Author Topic: Best Turkey Shotgun (Read 2913 times)

chucky52 · « **on:** March 28, 2009, 10:28:32 AM »

Got a piece of property in central Tx, Our spring season is open and I'm wondering what the Turkey specialist think is the best turkey specific shotgun. I've been using a Rem 870 with a Briley Turkey choke. Is there something better?

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2009, 02:31:38 PM »

Chucky52, my favorite gun for turkey is a .222 Remington. It takes real skill to put a gobbler down with a single rifle bullet

But as to your question about anything being better than the 870, I have a bunch of 870's, a model 12 heavy duck, a Mossburg 3 1/2",and a Browning pump. My 870 is a 3", and it is my favorite. Once in a while I take the model 12, I like it, but it has nothing on the old 870. But for me the .222 takes more skill than any of them.

If your 870 shoots to the point you aim, I don't know if you could get anything better, honestly I wouldn't waste my money trying.

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2009, 03:09:17 PM »

Best turkey gun, regardless of cost? That's easy... Benelli SBE II.
Light, but auto buffers the recoil some. That cheekpiece really helps. Get one in 24" barrel and it will not get any better.

And this comes from a guy who owns both the 870 and benelli. I actually hunt with the 870 and use the SBEII for the wife and a loaner... but there is no doubt, it's a better gun.

I do not like autos for anything else... but for turkeys where only the first shot really matters anyway, I think it's worth it.

billynwtf · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:06:18 AM »

There is no such thing as the best turkey gun. If your 870 patterns well at a effective turkey killing range, then thats the one to use.

chucky52 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:11:33 PM »

Thanks guys, I was thinking my old technology had been outdated. Wasn't sure if technology had passed me by. What about sights and chokes. I've been using the same old stuff for quite a while now.

dukkillr · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:53:06 PM »

Unless you have some type of vision problem I wouldn't get a scope... In fact I'm pretty sure that scopes are marketed exclusively to people who don't know what they're doing. A basic Hi-Vis type sight on your rib is fine, but I've never thought they made much difference.

Chokes are second only to camo as the most over-rated hunting product. Use whatever you've got, and for god's sake don't spend a bunch of money on hype.

hunt-m-up · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2009, 08:34:58 AM »

Unless you really want to just play with your set-up there's really not much better than the 870 you're aleady comfortable with. A shorter barrel can be lighter, more manueverable sometimes, but definitely not necessary. If anything you could pattern some different loads to see if you get better results.
I've scoped slug guns quite a bit, but for killing a turkey, scopes are a pain in the butt to me and not necessary at the ranges you're shooting.

chucky52 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2009, 11:37:29 AM »

Can't believe that in this world of change that tried and true is leading edge???

chucky52 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:01:25 PM »

What about the gloss on a non camo gun, does it matter?

dukkillr · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:08:44 PM »

Quote from: chucky52 on March 31, 2009, 05:01:25 PM

What about the gloss on a non camo gun, does it matter?

Yes, it can. It can catch the sunlight at a great distance.

chucky52 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2009, 08:22:55 PM »

Ok, back to the original problem. My sons and I hunted and called hard. Gobbles in every direction. Hens seen on several places on the proverty; but, nothing comes into shotgun range and this is for a few years. I thinking about changing my shotgun for a varmit rifle.Anyone got thoughts?

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2009, 01:21:20 AM »

Quote from: chucky52 on April 04, 2009, 08:22:55 PM

Ok, back to the original problem. My sons and I hunted and called hard. Gobbles in every direction. Hens seen on several places on the proverty; but, nothing comes into shotgun range and this is for a few years. I thinking about changing my shotgun for a varmit rifle.Anyone got thoughts?

Yup! Try asking these questions in the turkey hunting forum! I think you will get more, and more informed, answers. (nuthin agianst those who post herre, but that forum has DEDICATED turkey hunters)

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2009, 11:32:43 AM »

The Turkey fed. has brain washed hunters to feel a rifle is unsporting. In the old days the shotgun was looked on as un sporting. If calling close were the game then the turkey fed. should be using 20 ga. shotguns. Not mag. 12's

For some reason snobbery maybe, they feel blasting a turkey at close range is sporting. that is fine, but I have tried both, and the man that can call a gobbler and hit him in the heart and lungs with a rifle at less than 50 yards has done something

dukkillr · « **Reply #13 on:** April 06, 2009, 11:41:32 AM »

In wide open Kansas it wouldn't be much fun to shoot turkeys with a rifle. They're easy to find, and not hard to get within 150-200 yards of. At that point, with a rifle, the hunt could potentially be over. For shotgun hunters it's just getting started. Calling them from 200 to 50 is what turkey hunting is all about.

Now in big timber it wouldn't make much difference since your range is limited by the territory and not your weapon.

I'd have very serious safety concerns about using a tom decoy in places where rifles are legal, particularly on public land.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #14 on:** April 06, 2009, 11:59:37 AM »

dukkiller

I am not sure if rifles are legal for turkey in Ks. or not. In the state I live in they are legal. I understand your conern about decoys, but in other states some type of marker is required to show they are decoys. Not to argue with you but this is thing that occurs with many sports, here we have hunted turkey with rifles since we had a season. Now someone wants to call gobbler close and he wants to use a decoy. So rifles should not be permitted. Pardon me, but some of us were here first. I still feel if you tried to kill a gobbler at 50 yards or 60 with a .222 you will find it is not as easy as cutting one down with a swath of shot a foot wide. The other day on tv, a kid killed two with one shot. I seldom watch the crap on hunting shows, but that struck me as a real sporting thing to do.

hunt-m-up · « **Reply #15 on:** April 06, 2009, 12:18:32 PM »

Coyote Hunter: I can appreciate your hunting them the way you always have,no reason to stop. I would guess they adapt and learn to know when they are in rifle range?
Around here it would be pretty easy to use terraces, waterways, ditches to get within 200 yards, crank her up to 9 or 10X and put the pedal down on the 22-250, etc. We aren't allowed to shoot turkeys that way, probably too many guys sitting in the timber with shotguns. Yet we can blaze away at the coyotes all winter.
I would have to agree it's more difficult to call them into shotgun range, or at least it is in IA.

chucky52 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 07, 2009, 07:22:57 AM »

I've used a .22 Mag (not enough) and a .243 with an 80 gr. (too much). Forget the best shotgun what's the best turkey gun? I'm thinking Hornet.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** April 07, 2009, 07:24:23 AM »

204 Ruger works well

Big · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:48:09 PM »

Chucky, I had a friend who killed a turkey at 300 yards with a 22-250. Back to the close-range turkey problem, the answer is right there in your question: you're seeing a lot of hens. I don't care how sexy you sound, if a gobbler's with hens, he won't leave them to come to you.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2009, 02:25:54 PM »

Chucky, My favorite turkey rifle is either a .222 or 223 with a 55 grain soft point. I am trying 64 grain ww this year. A hornet does well but it is just a tad light. I have shot lots of gobblers with a .22-250 and 63 grain serrias. In your .243 100 grain seem to work best. I have connections with guys that are real expert callers and riflemen. The 243 with 100 grain seems to be their choice. Now, your target is small the heart and lungs lies at the wing butt. ,coming to you right though the wish bone. When you can take them with a rifle like this your are a real turkey hunter. It has only been since the advent of the wild turkey fed. that the shotgun has been made appear as " ;)the sporting way."

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** April 10, 2009, 10:16:46 AM »

maybe if someone gave um a what in the world rifle for the big dinners they would come around

chucky52 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2009, 10:27:46 AM »

I have taken turkey with a .243 and 22 Mag. I wanted something in between. The Hornet seemed about right; but, I'm thinking about a low power scope on a 32 Mag Thompson Contender. Not sure about bullets, it's very accurate; but, I'm thinking I need a non-expanding bullet.