Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Turkey time - new gun purchase help

Hey guys I’m about to purchase a new shotgun that will be used for turkeys as well as close range predators. I am a bit torn between pump and semi automatic ... but I have it narrowed down to three semis below and would like some feedback since I have never owned a semi before. Trying to keep the purchase under $750. Feel free to recommend other guns if not on my list

Would like the barrel length to be 22 to 24 inches.

-Tristar Viper G2
-Mossberg 930
-Mossberg SA-20
-Weatherby SA-459
-Weatherby SA-08
-Stoeger m3000/mk3 (I hear mixed reviews)
-Winchester SX 2,3 or 4

I know for turkeys a 20ga would be a non-issue because all of my shots are under 35 yards or so. I just want to make sure I can flatten a coyote out to ~50 yards, so a 12 might be better for me??....

Why isn't an 870 on the list, that would be the only pump to consider

and 870, a good choke, some tss, and couple hundred bucks left in your pocket.

I wouldn't go too cheap on a semi, the beretta a300 is about as cheap as I would go. You can get that in your price range.

I use a 20 for turkeys, and have no problem killing them in the 40-45 yard range, although I prefer closer. The problem with a 20 and coyotes is going to be the ammo, as I don't think they make much in the way of larger shot ammo. I've killed coyotes while turkey hunting, all with the 12 gauge and all with 5 or 6 size shot, although it took a few rounds to kill them. I think you need the 12 if coyotes are going to be hunted.

As far as the guns you mention, I'd take a long look at the Winchester first. I don't care for the Mossbergs, and same deal with the Stoeger,

I should have clarified, the 870 is definitely on my consideration list. I just need some clarification regarding the listed semi automatics, and semi automatics in general since I have not owned one in the past. It will likely come down to whatever semi automatic has the highest recommendation and I will put that against the 870

Beretta A300

A300s are sweet, little more difficult to find one with a shorter barrel though

I wouldn't worry about one, get a 26'' and be done with it, be a good all around shotgun.

Your list from the bottom up is my preference.

Only ever used an 835

Hate to drag a fancy pants shotgun on my hands and knees through cow patties, fire ant mounds, through barbed wire, etc

There's a nice condition used Beretta 390 12ga Syn stocks, matte black metal pretty sure it's 26" bbl @ Brotherhood Arms in Watertown SD sitting on the shelf for $450. It'd be worth your time and effort to give them a jingle and ask them whatever questions you have. I have no affiliation with the shop, just stop in when I can. IMO, good folks running that shop and they have a really good selection for lots of stuff.

Snatch (run and grab) the shotgun above. That is the cheapest I have seen a beretta 390 listed. I have one, and love it.

I have used an 11/87 for close to 20 years now. Replaced the gas O rings once or twice. It has been flaw-less. I sometimes grab a different shotgun out of the safe to mix it up, but it is not because it is better. I use a Jeb’s choke and Federal 2 oz of #4.

It gets fed 3” 4 buck for coyotes and has been a hammer.

A very nice one just sold on here for around 550. I’ve seen them much cheaper.

O-Rings and those STUPID fingers that retain shells in the magazine are pined into place are reason enough to skip everything Remington 1100/11-87/11-96 related. Not to mention that with the steel receiver they're WAY heavy.

I'm of the opinion that cheaper is better.

I shoot a Mossberg 500 that I got out of the scratch-n-dent bin. Everyone at camp shoots either a Mossy 500 or Rem 870.

that would be good one, they did have some cheaper "walmart" versions of the 390 but the guts are pretty much the same. Only real difference is no magazine cutoff, (which I use a lot on my xtrema2 when turkey hunting) and they usually come with a plastic buttplate, I'd definitely recommend finding a nice recoil pad for it before shooting turkey loads. The cheapest I've seen these used is maybe 400 and usually beat up.

I use a Mossberg Mod. 935, in their Turkey model, which will take 3.5" shells. Very effective on turkeys. Since you will be shooting very likely from a sitting position, a semiauto helps to mitigate recoil. With Winchester Long Beard XR loads and a Jelly Head choke, this shotgun throws incredibly uniform, tight patterns, and has accounted for a half-dozen toms so far.

get an old beater 12 g with a full choke, cover it in camo cloth, good to go

Turkeys here in Tn are ass holes

They don’t fall for that sittin in a pup-tent, sawing alway at Turkey in the Straw on a slate bullchit with a $1000 piece of walnut in your lap.

The best semi-auto shotgun I've ever owned is a Benelli SBE2. I have quit shooting mine for one reason, and one only.........I found that you didn't need the punishment of a 3 1/2 12 gauge shell in order to kill a turkey.

I shoot both a 20 gauge 870 and 11-87, and prefer the 11-87. I also once had an 11-87 12 gauge, one of those guns I sold that I wish I had back. I would buy an 11-87 over any of the guns the OP listed.

ya don't need a frickin cannon to shoot a turkey