Barrel length for Turkey Hunting?

[Balrog]

What is considered a good barrel length for turkey?

Mossberg makes a mossy oak camo Model 500 with a 20" barrel model with a collapsible stock and pistol grip like on an AR. It comes with a turkey choke. I believe they call it the Tactical Turkey model. It looks like that gun could easily also be used for home defense as well, if you just pulled the turkey choke and put a cylinder or improved cylinder choke in its place.

Does anyone know if that model comes with any chokes besides the turkey choke? Also, is 20" enough barrel for turkey?

 

[rcmodel]

It must certainly be, as about every brand of special "Turkey" gun comes with a relatively short barrel.

Barrel length has no effect on pattern. The degree of choke used does that.

I believe that model only comes with the extended Turkey choke tube.
Extra Mossberg tubes are cheap though.

I must warn you though that recoil with that AR-15 type stock will be a killer on both ends with Mag turkey loads!

rc

 

[natman]

The 20" barrel will be fine. There will be a slight (~50 fps) loss in velocity compared to a 28" barrel. If there is any loss in pattern it will be too tiny to matter.

Mossberg controls don't work well with pistol grip stocks. It's very difficult to operate the safety and slide release with one. I'd recommend this model (like mine ):

 

[Balrog]

Natman, do you use it for home defense as well, or just on them mean turkeys?

 

[au01st]

^^^ Looks just like my "hunting" Mossy 500, although I haven't gotten to hunt yet...

I have a HD 500 as well with a Hogue pistol grip and can maneuver the safety and action lock just fine, but I'm 6'4" and have gorilla hands...and I have no problems hitting a Budweiser 12-pack box at 20 yards with all 6 shots in 6 seconds; I have no worries that I won't be able to hit someone in my living room at 15 feet.

One of my local gun shops has a bin of Mossberg chokes (looks like accessories that came with a gun the way they're packaged). I got a set of: modified, IC, and full, as well as the choke removal tool for $8!

 

[natman]

Natman, do you use it for home defense as well, or just on them mean turkeys?

As it happens, I have an 8 shot Mossberg 500 Persuader that I use for HD. I prefer the larger capacity and knowing that that particular gun is always loaded and ready.

But the turkey gun would certainly work. Be careful to put the magazine plug back in before you go hunting.

 

[GentlemanScholar]

I've got a 870 express magnum turkey with a 21" barrel and an 870 express super magnum with a 26" inch barrel. I actually like the 26" with a full choke installed.