Turkey Gun on a budget

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jeff1981

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I've been offered a chance to go turkey hunting with a friend this spring, and am considering a new gun. Presently the only shotgun I have is an older Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 guage 2 3/4. Fixed modified choke. While I dearly love this gun, and will never part with it, I wanted some opinions on another gun for turkey- I am assuming that it would be too wide a pattern? If I need another, what would you suggest in a dedicated turkey gun, without spening a mint?

Also, is it safe to shoot foster slugs from my 870? I will likely have the chance to go for deer in a shotgun only area come the 2010 season.

Jeff
 
Try some of the Federal Turkey loads with the flitecontrol wads first in your Wingmaster they might shoot pretty tight patterns.

Foster slugs are good to go for your gun.
 
Buy another barrel with interchangable choke tubes for the 870.
Or send the barrel here and have tubes installed.
http://www.choketube.com/instal.html

Get a Full or Turkey choke tube.
And a roll of cammo tape.

Thats all you need to kill a turkey.

Matter of fact, the Mod barrel you have would probably suffice out to 35-40 yards or so with pattern tested loads it likes.

rc
 
Get a good audio of turkey calling and you'll be WAY ahead of the curve.
I believe some 1.5oz #5 loads are available for a 12ga. 2.75" chambered shotgun.
Your shotgun is about perfect for turkey hunting.
Ever since I bought a 10ga. Browning Gold Lite - haven't made a shot longer than 20 yards.
I honestly think I'll take a .410 or 28ga this year.
 
keep it as is. ive said it before on here that my uncamo 870 has still killed more (with 28" mod choke) than has my super duper invisible turkey slaying special. just pattern!
 
Having choke tubes installed on your 870 would cost only about $125 from Carlson's- and would give you flexibility to shoot anything from skeet to turkeys!
http://www.choketube.com/instal.html

RC is right, you very well could use you current setup (be sure to pattern several different loads/shot sizes (the federal flitecontrol wads are indeed said to throw very tight patterns)).
Thousands of turkeys have fallen to 870s.
 
200 bucks bought me this 10 gauge. It patterns REALLY tight! I shoot geese with it, but it's a 24" turkey gun.

attachment.php
 
Mossbergleanmeangreenturkeykillinma.jpg

Mossberg 500 12 ga, 3" chamber, 20" barrel, XFull choke, camo, fiber optic sights. A great turkey rig for $360 MSRP.
 
Bah!
Go out and run what ya got.
Try some of the recommended loads on patterning paper.

If you need more - get a 28" barrel with rem-chokes and a sight.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=158543306
edit note- THE LINKED BBL HAS 3" CHAMBERS!!!

But, if you must get a new shotgun, I understand that need. Remington make fine special purpose shotguns that'd do fine duty on Ducks, Geese and Toms (and deer, too)
 
Last edited:
Actually, you need to buy a "Special" shotgun for every shotgun sport.

It keeps the gun makers in business selling a "special" gun to kill turkeys, and another "Special" gun to kill deer, and another "Special" gun to kill ducks.

Truth be told, a lot of folks miss killing a turkey because their "Special" magnum turkey gun kicked so hard, and shot such a tight pattern at 25 yards, they downright plain old shut their eyes, flinched, and missed!

rc
 
I would hunt with what you have. If you fall in love with turkey hunting you may want to get something that would be SLIGHTLY better at a later time. By then you will have a better idea of what you want. Actually the only thing that would make the gun you have better would be a tighter choke. But you can certainly kill birds with what you have.
 
Two Cold Soakers said:
Bah!
Go out and run what ya got.
Try some of the recommended loads on patterning paper.

If you need more - get a 28" barrel with rem-chokes and a sight.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=158543306
edit note- THE LINKED BBL HAS 3" CHAMBERS!!!

But, if you must get a new shotgun, I understand that need. Remington make fine special purpose shotguns that'd do fine duty on Ducks, Geese and Toms (and deer, too)
Click to expand...
Allow me to quote the OP:

"I wanted some opinions on another gun for turkey- I am assuming that it would be too wide a pattern? If I need another, what would you suggest in a dedicated turkey gun, without spending a mint?"

That's his question, so I answered it.

Now a different barrel is a good option, although it is worth noting that I bought a "like new" example of the Mossberg pictured for what the Remington barrel alone is going for.

Yes, it is certainly possible to kill a turkey with a 28" modified barrel, but a short barreled gun with sights and a turkey choke works a lot better. Been there, done that.
 
I didn't even read your first post, Natman. I did notice the pictures of a couple of camo guns. - Felt like I stumbled onto the Remchestberg website.

The "BAH" wasn't directed at you, but you can keep it if you want.

The "BAH" was directed at the idea that he needs a different gun to go turkey hunting with his friend.
 
No problem.

No, a dedicated turkey gun is not required to hunt once. Just let the bird get really close. Once the addiction sets in you can start thinking about setting the gun up for turkey hunting. :)

I went along this progression; my first hunt was with a Mossberg with a 28" mod barrel. I then found a 28" barrel with choke tubes so I could use a proper turkey choke. I missed a turkey once by shooting over it, so I added fiber optic sights. I then found that wandering around the woods with a 28" barreled shotgun was getting old, so I found a 20" choke tube barrel. That turned out to be the perfect length; you can carry the gun on the sling without fouling branches overhead and the patterning is unaffected. Yet it is just long enough to mount a barrel mounted box call for the last couple of calls. I was so happy with that rig that when I found the full camo Mossberg pictured for $200 I couldn't pass it up.

I spend every free moment in April in the woods, so it made a lot of sense for me. YMMV.
 
I picked up a used mossberg 835 with a nwtf logo on the stock for 200 bucks.:what: I think the guy must have had to have the newest gun made. Ported 26 inch barrel, 4 chokes and camo to boot,:D they only made this one for a year.:neener:
If turkey hunting was to me like it may be to you. I would say buy a used one. There are lots of guys who have to have a new gun every year.:what: You will find a turkey shotgun ready for the woods and no one to take it out there.:barf:
You can also listen to all the guys saying that you can use you 870, they are right.:p
BUT WHY.
 
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