more turkey gun advice please

[redhedder]

Thanks for all your input. I am just now beginning to Turkey hunt and have very little experience. Any help appreciated.

My situation with the Rem 1100. I have had the gun a very long time-present from my Dad. It is a 28 in barrell with no screw in (as I can tell). I do also have an NEF 12ga slug gun that I can order a Turkey barrell for. It is a little lighter than the rem 1100 but a single shot.

I would like the best gun for my money. Of the two, would you have a choke put on the 1100 (I guess a good gun smith in order) or the barrell for the NEF single shot.

I will be moving around a good bit on our land, and believe that the Rem 1100 only shoots 2 3/4 in shells. thank you for your input and I look forward as to what you would do if you were me.

[Graybeard]

I admit to liking all the lead I can get when turkey hunting so prefer a gun that shoots 3" shells with 1-7/8 or 2 oz of #6 shot personally. But with a 2-3/4" chambered gun you can buy 1-1/2 oz loads and that really is enough so it's not a big handicap to use the Rem 1100.

You can buy another barrel for it with Rem Choke tube capability about as cheaply as you can have tubes installed in your barrel and that's the route I'd take. As to the NEF a single shot shouldn't be considered a handicap for turkey hunting really as a fast second shot isn't that important. You need to make sure the first one is properly placed and if so no second one is likely to be needed and in truth it's unlikely you'll get a second  shot if that first one wasn't placed pretty much correctly anyway.

Turkey hunting is mostly about calling them into range and if you do that what gun you shoot is really the least of your concerns. I have a friend up in PA who just won't shoot if it's over 20 yards out and often calls them in closer. I told him he really only needs a .410 if he's gonna wait until they are that close. 

[redhedder]

Thanks for your reply. Which do you think would be cheaper? The turkey barrell for the single shot would be around 80 bucks. I think the single shot would be lighter?? What are your thoughts on buying the Rem choke tube vs the barrell?? Thanks again

[Graybeard]

I'm not sure what you'd pay to have choke tubes added to your current barrel. I suspect that varies depending on who does it and whether it's done locally or you have to ship it off to do it. The NEF barrel is likely the lowest cost option. Personally I'd buy a new barrel for the Rem1100 or if it's MOD or FULL just use it as is.

[nodlenor]

I've hunted turkeys for several years and very seldom do I get a second shot and then it is usually just a frustration shot. I would recommend getting a short barrel for the NEF with an extra full choke. My turkey gun has a 21" barrel and I use 2 3/4" #6 Mags and am very happy with the way they perform at reasonable ranges. Different guns prefer different loads, usually, so be sure to pattern your gun and see what works best for you. If you decide to go with the 1100 I would still get a short barrel with an extra full choke. The short barrel being easier to move around with in brushy country. Either gun would make a good turkey gun, it's really a matter of personal choice. Don't forget to camo it, turkeys have very good eyes.

[buck460XVR]

I admit to liking all the lead I can get when turkey hunting so prefer a gun that shoots 3" shells with 1-7/8 or 2 oz of #6 shot personally. But with a 2-3/4" chambered gun you can buy 1-1/2 oz loads and that really is enough so it's not a big handicap to use the Rem 1100.

You can buy another barrel for it with Rem Choke tube capability about as cheaply as you can have tubes installed in your barrel and that's the route I'd take. As to the NEF a single shot shouldn't be considered a handicap for turkey hunting really as a fast second shot isn't that important. You need to make sure the first one is properly placed and if so no second one is likely to be needed and in truth it's unlikely you'll get a second  shot if that first one wasn't placed pretty much correctly anyway.

Turkey hunting is mostly about calling them into range and if you do that what gun you shoot is really the least of your concerns.

well said GB, especially the last sentence. Last few years the emphasis in Turkey hunting has been shotshells that supposedly increase your effective range. Instead of working on patterning the turkeys and practicing calling one only needs to buy a new gun that shoots magical 3 1/2" shells that mow down monster turkeys out to 75yards. My experience has been shooting hot 10ga. loads down a 12ga.(i.e. 3 1/2 mags) barrel tends to increases the damage done to the shooters shoulder more than to the turkeys head. As G.B. said the 2 3/4s shot thru the 1100 are ample enough for any turkey at reasonable ranges...pattern it with different loads to find the best combination. Shop around......many slightly used 870 express and Mossberg 500s are out there for under $200......pretty close to the price of a barrel  alone. The 870s and 500s are the two most widely used turkey guns in the world....

BTW....my turkey hunting partner hunts with a bow and generally has several opportunities every season. His range is much more restricted than a 12ga. with 2 3/4 shells.

[dawei]

well said GB, especially the last sentence. Last few years the emphasis in Turkey hunting has been shotshells that supposedly increase your effective range. Instead of working on patterning the turkeys and practicing calling one only needs to buy a new gun that shoots magical 3 1/2" shells that mow down monster turkeys out to 75yards. My experience has been shooting hot 10ga. loads down a 12ga.(i.e. 3 1/2 mags) barrel tends to increases the damage done to the shooters shoulder more than to the turkeys head. As G.B. said the 2 3/4s shot thru the 1100 are ample enough for any turkey at reasonable ranges...pattern it with different loads to find the best combination. Shop around......many slightly used 870 express and Mossberg 500s are out there for under $200......pretty close to the price of a barrel  alone. The 870s and 500s are the two most widely used turkey guns in the world....

BTW....my turkey hunting partner hunts with a bow and generally has several opportunities every season. His range is much more restricted than a 12ga. with 2 3/4 shells.

Very sound advice. I have used a 20ga for the last 8 seasons with great success so your 2¾" 12ga is no handicap, use it with confidence!

[ihuntbucks]

I have used a Mossy 500 w/26" barrel w/an XX choke for the past 6 years.Very dependable and it has never let me down.I gave less than $200 for it "new".Don't think you could go wroung with it or an "870".I use 3" mag,4 and 5 shot (hand loaded).2 3/4 or 3 in Winchester,Remington,or what ever turky loads will do the trick also.The 500 will not take a 3 1/2 shell,so if you want to use them you will have to go to something different in Mossberg.Like the "835".I don't care for the 3 1/2 cuz I have never meet a turkey that I was that mad at ............Rick

[221fireball]

i got a H&R single shot 3" full choke 20ga. had it drilled & tap for scope mount put Bushnell 1.75x4 with circle cross hair, camo tape fully and put quick release sling so i can take it off when i am set up for calling. I settled with #6 rem hevi shot.  and put on a hammer extension . I have a rem 1100 12ga  but it is much heavier and not as easy to handle. the gun cost less than $100 new of coarse that didn't include the other things mention and it'll  put'em down.

[gstewart44]

I inherited a NEF single shot 3 1/2"  12 g  26" barrel with Xfull choke.   It patterns well out to 45 yds,  but it is rather light.  Called in four birds over the past 5 years into shooting range....20-25 yds and it works wonders.   Carried much, shot only as needed.    For the toms that hang out 50 -75 yds and won't come in I started carrying my 45 cal muzzleloader along with the shotgun.  The little roundball is very accurate out to 75 yds and I have taken one bird with it.   

The NEF shotgun weighs about 5 1/2 lbs and the smokepole weighs about 7 1/2.   Both are easily carried and slung.