre lucky enough to have the Remington 870 trio package at your local gunshop you can have all three for 500$. There is nothing more fun than wingshooting, its nice to have the option.
 
I would get something like an 870 Express turkey rem-choke. Use Imp. Cyl. choke for deer hunting and an aftermarket x-x-full choke for turkeys. You'll have plenty of extra cash left over for chokes, optics, shells, decoys, turkey vest, sling, calls etc.
870EXP-trky-camo-prod.ashx

870expshurshotsyntky-prod.ashx

870spsshurshotsyntky-prod.ashx
 
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