Dedicated Turkey Gun

[James DeTorre]

I avoid long range rifle hunting . Outside 300 yards is just not relevant for me . Long range turkey hunting is my obsession.
Some observations:
A twenty gauge shotgun weighing 5.5 lbs shooting turkey loads kicks like a donkey. The physics is the same for shotguns and rifles.
TSS is truly a game changer.
Red dots are worth it.
Good chokes are worth it.
Semi auto is worth it.
A turkey gun has to be sited in like a rifle.
Practice at distance and not from a bench.
However , a single shot break action shotgun will put you in the field and you will still have fun!

Happy Hunting

 

[James DeTorre]

I avoid long range rifle hunting . Outside 300 yards is just not relevant for me . Long range turkey hunting is my obsession.
Some observations:
A twenty gauge shotgun weighing 5.5 lbs shooting turkey loads kicks like a donkey. The physics is the same for shotguns and rifles.
TSS is truly a game changer.
Red dots are worth it.
Good chokes are worth it.
Semi auto is worth it.
A turkey gun has to be sited in like a rifle.
Practice at distance and not from a bench.
However , a single shot break action shotgun will put you in the field and you will still have fun!

Happy Hunting

 

[biff's reloading]

You guys age making me feel like a Hobo, I have one shotgun (old Mossberg 500) that I bought off a kid for $65 18 years ago. He needed his deer tag and it was getting late on the day before opening of season. I've shot a few duck, doves, grouse, and a Turkey or two.

If u look at a lot of these guys pics and background info, you'll see many of them routinely run off to africa and Alaska and wherever else with $20k in new guns for each trip. this forum has lots of rich old white guys with high levels of self esteem. that's fine, it takes all kinds.

I also just have a few guns, none very fancy, anything built was built by me because I sure as hell cant afford to pay these guys thousands of dollars for work. dont feel "less" just because your gun isnt as shiny. It gets the same job done.

 

[Teri Anne]

I have never been impressed by glam or glitter. While I do like blued barrels and walnut stocks I much prefer firearms that perform downrange than looking pretty above the mantle. I have found that there are $600 rifles that outshoot $6000.00 ones. I have found that factory made firearms, depending upon the factory that they came from are just as accurate and custom builds. I have found that $800 versions from one manufacturer are made from the same parts and barrels as pricier models with a price tag two or three times higher. I have found that the much treasured Pre 64 Winchester Model 70's don't shoot quite as well as the Post 64 models do. While I like blued and walnut I own several that are stainless and black simply because they are fantastic shooting rifles. I used to be able to say that I don't have any fancy guns but I can't quite say that anymore. I recently purchased a Browning A5 Ultimate which while not really fancy is pretty and shoots quite well too. I have sent several firearms off the Kramer Auction Service to sell to the highest bidder. Most are Remington 870's and 1100's 12, 20 and 28 ga all of which are in almost new condition. The auction will start next month (February) and can be found on Proxibid at Kramer Auction Service, Prairie du Chien, WI. To each their own but I much prefer function to glitter. I am down to 3 shotguns, The A5 for just about anything and everything, a Remington 11\87 for trap and a Remington 1100 20 ga with a skeet barrel for of course skeet. Slowly whittling my way down to only having what I shoot and nothing just hanging on the wall or hiding in a dark gun vault. What are your thoughts?

 

[Godly70]

Benelli would be a great choice .

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

Don't overlook the new Remington V-3 turkey pro, about as perfect as could ever be designed..great shooter also..

 

[James DeTorre]

Mine is Benilli M2, 24 inch barrel, Red dot, Rhino choke, Using Browning 7&9 TSS, 12 gauge.

i found scope a handicap when the action was close and fast as it can be in eastern woods. Also cut myself twice with scope and missed twice . No misses with red dot. Three birds at 40- 45 yds last year folded up.
A dedicated turkey gun is more important to me than any of my rifles, but thats life as a turkey nut.
PS no 3.5 , it will hurt you !

 

[James DeTorre]

One update. My red dot died over wintering. New battery wouldn't bring it back to life. One thing for the preseason chk list.
Pondering try at a 410 gauge slam. Anyone done that yet?

 

[204_ruger]

I sold my 12 ga turkey loads. I went to 410 and 20 ga turkey guns. Mossberg
500 410 TSS turkey gun
SA 410ga TSS turkey gun
SA 20 ga turkey gun.
The 410's have Indian Creek. 385 . One shoots apex ninja 9.5 TSS load. Other shoots apex small town bend 9.5. Both has reflex red dots on them. The 20 ga has a Winchester longbeard xr choke. With longbeard xr 5 shot. Or ninja or federal 20ga 3 inch 9 tss loads with Carlson TSS choke. Topped with a reflex red dot. I used to hunt with a Remington sp 10ga. And Remington 870 12ga 3.5.

 

[Chas1]

I'd go 20 gauge, 12 gauge 3.5's are brutal.

 

[Plowboy85]

I'd go 20 gauge, 12 gauge 3.5's are brutal.

But they are brutal on both ends lol

 

[Old Rooster]

Buy once, cry once. Get yourself a Benelli Super Black Eagle. They are top of the line and the recoil is mild.

My brother in law sold his old Mossberg and bout the Benelli 12 gauge and shoots 3 1/2 for geese and 3 inch for everything else.
He bought one of the first one's to hit the market and has never had a problem.
His Mossberg took many turkeys and ducks but it kicked like a mule and the Benelli don't kick as bad.
Being from the south I always used a 870 for turkeys but back then we used lead shot.
As stated TSS shot is way better than steel and the closest to lead I can find

 

[Ninering62]

But they are brutal on both ends lol

Yes 12ga 3.5 mag's do pack a punch, but well designed autos like Benelli & Browning made them easier to manage the felt recoil.

 

[ultimag43]

browning bps 10 GA / W hevishot #2 it anchors turkeys ducks ,geese cranes and anything else that flies a long long ways out there