Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting Best turkey shotgun for the money ?

Used 870 express. You don't need the 3 1/2 inch guns or a 10 gauge. You need a good turkey choke and a load that patterns well through it. I've killed turkey with the old fox sterling worth past 45 yards.

What he said. Hard to beat for the price. I bought a 870 super mag at Wal-Mart very cheaply. With and Indian Creek choke and 3 1/2 inch Winchester Elite extended range 6's it will do this at 40 yards shooting at a 10 inch circle.



I know people with turkey guns that cost way more that won't do any better.

We have 3 shotguns which are regularly used for turkey hunting--a Mossberg 835, a Mossberg 535 and a Rem. 870. All have extra full chokes. The 835 throws by far the best patterns. When it was new, the inside of the 835's bore looked like a well used chimney. It is one of the early models with sprayed-on camo. I suspect that the bore was not protected when the camo was sprayed on, and what I was seeing was overspray. The patterns were not very impressive. I burnished the bore until it shone like a mirror, and the patterns have improved tremendously. Both the 870 and the 535 have nice looking bores, but they 835 will outpattern them.

I can't think of one shotgun currently on the market that will consistently beat a 835. Mine has worked as good as any 870 I have ever owned. I have owned 4 870's over the years by the way. I will admit the 870 is the better quality made gun. But the 835 I have has yet to fail me. And when it shoots like this it's hard not to want to use it over a 870.



Zooming in on that pattern and you can really appreciate how dense the shot stacked together.



That little circle is 3".

That pattern will pulverize a gobbler head way out past that 40yd mark. 50yds would still be like a warmup when a gun shoots like that. I guess I'm going to have to try some nitros in this gun to see what it will really do. LOL!

Or, you could find one of these. I agree with MOGC, this was about "just because I wanted to", ... A Merkle O/U, full choke 12 gauge. It did kick a bit, but did the job nicely.

12ga 870 Express.

If you want great quality for pretty inexpensive price.

This one from last year didn't like the 870 express 20ga very much.

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30 yds, primos jellyhead, Hevi 13 #5's

TZone-
Try some hevi-13 #7's or basically any of the high density #7's out of your 20... They are unreal at how effective they are and to me they certainly make the 20 come alive in potential. Yet, I can't argue against your current results; LOL!

Would agree with an 870 Wingmaster - can be had for very little if you look a bit.

Quote

A good choke and load that patterns well combined with woodsmanship and decent calling skills is what kills gobblers consistently.

Words of Experience & Wisdom.


This Tom didn't seem to like the 1187 he met with #6's and Kicks .665

Browning BPS or Remington 870.

I like the 870. Dependable. Of course, mine has a new butt pad, shortened barrel, scope, sling and new Briley choke. But it was killing turkeys when it was naked!
The extra weight of a fully loaded gun helps with the recoil.

stumpy

As a lefty, I'm partial to the Ithaca 37. You can get good buys used. I have 2, one a 12 gauge Turkeyslayer and the other a 16 gauge Classic. The 12 gauge is nice and patterns best with good old Winchester XX 2 3/4". Interesting - perhaps the gun was designed for these. I put a Leupold shotgun scope on it.

The 16 gauge (my favorite) works fine with Nitro 16 gauge turkey loads. I had it matte blued and I dulled the wood with #0000 steel wool. Nothing fancy, but the patterns are very tight. This year I'm going to be traditional. I'm going out without camo clothing and no scope, 16 gauge in hand.

Depends on your budget.
If you're on an 870 budget, get an 870. If you're on a S-90 Benelli budget, get the Benelli.
With the right choke and load, both are turkey killing machines.
I killed a great big sack full with an 870, and I've killed a great big sack full since I got the M-1 Super 90 Benelli.

Just get what suits your budget, shoot ONLY at turkeys in range, and have a good time.

Another vote for the 870.