need help on a choice for a new turkey gun

[woodsdweller]

i now have an 835 ulti mag. the gun shoots ok but is not a great fit. length of pull is way off. called mossburg and was told it is not recomended to shorten it. i have also been considering an auto but would settle for a good fitting pump.

also how many feel 3.5 are nessary. mine kills on both ends.
i am 5' 5" and way 175 i am not recoil sensitive but looking for a smoother gun.

i am looking for a reasonable price too.

thank you
woodsdweller  

[Jack Crevalle]

I'm kind of curious about why you think the length of pull is off. I assume
you mean it is too long. You could get a ladies or boys model shotgun to try to get one with a shorter length of pull. You might want to broaden your options. Unless you plan on using the gun for other things two shots is more than enough. Heck, the times I've gotten off a second shot at a turkey it's been a waste of time. Unless again, you are using it for some other sport that involves pass shooting, if you can shoulder the gun and fire it reasonably well I don't think length of pull is that important here. When you hear a turkey coming you should already have the gun up and pointed in the direction you anticipate him. If you wait to throw the gun up, more than likely he'll see you do it and leave.

As to 3.5's: there are two schools of thought on shot size. One is to use small shot and aim at the head, the other is to use large shot and aim at the neck and body. If recoil is a problem you might think about using small shot and aiming at the head. You can use a reduced load and you will not be able to shoot as far but you'll throw more pellets.

[woodsdweller]

this is the seccond 835 i have owned. the first was around 1992 this one fit great. but i had problems with bad shot patterns it was sent back to the company and their was a bur in the back bored section of the barrel. the dealer only had a crown grade version on hand . so i took this and did not think there would be any differance. but there is about 1.25 inches differance in the but stock as compared to my buddies his is the same as my old version. i only had it sent back last year.  yes the trigger is out too far.

[Jack Crevalle]

Have you looked at Cabela's or BassPro Shops for an after-market stock?

You might try it and if it doesn't fit send it back.

[woodsdweller]

I have tried a few different places everything is for the 500 model. i did look at a nice 870 express mag yesterday. came up nice and fit well. someone said they were having problems with them jamming up. has anyone experanced this?

[nautilusranch]

I have only been hunting for about 5 years (since I married my husband). I am 56 but since 1999 I have... 1 Grand Slam,
half way to a second grand slam and half way to a third grand slam (but with a single shot pistol).  
I have been using a Benelli M1 (auto) and is TERRIFIC... I did have to get it cut down (Benelli recomend no more than an inch be taken off). We did this and is great... this past spring I got to actually shot a turkey on the run which I could never do before because it was taking me so long to get the shotgun up because it did not fit.
So of course that is my recommendation for that. But my husband would recommend  870 Remington (pump) which can be cut down. And as someone else said there is always a chance of a youth model.  
Good luck !!
Bobbie Holloway
Chuck Holloway

[nautilusranch]

When  my husband recommended the 870 he also asked me to pass on to you that he knows 3 people with these and no one has had a problem with jamming...
Bobbie Holloway

[Robert]

But it wont do what my old Mossberg 500 does with the Mossberg brand (internal) extra full choke.  Dont discredit the Mossberg pump, they get the job done.

[varmit_master]

I would look at a Benelli Nova Pump about the same cost as an 870 i like the auto loader for turkey hunting if u want a good  auto loader i would look at a Benelli Super 90 12ga all around gun i have 3 turkey guns
1 Benelli 12ga Super 90 21 inch barrel
2 Benelli 12 ga Super Black Eagle 26 in Bar.
3 Rem SP 10ga 23 in bar Mossy Oak B U ( turkey widow maker)

[Jack Crevalle]

Here's something that claims to be a stock for the 835 with a shorter LOP:

http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchant.ihtml?pid=4615&step=4

[nautilusranch]

I agree with ya varmint_master!!   Also, I had put down my
Benelli as an M-1 which it is..but officially it is the M-1 Super 90....
same as    yours.   This is the shotgun that was tested by dumping it in water, saltwater, mud, swamp water, etc. and just a kept on firing!!
I know there are a lot of great shotguns out there.. I just wound up with this one at a pretty good deal at a gun show...I had a few others but since I  always chose this one to hunt turkeys it obviously became by favorite...

[1GLOCK]

I use a Charles Daily Field 12 Semi auto, 3" realtree camo 26" bl. with true glow sights. I love this combination and have had good luck with reliability for only a $400 gun. Its light and being semiauto recoil is not bad at all and i only weigh 140 or so. Ive never really found a use for 3.5" shells for turkey, i just dont feel im gaining all that much for the added recoil.

[Hawghead]

I have two that I like.  Mossberg 500 and benelli m1 field.(super 90).

[woodsdweller]

well its done went out today and bought a bretta xtrema and love it got it at a good deal. thanks for the help.

[LONEBRAVE]

THE SUPER-X2 FEELS GREAT AND WITH LOW RECOIL FOR THE 3 1/2 MAGNUM AND SHOOTS TIGHT WITH BROWNING INVECTOR TURKEY CHOKE ,BUT MY OLD REMINGTON 870 3 INCH GUN IS STILL OLD FAITHFULL