TURKEY HUNTING - Opinions/Help

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byers17

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Hey guys!

I'm getting into turkey hunting this year and I'm looking to buy a new shotgun. I'm looking to get some opinions as to what is the best barrel length to buy as well as if it make a difference to have a camo, black or a wood shotgun.

Keep in mind, I also wanna start hunting duck and geese again...needless to say this new shotgun will get it's use!

If you can help me out, I would appreicate it if you would PM me...thanks again.

For those of you that have a shotgun up for a decent price, again PM me.

JB
:canadaFlag:
 
Get yourself a Mossberg 500 (or Maverick 88) with the 28" barrel with the accu-chokes and purchase the xxf choke for about $450 ($350 for Maverick) total. It's an extremely innexpensive, versatile, multi-functioning and well built shotgun. Just my $0.02.

-Jason

Edit- Barrels can be had for less than $200 each. Rifled slug,muzzle loader and 28" general purpose barrel will cover ALL your future needs with one action. Just swap the barrels. You can't do all that with a Remmy. -J
 
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Turkey season is a VERY small part of the usage your SG will see. Get whatever you will be using for waterfowl, and slap a full choke in it. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to buy a turkey choke...full will be fine. Just call them in a little closer. I've shot two toms on the first two days of the season for the last 4 years....never used a turkey choke. In fact, I took the last two with a bow. Pick up a 26 or 28" pump from any of the big names (Remington, Winchester, Browning, Mossberg) a full choke and a Modified (Slugs/steel) and go hunt.

Ryan
 
the_big_mike said:
30" imo because you want a tight spread.
Click to expand...
"30 is awfully long to move around in tight spaces and has nothing to do with pattern spread. A "23 to "26 with a specialized turkey choke would be ideal. Just substitute a rifled choke tube in the fall and you have a great slug gun.
 
In my opinion camo is highly over rated, as far as it being on a firearm. A buddy that I hunt with bought a Stoeger Pump in a camo pattern, and invariably when we are out hunting he sets it down, and takes 5 to 10 seconds to find the damn thing. Turkey's tend to zone in on movement more than anything else, so I think the shorter the barrel the better, 26" seems to be a good length. This length will also serve you well while waterfowling as well, imp. cyl. choke with #2 Kent Faststeel works well for me for both ducks and geese. As for turkey chokes it does seem to be quite a bit of hype as well, my 870 patterns just as well with my full choke as it does with the super full turkey choke, but it does look cool ;) with the extended choke.

Hope this helps
7.62mm
 
Lets be clear here! Size of the barrel means absolutely squat on slow moving targets like turkey and deer that tend to walk more than run or fly, hense the reason deer barrels are usually under 24" and same with turkey barrels. The shorter the barrel the more compact the gun and easier to manage in tight cover like a treestand or blind. Now lets look at waterfowl hunting...flying targets travelling at a good clip which require tracking and a lead to connect. The longer the barrel, the more area you cover in your sweep making tracking a side to side, fast moving target easier. Barrel lenght means NOTHING in patterning shot. It is all about the forcing cone, bore and choke taking into account constriction, design, ported or not, wad stripper or not and even how they fit and screw into the bore of the barrel. You want a consistant balanced pattern? You need a barrel that will not or will as little as possible "bump" the load. Meaning a gradual taper to the forcing cone, mirror like bore that has no flaws or inconsistancies and a choke system that fits securely and is perfectly aligned with the bore. Then the right choke comes in.

So, here's my suggestion.....BUY A BENELLI SBE II 26" BARREL AND A KICKS GOBBLIN THUNDER .665 TURKEY CHOKE. The gun is expensive..yes, but it will be the only one you need to buy for bird hunting. You want to hunt deer with it? Get the 24" rifled barrel too. The CRIO barrel is the right stuff and the choke system is tops. A less expensive alternative would be the Stoger 2000 with the chrome lined barrel and same recoil operating system as Benelli.
 
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^ Chilly pretty much says it all...
I think he loves his Benelli a little bit too much though.;)


the_big_mike said:
30" imo because you want a tight spread.
Click to expand...
As Chilly mentioned barrel length has very little to do with pattern density.:confused:
 
BIGREDD said:
^ Chilly pretty much says it all...
I think he loves his Benelli a little bit too much though.;)


As Chilly mentioned barrel length has very little to do with pattern density.:confused:
Click to expand...


It doesnt? Then whats the benefit of having a 30" barrel?
 
Don't mean to hi-jack here...but what are the regulations as to hunting turkeys with rifles? I've never hunted turkeys before but was just wondering if it would be legal to go for headshots with a 22LR or even a small centerfire.
 
Slimbo said:
Don't mean to hi-jack here...but what are the regulations as to hunting turkeys with rifles? I've never hunted turkeys before but was just wondering if it would be legal to go for headshots with a 22LR or even a small centerfire.
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Ahhhhh

Headshot thread is in the hunting forum.

Why is it that some people refuse to read their hunting regs?????????

Bet you $5 it in there!!!!!

Wild turkeys may be hunted using shotguns (including
muzzle-loading shotguns) and archery equipment. Shotguns
must be no larger than 10 gauge, and not smaller than
20 gauge, loaded with shot sizes 4, 5 or 6.
When archery hunting for wild turkey, bows must meet the
following specifications.
Crossbows:
• Draw length must be at least 300 mm (11.8 in.).
• Draw weight must be at least 45 kg (99.2 lb.).
• Bolt head must be at least 22 mm (0.87 in.) at the widest
point.
• There must be at least two cutting edges of straight,
sharp, unserrated, barbless steel.
Bows (compound, recurve or long):
• Draw weight must be at least 18 kg (39.7 lb.) at draw
length of 700 mm (27.6 in.) or less.
• Arrow length must be at least 600 mm (23.6 in.).
• Arrow head must be at least 22 mm (0.87 in.) at the
widest point.
• There must be at least two cutting edges of straight,
sharp, unserrated, barbless steel.
Click to expand...
 
Slimbo said:
Don't mean to hi-jack here...but what are the regulations as to hunting turkeys with rifles? I've never hunted turkeys before but was just wondering if it would be legal to go for headshots with a 22LR or even a small centerfire.
Click to expand...

Read the shot size requirements carefully. I have heard of a hunter that bought "turkey loads" in the USA that contained #2 shot. He was charged by a CO.
 
As far as barrel length,26" seems to be a nice happy medium for all the use you plan to do.
I too think camo is overated
I would recommend a maybe an 870 express,nothing fancy but fairly cheap nowadays and reliable.
 
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