Author Topic: turkey gun question (Read 533 times)

kevin.303 · « **on:** February 09, 2005, 01:40:15 PM »

Im thinking about taking up turkey hunting this spring and I need a shotgun. Problem is I have a somewhat limited budget, until June, which is too late. Ive noticed on the used rack at SIR they often have old pumps for around $75-$150 depending on the make and condition. Some have the adjustable choke on the end of the muzzle. I know most of these old guns cant fire steel shot, but I have no interest in waterfowl hunting so that doesnt matter. Anyways what I want to know is if the built in choke models produce a tight enough pattern for turkey, and if not would it be possible to have the existing choke cut off and the barrel threaded to accept modern chokes like those made by Remington or Winchester?

Ramrod · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2005, 01:59:58 PM »

A standard full choke gun will do fine if you use premium shells, with copper plated, buffered shot. Pattern them on turkey head and neck targets, stepping back 5 yards at a time till you find the max range. I like #5 shot, some like #4 or #6 better. And another thing, the old Poly-chokes and Mossberg Accu-chokes work as well as any modern screw-in tube.

wink_man · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2005, 02:24:53 PM »

The first turkey I ever shot was back in 1970. I used an Ithaca model 37, 12 gauge, modified choke. Why? Because it was the only shotgun I owned. I remember distinctly, because it was my first turkey, I paced off the distance at 41 yards, I used a Winchester 2 3/4 Magnum load of 4's, and the bird had 4 pellets in the head, and 5 in the neck. Just pattern whatever gun you get, with the shot you plan on hunting with, so you know it's maximum hitting ability and range.
Sincerely,
Garry

kevin.303 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2005, 05:39:13 PM »

are poly chokes safe to use with slugs?

Ramrod · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2005, 11:50:38 PM »

Perfectly safe as far as I can tell. Just set it wide open. A long time ago I shot a few deer with a bolt action Mossberg, with the adjustable choke. That setup is a pretty good deer-turkey combo if you can find a decent used one.