turkey gun question

[kkduda]

I'm interested in going fall turkey hunting this year, but I don't have a suitable turkey gun yet. I'd like some opinions on my options:

I do have a matte black winchester 1300 , 3" chamber, with a smoothbore 18" barrel and decent sights. Could I get a local gunsmith to thread the barrel to accept a turkey choke and use that?

Or should I just buy a dedicated turkey gun?

Thanks for the guidance:)

[Smitty in CT]

You already have the PERFECT turkey gun right there...one that's already bought and paid for, LOL:D

To get the barrel tapped to accept chokes, it will probably cost you anywhere from $40 - $75 depending on how busy they are. Then you'll have to buy chokes...

It will probably be less expensive buying a new, or preferably used barrel. You used to be able to pick them up on eBay for $100 or so, you might want to try GunBroker or even post it on here that you're looking to buy.

You don't NEED a 3-1/2" gun to shoot turkeys and IMO, they hurt too much!!

Good Luck

[ebutler462]

My suggestion is to send the barrel to Polychoke and have them install their variable choke on it. Those screw-ins are a nuisance to me. You will have a very versatile gun that you can use for all of your shotgunning. The deluxe model Poly adds a couple of inches to your barrel length.

Works for me.

[Zombie Steve]

Your shotgun will work fine, you may just have a shorter range. Make sure to pattern with the loads you will be using (I like 3" #4 or #5's) and that you feel confident with what it will do at different ranges. Know thy firearm.
I'm scouting a friend's private land over the next few evenings to see where they roost (it takes a lot of patience and beer, but it's worth it), then I'm hunting on Tuesday. :D

Good luck to you!

[kkduda]

I've looked a bit for winchester 1300 barrels and they seem hard to find, plus they are expensive ~$200!

Did ebay stop selling all gun parts? I can't seem to find much on there.

I'm going to try and pattern my shotgun with its existing barrel and see how it does.

If I don't like the results, I was already considering a polychoke, plus I'll look around for more estimates from gunsmiths to thread my barrel.

[BigJimP]

$200 for a barrel is a common price - looking around to see if you can find some used ones is about the only other way to go.

[timinkc]

I got a new turkey gun this spring.... a mossburg tactical turkey... like it alot. As i tend to " run-n-gun" the light weight really attracted me to it. Now if you're recoil sensetive I wouldn't suggest it, but if you're like me 6'0'' 220lbs, it doesn't really bother me (except when patterning it) very nice gun though... think it was around 459 at cabellas. The mossburg action is legendary, and although i don't shoot 3 1/2" shells very often, for a dedicated turkey gun it seems kinda lame to not have the option... again i mean on a dedicated turkey gun...

my brother also got a benelli super nova ( i think thats it, it's the pump with the pistol grip) he loves it... seems a little heavier than mine, but not much

p.s. we both got one this spring, so they must be workin'

[bcarver]

I saw a mossburg 12 ga 3.5 inch single shot SSI with a screw-in choke, mounts and scope for 200. add a good tube and some camo tape and you got a light hard hitting "run and gun" rig. once sighted in and patterned youwon't feel the pain.

[Ruger4570]

Your gun is fine as long as you get it set up for choke tubes. You need a tight choke for turkeys as you don't want to fill their body with shot, just hit the neck and head area. I use a Berreta 390 that will take 3"shells. That is more than enough at proper turkey ranges. 3 1/2" shells are way to punishing and there is no need for them. In fact, if all I had was a 2 3/4" gun, I wouldn't be the least bit worried, hell, we have been shooting turkeys and geese etc. with them for a lot more years than I can remember with sucess
Don't get hooked up on the BS