I've been using my Benelli M2 12 gauge but I also use that gun for other hunting applications and there is no easy way swap a red dot or open sights on and off the gun so I'm thinking of picking up a dedicated turkey gun.
I plan on using 12 gauge 3" shells but I'm not opposed to having a 3.5" chamber. I'd prefer a semi but for my budget I assume I will have to go with a pump. I'd like the gun to be generally lightweight, max barrel length of 24" and if a pump, I'd prefer for the pump not to rattle around like crazy while walking around.
Thanks,
Mike
I picked up a used/like new Mossberg 930 turkey last year for $400 and have been very happy with it.
I would look for a used 1300 Winchester with a 22" choke tube barrel.
Are those 1300s better than the current SXP?
Probably not a real popular choice but a few years ago I was looking for much the same thing. Had to be semi auto for me, reliable, & looks didn't matter for this purpose. After a good bit of research over on shotgun world I went with a wood stocked Stoeger M2000. It is a 3" inertia action gun w/26" barrel, NIB I got it for $400 on gun broker. Came with a 5 factory chokes including a XF turkey tube. Added a cantlever 20", choke tube acceptable, smooth bore barrel for $180. Then put a Bushnell 1.75-4 power scope on the cantlever barrel. Total cost w/scope and transfer fee right around $600. Could have come well under that with a used gun. I don't use it for anything but turkeys but I could swap the barrels and still use it for something else very easily if I wanted. I've been using it for several years now and it has been exactly what I hoped it would be. It's ugly but functional and 100% reliable and I don't mind dragging it through the brush and mud like I would my Brownings.
Hit up some pawn shops and used gun racks and you might be surprised what ya find. Good luck in your find
Myself, if I was doing it today, would buy a pre 2005 rem 870, put synthetic stocks on if ya hae to, put on some Williams fire sighs or tru glo mags, and you'll still have a hundred bucks or a little over for chokes and shells
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Mossberg 535 is really light for a 12 gauge. When a pump starts to rattle you can fix it by putting pieces of furniture slider under the forearm.
If you're near an academy store, check out the yildiz o/u. They're light. You might get one and a choke under budget. I sure like my 20.
870 youth 20ga. Mine rigged out with a Knoxx Stock and Burris FFII is around $500.
(http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu3/sandegr/870%2020ga/IMG_0595-1.jpg)
That's a nice looking rig right there. How far do you get decent patterns with it? Are you using Federal Heavyweight 7?
Quote from: MikeStaten on April 27, 2016, 02:39:25 PM
Are those 1300s better than the current SXP?
The 1300 is a much better gun. I was disappointed in the SXP.
Quote from: MikeStaten on April 28, 2016, 10:08:34 AM
That's a nice looking rig right there. How far do you get decent patterns with it? Are you using Federal Heavyweight 7?
Thanks. I load TSS for my gun. Let's just say it's as good (I'd argue better) as any 12ga you've seen with over the counter ammo. 40 yards isn't a problem. I have friends that shoot HW 7's with great results. Even watched a 10 year old girl kill her first bird this year with one at a ranged 42 yards with 1oz of #6 lead. It's all in knowing and patterning your gun.
Get a semi. Weatherby SA-08 black ... around $500. I have 2 of them... great guns. Very light too..
Get a used rem 870 and use the left over money for chokes and ammo
A short barreled bps is on my list of wants. How do you like yours some folks say they are heavy is that true everyone I know hunts with rems or mossbergs. How has the bps treated you
I saw a 11-87 in original bottomland with a 26" barrel in a pawn shop for $400 the other day. Double beads and just needed a turkey choke. I looked at the barrel of that old gun and it was smooth as glass. That's a turkey gun for life. I have a few turkey guns that are one shell guns and that makes them about as turkey specific as it gets. Bought a Beretta Outlander for around $600 and with a Jebs .660 choke it will shoot 4 different HTL loads well and good patterns with lead as well. POA/POI is dead on. Saved me allot of money to find a set up that will shoot a number of shells with double beads and no after market sights. I can shoot allot of the loads that I had laying around. Just something to consider.
Quote from: Spring Creek Calls on April 28, 2016, 10:26:34 AM
Quote from: MikeStaten on April 27, 2016, 02:39:25 PM
Are those 1300s better than the current SXP?
The 1300 is a much better gun. I was disappointed in the SXP.
The SXP diffidently leaves something to be desired.
Pre 2005 870 turkey model w/ 21" barrel. 3" or 3.5" I got 3"
Pawn shops, gun shows, you will find one for around $300-350.
Every turkey I've squeezed on has hit the dirt.
Mike if you want to shoot my 1300 let me know. I love my 1300's
If you are used to a Benelli I would look into the Franchi Affinity. I do not own one but after holding them they come up as good if not better than my SBE II. They do not have a 24" barrel 26" is the shortest but if you get a carlsons or Trulock choke they do not extend the barrel near as far.
I like them for the same reason I carry my SBE over my short barreled 870 which is that they are the same width from the sling attachment to the receiver. Often times I like to hold the gun just in front of the receiver when chasing turkeys and not reach all the way out to a pump. The black one is $599 at bass pro. The weight is also only 6.5 lbs....
I'd look for a gently used Mossberg 835. We see them in our shop from time to time and they usually sell well below the $500 mark as used guns. You'd be hard pressed to find a better patterning dedicated turkey gun at any price!
Buying a used gun you can buy a Remington without having to worry about buying someone else's problems. Now that we have moved you into the 600+ range..easy spending someone else's money.. you can buy great guns in that price range. Beretta or Franchi have some great guns. Affinity like has been mentioned. That gun feels like a Benelli. Sort of interesting that Benelli and Beretta are basically the same company. If I am going to spend over $450 it would be for a gun under the umbrella of the parent holding company Beretta. (Benelli, Beretta, Franchi, Stoeger, etc)
:morning:
Dedicated, hmmmm....lightweight, 3", rifle optic sights(no batteries), good choke. Sounds like my NEF single shot! Realizing I carry it a WHOLE LOT MORE than I shoot it, 6 lbs or under was a must. Patterned it with a Lead Sled, so recoil was minimal. When I actually pull the trigger, don't feel it at all! Never have needed a second shot. Even with the forcing cone work and tube threading and sights, it was under $300.00. Have pics later on here somewhere... :camohat:
I know you said you wanted a 12ga but if I was going to dedicate me a single turkey gun and had $500 I'd go with the youth 870 20ga.
I have two dedicated turkey guns
1) Rem 870 21in 12ga in original bottomland with a .665 JH shooting 3in win super-x 6's (red shells)
2) Rem 870 youth 21in 20ga with TG adjustable sights and a SSX choke shooting HW 3in 7's
I've killed turkeys with some of my other guns but I built these two for just turkey season. If it wasn't for the fact I love my original bottomland 12ga I'd carry the 20ga every hunt. The 20 is light, no recoil, and patterns exceptional with my SSX and tightwad chokes. I just bought the Carlson non ported to try also
I would look at pawn shops and used rack at gun shops. Sometimes you can find a Mossy 935 or 930 for less than that if you are like me and prefer a semi-auto.
Thanks all. I bought my nephew a Mossberg 500 youth a few years ago. Now he's 18 so I bought him a semi auto Beretta A300 so I'm going to turn his Mossberg into a turkey gun and see how it works out. Only time he goes turkey hunting is with me so if he goes, I'll use my Benelli and have him use the Mossberg. I also have a single shot H&R 20 gauge that I may send to sumtoy to have threaded for his choke and tapped for a scope mount.
I know it's not in your budget, unless you trade or sell the M2 but a SBE1 or 2 is about a versitile gun as is made. The top of the reciever is built onto the barrel so with three barrels you could go from a slug barrel with scope to a turkey barrel with red dot and a plain vent rib barrel for wing shooting, because the optics come off with the barrel. I have a SBE1 and I was looking to get a slug barrel for it for the reason I listed above.
Good luck in whatever you end up with, just food for thought.
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Quote from: Spring Creek Calls on April 27, 2016, 01:54:54 PM
I would look for a used 1300 Winchester with a 22" choke tube barrel.