Turkey Hunting.. barrel length and choke?

TomZ

TomZ

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I finally took and passed my Hunter Safety Course and I am looking forward to my first deer hunt this fall and then a Turkey in the spring. I am all set for Deer (bolt-action 30/30) so I am now getting setup for Turkey.

I picked up a Rem 870 Super Mag 12 Ga from Lebarons with a 30" barrel and rem-chokes.

What do you guys recommend for Turkey ? Would a 22-24" barrel with a Full or Turkey Choke do the trick?

Any reason why the 30" barrel would not work ? I expect to be hunting from a blind so other than the weight of the barrel, I think it should be ok. With a Mod choke installed I can easily hit a "Turkey Head" target with many pellets out to 35 yards using 3" #4 Turkey Loads.

Suggestions for barrel length and choke?

TomZ
 
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Your 870 with the 30" barrel will do fine for turkey. A shorter barrel is easier to maneuver in the bush, but since you will be in a blind it will not be an issue. I would try a XFULL or XXFULL turkey chock if I were you. The extra constriction will give you a tighter pattern which will only help you with the turkey. Just be sure to pattern your shotgun well before the turkey season starts. Try as many different loads as you can too find out which patterns best in your particular shotgun. My shotgun likes the Winchester double X magnum #6 turkey loads.
Where will you be doing your turkey hunting?

George
 
Thanks for the reply.. and yes this makes sense to me. I do not have a spot picked yet for hunting but I have a few possibles down in the Merrickville Area. I was amazed at how tight the pattern was at 35 yards with the Mod choke, but I agree that the Full or Extra Full is certainly the way to go!!
 
Turkey

Tom I use a Benelli M4 with a 18.5" barrel and in the past I have used a Super 90 Sporting Special, also with a 18.5". Although I see no reason why the 30" barrel wouldn't work I feel that it is easier to maneuver in the "bush" during the set up. I use a extra full choke and have no problems patterning at 40yrds. I would say that if you can get a 18" or 20" barrel give it a try, but don't "'sit out the hunt" because of the barrel length. Cheers


TomZ said:
I finally took and passed my Hunter Safety Course and I am looking forward to my first deer hunt this fall and then a Turkey in the spring. I am all set for Deer (bolt-action 30/30) so I am now getting setup for Turkey.

I picked up a Rem 870 Super Mag 12 Ga from Lebarons with a 30" barrel and rem-chokes.

What do you guys recommend for Turkey ? Would a 22-24" barrel with a Full or Turkey Choke do the trick?

Any reason why the 30" barrel would not work ? I expect to be hunting from a blind so other than the weight of the barrel, I think it should be ok. With a Mod choke installed I can easily hit a "Turkey Head" target with many pellets out to 35 yards using 3" #4 Turkey Loads.

Suggestions for barrel length and choke?

TomZ
Click to expand...
 
Tom, the guys have gave you proper advice.

When it comes to patterning a gun for turkey you need to change your thoughts on the performance of the pattern that hits the head/neck area. You are now shooting a single projectile with a whole bunch of shot into one small area. This is one time that More is Better, as many shot as you can get in a 10-12 inch circle around the turkey head/neck and as even as possible is going to give you a better ending in your hunt.

With this said "Stay away from modifide chokes" use XXFull right into a turkey choke.

The 30 in barrel will work just fine and I used to use one for years myself. I dropped back to the 26in, but really will not go any shorter for a turkey gun as I'm looking for the best tighest pattern possable at 40 years. I have found over the years from testing that it really depends on what is good for you with patterns, but if you want a very well formed pattern stick with the 26 -28 in barrels with a good aftermarket turkey choke...
 
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Modified may seem to put lots of pellets into the target but at 35 yards my x-full turkey choke just blows a big hole. I only use #5s as I believe they are the best compromise between weight and numbers. Any legth barrel will be fine, two things that are a good idea are a sling and some rifle sights or a red dot sight. Just my 2 cents
 
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