1st time turkey hunter - NEF Pardner shotgun - what do I need?

[Ridge Runner]

I am going turkey hunting for the first time this year in Maine.

I plan on buying a NEF Pardner Turkey shotgun for my first turkey hunt. I plan on a 12 guage.


What ammo would you recommend?

What choke?

Is there an aftermarket choke or sight that is better?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[quickdtoo]

I can't tell ya what's gonna shoot best in it, you'll probably need to shoot several loads in it to find a load that patterns good, that's the standard procedure. I would post your question in the NEF Shotgun forum if ya don't get some experienced answers here, they'll most likely have some recommendations for ya there. There are several threads on turkey chokes in that forum if you want to check em out.

Tim

[Ridge Runner]

Thanks -  I appreciate it.

[dukkillr]

12 ga 3 1/2" hevi-shot 5s

Get a super full choke.  A great deal of time and money is wasted on choke and shot talk.  If you're new to turkey hunting and you want to kill a turkey, your time is far better spent scouting than fiddling with your gun.  The densest pattern in the universe can't kill a turkey that isn't there.  Any shotgun/choke/load will kill 75% of all turkeys you shoot at anyway.  The only time that stuff matters is from 45-55 yards. 

[huntswithdogs]

I hope that thang comes with a good recoil pad! The last single barrel that I shot in 12ga. killed from both ends.That was with 2.75" shells.

If it's a "turkey gun" and sold as such, it may come with a tight choke and good sights(rifle style).

HWD

[TribReady]

I prefer a full choke, versus tighter, but that's me and my guns.
You really have to try a few loads and get some patterns.
I really like Remington 3'' magnum #4's. However, I've used #5 2 3/4" Winchester magnums no problem either.
Most shots are, or should be, close enough that you should have plenty of loads to chose from that will give you good patterns. And sometimes bigger isn't always better.

[Doublebass73]

I have the same exact gun as you and just killed my first turkey here in NH.
I used the factory choke it came with (extra full) and Remington Nitro 3"
with #5 shot. It did the trick for me at 20 yards.

[prairiedog555]

Get at least 4 or 5 decoys and put them about 15 yds from you.  Don't call too much, and not at all when they are walking in to you.
Try to make him strech his neck, and shoot. 
I reccomend Fiocchi copper plated #5's with full choke, good out to 50yd with 3in 12ga.

Although the kid shoots one every year with 20ga mod #6.
If you get them in close enough, they like your spread, it is almost a sure thing.
The first 3 birds my kid got buck fever, wouldn't take a shot over 15-20 yds.  Now she is a veteran.

[Swampman]

I have one of these guns, and I think it's fine as is.  I'd try some 3" Magnum #6s and see which brand patterns the best.  Millions of turkeys were killed using regular old shotguns, before we went hi-tech.  Too much choke can be a bad thing.