Hey everyone- I decided to get back into turkey hunting this spring and was wondering which guns you were taking to the woods this year? I’ve got a few that will certainly work and I’ve killed birds with before- I’m still in the deciding stages for what I’ll be dragging through the woods with me, though!

Old Havoc... Benelli M1. Havoc has taken a whole bunch of gobblers, coyotes, fox and bobcats over the years.

Season opens here April 15. I'll bring my same old/same old.. 1955 870 Magnum with 30" barrel threaded to accept Carlson chokes. A Super Full extended choke usually goes out.
Recent past seasons I've used a 1950 870 20ga with fixed Full choke and 28" barrel, and a 1936 Rem M31 with 30" Full barrel in 16ga.
All of them work just fine.

Probably the usual, a 12 ga Browning Gold 3.5" Hunter model using the factory choke (likely Briley) it came with. I might take out a Mossberg 930 Turkey gun a time or two as it hasn't been blooded yet. Ammo will be whatever 4, 5, or 6 shot turkey loads I have on hand.

I'll use either a 20 gauge 870 compact, or an 11-87 compact in 20. Also, at some point, if I get real serious about killing a turkey, I'll carry my first real turkey gun, a Winchester 1300 12 gauge Turkey model, with a Hastings choke. Best patterning shotgun I've ever owned.

The funny thing is, about 10-12 years ago, I bought a Benelli SBE2, 3 1/2 inch, camo. thought I had the turkey killingest gun on the planet. Never mind that the darn thing kicked like a mule, as it would kill a turkey at 60 yards every time. Hunted with a few years, then went back to the 20's and a 3 inch 12. I haven't touched the Benelli in going on 5 years now, and probably won't again this year.

Remington 870 youth model 20 gauge with Federal Heavyweight 7's

Mossberg 500, and a Sterlingworth 12ga sxs

Benelli M2 20ga, hand load #9 TSS

I’ll be taking the 20 gauge 870, I picked up a like new 20 gauge bps upland with the straight stock for my sons to use this year, have to pattern in a couple months when it warms up.

BPS 10 gauge or a Browning Gold NWTF 3" gun. Both shooting lead.

My $215 used 870 Express Supermagnum 23" VR RC w Superfull Remchoke.
Backup rig is an 1100 SP 26" VR RC

Ripped a ligament in my foot and it's taken damn near 3 yrs to heal.
Finally able to run the hills down south again

I'll be using my old Remington Wingmaster 870 that I bought back in 1971 from money earned on a newspaper route. It's a 2 3/4" but it kills gobblers just fine. It will be whatever shells I grab--4, 5 or 6's

Same shotgun I have used for about 10 years now-
Mossberg 935 semiauto, with Jelly Head choke and Winchester Long Beard XR 3.5" no. 6's. Last year I mounted a JP red dot sight on it, really makes getting on target a lot easier.

Longarm

What loads did you use in your older Remington 870 20 gauge? I also have an older 20 gauge 870 with a full choke barrel. I've read Hevi-Shot or steel loads should not be used in the older full choke barrels
Thanks

930 Mossberg with a Kicks choke and Burris red dot, Beretta pintail for days its raining and this year a Winchester 20 gauge pump with Burris red dot

Beretta A300 Turkey, 12ga, 24" bbl.

If it rains and I cruise the fields; Ruger M77, Mark II, Boat Paddle, 22-250.

H&R 20 gauge single tricked out by William SumToy Customs.

Mossberg 835 12 ga pump... 3" shells... Kills the birds out to 50 yards with an extra full turkey choke, I can't remember the brand right now...

rfwind, I think it was just a lead pheasant load of #5s, nothing fancy. I use a lot of different stuff, sometimes the fancy/expensive stuff, sometimes just whatever is at hand and all of it seems to work fine. In the old 16 and this 20 I just get the birds in closer because I'm usually using pretty standard ammo.
I have 3 barrels for the 20, each with a different factory fixed choke. That gives me a lot of options for ammo when I use it for ducks.

Remington 870 SPS Turkey, Burris FastFire and a Carlson's .660, shooting either 3" #5 or #6 lead that I picked up on super clearance at WalMart a couple years back.

Moss 835
Rem SP10
Benelli SB II

decide on the day which I'll take a field

Right now it will probably be the same as last year. Bennelli M2 20 guage .562 Sumtoy with #6 Hevi shot. Puts about 24 in a head neck at 40 yards. I have a Thompson center encore Pro Hunter that has been used as a dedicated slug gun. Been thinking it may be worth tinkering with. Followup shots are pretty rare. Might be worth trying TSS as well.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

I am building a Midland Arms single shot 22" 20 gauge with a SumToy red dot mount. Lengthened forcing cone and polished bore. Vortex Venom 3 moa red dot, and .555" Indian Creek choke. 5 pounds all up with a 3" hull full of #9 TSS.

Also have old faithful......Remington 11-87 12 gauge 28" with a .660" Indian Creek and Tru Glo sights. Probably going to send this one off to SumToy as well for a dot mount and another Vortex.

I will use this 12GA 3" Browning Gold Hunter as my primary turkey gun (uses Invector Plus choke tubes). My secondary turkey gun is this Browning Auto-5 16GA with 28" Full Choke barrel.

I use a poor man's version of this....Franchi Affinity 20ga with hand loaded #8.5 TSS.

That old Auto Five kills with class!

I'll probably stick with my xtrema2, if I can get the poi straightened out with my m1 20ga I'd like to try some tss out of it.

I like that Browning Gold Hunter!

A model 12 WInchester 16 gauge made in 1927. Crank the poly choke down to full and it has been knocking toms down for the 16 years I have owned it. The load is Federal premium 1 1/4 ounce load of copper plated 6 shot

setting up the same thing. either my franchi 12 or 20 gauge. It depends how well the 20 gauge tss loads I bought pattern

My "modern" version, a tricked out Remington 870 12 gauge 3" gun with a 20" REM-CHOKE rifle sight barrel, Meprolight tritium sights, Magpul stock set, upgraded Wolff springs, Volquartsen extractor... (slow winter!). Or my new to me vintage Stevens M30, from 1930, 16 gauge take-down pump with a 28" full choke barrel. Got drawn for Illinois and Wisconsin.

,

I used a Carlson extra full, non extended. 200 pellets in a 10" circle @ 40 yards. I backed off to the factory full, which is 160 - 170 pellets to be a little more forgiving on closer shots. Hoping to get a red dot mounted before this season and may go back to the Carlson since I can zero the center of the pattern.

I will be using a 28 gauge O/U with #9 TSS handloads

Just bought this brand new 870 20 ga, 21” barrel.

Added a new sear and spring, drilled and tapped,

Carlson tube on the way. Will be shooting tss #9.

Anyone ever used any of the springs that Ernie the gunsmith sells online for a Remington?

My primary gun is a NWTF edition Winchester SX2 with 24” barrel and Indian creek tube. It just flat nails their ass!

my Winchester 12 12 ga . made in 1949...the only gun I kill turkeys with..Don't need anything else..

Same load I use in my Browning 16 GA - patterns beautifully out to about 33 yards.

MOGC & StudDuck - thanks!

I will continue to use this one.

My go to gun started like as a youth model 870. I removed the wood furniture for a synthetic forearm and Knoxx adjustable butt stock. Had the receiver drilled and tapped for a weaver base then topped with a Burris FFII and custom guard. Polished the barrel and choked it with a Remington Super Full. Hand painted it myself with rattle cans. I have since changed the sling in the pics to a woven paracord. I shoot 1 5/8oz of TSS #9.5s that I hand rolled. I killed my slam with this rig.











I plan on carrying the 28ga more this year if I can get all my reloading stuff set back up from a recent move and loading again. I've killed a Rio with it and would like to try and complete most of my slam this year with it.

Only pic I can find:



Started like with wood furniture. I found that the frame on the 28 is the same as the 20s, so I bought a SureShot kit on sale from MidWay for $49 and went with a saddle mount to attach the red dot. It's fixed improved choke, but patterns great to about 35 yards. I really don't want to modify the original gun if I can keep from it since it was so dang hard to find. The kids might enjoy wing shooting with it one day. It will go back to it's original form when I'm done with the slam.

I usually use my Beretta Urika 2 with a Indian Creek choke but I might take the Win 97 out for the fun of it.

Midland Arms build is done. 22" 20 gauge. SumToy custom 1 piece red dot mount. Lengthened forcing cone and polished the barrel. Vortex Venom 3 MOA red dot and Indian Creek .555. 5 pounds on the nose. Gotta order up some Apex GT20 straight 9 TSS to try.

Very nice


Be sure to post some pattern results.

Got a notion to use an older Savage 311C 410 SxS with Federal's TSS loads. Otherwise, it'll be the 20ga 870 with Nitro Ray's 3" #7 Hevi-Shot.

70's vintage 12 gauge 870 mag. 30" plain full choke

Can't go wrong with an 870

My Browning Gold 12 gauge 3.5”

Depends on the weather but probably my 20ga 870 express with 20" barrel. If the weather is junk I'll most likely be using my Benelli M2 12ga with 24" barrel.

Im curious... why?
The auto easier to strip and clean after rain soaking?


My best turkey gun is a my citori 725, but its a shame to put that walnut into rain and mud.

Ditto.

This will my first year back in the turkey woods quite the hiatus.

I'm going to take out the old Winchester 1300 "Turkey" with the springtime camo laminate stocks. In fact I just receieved a new Weaver scope base for her, and I'm trying to decide on a scope, before I run her out and load test her. I have two chokes, a .640" Carlsons and a .655 Jellyhead. I'm gonna try some Winchester XD Longbeard #6 and maybe the new Federal #7 super dense hevishot.

Anyone have any other load suggestions with those two chokes?

I will carry My old faithfull camo Browning A5 3.5" with 26" barrel or a Benelli SBE 2 with 24" barrel i bought last NIB Summer 👍.......Hb

Either a 1920s AH Fox SuperFox or an LC Smith Long Range. Both are 3in doubles. The double shotgun
allows you to shoot bismuth or tungsten No 5 or 4s-maybe even combination sized shotshells, and make an
instant selection possible with a double trigger-depending on range. They always come in close to see the engraving on the older double graded guns.......

870 Turkey Express
Forcing cone lengthened and polished, Kicks .665 choke.
Red dot scope.in D&T Weavers.

I go back and forth between a Weatherby SA-459 20 gauge turkey model with red dot shooting TSS...a Browning Gold 10 gauge with red dot and Black Diamond turkey choke shooting TSS, and a 70's vintage Beretta 10 gauge double. Between the 3 guns, they took 15 birds in 9 states last season. The Weatherby 20 gauge with TSS took 2 with 1 shot at 50 yards...the 10 gauge TSS crushed everything (not even a kick afterwards)...and the Beretta double was just fun to hunt with and saved my bacon on the only bird that needed 2 shots. I can't wait to get going again this spring. If you haven't tried TSS, do yourself a favor and see what it can do.

Probably an 870 Express 12 gauge with saddle mount and Tasco World Class 1.5-4.5 scope, but if I feel like going simple and light weight, I may take an old Iver Johnson Champion single shot 20 gauge just for giggles. I love that old Iver Johnson. Light as a feather and very handy.

I like the looks of those old Champions. Cool that they say "...and Cycle Works" on them

i got a over-under 22k-hornet/12 gauge weatherby with a 6 x leupold scope

If you can find one that hasn't been shot to pieces or rusted out, they are pretty sweet. Nice tight factory chokes, light weight, good pointers. The hard rubber recoil plates suck and are crumbly, but a slip on decelerator pad solves that problem. For cheap pawn shop scores, they are worth taking a look at.

Depending on where I'm hunting, either a Browning BPS Upland Special 12 ga. 22" barrel or Franchi Affinity 20 ga. 26" barrel. Heavyweight 7 or TSS #9 loads in most cases. MagBlend if I expect the shot to be really close.

SBE2 12 with jelly head . Win Long beard 3.5 #4s

870 shooting 3 inch federal #9 tss with a jebs .650.

This is an intriguing thread! For the fourth year, my daughter and I will be sitting together and she’ll be carrying her grandmothers customized 12 gauge Remington 870. Includes red dot, adjustable stock and cameo foreend. Being 14, she will still use Remington pheasant loads in #5 2 3/4 inch shells. Starting at age 11 she has harvested a jake, Boss Tom of the property, and last year a double bearded Tom, respectively. The last two were both giant birds! As for me, not sure what I’m shooting this year! We normally don’t get the same season but I am motivated by this post and now have thoughts to pick up an 870 in 16 gauge and customize it to add to the collection!

Same as the last couple years. The picture shows the saddle mount and gobble stopper red dot but I had it drilled and tapped Nd added a Burris ff3 to it before season last year. I like this setup a lot better as it allows me to get down on the gun properly being mounted lower. I shoot a 555 ic choke
I will be shooting the #9 tss LIl Hammer hamdloads


Also have a sx3 that I run a ic 560 choke or a jelly head maximum. I don’t use it much as it has a 26” barrel and the 1187 has a 21” and easier to carry.


Side note, that’s my Daddy with it there and his first turkey, best hunt of the year!!!

835, Rhino .670, tru glo pro series sights, limb saver pad.
16 oz of fishing sinkers and Wally world bags stuffed in buttstock.
Polished out barrel
3.5 Longbeard #6

Throws 265 -275 into 10" at 40 yds.

I'm shopping for a .410 and planning to use TSS #9's. Sounds like a fun deal to me.
The only .410 I have is a 2.5" Mossberg single shot and they don't put TSS in that shell yet.
Darn, another reason to buy a new shotgun.

SBE2 with Jellyhead shooting 3.5 Longbeard 4's

I posted a pic earlier in the thread, but now I completed the gun. Dressed it up with a sig Romeo4h. Ended up going with an Indian Creek .555. Ammo delivery today!

Old Benelli M1 super 90 ( H&K ) 24 " barrel, Williams Fire Sight, special made Pure Gold .655 choke and old Hevi Shot ( White shells ) #6 shot. Bought a case of those years ago and should last me most of my life

No turkey-tactical gun for me. I’ll probably just use my Beretta 471 20 ga SxS. If my gun is any indicator, the difference maker for about any 20 is this load below if you can find them. My SxS is choked IC/IM and has “out-patterned” at 40 yds. my Benelli 12 with an extra tight turkey choke and quite a number of run-of-the-Mill 3” 12 ga turkey loads.

If you can’t read the numbers below, that is 1 1/2 oz @ 1100 fps! And this is not lead; it’s even denser. It’s by far the most potent 20 ga load I’ve run across.

1990's 870 express 12 gauge. Shot a gobbler last year. When I jacked the empty out it was a Remington express no. 4. Shot that gobbler at 52 steps. I hadn't intended on using that ammo. Loading in the dark, I just put in what was in my pocket.

Pretty sure it'll be my old BPS 10 gauge. 24" barrel with a Browning factory extended extra full or something like that. Cartridges most likely will be some old Remington 2 1/4 oz #4 or some not quite as old Winchester 2 1/4 oz #5. Had it Pro Ported and put some Williams open sights on it pretty soon after buying it. Bought a Franchi Affinity a few years back to go lighter weight but never got around to hunting it. Got it for sale in the Classifieds right now. That danged old BPS just won't lay down and everything shot with it died quickly.

If not the 10 then an old A5 standard weight 12 ga 30" barreled full choke made pre-1950 IIRC. I've only killed one with it so maybe it needs to get out more.

Or perhaps this one. I've grown to like it recently.

I alternate between my NEF Single 10ga



And my stubby Benelli SBE (which doubles as a backup gun for shotgun and 3 gun matches, hence the tube).

Ithaca Model 51 Magnum. Bought at JCPenny in '72. Funny when you think about it. Back then you could go to JCPenny and by a gun, get a bowling ball drilled, and get a tennis racket strung.

Winchester 1300 Black Shadow with rifle sights and an Undertaker choke tube:

I have the same exact gun

It has been a good gun, that's for sure.

I bought an M2 a few years ago and got rid of it in short order, I can shoot better with the M1. I don't know why

I like to mix it up from old to new and back...

Sort of a funny story, at least to me. I bought that gun years ago from Duncan Gun Shop in N.Wilkesboro. I had bought several guns from Mark in the past I went up there to buy an 1187. I walked in and said I want a 12 gauge 1187 with a 26 inch barrel. The guy that helped me ( can't remember his name ) was very knowledgeable and he said " no you don't ". I said yes I do. He said no you don't, this is what you want and brought out the black gun. I had never seen a Benelli or even heard of one as I think H&K had not been importing them long. He started cycling shells, reloading and doing all kinds of stuff really fast. He must have been some sort of competition speed shooter or something. I said that's all great but I want a wood stocked gun not a plastic one. He said no you don't. You want this gun. He grabbed an 1187 and took it, me the Benelli and a box of shells out back. He did more speed loading and shooting ( impressive actually ) and I shot a few times and we came back inside. I said you sold me I'll take it in a 26 inch barrel. He said you don't want that you want a 24" barrell. After some more back and forth I ended up with what he wanted me to have and I'm glad I listened.

Back in the 90s I hunted with a Benelli Super Black Eagle, but no more, that gun is gone! I have a lot of fun hunting turkeys with a few different shotguns that I really enjoy shooting, but I'll start with this Remington 1894 ....




or maybe my Remington 1893 B grade 28 gauge, made in 1893 ...



decisions, decisions ........
Savage99F358

Very familiar with the store I have $pent some money there in the past as well as E&D's

I'll be taking my Benelli SBE11. The same gun I Duck hunt with.

20 ga Benelli Ultralight; 30 yds. Fed Heavyweight 1 1/2 oz. After 1 1/2 hours cold calling this morning. 23 lb Eastern. No red dot, scope; no camo-. Just not moving. Mod choke.

nearest bbva compass bank

I have 2 friends in Alabama who own quite a bit of property and like turkey hunting more then deer hunting. I asked one of them last year what type of ammo he liked best. His answer was either the red or green shells that are in his pocket at the time.

It’s always first and foremost about “the Indian” isn’t it...😉

And, for “you watchers,” that’s not racist; it’s a saying.. 😉

I just saw one of these on the used rack for about $600....hmmmm... now im tempted to go back and look at it again

If I am able to go it will be a Browning 10 ga.

An old Remington 1100 in 12 gauge that I have had for 40 years, 2 3/4 chamber.

Beretta 391 Urika 12 gauge,

SBE2 with Burris Fastfire when i'm alone.

When my 13 year old son is with me its an M2 20ga with Burris Fastfire.

Replied earlier that I would be carrying as #1 my BPS 10 gauge. Today I was out shooting some Ithaca Model 66 .410 at the anticipated range of 25 yds with Fiochi #8 as a sight check for Federal TSS #9 my wife will be using along with some 20 ga Mossberg 500 Yout model using 2 3/4" low brass 1 oz #6 and #7 1/2. Also sent one round of 20 ga Rem 3" 1 1/4 oz copper plated #6 down range. These at 25 and 30 yards. All would kill a turkey at the max tested range of 30 yds. Then I decided to make sure my 10 gauge BPS was still on with the Williams rib mounted open sights. At 50 yards with a Browning X-full extended choke using a turkey neck target the #4 Remington were iffy. I then tried a shot with Federal 2 1/4oz (pre FliteControl) #6 copper plated. Dead turkey. And dead shoulder. That second 3 1/2" 2 1/4 oz load literally struck a nerve with me. Decided I'm not really that displeased with any gobbler on earth so as to voluntarily shoot him with a load developing elephant rifle recoil numbers.

Weapon plans have changed. Now it's an old A5 Browning 12 ga 2 3/4" with 30" full choke barrel I'll be carrying on day one. Load will be either Winchester 1 1/2 oz 2 3/4 inch #6 or Federal FliteControl 1 1/2 oz #4. Next year I plan on going with a gas operated 12 gauge 3" or 3 1/2".

I've been shooting an 870 Youth model for the past few years. It's set up with a Weaver shotgun scope in a saddle mount, and a Carlson .568 Longbeard choke. I'm shooting Longbeard 5's. It's been a good shooting little rig. I checked the zero the other day, and fired the usual nice tight pattern. Shot again a second time just to make sure, and the pattern was almost a foot to the right. Shot again, same thing. Adjusted the scope, shot again, and no change. Long story short.......I've checked the mount and the scope, everything is tight, crosshairs moving when I adjust them, have shot again, and pattern is still to the right, no matter how much I adjust the scope. Never had anything like it.

I'll probably fall back on "Old Faithful", my original turkey gun.....a Winchester 1300 12 gauge Turkey model. It'll pattern 3 inch Winchester 5's better than anything I've ever shot. I just like carrying the 20's, but to be honest, the 1300 is a better turkey killer.

870 compact camo 20 gauge, Rem factory super full, aimpoint 9000SC, fed HW #7’s. 6 lbs, run and gun, beat the piss out of it, and still kills a bird anywhere under 50 yards (maybe more but I haven’t stretched it).

If I didn’t have this,I’d buy the special 870 20 gauge that shortactionsmoker has for sale at Whittaker’s.

Baker Gun Co. Batavia Special. It shoots where I look.


Charlie

Got a Gobbler last week with my 12 GA Browning Gold Hunter and Hevi-Shot Magnum Blends.

That's not unusual. A red dot mounted directly to the barrel and not removing the barrel after sighting in is one solution.

Remington 870 12 Ga Magnum with a rifle sighted barrel and Indian Creek choke. My wife won it at a DU banquet in the early 90's..

Couple years ago I bought one of the camo 870s with the surshot stock. Put a red dot on it, had the barrel polished and spent a lot of time patterning it so far it's account for 7 birds with 3.5 inch #5 longbeard

Used my Dad's Old Marlin Bolt action .410. Killed one 19lb and one 25lb with #9 TSS.

Franchi Affinity 20 ga., Truloc choke, TSS #9`s.

Benelli SBE with Burris FF3 (that bird is from last May. Maybe I can post one this time tomorrow............

Custom 16ga smoothbore flintlock

Very Cool !!
How long is the barrel on your 16 ga. ?
I was thinking about going old school with a model 12

It's 46" Cylinder bore

Holy cow!
How heavy a load are you using ?

Been using Benelli M2’s this year one in 12 gauge and one in 20 gauge.

SBE II w/Rhino Nitro choke

I usually use my M87 Ithaca 12 gauge DU Model with a 26" barrel and Williams Firesight add on sights.

The laminated stocks were changed to synthetic several years ago.

It has a full choke in it and I use 5's or 6's.

I also have a turkey barrel for the M87 with a Turkey choke also but never seem to bother to put it on.

Model 12 Heavy Duck.. Solid rib Fed. 3" 5's.. Did a number on an old bird..

I use a Very soft shooting gun, a Beretta 391 Optima with the kick off system. Wish I had a dozen of them.

18 yrs. ago got a great deal on a camo Mossberg 500A 12 ga. from a guy getting divorced. Drilled & tapped with screw in chokes. Put on a 2.5x Leupold , screwed in an extra full choke tube and I'm good to go.

12ga, ~ 1952 Wingmaster, front bead, mod choke, 2 3/4, #6 Hevi or Express shot.

Browning A-500

Same as last... 391 sporting

Next year ill be using a browning bps in 410....

Great thread.

I've been using my wife's youth Mossberg 500 20ga. for years. 3" #6's.
Next Spring I'm planning on using a Rem 870 I picked up in 28 gauge. I gave $220 all-in for the gun in new condition. I only bought it out of '28' curiousity and it being a great buy. I don't think it's been fired.

Going to try the TSS in #9 in that gun. Rumor is that load is a stone cold killa to 40 yards.

Couple of birds...

Single shot 20ga TC Encore. It's getting a hair cut this year by shortening the barrel from 26 to 20 inches,
Leupold M8 2.5X Compact scope, Fed #7 Hevi Shot, Undertaker choke.

Killed mine this fall while pheasant hunting.. 870 with a mod. Choke and Federal 3 1/4-1 1/4-6’s..

Belgian Browning A5 which was my fathers.

Not interested in hunting turkey don't even know if there is a huntable population in these parts. I do find this thread interesting looking for ideas for a rig for close coyote work. Grizz

I may use the new to me BPS10. Plan on an RMR mounted. That means I have until Spring 2020 to get it back and practice with it. If not, I have an old single shot 10 that a PO installed a piece of 7/8" all thread in the buttstock over the stock bolt. A poor man's recoil reducer. Will shorten the LOP before hand. Be safe and Be Well, Rustyzipper.

I retired my old Remington 11/87 this year. Next season I plan to use my Remington V3 with a reflex sight.

No offense Timbo but anyone that says old and 11/87 in the same sentence makes me feel really old.

Right

Just got the barrel back from Gunsmith. 20 inches + choke. Haven't shot it yet. Sure is quick, handy, Just what these old bones need. Like it! 26 inches of barrel was waaaay too long.

Never seen an "old" 11-87!!

Remember very well when these came out.

Yeah, I think the 87 portion in 11-87 designates the year 1987. For this 80 yr old that's practically a brand new introduction. Nothing old about that. : -) At most it'll be a 32 year old.

I have an 1100 sp w a 26" steel shot Remchoke bbl.
It is my backup gun
.
My primary is an 870 Express Supermag 23".

The 1100 was for geese but i haven't hunted them for twenty yrs. Did take the 1100 out one day, run n gun.
Next day took the lighter 870 LOL

It'll be a toss-up this year. Stoeger 3020 with Rhino .575 and Nitro Ray's #7s, or the TriStar Viper G2 .410, Comp-n-Choke .385 and Federal TSS #9s.

All boils down to where I see birds and how close I figure I can get them to come in.

Today I picked up this years Turkey gun, a Savage Stevens 301 in 410 in bottomland camo, have never been bothered by recoil but wanted to try the 410 shooting Federal TSS's.

Restocked Parker VH 12 GA with high base 6's. Modified & a tight full.
Bob

I've patterned my citori 725 with a turkey choke and its incredible, but too nice to take into a muddy turkey blind.

I would have to wear a proper tweed jacket if I took that one turkey hunting.

Very nice.

Same old boring 835 ultimag .

Beretta 391, 26", Kick Off system, one of the finest shotguns ever made...takes the kick out of heavy kicking shells.

Didn't do well last fall, but will use my 391 sporting again this spring. It's killed 4 turkeys and I think it's one of those lucky shotguns. I use the standard full choke and 3" Remington Nitro turkey loads, 5 shot. It patterns very well out to 40 yards. A little too pretty maybe but it works.

I just ordered a blued VR 20 gauge barrel for this turkey season was going to try it out this year over my 12 gauge barrel. Any suggestions on ammo you have would be appreciated.

I don't think any of them are too pretty, as long as they are deadly. I have a sweet old Winchester model 12 with birdseye maple stock fitted to me. Also a single shot 10 gauge someone stuck a piece of 3/4" all thread in the butt stock bolt hole. Then the one I'm taking this year a BPS bought from a friend on the 'Fire. At 10 gauge and with screw in chokes I think it to be deadly enough. I found some moderate loads of #6. I think that was the best in my M-12 so I will go for that on 10 ga. turkeys. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

Nothing too exciting for me: I use an 870 Wingmaster Magnum with a 26" barrel with a Hastings.665" choke and a Bushnell Trophy 1.75-4X scope with Circle X reticle. I hadn't turkey hunted for a few years and went out this past year (Spring '19) and shot a Tom using some old Rem Duplex (4X6) ammo. It was good being back out there and good to know that I can still call them in.

I use a 12 gauge BPS, 3" , Hastings extended super full choke. Turkey load is Winchester Long Beard 5's or 6's, most devestating turkey load I've ever used.

Same Browning Gold Hunter (12Ga, 3") I've used last three seasons.

Very nice,
Is that your dedicated turkey gin and leave the sights on year round?
barrel length?
whose sights?

Thank you, yes that is now my dedicated turkey shotgun - has a matte finish on the steel and plastic stock. 26" barrel with Invector Plus threads. I use a .680 flush style Carlson's turkey choke tube in it with Hevi-Shot Magnum Blends. I put the aftermarket rifle style front/rear site on the rib about four years ago; they are marketed as Tru-Glo brand, didn't keep the receipt but they were around $45.00 with the tax.

Nothing wrong with the above rig. Still trying to get somebody to swap their 28" barrel for my 24" barrel.

Prefer the longer barrels and never felt like the 24" gave me any advantages while turkey hunting.

i ordered a new Browning 10 ga. auto for late season goose hunting.

870 Super Mag with Carlson's Longbeard Choke and 3.5" Longbeard #5. However, I am more and more tempted to pickup a lightweight 20 gauge single shot. Unfortunately, the minimum size shot in my state is 7.5 so I won't be able to take advantage of the benefits of #9 TSS

Stevens 410 ga single shot is all I need...

Same 20 gauge single as last year

I keep thinking about going to a 20ga., but haven't yet. Put this one together, patterns very nicely with my own loaded "turkey specials". Older Remington 870 Express 12ga., laminated stock, for 2 3/4" and 3" shells, 18 1/2" barrel that uses Invector, Win-Choke style choke tunes (found it on eBay) and a Burris FastFire mounted on a Burris SpeedBead. Nice compact shotgun!

Nice Turkey getter !
How do you like the Burris Fast Fire Burris Speed Bead combo ?

i am going to use my Ithaca auto 10 gauge i call moose dick just for fun. Grin

Isnt that what Gerry Blair used to call his 10 gauge coyote gun?

I had his book years ago....

Ordered a Henry single-shot .410. Aready have the turkey choke tube and three boxes of TSS.

Plan on using either a a-5 16ga or a a-5 12ga 3” mag this year. Both are new to me and I want to give them a whirl.

yep ! old BLAIR called his 10 gauge Moose dick . i decided to use this name too,i don`t think ole Gerry is hunt`n anymore ?so the name is available too use.

The SpeedBead works good so far. I like the height of it, don't need a raised comb stock. But, the proof is in the pudding, hunting Illinois and Wisconsin this spring. I'm in an Eastern rut! Going to have to do something about it!

Smallest gauge we can us is a 20ga., no 28's or 410's. Nothing bigger than 10ga. too. Buddy's got an 8 bore he wants to use.

Minnesota just passed a law making 410`s legal for turkeys !

I just purchased this mossy from a coworker. He won it at a clay shoot about 15yrs ago...it’s never been fired. I’ll be shooting longbeard XRs and have ordered the matching Carlson’s .660 choke to go with it.

A Winchester 101.


http://www.huntfishnw.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=1383

A Browning A-5 that was given to me by a dear friend. It was built in 1929 and has a 30 inch full choke barrel. High brass #6's will be the likely load.

1187 21” barrel that I have been using. Leaupold hog 1-4x20
Lil hammer 1 5/8 handloads
IC 562 choke

Also had Bellm do a trigger job, 2lb 4oz. SWEET!

Looks like I'll have more time to hunt this season. After I shoot one with my Browning Gold, I'll try to shoot another with this Benelli M-2, been three years since I used this shotgun on a Gobbler. No special sites on this one (my waterfowl shotgun) but it does have a Pure Gold .670 turkey tube for the Hevi-Shot.

Nice Boid.

Mossberg 12 ga tactical turkey. Winchester 3" lead 5s. Carlson turkey choke. Weaver turkey scope.

23" turkey barreled 870 Super Magnum with WW 3.5" #6 lead and Rem Extra Full tube.


Mike

I’m practicing with my bow. I would like to get a big Tom with my bow!

Thanks Humdinger.

Benelli M2 20ga with an Indian Creek .555 shooting Apex or Federal TSS.
Stevens 301 410 with an Indian Creek .385 shooting Apex or Federal TSS.

Remington 11-87/ 12 ga. / rifle sights / 22" remchoke barrel with Remington straight rifled Turkey extended choke tube. Shooting 3" #5's

Lots of nice guns in this thread. I was going to use my SXS 20, but I think I’ll use my predator shotgun which is the Franchi Affinity in Bottomland. Was getting really nice 40yard patterns with Winchester DoubleX 4s through my Carlsons coyote tube.
I should also add that this will be my first year going after turkeys. I’ve hunted with buddies as an observer, I shot one my uncle called in for me as a kid. But that’s it. First time ever trying it on my own. Never really caught the bug or had the desire to go until now.

My typical typical turkey gun is a Stoeger M2000 12 gauge. It’s factory turkey choke is bad azz. Every few seasons I break out Grandpa’s Old Mossberg 500, with the Underaker choke. I shoot Wincheser 3” #5s in both.

An older Winchester 1300 w/TruGlo sights, and older (discontinued!) Federal Premium High Energy Turkey 3-inch shells (1 3/4 oz #5).

My son is using my BPS 410 with TSS and a Jebbs choke. He’s a lefty and likes to shoot my BPS’s. His first Tom was with my BPS 20ga, second was with my BPS 10ga, and now his bucket list is to get a Tom with each gauge. I have the 12ga and 28ga, just need a 16ga to finish off the list.
My daughter will be using her SX4 20ga and a Jebbs choke. She loves the gun and shoots it well.
We were at the range again this afternoon to take the final practice shots before this weekend.
Good luck and be safe to all going out youth hunting!

Eight days to go until the first Saturday for me.
Either the 20 ga. Montefeltro or the SBE II.
Most likely the 20 ga.

870 T, red dot, 23 inch factory tube, Indian Creek .665 shooting 3 inch Long Beard #5’s

Wish I had the smarts to post a pic!

Good luck to you guys in 2020!

A 1924 Super Fox by AH Fox,Philadelphia.3in #4 or # 5 HeviShot/Long Beards. Double triggers give instant
choice of which load. The Fox is backed up by an LC Smith Long Range 3in double.
If it looks like briars and swamp to a determined tricky gobbler, then
its a 1950s Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck gun.
No special sights. I have just had cataract surgery-don't need em.
Have had good turkey luck in VA, Arizona, and Alabama. The Eastern wild turkey
is the smartest fowl-by leaps and bounds. B. Franklin was right on the
national bird.

Another shot of the affinity taken this am...

Either my Mossberg 835 24" or 870 Express with a 20" RC slug barrel I just swapped for. I hope to pattern it soon if it ever stops raining. Both are 12 ga.

Which Winchester XX load are you using?

Thinking about trying one of these in a 3" model.

These...my affinity is a 3” model and I sent them through my Carlsons coyote tube. I tried several different loads and settled on these. I’m not a diehard turkey guy and didn’t want to spend a fortune on chokes and loads. These were respectable out to 40yards for me.

used a Tristar Raptor 20 gauge with old school federal 3" #6. 33 yards

uploading photos online