Turkey shotgun recommendation

jcpal

jcpal

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
I am finding myself getting into turkey hunting more than anything else , so looking for a designated turkey shotgun. What are you guys using ?
 
I have lots of options to take but I always take my cheap camo Mossberg 535. It's light, have a Kicks turkey choke and 28" barrel that shoots great. I can crawl around with it if need be and not worry about it getting dirty or marked up. I leave my Brownings and Remingtons at home for that reason.
 
Totally stock, none modified for turkey.

Wingmaster 12 ga from the late 1970s
Win M12 16 ga from the late 1950s
Browning Double Auto 12 ga from the early 1960s
Browning Citori White Lightning 16 ga from 2004
Fox A Grade SxS 12 ga from 1909
Fox Sterlingworth SxS 16 ga from 1935
And an assortment of other vintage SxS from 100 years ago

My only point is take the gun you have, that’s handy and learn to call well. They all work just fine unless you are taking pot shots at 50 plus yards.
 
Either my browning gold 12 28"with jellyhead choke or my Stoeger Coach gun with trulock turkey chokes.

the Stoeger is better for its smaller size, and one barrel patterns tighter than the other.. but it kicks like a mule shooting 3" 2oz turkey loads
 
Whatever gun that fits you and you shoot well! Patterning your gun is the most important part of the equation. Knowing the poa compared to poi is critical and not all guns shoot where they’re pointed and patterns can run high(common with Binelli) or low and even left and right of aiming point. Learn the range limit of your gun/shell combination.
 
canvasback said:
Totally stock, none modified for turkey.

Wingmaster 12 ga from the late 1970s
Win M12 16 ga from the late 1950s
Browning Double Auto 12 ga from the early 1960s
Browning Citori White Lightning 16 ga from 2004
Fox A Grade SxS 12 ga from 1909
Fox Sterlingworth SxS 16 ga from 1935
And an assortment of other vintage SxS from 100 years ago

My only point is take the gun you have, that’s handy and learn to call well. They all work just fine unless you are taking pot shots at 50 plus yards.
Click to expand...
Agreed.

Any 20 ga or larger will kill a turkey (legally in ON).

Take your favourite gun. I usually shoot 4 birds a year and usually use 3-4 different guns.
 
The funnest part of turkey hunting is using a variety of guns. I do have a 535ats fully done up with a scope and custom made choke tube but I also use a variety of sxs guns and pumps and autos. Lately I've really liked my 1301 comp for everything. I've killed turkeys with a canuck regulator 12 5" barrel with a birds head grip. This coming spring i plan on using my unsingle trap gun and a nice british boxlock ejector from the 1890s just because I can.

Look at where you hunt and how you hunt and determine the range at which you'll need to shoot. Then choose the action type you want and then find a load that has a dense enough pattern for the chosen range thst patterns where you point.
If your chosen gun has a more open choke you can tighten the pattern using elite controlled wadded ammo.
The benefit of a double barrel is 2 chokes 2 loads.
As for ammo you do not need a 3.5" 2oz load for turkeys. I use 7/8oz most of the time.
The way I see it is watch trap shooters smash a clay target at 30 to 40 yards with a ounce of shot and a mod to full choke and do it consistently you start to see turkey hunting is all about marketing. Im not saying not to go buy the toys but just don't overlook the very basic things that have always worked
 
brybenn said:
The funnest part of turkey hunting is using a variety of guns. I do have a 535ats fully done up with a scope and custom made choke tube but I also use a variety of sxs guns and pumps and autos. Lately I've really liked my 1301 comp for everything. I've killed turkeys with a canuck regulator 12 5" barrel with a birds head grip. This coming spring i plan on using my unsingle trap gun and a nice british boxlock ejector from the 1890s just because I can.

Look at where you hunt and how you hunt and determine the range at which you'll need to shoot. Then choose the action type you want and then find a load that has a dense enough pattern for the chosen range thst patterns where you point.
If your chosen gun has a more open choke you can tighten the pattern using elite controlled wadded ammo.
The benefit of a double barrel is 2 chokes 2 loads.
As for ammo you do not need a 3.5" 2oz load for turkeys. I use 7/8oz most of the time.
The way I see it is watch trap shooters smash a clay target at 30 to 40 yards with a ounce of shot and a mod to full choke and do it consistently you start to see turkey hunting is all about marketing. Im not saying not to go buy the toys but just don't overlook the very basic things that have always worked
Click to expand...

Nailed it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom