What is your Turkey Gun?

[YukonKid]

Hey all,

I was just wondering what your turkey gun is. I have an 870 3.5 inch short stocked for turkeys.

on a side note, anyone use a Ithica 37? i kind of want to get one, the look like fun

YK

Pics are good :)

[Sportdog]

Remington 870 Express Turkey Camo, 3" Remington Premium Turkey Load #5, w/Tasco 1-4 1/2 Power circle reticle scope on Aimpoint mount, XX Full choke, 21 inch barrel, Butler Creek camo sling. I'd love to post a picture but am technologically challenged!:(

[TCman]

Remington 870 express, black syn stock, gobblin thunder choke tube, gobble-dot tru-glo sights, and winchester extended 3in #5 shot.

[Doyle]

I've almost finished rebuilding an old Savage 340C in .22 Hornet that I'll carry for turkeys.

[hogdogs]

Well I got a few choices... NONE are a turkey gun. I own a 500 in 20ga 18 inch barrel in cylindrical bore. Junior has a Mav 88 12 with interchangeable chokes... He also owns a 20 gauge NEF single..
Brent

[kayakersteve]

Turkey choke - Recoil kicks my butt because the gun is so light, but boy can it throw a tight pattern!

[Niagara Shooter]

Browning Gold Hunter 3.5
Remington 870 Wingmaster 3.5
Winchester 1300 Stalker 3" with undertaker choke

Don't know exactly what the turkey tubes are that i've got for the gold and the 870 but they're both turkey specific.

[Jack O'Conner]

Savage 112V in .223 with 4X-16X scope. I don't even wear camo.

Black Hills of S. Dakota have abundance of turkeys where ever there is water. I'm told they like to eat insects and worms along banks. In this region, turkeys are easy to find and fairly simple to kill at long-ish range.

I met some Easterners who had driven out to hunt Dakota turkeys. They had speciality gear and camo galore. Seemed like nice guys. But I don't comprehend use of shotguns for turkey in a state that allows use of rifle.
But I guess some guys enjoy their gear.

Jack

[dalegribble]

not a turkey hunter......yet so this question may odd. does anyone hunt tukeys with a rifle? i know they are legal at least in AZ but i never hear of anyone using a rifle. all of the tv hunting shows use shotguns as well. seems to me that a 17hmr or 22 mag would be just the ticket and you could stretch the distance some as well.

[TheNatureBoy]

Baikal 12/89.

[ActivShootr]

Benelli Nova 12ga

[hogdogs]

DGribble, I know of one gent in wyoming that uses a rifle (or rifle round in a contender) to hunt turkey. If legal and shooter is safe about backstop it is the way to go. I ain't no pro-caller and can't use a rifle so if one stumbles his drunk butt in my range I am eating fresh meat fer a buck!
Brent

[dave in maine]

mine is an older wingmaster lefty with a remchoked rifle sight bbl.i just put an advanced tech. butt stock on it and it's an awesome combination that will also make an efficient home defence tool.

[Doyle]

not a turkey hunter......yet so this question may odd. does anyone hunt tukeys with a rifle? i know they are legal at least in AZ but i never hear of anyone using a rifle. all of the tv hunting shows use shotguns as well. seems to me that a 17hmr or 22 mag would be just the ticket and you could stretch the distance some as well.

Neither are ideal turkey calibers. Shooting turkeys with a rifle requires walking a very tight line between having enough shock power to put them down and not having so much that it turns the soft meat into a pile of bloody jelly.

A .223 with a soft point works pretty well because it will penetrate all the way through without expanding. A 30-30 (I know this from experience) ruins a whole lot of meat. I'm building up a .22 hornet. At less than 150 yds, it should be about perfect.

[boltgun71]

Remington 870 Special Purpose 12 gauge with 28" barrel and Remington Super Full Choke.

[BigJimP]

Benelli super sport 12ga , 30" barrel, 3" chamber.

[jdc48160]

Mossberg 535, 28 inch smoothbore fully vented rib barrel with a Carson's X-Full turkey choke (.660 ID), chambered to handle 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2 inch shells. Also has a TruGlo fiberoptic sight on the front end of the rib.(makes it a bit easier to line up your target, and for $15 I couldn't not do it)

I gotta see what kinda pattern this thing shoots since it's a brand new gun.

I'll try to get some pics of the patterns once I get it set up here in a couple weeks.

[mattfra]

This year it will be a Mossberg 835 Ultimag in New Mossy Oak Breakup pattern...

Thump to the bird and me!!

[NINE]

Here's what I used last year, and what I'll use this year:

http://i4.tinypic.com/68mkpag.jpg

Fabarm Martial Pro Forces 14" barrel with 4" extended full choke. (threaded)

The shell was "Winchester supreme" Double X Magnum turkey loads. 3", max dram, 2oz of #4 shot.


http://i5.tinypic.com/11spguq.jpg

[classic095]

Model 1912 Winchester (made in 1915) in 20 gauge with 25 inch full choke barrel.. Gets a turkey every season..:D

[UniversalFrost]

Turkey and all around bird gun is a Mossberg 835 waterfowl edition with a patern master choke. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30533&stc=1&d=1203798562

Sorry about the pic, but this was the only pic I had and it is from the gunbroker ad that I won. Gun has since been upgraded to a camo stock and forearm.

It really varies on the load, but most of the time it is Remington 3" 0 Buckshot.

With the patern master choke and the 30" barrel I am good out to 65-70 yards before the pattern starts to widen. This is also deadly on geese and ducks WAYYYYYY out there where a normal full or extra full choke would not be able to hold a good pattern.

JOE

[YukonKid]

wow, very nice everyone.

NINE, that is an awesome shotgun, are they still in production?

YK

[ohwin94_61]

Mossberg 835

[Kreyzhorse]

Mossberg 500A. Got a 26" barrell and will shoot 3" shells.

[NINE]

NINE, that is an awesome shotgun, are they still in production?

Yes. It also comes in a 18" and 20" model. HK used to distribute in the States, now it's these guys:

http://www.tristarsportingarms.com/



We are proud to announce that in 2008 TriStar will be the sole importer of Fabarm shotguns. This fine Italian made line of shotguns is offered now. Please call to inquire.

TriStar

1816 Linn Street
North Kansas City, MO 64116
Phone: 816-421-1400
Fax:816-421-4182

[castnblast]

I've shot them with almost everthing. 12 ga, 20 ga, 22 mag, 22-250, and yes, a 300 win mag. The 300 was all I had during the fall season 3 years ago when I ran across a flock of toms. The shot was only 40 yds, so I aimed right where the neck meets the body. I hit a tad lower than intended, but it pretty much took it's neck off. The one w/ the 22-250 was a similar scenario, during deer season again. That shot went in the head, approx. 65 yds or so. It is legal to shoot Rio's in TX w/ a rifle, but not easterns. Most of the easterns are up around the Houston area and Piney Woods area. They're not in S. TX. That being said, my gun of choice is a 12 ga w/ 3" full choke. I had been using an old bolt action up until this year w/ #5's. I have a Franchi I-12 that I'll be patterning for this year. If I don't get the pattern I want, I may buy a x-full choke. However, most shots are really close in the spring, say 25 yds or less with some good calling & decoys, so the full should be fine.

[nodlenor]

I have a Mossberg 500 with a speed feed stock painted camo & a patchmayer recoil pad. It originally had a 28" bbl but was cut to 21" and had screw in chokes installed. This was all done by a gunsmith before I bought it (except the recoil pad). It will take 3" shells but I dont use them. I've had good luck with 2 3/4" #6. I put rifle type sights on it. Not sure it needed the sights but I wanted them. I also put a military sling on it. It has served me well over the years. I don't even remember when I bought it but it's been with me for quite a while now.

[45Marlin carbine]

12 ga. magnum H&R 30" barrel full choke with 3" #4's.

[gadgetguy1288]

i use a mossberg 535 12 gauge full choke with 3.5" for anything under 50 yards and .243 for most shots beyond that(ya i carry two guns) :)

[ActivShootr]

Has anyone used the Mossberg 835 tactical turkey? It looks like it would be a very nice handling turkey gun. I'm just curious as to how bad the recoil is.

[jdc48160]

NINE, good info on the TriStar brand.

My boss has a TriStar 12 gauge over/under he picked up not too long ago at Cabelas for about $350. Shoots very nice. Has a cool thing on it where you can flip a switch on it to select which barrel fires with the first trigger pull.

[Bigchessie]

MP-153 12gauge with 3.5"s or my reloaded 3" Hevi-shot rounds. But prefer my recurve bow.

[DKA]

870 3 1/2" Super Mag

[UniversalFrost]

Has anyone used the Mossberg 835 tactical turkey? It looks like it would be a very nice handling turkey gun. I'm just curious as to how bad the recoil is.

I tried out one of the 24" barreled all camo 835's with the fiber optic sights and the extended x-tra full choke. Seemed like a slick little package for the woods and turkey hunting, but the waterfowl edition 835 I bought was just wayyy cheaper and Wal-Mart had sold the 835 "turkey" gun so I bought the 835 waterfowl edition on gunbroker that I posted pics of in this thread.

Kick on any 835 is up to the shooter and what he is shooting. An after market recoil pad or knoxx comp stock (these actually work) would help greatly with certain loads.

JOE

[fxdrider]

Winchester 1300, with its rifled choke-tube replaced by Nu-Line Extra-Full Turkey Tube.

:cool:

[Mavrik]

Ithaca Mag-10

Mav

[Doyle]

Has anyone used the Mossberg 835 tactical turkey? It looks like it would be a very nice handling turkey gun.

I just picked up one for a good price slightly used. It only needs a new front sight bead.

I'm just curious as to how bad the recoil is.

Something between an elephant gun and a howitzer.

[ActivShootr]

Something between an elephant gun and a howitzer.

Thats pretty much what I expected. It doesn't bother me much though as I don't intend to put more than a few rounds through it at a time.

[Sgt.Fathead]

I've got the Pardner turkey models, single shot, 10 and 12 gauge, with the camo stocks. The 10, she goes BOOM big time.

[bclark1]

Stock Mossy 835 in standard woodland camo, full-length barrel. Missing the front sight bead but it's not a problem.

[Doyle]

Missing the front sight bead but it's not a problem

I posted that mine is missing too. I'm beginning to think that Mossberg goofed when they made the little white pearl sight. I'm thinking that a brass bead off of a 500 would be a better option.

[Oilburner350]

Let me see I use a couple different guns for turkey

Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck (Kind of long)
Winchester Model 24 (Just to look like Jed Clampet)
Browning BPS 10 Gauge with a Extra Full Choke (Big and Heavy)

The BPS is similar to the Ithaca Model 37. The BPS is smoother than the Model 12 (No Joke).

The best turkey gun it the one that you can shoot well and fits you.

[bcarver]

#1 835 mossberg camo24" barrel with fiber optic sights and Knox stock.
#2 NEF 10 gauge 21" barrel with aimpiont red dot scope.
#3 TC Encore 12 gauge 20" barrel all camo with thumbhole stock and fiber optic sights.
#4 Remington Model 1100 2.75" with 18.5" barrel,camo stocks and a large fiber optic green bead.

[stellarpod]

Early '70s vintage left-hand Rem 1100 12ga. I've installed a short, rifle-sighted barrel with a tight screw-in "turkey" choke. I also upgraded the rifle sights with fiber-optics. Finished off with a sling and a bit of camo-wrap and it's one heck of a good turkey gun.

stellarpod

[sm]

I am not a Turkey Hunter per se'
I don't own camo, refuse to wear it, and get asked to back up other shooters or just be out when Turkey season is going on.

My Turkey call is a Zippo Lighter, or rubbing two quarters together, smoking a cigarette , or cigar and drinking coffee.
Mentors taught me how to hunt...they were always successful.

#5 Hard shot I like a whole lot, so Mr.&Mrs Pattern Board assists me on what a load works in a gun.
So what I have I used, and liable to:

'74 SX1 with .735 Nu-Line external knurled choke (yeah my skeet choke) and #5 hard shot felled 4 Turkeys on the fly.
I had no idea I was going to back up, and if I can hit a 4" clay doing 55 mph, all I got to do is focus on a ugly turkey head get a lead and slap trigger.


Citori 3 barrel Skeet Set, fixed skeet choke. I got a triple that, one turkey each with the 20, 28, and .410 barrels.
(Like I said, I get real wrapped around the axle on all this stuff...*not*)

I like 28 ga - period. So before TPTB got their shorts wadded up, I used 28 ga for Ducks, Geese and everything including Deer (slugs) and of course doves and quail.

Turkey's...just big bird, shoot the head they fall down .
So 28 ga Single Shots, Pumps, O/U gets used, just check the pattern board and sometimes #4 or #6 shot patterns best.

My last turkey was taken with a Youth H&R Topper 20 ga with a Rem Slug.

My home gun...I use slugs for serious, and needed to shoot them slugs up.
Turkey had the audacity to interrupt me, a lady friend, the dawg, as we were smoking, drinking coffee and eating do-nuts on the tailgate of a truck.

So ...I shot 'em in the head with a slug, for being rude.
Gave this turkey to neat folks on the property.
"Heard a shotgun blast, figured it was you..."
"Yep, had to teach manners, and brought you a turkey".

I dunno, maybe folks need to take up smoking and coffee drinking and check out a pattern board.

Mentors said "If you can see 'em you can fell 'em".
Some of them did not like being hungry and .22s were legal when I was coming up as it was for them.
I have used .22 revolvers and .22 rifles too.
Grandma popped one with her Snub nosed Model 10...it was getting too close to some laundry on the line...Popped 'em the head she did.

Note: Full house .44 mag from a revolver is interesting. 45ACP from a Gov't Model of 1911 and
BHPs in 9mm ( like a BHP is supposed to be) are too.

We were messing on our woods-craft skills, and these were just the guns we had.

Run what you brung...

[Freakdaddy]

Glad to see some 10 gauge guys here. This is the BPS 10 from the first years production. I bought this for my dad as he loved to turkey hunt. Every time I take it out in the spring, I always remember the good times we had chasing those birds. I wish he was still around to do it but at least he's there in spirit. Let me tell you, there is nothing like hearing that 10 rumble the woods!
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g80/Freakdaddy2/T-Bolt/165-6518_IMG.jpg

[Huntergirl]

Savage 99E in .243 with Leupold 1.5x5. Those smart guys always hang out at about 85yds or so. Wyoming allows rifles.

[essexcounty]

I'm not much of aTurkey hunter, even though I counted eleven under my aple trees this morning. I'm a great believer in simple. How about an older 12ga. H&R 36" Long Tom. Why? 'cause I bought it used for thirty-five bucks. I have no illusions of long barrels....I'm smarter than that. Essex

[skeetshooter105]

For years I used a Browning Gold 3 1/2" mag. Recoil was killing me. I am 65+ yrs of age with bad shoulders....
Year before last I puchased a Reming 11-87 Youth model 3" magnum.
Shoot Hevi-shot 3" with 1 1/4 oz. of number 5's backed up with 1 1/4 oz of # 4's. Have never fired that backup load. It kills turkeys as well if not better than that shoulder busting 12 gauge. Pattern at 30 yds is great.
No recoil and much easier to carry through the woods. I did add a limb saver recoil stretch pad over the regular pad to extend the length and completely cuts out the recoil. I shoot a Primos jelly head .570 choke tube. (TIGHT)
Isn't it funny how old we have to get to learn about killing power of smaller gauge guns.. Dennis

[Hawg]

Winchester model 12 made in 53 with a 28 inch barrel, 12 gauge full choke #4 shot

[Mannlicher]

Its amazing. I am still using my old Browning A5 12Ga Mag, with a Hastings 26 inch barrel, and their full choke tube.
I kill my birds every year, yet I don't use premium loads, chokes or have any camo on the shotgun.

[woodsltc]

Winchester 1300, 22 inch barrel and Hastings extra full choke tube.