Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting New turkey guns

Left the turkey cannons a few years back when I sold my 835 because I didn't like the abuse. Been shooting a 3" Mossberg Semi for the past 10 years or so and really like it. Except it's only a 40 yard turkey gun. I've tried a couple of different chokes and numerous loads but 40 yards is all the further I feel confident in it.

I've been resigned to stay within it's capabilities but either the turkeys are getting smarter or they know I won't shoot at them past 40 yards. I've passed 3 big boys up in the past 2 years alone because they were a tad too far for my gun. I've shot numerous longbeards most of the past 10 years but I really hate passing up big turkeys at 45 and 50 yards.

Handled a bunch of the new turkey guns over the weekend and really liked a couple. The ones I didn't care for: Rem SP 10 (too heavy), an older Browning (way too heavy), Berretta Extrema (didn't fit me). The ones in the running: Benellie SBEII (although $1200 is a bit steep), Mossberg 935, Winchester X2. I'm leaning toward the Mossberg 935 because it was reasonably light, fit me well and priced well.

Anyone have any experiences with any of the above mentioned shot guns they care to share?

My goal is not another turkey gun but a real honest to goodness 50 yard turkey cannon. Anyone have any thoughts on how to make a 50 yard gun (other than the custom barrel route)?

Of those mentioned the Winchester Super X2 is the one I`d get. I have several turkey guns and really like my Mossberg 835 and my Super X2. With the 3.5" gun a 50 yd bird should be easily within your reach. This year was a good year for newly introduced ammo. I really like the Winchester Xtended range. You don`t need special choke sizes like hevi-shot. There are models of the Super X2 that are drilled and tapped for a scope too. I scoped mine and have had confident hunts with it this spring, I harvested 5 birds, and 2 with it and the kills were very quick and humane, Tim.

Thanks Tim. I'm with you on the Hevi shot and chokes, not to mention the price. A buddy of mine swears by a triplex load of Hevi shot (Magnum Industries?) and pays $4.75 per shell. He's also got a custom barrel on another of his turkey guns. Suffice to say he's a turkey addict.

Haven't tried Win extended range shells yet but am shooting their high velocity Supreme line of shells. They pattern very good in my 9200, plus they seem to knock the snot out of the turkeys I've shot with them.

I really liked the Benelli but can't quite swallow the price tag. My Dad has an X2 and I like it but the Mossberg do fit me a little better. I think the choice is down to the X2 and the 935.

-- BW

BTW how many turkeys are you guys allowed in TN? I shot one last week and am now forced to caller status for my dad. Bummer....

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> You are going to laugh at me, I'm sure. You asked the question and here's MY answer. My son bought an 870 super-mag. 12 ga 3 1/2". One day we were in a gunshop and I saw an H & R 10 ga. single shot 36 inch barrel. I bought it as a joke, just to out do him. Make a long story short, there has never been a turkey to walk away from it as long as I did what I was supposed to do. I missed one this year and lost a second. I am ashamed of myself for losing the bird. I recently purchased the newer model, made by New England Firearms. It is all camoed up and has a 24 inch barell. To MY way of thinking a single shot is all you need for spring time turkeys. The gun is allot lighter than a repeater plus there is a bar of steel in the butt stock with a pad of rubber on each end. It really cushions the recoil. I am 60 years old and have no problem lugging either. Just my 2 cents. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

About a hundred years ago <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I had one of those .10 gauge single shot fence post. I lugged that thing around and killed some turkeys with it. Not a one I couldn't have killed with a gun three or four pounds lighter and handier!

I'm a Benelli man. I use and love the heck out of my Benelli M1S90 3" .12 gauge. It's light, handles quick and responsive, has been totally reliable, and is easy to strip and clean. Mine is the older model and does double duty as a turkey gun and a predator calling gun for heavy cover. I have a Kick's Gobblin' Thunder .660" ported custom choke and for turkeys have long used the Winchester Hi-Velocity Supreme no. 5's in 3". For coyotes the same choke does an outstanding job with Federal Premium 3" no. Four Buckshot. Fifty yards is a reliable shot for either critter with this set-up. I've carefully patterned it on the range at fifty yards with a wide variety of loads and chokes to arrive at this combo and have proven in the field many, many, times it'll do it's job, plus some. Here it is:

lbk - I ain't laughing at the HR single 10. A buddy of mine used one for quite a while and it is a righteous 50 yards turkey gun. I know another guy in my area that uses one also and he swears by it.

mocg- nice setup. I'd like to try an extra choke or two in my present gun but at $50-100 whack it gets expensive. Have you handled the newest Super Black Eagle II? It is one sweet gun once you get over the sticker shock. I'm also with you on the Win Supreme high vel no.5's. They just plain flatten them.

I hear ya! I have a half dozen other name brand chokes rolling around somewhere that for whatever reason didn't work out so hot. That was one of the things that sold me on the Kick's choke tube. I e-mailed them asking some pointed questions about their product and received an immediate reply from the head honcho himself. He felt that the .660 diameter choke would be best based on all their testing and research patterning for the shot size no. Five that I preferred, but offered that if I wasn't happy with the way it shot that he'd send me what ever I wanted until I found one that suited me - no charge! The dang thing shot so well I never tried another diameter.

Then, to attest to the guys honesty, I was so sold right then on the Kick's product that I inquired about their BuckKicker choke for my coyote calling. He told me to try the Gobblin' Thunder and see how well it worked, that I most likely wouldn't need to buy another choke. He also told me about the Federal Premium Four Buck as his best patterning load buckshot load. I didn't take his word for it and tested all the major brands and compared them to my old chokes and targets just as I did with the turkey loads. Guess what? He was spot on and the Kick's tore everything else up for both turkey loads and hunting, plus the coyote calling I love to do. I've repeated this to many on the forums and have quite a few guys who have tried the same as I have and experienced the same results. Kick's could have easily sold me at the least another choke for buckshot, but didn't try that. Good stuff I'm a very satisfied Kick's customer!

I haven't fooled around with the 3 1/2" shotguns as I really don't have a need for the Roman Candle. The longer receivers don't seem to balance and point/handle as well and quickly for me, they weigh more, may be more finicky about handling a variety of shells, recoil more, and cost more to purchase and feed. I consider 50-60 yards a long poke for a shotgun, especially on game as large and tough as coyotes. My rig will give me that much. Woodsmanship will get them closer and I'm happy where I'm at. This is my personal view and isn't meant to put down anyone else's ideals.

We are currently allowed 3 per year with an additional 2 birds if taken by draw on any of our WMA`s. I have heard we might get an additional 4th bird next year. I hope so, I have some pretty good spots to hunt and have limited out the last 3 years running.

Yep, I got rid of mine this year for the same reason.



What's legal to hunt turkeys with where you are? Down here, rifles and pistols are legal. Thus, my turkey gun isn't a cannon, but a precision tool: a 10" barreled T/C Contender in .221 Fireball. Shoots great, handles and packs very easily, is good on turkeys at 50 - 150 yards, and doesn't kick the snot out of me on every shot. Also, 'chucks in the afternoon and over the summer with my "turkey gun" make for great practice.

So, if rifles are legal and you want more than normal shotgun range, I think that your choice is easy.

Of course, there are those that think turkey hunting with a rifle is unethical - although hitting a small target (head/neck) on a gobbler at 50 - 150 yards is no easy task and you still have to get within range...

I just finished 2 weeks in Kansas and used 2 different shot guns in bagging 2 23lbs plus Toms The first was taken with a Russian over/under 12 gage, using 23/4 Winchester Super X Turkey load @ 28 yrds the bird never took a step. The next was citation bird @ 44yrds using a Rem 870 express 20 gage youth model Winchester super X Mag turkey load I was checking it out for my grand daughter. The next morning she dropped a 21 lbs Tom @ 42 yrds with the 20 gage. So who needs 3 1/2" mags they are very hard on the shoulder. I'm putting 2 skeeters 20 gage in my 12 gage over/under and do some testing if the patterns with one full and one super full are good , my Rem 1100 and Mos 835 are gone.

BENELLI SBE II !!!

My new Benelli is an honest 60 yard turkey gun, using factory Mod. choke and 3.5" #6 hevi-shot.

I bet with another choke and some Nitro Hevi-shot, it would perform out to 65 or 70 yards if needed!

While I would probably not take a 60 yard shot, I know that it will perform at that range, if needed.

Cheers,
CL

I stepped up to an 835 a couple of years ago from a Remington 870 Express Turkey gun. In stock form the 870 was good for about 27 yds. with whatever load I tried in it. I finally got it out to 40 yds. with a ridiculously expensive Briley choke tube and a Remington duplex load. The 835 out of the box with #5 Hevi shot will best that by a full 20 yds. on a Federal turkey target.
You might want to reconsider an 835 with a Symms pad installed. I can live with the recoil as I only fire mine once or twice a year and make sure I'm not leaned up against a tree when I touch it off. The only thing I don't like about it is that it has that slide action rattle.

2Seventy

I think your 870 was a fluke. I have seen more than one that would would print a good pattern out to at least 50 yards. My 20 gauge 870 is good past 40 as well with hevi shot.

I bought my nephew one of these also for a high school graduation present(before I realized how it would pattern). His wouldn't pattern any better then mine with the stock choke. I like 870's but the results on a Federal turkey target were dismal with this Express Turkey model 870.

2Seventy

I was given a Mossberg 870 as a gift. On the first shot at a bird, the gun jammed working the pump. It went back to the store and was traded for a Remington.