Author Topic: Suggestions for New Turkey Gun (Read 2192 times)

Todd1700 · « **on:** March 14, 2009, 06:59:43 AM »

I am locked in for what I'll be using this coming season (good thing because it starts next Monday) but I am thinking of trying to put together a new turkey gun & choke combo for next year. I currently have two shotguns but I am not completely satisfied with either.

The first is a 12 ga black synthetic stocked Beretta 390. Now it shoots pretty good patterns with an extended turkey choke in it and I have killed a lot of gobblers with it. But it is a really long barreled model better suited as a pure bird gun.

The second shotgun is one that I actually won at a NWTF banquet a while back. It is a 12 ga Mossberg 500 tactical turkey. I love everything about the features of this little gun. It's short and easy to maneuver when set up on a turkey. It's got a beautiful camo finish. It has a pistol grip which I really like. The tactical stock adjusts to fit you, which is nice. The problem is that it just will not pattern to suit me. I've tried 4 different extended turkey chokes including the one that came with it and I cannot get it to put more than about 55 pellets in a 10 inch circle at 40 yards. And that's with Winchester extended range number 6's. It will not get 55 in a 10 inch circle with any number 4 or 5 load that I have tried. (and I've tried a lot) I did kill two birds with it last year but both were well inside 40 yards.

Now I'm not one of these guys trying to build a 60 yard turkey gun or even a 50 yard gun. But I find any gun that will not pattern at 40 yards ultimately unacceptable no matter what else I like about it. Would love some suggestions from you guys for shotgun, choke, and shell combos that have performed well for you.

In particular here are some thoughts I have about purchasing this new gun.

1. The little mossberg only has a 20 inch barrel and it's poor patterns have me scared of buying a turkey gun with a barrel this short. I'm thinking 24 inch minimum.

2. I'm not cheap but I cannot see paying 1200 or more dollars for a Benelli. Especially when we are talking about using it just for turkeys. Even if you limit out during turkey season here in Alabama that's a grand total of 5 shots in the field per year.

3. Would love one that comes in camo, and has an option for a pistol or thumbhole grip.

Sorry this is so long and I appreciate any and all suggestions.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2009, 11:01:09 AM »

What choke are you running in that Mossburg? I have a Hastings .665 extended choke in my 20" barreled 97 and it throws fantastic patterns with Winchester Supreme 4s and 6s in 2.75.

Todd1700 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2009, 09:37:45 PM »

I have tried a Kicks Gobblin Thunder, a Primos Jellyhead, a Truglo Gobble Stopper and the Accuchoke that came with it. I have shot Winchester Supreme 5 and 6's, Winchester Supreme elite 6's, Federal Flight control wad 4's and 5's, Fiochi number 4's, and Heavy 13 number 6's.

I shot it again today in fact and the best shell/choke combo was the jellyhead and Federal FC number 5's. That combo will put 57 pellets in a 10 inch circle at 40 yards and 11 pellets in a 4 inch circle. Fired at a turkey head target it will put about 5 pellets in the neck bone and brain kill zone with about 10 to 12 more in neck and head but not in the spine or brain. What's your opinion on those results/

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2009, 05:04:15 AM »

Quote

Fired at a turkey head target it will put about 5 pellets in the neck bone and brain kill zone with about 10 to 12 more in neck and head but not in the spine or brain. What's your opinion on those results/

If that's consistant, then you've got a turkey load/gun there!

BTW, thanx fer making it clear that the hits are in the head/spine area, as opposed to just "in the head and neck". I see that wording a lot in these forums and it's not really indicative of a good killing hit! You need at least three to five hits in the spine/brain to make sure a turk will go down and stay down!!

ol bumpy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2009, 11:05:55 AM »

I got a new 11-87 with the sure-shot stock a few weeks ago, and am thrilled with it so far. Tried a couple of chokes and several different loads....The Indian Creek BDS choke and 3.5" Hevi-13 #6's are flat-out unreal. At 40 yards, there were 250+ pellets in a 10" circle, with about 40 in the bone or brain. Getting around 300+ hits at 20 and 30 yards, and it pretty much blows the orange circle out of a Primos turkey head target at the closer ranges.

I rarely shoot a bird past 30 yards, 40 yards max. Most of them are inside 20 yards, due to the terrain here, and the fact that I like to call them in close....But just for kicks, I shot the gun at a ranged 60 yards, just to see what it would do....Had 130 or so hits in the 10" circle, with 18 in the bone/brain. Would never dream of shooting that far at a bird, but if I ever mess up and misjudge the distance while hunting a field, I have confidence that he would be stone dead.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2009, 02:18:16 PM »

Quote

I got a new 11-87 with the sure-shot stock a few weeks ago, and am thrilled with it so far.

Sounds good, but what's the barrel length? Todd is working with a 20" barrel on that Mossburg and it's sometimes difficut to get a good tight pattern with a barrel that short. This is what I had a problem with in my 97 because it only has a 20" too. But it sounds to me like he's got a combination that will do the job if he keeps his shots within reason...and the birds cooperate!

Hey! Tomorrow is Monday! Todd's season starts!!!!!! Good luck Dude!!!!

ol bumpy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2009, 04:02:14 PM »

Quote from: Cuts Crooked on March 15, 2009, 02:18:16 PM

Quote
I got a new 11-87 with the sure-shot stock a few weeks ago, and am thrilled with it so far.

Sounds good, but what's the barrel length? Todd is working with a 20" barrel on that Mossburg and it's sometimes difficut to get a good tight pattern with a barrel that short. This is what I had a problem with in my 97 because it only has a 20" too. But it sounds to me like he's got a combination that will do the job if he keeps his shots within reason...and the birds cooperate!

Hey! Tomorrow is Monday! Todd's season starts!!!!!! Good luck Dude!!!!

The barrel on the 11-87 is 23".....Good luck in the woods, guys....

Todd1700 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2009, 05:51:18 PM »

Quote

The Indian Creek BDS choke and 3.5" Hevi-13 #6's are flat-out unreal.

I have heard a lot of good things about Indian Creek chokes. Paired with Heavy 13 shot they have been pretty much dominating the NWTF still target competitions.

Quote

If that's consistant, then you've got a turkey load/gun there!

I think so too. It was very consistent. Nothing to brag about but all I'm looking for is dead birds. 5 or 6 copper plated number 5's in the kill zone is alright with me.

Quote

Hey! Tomorrow is Monday! Todd's season starts!!!!!! Good luck Dude!!!!

Thanks! Drove down to one of our fields this evening and watched 7 long beards through my binoculars for about 30 minutes. Talk about getting you fired up for opening morning.

FireStrut · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:08:40 AM »

Hevi 13 and a Indian Creek Choke in a 870 makes one good killing machine.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:45:21 AM »

I have tried several , 870 3 inch , 870 3.5 inch both with rem turkey chokes that come with the gun also Briley tubes an improvement . An SKB o/u that is really good with briley tubes . had a super black egale it shot so-so and jammed some so it got traded . the gun i use most of the time now is a Winchester Super X-2 turkey gun full camo . Wild turkey gun - logo on stock . i use a briley tube XXF .

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2009, 11:25:38 AM »

Never thought to mention it because Todd is already into his season, but accessory barrels abound for those Mossburg 500s. I mean there seems to be a barrel for nearly every imaginable use out there for that gun. Perhaps an inexpensive upgrade for next year could a longer barrel, instead of a whole new gun?

Gang, I got almost a month to wait fer my season

So I've been patterning loads, checking my gear, brushing up on my calling, and generally waiting Patiently (NOT)! I've got my previously mentioned 97 reproduction gun that is my primary turkey getter. I won this thing at a Cowboy Action Shooting match several years ago. It's set up mainly for that sport, but when I had the action job done I had the smith put in a choke system...best idea I ever had! Just got done putting camo tape on it for this season, never used the tape before so I'll see how that works out, sure looks good right now though.

My other turkey guns are an older CVA trapper frontstuffer that throws absolutely awesome patterns with 2oz of #4 and 70 grains of powder, and an old Cresent SxS that is strictly a 25 yard or less gun. I'll probably carry the CVA early in the season, but the 97 will come out for last season. As you may have gathered, I'm prone to using old fashioned guns fer hunting.
And turkey hunting is no exception, I took my first turkey with that CVA frontstuffer and my second with that 97. The SxS hasn't scored yet, once in a while I'll get the urge to carry it in early season. (its choked for trap shooting and I only use black powder shells in it now, limiting the range a lot)

mirage1988 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2009, 01:31:16 PM »

Todd-
the .17 hmr patterns pretty well

Todd1700 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2009, 06:09:55 AM »

Quote

the .17 hmr patterns pretty well

Ha, Yeah I'm sure it does.

The problem may be solved with this little Mossberg. I did a little online research which revealed that the federal shells with the flight control wads do not like chokes tighter than .670 constriction or chokes that are designed to sort of snag the wad a bit to separate it from the shot. So I put the old Accuchoke XXfull .670 choke back on that was in this gun when I won it. Fired a Federal Flight control number 5 at a turkey head target and at a 10 inch circle at 40 yards. It put 21 pellets in the head and neck of the turkey head target at 40 yards, 7 of which hit the instant kill areas of spine or brain. Fired at a standard circle target it put 84 pellets into a 10 inch circle at 40 yards and 21 in a 4 inch circle. Heck 6 pellets hit the center 1 1/2 inch wide red bullseye. Thats red hot turkey death right there.

GeorgiaDave · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2009, 08:48:42 AM »

Hello from Georgia,

I suggest you simply get yourself a Mossberg 835 UltiMag and be done with it. They come with the Accumag choke system and there is a choke for every occasion. Try the super full that comes with it and I am sure that you will like it. This set up is a slam bang for turkeys and any other game that you will ever hunt with a shotgun, simply change the choke and go. With the 3 1/2 inch turkes loads this has proven to be good for a 53 yard single kill shot and several over 40 yards. A few years ago I passed on a 20 yard shot after deciding to let him ease out a bit farther. At 45 yards, I made a great shot that placed at least 8 #4 pellets in his head and neck. This may not be a glomorous or aristocratic shotgun, but as a turkey tool, it is as close to foolproof as it gets. Good Luck and keep us posted.

Dave

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2009, 02:52:39 PM »

I don't know much about the Mossberg 835, but my primary criteria in a turkey gun is that it is light. I do a fair amount of walking and don't want to lug around much weight. I bought an H&R Topper Deluxe a few years ago (NWTF Edition that a good friend of mine won at a NWTF banquet). I will admit that it kicks like a mule but it is so sweet to carry around that I live with that one punch I need to take. Besides, when I am pointing it at a big tom, I don't reay notice the kick!

Forestclimber · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2009, 05:09:31 PM »

I think the Hastings extended chokes are as good as any for the money. I like longer barrels too. They seem to be easier to aim.

renegade50 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 11, 2009, 07:54:34 AM »

#1 this year

#1 last year

# 2&3 last year

#4 last year

ok now before i get nuked by any members of the MMDP (minimum maximum distance police)

i hunted for years with a savage stevens 311 12 gauge s x s and used only the right side full barrel with federal # 5 loads
it was a 35 yard gun period, and i was very successful with it but also had to pass on a lot of birds out of its range
i finnally got a dedicated turkey gun for christmas in dec 06
a mossy 835 !!!!!!!!

played around with alot of shell and choke combos
some good , some bad....

their are only 2 combos i would reccomend in a mossy 835 if you have the money to spend and want something topnotch set up from off the shelf products that are available.

strut stopper extreme .670 part # tg151x (not the gobble stopper extreme) and the hevi 13 #6 3.5 inch load 2 1/4 oz
throws 180-210 pellet count in 10 inch circle at 40 yards consistently
30-40+ kill hits consistently

and what i finnally went with after spending 350-400 dollars doing various chokeology and shellology experiments with this gun that are just plain old too numerous to think off.

rhino .680 choke
nitro company 501L economy hevishot with copper, 4c x 5c x 7h 3.5 inch load
truglo pro series sights
simms pad

290-310+ pellets in 10 inch circle at 40 yards consistently
65-75+ kill hits consistently

once you try the rhino and nitro combo you will never look back

a remington sp10 decked out with a rhino and nitro combo is the only other gun that will outperform a mossy 835 with a rhino nitro combo according to nitro,s website and patterning information

for under 550 dollars you could have the same setup or similar with different sites and pad and 15 nitro shells,a box of 5 and a box of 10 (i cant save up enough for a box of 25)
add 125 bucks to that overall figure for a 835 tactical turkey gun with all the bells and whistles like collaspable stock, pistol grip and shell holder

order your ammo directly from the nitro website early in the year at the latest the 1st week of feburary
(he gets real busy in mid march)

just my 2 cents.......

good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

valvesinmyhead · « **Reply #17 on:** April 14, 2009, 02:04:29 AM »

Thanks for the great info Renegade. What is the part # on the Pro Series sights you are using? I found it TG944B

chucky52 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2009, 07:14:33 AM »

Really good post. Glad to have the chokology and shellology without doing it myself; but, I bet it will not be consistent for me.

renegade50 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 14, 2009, 01:27:08 PM »

Quote from: valvesinmyhead on April 14, 2009, 02:04:29 AM

Thanks for the great info Renegade. What is the part # on the Pro Series sights you are using? I found it TG944B

the ones they sell as slug sights and turkey sights are one in the same i beleive
just different names
and that is the part #

renegade50 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 14, 2009, 01:29:47 PM »

Quote from: chucky52 on April 14, 2009, 07:14:33 AM

Really good post. Glad to have the chokology and shellology without doing it myself; but, I bet it will not be consistent for me.

?
why not?

?

chucky52 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 15, 2009, 05:28:36 PM »

Because this stuff is never easy for me.

chipmunk · « **Reply #22 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:23:29 AM »

I just thought I'd throw this story on here since the distance subject was mentioned. I have a mossberg 935 and while I've never shot a bird outside of 30 yards with it (I like em close!) a friend once shot one at a confirmed 82 yards with my gun. The bird had stopped and refused to come another step so he shot. Dropped it. I was amazed. I later shot at a target and learned that I could consistently get 5-6 pellets in the brain and spine at that range. Still don't think I'd personally try it on a bird, but nice to know it's possible.

BTW this is a 22 inch barrel with the choke that came on the gun. The gun throws crazy awesome patterns. It'll literally blow a solid hole at the center of a 40 yard target with almost all pellets in a 10 inch circle.