Waterfowl & Turkey help

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Spurrooty

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Hi I'm new to the hunting scene and would like some feed back or suggestions on a shotgun that could be used for both waterfowl and wild turkey. I was looking a the stoeger 3500 but have heard mixed reviews. I'm open to a pump doesn't have to be a semi. My budget at it's highest is about 1000$
 
Any shotgun which can accept a Full or Extra Full choke tube will be suitable for turkey. For waterfowling, I usually use I.C. around decoys.

Lots of guns meet this criteria. Decide which feels right snuggled up against you.
 
Find a used Wingmaster or BPS with 28" barrel, interchangeable chokes and 3" chamber. You don't need 3.5" shells to kill turkeys... even at extended ranges. Use a heavy 3" #6 buffered turkey load... the #6 shot tightens up the pattern for more pellets on target. Semi's are fine also... you can get a Beretta 391, Win SX2 or Browning Silver on the used market for under your budget. In a pump, I lean strongly toward the Wingmaster and in a semi, strongly toward the 391... JMO.
 
As already mentioned, lots of guns will meet your needs. Basically decide if you want a pump or semi, only you can decide that. Then , as already mentioned, find one that fits you. As far as brand, you will get numerous suggestions but pretty much most will get the job done. It will come down to what action you want, how it fits and what appeals to you personally in a given brand/model.
 
Also... don't overlook over/unders... don't let anyone tell you that you can't kill waterfowl and turkeys with an O/U... even a shiny, pretty one...

 
Yes there are many options and as I am sure you know fit is foremost. I very much enjoy double guns and find little handicap in hunting with a well fitting double. I must admit that I prefer a SxS in the duck blind although the price difference between a quality O/U suitable for steel and the same quality SxS is convincing me that I may have to try an O/U in the duck blind soon.
 
Agreed a new SxS can be a bit pricey but I know from experience....the old ones kill ducks, geese and turkey just fine. I haven't killed a turkey with anything other than a SxS and 2 3/4' shells in 7 years.
 
Basically you want a 12ga with a 3" chamber 3.5" isn't really needed but wont be bad ether. Get something with screw in chokes so you can be more versatile. Pumps and autos both work well but keep in mind a auto will help tame the recoil of a magnum shell which are commonly used for turkey and waterfowl. With your budget you can get any number of new pumps, Rem 870, Browning, Bennelli, come to mind all great guns. You can also find a lightly used semi auto in that price range, if you see a win x3 or Browning silver/maxis jump on it. You wont be disappointed.
 
If it takes you more than one shot to kill a Turkey you need to practice shooting at the pattern board more. Or wait until the birds come in closer.
 
Winchested said:
If it takes you more than one shot to kill a Turkey you need to practice shooting at the pattern board more. Or wait until the birds come in closer.
Click to expand...

Or... you hit a hole in the pattern, or a twig splits the pattern or, or, or... crap happens. Most of my birds went down on the first shot, but two required a second shot... and my biggest bird required a third shot... I had played "cat n' mouse" with that bird for over two hours in a large tract of woods... I finally took a shot I was comfortable with after half a dozen oppotunities that I was not comfortable with... and as bad luck would have it, a bit of unseen brush split the pattern... the bird flew crippled over a ridge, with me sprinting after it, as I crested the ridge, the tom had come down and was running away from me 45 yards out... it was ducking and dodging, my second shot missed but the third anchored him cleanly... stuff happens... it doesn't always go off like clock work.
 
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