Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting building turkey gun insanity... when to stop.

It may be a long read and I'm either hoping you will enable me or talk me off the ledge..


I sold my 870 Tactical ghost ring shotgun that was my turkey back up and my bedroom closet gun. My nephew really liked it so I sold it to him for closet duty. Now my little browning BPS upland 22 inch barrel 20 gauge is the new closet gun.

I have 5 other turkey guns (12 & 20 Auto, 3 single shots) but not a short 20 gauge pump or auto repeater for turkey blind duty.

So the dilema is... I'm contemplating putting a holosun Shake awake red dot meadow creek mount on the BPS for night shooting and turkey. It takes my BPS out of grouse hunting backup duty.

Do I stop the madness on the BPS and just get the little rem 870 filedmaster compact 20 and make that into my turkey gun and not mess with it... And put the holosun red dot and make that my new closet gun?

Or just stop the madness and don't add any more turkey guns and leave the browning BPS alone?

(but a securuty shotgun with shake awake red dot would be cool...)

Is you bedroom closet gun a dedicated 12 gauge cylinder bore or one of your turkey guns?

Get the 870, preparing a shotgun to hunt with is part of the fun.
Sighting system, choke tube, what ammo works for it....
Just adds to the anticipation of getting into the woods!
Plus its good for the economy 😸

Really??!!!! You're asking us if you should get another gun or not!!! Lol!

Personally, I used a Rem 870 Express 20ga youth as the platform for a dedicated turkey gun, wanted the 21" barrel, choke tubes, and smaller frame size. No regrets, very pleased with the result. I don't double duty a shotgun, but that's just me, but definitely would if circumstances were different.

I know the BPS Upland has a 22" barrel and is also heavier than the 870, if that's a concern/thought.

My opinion, BUY ANOTHER GUN! LOL!

Whichever you end up with, enjoy!

Well the compact 870 is more manueverable in close combat situations.. and blind situations,, and a shorter stock for the wife for trap shooting... (I'm talking myself into it... keep working on me guys)

Its always fun to put together a new gun. Go for it. And +1 on the Holosun and the Meadow Creek mounts. I really like mine.

It's an investment

Oh yes! Buy a new shotgun (or three 😁)..Playing with a new gun IS the best part...Enjoy!....Hb

By all means, get another gun!

Nothing wrong with a dedicated turkey gun, and dedicated grouse gun, a dedicated rainy day grouse gun, a dedicated ....

My dedicated closet gun is a Benelli M4 with a Leupold DeltaPoint.

Over the past few years I have replaced all my pumps with autos. Easier on my shoulder and wife doesn't like pump shotguns.

At the moment, it’s an Ithaca SuperDeluxe Deerslayer 20”, with the factory Williams receiver sight, circa 1963. Backup is my S&W 5.7 with a shake-awake Holosun and Olight laser/light combo, plus a Shield Plus with RD and night sights, plus my around-the-house-if-I-have-pants-on LCPII and an M63 with laser grips.

Briefly owned a 590S but it was just too damn heavy and unwieldy when stuffed full, so off it went…..

Nice selection. if I ever have to knock on your door at night... I will stand with my arms up in the air and pose no threat.

The deer slayer as a defensive shotgun remiinds me the local funstore has a used one....

Please explain those OU's and what they are and if both barrels shoot to the same POA.


Side note: I tried my browning 725 and it shot perfect, but I can't put sights or red dot on it because of trap shooting and grouse hunting... but dang it makes me think of getting a Cynergy for a turkey / duck gun. They need a quick clamp red dot mount..

I bought a 20 Gauge steven's 555 for a turkey gun concept. It on the consignment rack now.

There's mounts that attach to the rib. Personally, I don't like mounting to a rib, but there's plenty of people that do.

The silver one in the middle is a Stevens 410. It is chambered for 3" shells and it has Jebb's TSS Turkey chokes. Its deadly out to 40yds with Apex, Rouge or Salt Creek #9.5 TSS loads. The bottom barrel shoots just a tad low but not much. Maybe 2 to 3 inches below POA at 30yds. It has not been a problem. If a follow up shot is needed, put it on his head. It certainly does the job.

I bought it for my 10 year old granddaughter last year. She shot her first gobbler with it.





The bottom O/U is a CZ 28ga. It is chambered for 3" shells also. It has Carlson TSS Turkey chokes. Both barrels shoot to the same POA. Its a Hammer with #9 TSS. My 9 year old grandson Shot his first Gobbler with it this year during our youth weekend.

I’ve got a tricked out Benelli for turkey that I absolutely love. But it doesn’t kill them any deader than the Stevens 301 compact 20ga I bought last year. 22” barrel, short stock and a fastfire 3 on a Sumtoy base. With an Indian creek 555 choke it throws a great pattern, is easy to carry and very maneuverable. All in cost including drilling and tapping the barrel and the rattle can paint job of about $600 compared to over $2000 for the Benelli

I’ve finally paired down to two turkey guns. I have others that could go kill turkeys, but my 21” 870 20ga and my 20” TC Encore 20ga, and TSS #9s is all I’ll ever need for any turkey hunt, anywhere. I’m trying out Holosun 407Ks on both and I’m liking them so far. My patterns are getting too unforgiving for beads and open sights. I replaced other dedicated ‘turkey guns’ with other firearms I’ll use outside of turkey season.

Have a 870 20 ga. Fieldmaster with a Carlson tube....Fastfire III dot.....handloads of TSS 9's throws a wicked pattern out to further than anyone should shoot an ole Tom. Also have a Stevens 301 20 ga. with red dot....be carrying that on some hunts this year as well. I like to switch around thru the season depending on the situation outlook for the day. Use to carry a BPS 12 ga for years but the weight got to be too much once the 20 ga. started to catch on.....sold it and never looked back.

Knock, then step back away from the door; only gonna say it once…😜

When I sighted it in with Tru Balls, one of my shooting buddies was watching from a distance. He said it looked like I was really taking a beating. He was right!

Sumtoy makes a really nice mount for Holosun as well. Be warned that you have to specify repeatedly that you need the trijicon base. If you don't they may send you the base for the fast fire...... twice lol. With that being said it's a direct fit and sits much lower then anything else I have found

^^^ I have a Warne rib mount on my 870 20ga w/a Holosun 407 on top. It’s pretty low, but not sure it’s worth obsessing over hight since I’m not trying to wingshoot with it. I honestly can’t recall the last time I thought of a 12ga for a turkey gun. Gotta be 15 years with a 20ga now.

Bedroom long gun is a Mossberg 500 Youth 20gauge. 2 3/4” #3 buck with an attached frantic and frightened middle-aged female in case warnings are ignored.

I've had the same Mossberg 500 since 1996 with the same 2oz #4 lead load. I changed choke tubes in 2009.

Prior to that, I had 3 different shotguns for turkey while I was figuring out what I wanted.

There's something to be said for picking right and sticking with it.

A lot of the "insanity" of putting together a specific rig, for whatever the task, is the satisfaction derived from it! Same with loading/crafting your own ammo. While a lot of what I do putting something together (firearm or ammo) might not be needed, it sure is wanted! Still feelin the "insanity" over 50 years later! Enjoy!

I 've been using the same 12 gauge Mossberg 500 with Carlsons extra full choke since 1997. Usually shoot 2 3/4" 1.5 oz. lead loads I bought on sale years ago. It's killed the shyt out of every Turkey I've pointed it at. No fancy camo, no fancy choke, no fancy sights/red dots/scopes. Just line up the twin beads and squeeze.

You're my hero and absolutely no fun whatsoever...

I don't even have a dedicated turkey gun. All of my shotguns pull double or triple duty on other things, turkey, deer, small game, even clays.

Every time I start to change things up on a gun, I tend to go back to where it all started. The only modification I've consistently stuck with is a magnetic HiViz fiber optic sight, which really helps in the early morning, late spring woods.

24" or 28" barrels never made a difference to me. Blued and wood, or camo - no difference. I never stuck with an optic for turkey hunting, eventually deciding that I better liked a rib and a fiber optic sight, even with my aged eyes.

I've done my share of diddling around with after market choke tubes and patterning, but never felt that a stock modified or full choke was a disadvantage at any range I've ever shot a turkey.

But, I admit, diddling around is fun. I just tend to come full circle after starting.

Sometimes I take my 20 gauge BPS instead.

This is exactly my feelings. The killing is my least favorite part!! All the stuff leading up to the moment is what makes me tick. Having a new gun to get tuned up just makes it that much more fun.

Now you're talking!

Was just up at my favorite little hole in the wall gunstore. There's an as new Remington 870 youth 20ga in the consignment rack for well under $300. Might just "build" another one!

Was/am thinking about a .410, but this little 20ga is right there too...

Bedroom gun depends on which corner I reach first might be a TC contender 410 , 870 12 gauge or a weathery Orion 20 gauge sxs.
My problem is to decide which shotgun to hunt with, have a TriStar G2 with a Burris FF3 that's perfect with salt Creek #10 TSS, or a TC Encore in 12 gauge that has performed flawlessly over the years.
Been playing with a CZ BOBWHITE 20 gauge sxs.

Decisions, decisions.....

Needs to be a support group for the sickness

I've had my BPS almost as long as my Mossberg so it's nothing new. I'm done building guns. Did it for too many years earning a living. Sick to death of it. I have more guns now than I could possibly wear out in 3 lifetimes. Not interested in spending more of my money just to leave a whole bunch of like new guns for somebody else to enjoy. They want guns they can buy their own like I did. I played the search for the ultimate turkey, deer, varmint, upland gun for years. No interest anymore. Used enough different guns, gauges, loads, calibers, bullets to know nothing is going to work any better for my uses than what I have. The fun is all in the hunting for me now. My equipment junkie days are over. I haven't bought a new gun in years and have no plans for more in the future.

I was an electrician for over 40 years... I hate electrical work...

I don't even like working on my own guns anymore. Load them up and shoot or hunt with them is all I want to do from here on out.

I have plenty that meet my needs, but not as many that meet my wants... so I'll continue on, thank you!

More than anything what keeps me from wanting more is knowing full well nothing would live up to my expectations and I'd immediately have to set about upgrading, modifying, refining the damn thing to suit me. No thanks.

I hear you on the "leaving guns to others"...
I'm thinning my collection because I have no children or close neices or nephews I'm leaving them to. Theres two sons of my friend at the hunting shack that will inherit my land and guns because they are in my life doing things I enjoy.

My brother in law and I were talking about guns and home insurance policies and its not worth to have a lot extra.


I'm thinking this last one will be my "forever turkey gun" since I've settled on favories in my shooting areas. Shtguns are just so easy to get a huge collection though.

I think Ive experienced the Sumtoy issue. I ordered a Franchi affinity Red Dot mount for my 12 gauge and it sat up a little from the reciever with a gap I lived with. When I banged up my shoulder andbought a franchi 20 gauge and same mount, it didnt fit perfect either... so I swapped them and both sat right.

When I contacted them if the mounts are 12 and 20 gauge specific, they never admitted to shipping me the wrong ones twice. It was like "oh well".

I've seen pictures on facebook of mounts that confirms they are different.

Mine is attached to a 357 revolver. The shotgun is mine

I need to get her back out with the BPS20 and do "range qualifications" by street sweeping a row of mild jugs.

Sumtoy makes good products but what little contact with them customer service is shaky at best. If they had someone running that end of the business everyone would know and use sumtoy. Product is not the problem. Our experience unfortunately is the norm I'm afraid

I want one of these in a 20 gauge


https://www.mossberg.com/mossberg-international-silver-reserve-eventide-turkey-75486.html

This is cool, too. I've picked one of these up several times. But it is just too specialized. It comes with an extral full choke tube, and a spread choke tube.

https://www.browning.com/products/f...ltimate-turkey-mossy-oak-bottomland.html

Sounds like you need to sell "turkey guns". You don't need a "specialized" turkey gun for each situation you can dream up.

And after you sell two or three turkey guns, get an AR15 for home defense.

Easier to swap a turkey tube for a cylinder bore tube if using for home defense.

No need for a rifle cartridge when shooting 30' or so.

I am guilty of it and have come back to a bead and figured out shooting a standing bird at 30 yards is easily done with about any field load but we tend to make this critter killing far harder and more expensive than it needs to be.

I’ve been turkey hunting with a Beretta Xtrema since it first came out back around 2003. I mainly bought it for duck & goose hunting but it became my turkey gun by default as well. Other than buying a Rhino choke and more recently a Jeb’s just never saw a need to experiment or tinker with things like I have with rifles. Unfortunately the rubber inserts in the stock and forearm have developed the sticky stock issue and Beretta discontinued support for this gun years ago so been looking at getting a SBE. I’m not going to poke fun at anyone’s obsession with customized turkey guns because I’ve spent a silly amount of money on custom turkey calls over the years that weren’t necessary either but I enjoy them and the calling part of turkey hunting.

It is obvious you don't understand the reason for choosing an AR15 over a shotgun. No, it isn't because of the range, nor is it because of the choke tube.

IS this the theory shooting frangible bullets in a 223 is better than turning loose a pile of .22 caliber balls?
Please explain.

There's an AR forum for that.

Is it because Slow Joe told us to get a shotgun?

Back to the original post….

I literally just had my 4 main Turkey guns out cleaning them and getting ready for season. My first was bought for me in either 1996 or 1997 and it is an 870 Youth Turkey 20 gauge with a 21” barrel. I have killed a truckload of gobblers with it over the last 20+ years.

I actually put it in the soft case to be first up this weekend. I had right at $4k dollars worth of turkey guns laying beside that little 870 and it is still just hard to beat.

My favorite is still my CZ Bobwhite 28 gauge, but if I was left to hunt with that 870 and a decent shell I could gladly do that for the rest of my hunting career.

I use to have several turkey rigs, but somewhere along the line I was able to kick the habit and now only have (2) dedicated turkey shotguns.

Shame on you!!! Lol!

We called our work team O/U's... Biden Tacticals.

Lol don’t start looking at the new mossberg 940 pro tactical and turkey 18.5” models. Both have chokes. Both have receiver cut for super low mount red dots. Guys are cross shopping the 18.5” turkey as a tactical alternative. Holosun 407/507k or EPS and EPS carry will go on them. The EPS is enclosed emitter and slightly lower deck height than the 07’s. The nice wide fov EPS is top pick imo, solar, shake awake etc. I’m not even into turkey or shotguns and I’ve ordered the 18.5” turkey.