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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 149
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 149 |
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.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,276
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,276 |
for the money, an 870 is hard to beat. your milage may vary... 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.
Last edited by Todd_Bradford; 02/14/10.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 124
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 124 |
@ Natman- Unless something has drastically changed, the bore of a mossberg is pretty rough and "does generally" require some polishing to unlock it's true patterning ability. 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.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 57
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 57 |
@ Natman- Unless something has drastically changed, the bore of a mossberg is pretty rough and "does generally" require some polishing to unlock it's true patterning ability. 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!
Last edited by BradC; 02/15/10.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 585
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 585 |
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.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,755
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,755 |
12ga 870 Express.
If you want great quality for pretty inexpensive price.
Camp is where you make it.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,755
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,755 |
This one from last year didn't like the 870 express 20ga very much. [img:left] [/img] 30 yds, primos jellyhead, Hevi 13 #5's
Camp is where you make it.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,018
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,018 |
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!
Enjoying Each Sunrise...
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,825
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,825 |
Would agree with an 870 Wingmaster - can be had for very little if you look a bit. 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
NRA Life Member USPSA Life Member
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
Browning BPS or Remington 870.
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,489
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,489 |
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
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 47
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 47 |
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.
The Great Pacific Northwest
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 774
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 774 |
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.
"A world without string is chaos." Lars Smuntz
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 87
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 87 |
Another vote for the 870.
Rammer Jammer Yellowhammer Give 'em heck Alabama Alabama Crimson Tide 2009 National Champions.
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