Ok guys I need a little help. My oldest son graduates this year and I am thinking about getting him a new turkey gun. I need some ideas about which direction to look. I have always been an 870 guy, but would like to keep my options open.
Thanks
Does he already have a turkey gun or shotguns? Is he a big fella can handle 3 1/2" gives you options on three different shell choices. Does he prefer auto over pump or vise versa.
Quote from: Drycreek on March 22, 2021, 01:27:42 PM
Ok guys I need a little help. My oldest son graduates this year and I am thinking about getting him a new turkey gun. I need some ideas about which direction to look. I have always been an 870 guy, but would like to keep my options open.
Thanks
Depends on what you want to spend. Me personally I have several older model Remington's I love. But I am staying away from them for a little while since they filed bankruptcy. I know they got bought out and our under new management and should be up and running again soon. I will give it about 18 months and see how their quality is. I had quite a few issues with their ammo in the past few years.
Sorry about the tangent, but I would look at a Mossberg 835, Stoeger M3500 Turkey, Franchi or Winchester SXP. If you have the money I just got a Benelli M2 has a gift for retirement that is really nice, I would have never bought it for myself but the Wife and In Laws bought it for me. But like I said depends on the price range.
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Fierce Mayhem. It's new. It's a Benelli but with a lower price tag which makes no sense to me. They're tweaking it in some fashion but not certain what exactly. But, so far, the reviews gave been good. Winchester SX2, SX3 or SX4. All are good guns. Had an SX2. Have played with the others a bit. Like them all. If you're looking for a pump gun, find an older 870. The Mossberg guns kill in one end and cripple on the other. The 935's aren't as bad but the gas system eats up some of the recoil too. That obviously helps. If you're looking for a straight turkey gun and he's going to run tss, no need to look any further than the 20 gauge.
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There are some good deals on some Weatherby SA-459 out there. 12 ga mostly, but everything you'd need in a turkey gun imo. Short barrel, light weight, tapped receiver, pistol grip. I had a 870 that I used for years and prefer the Weatherby over the 870 for turkey hunting. But I think you can't beat the simplicity of a pump either. Hopefully this Weatherby will be as good as my 870, but time will tell.
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Quote from: wvmntnhick on March 22, 2021, 02:01:32 PM
Fierce Mayhem. It's new. It's a Benelli but with a lower price tag which makes no sense to me. They're tweaking it in some fashion but not certain what exactly. But, so far, the reviews gave been good. Winchester SX2, SX3 or SX4. All are good guns. Had an SX2. Have played with the others a bit. Like them all. If you're looking for a pump gun, find an older 870. The Mossberg guns kill in one end and cripple on the other. The 935's aren't as bad but the gas system eats up some of the recoil too. That obviously helps. If you're looking for a straight turkey gun and he's going to run tss, no need to look any further than the 20 gauge.
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Yeah the Mossbergs do kick. My 835 isn't to bad but I have a 535 that will rock you. First time I shot it I was using 3.5" shells, I shot 2 of them and said nope not shooting anymore of these lol.
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He does have an older Charles Daly NWTF pump 20ga that he really likes, but he is kinda wanting to move up to a 12ga. Which is kinda funny cause I have gone back to a 20ga. Recoil does not seem to bother him. You know how we guys are at 18, think we are 10ft tall and bullet proof.
Quote from: Drycreek on March 22, 2021, 02:31:29 PM
He does have an older Charles Daly NWTF pump 20ga that he really likes, but he is kinda wanting to move up to a 12ga. Which is kinda funny cause I have gone back to a 20ga. Recoil does not seem to bother him. You know how we guys are at 18, think we are 10ft tall and bullet proof.
Not me brother. Didn't like recoil then. Like it even less now. But, maybe it's just me. I tried the big whiz bang shoulder thumpers for a minute. Couple years of that stuff and I left them behind. The juice wasn't worth the squeeze in my opinion. Find myself going to smaller stature shotguns these days too. Just makes sense to me.
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Quote from: wvmntnhick on March 22, 2021, 02:38:23 PM
Quote from: Drycreek on March 22, 2021, 02:31:29 PM
He does have an older Charles Daly NWTF pump 20ga that he really likes, but he is kinda wanting to move up to a 12ga. Which is kinda funny cause I have gone back to a 20ga. Recoil does not seem to bother him. You know how we guys are at 18, think we are 10ft tall and bullet proof.
Not me brother. Didn't like recoil then. Like it even less now. But, maybe it's just me. I tried the big whiz bang shoulder thumpers for a minute. Couple years of that stuff and I left them behind. The juice wasn't worth the squeeze in my opinion. Find myself going to smaller stature shotguns these days too. Just makes sense to me.
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I totally agree, the older I get the more I find myself going in the direction of the smaller calibers.
Then go with a 3 1/2" gun. Can always shoot 2 3/4" and 3". Your budget to go from here.
With the modern loads we have 3.5 inch shells are just for bragging rights!
Is this purely a turkey getter or an all purpose gun? That would change my decisions personally. I prefer auto's and O/U, started with pumps cuz they were cheaper, but I have mostly auto loaders!
My ultimate turkey gun would be a sxs or O/U that both barrels shot the same poi! One standard full choke and an extra full.
Quote from: Drycreek on March 22, 2021, 02:48:59 PM
Quote from: wvmntnhick on March 22, 2021, 02:38:23 PM
Quote from: Drycreek on March 22, 2021, 02:31:29 PM
He does have an older Charles Daly NWTF pump 20ga that he really likes, but he is kinda wanting to move up to a 12ga. Which is kinda funny cause I have gone back to a 20ga. Recoil does not seem to bother him. You know how we guys are at 18, think we are 10ft tall and bullet proof.
Not me brother. Didn't like recoil then. Like it even less now. But, maybe it's just me. I tried the big whiz bang shoulder thumpers for a minute. Couple years of that stuff and I left them behind. The juice wasn't worth the squeeze in my opinion. Find myself going to smaller stature shotguns these days too. Just makes sense to me.
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I totally agree, the older I get the more I find myself going in the direction of the smaller calibers.
If you want a very mild deer rifle, look at the 6x45. It's bad on deer and will fit a short action. Trust me when I say this, it's quite impressive for what it is. I know you're asking about a shotgun but the smaller caliber stuff brought it out of me.
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Is it going to be a dedicated turkey gun? Whats the price range? Hard to go wrong with a 835 and a FF3 shooting Longbeards for your best bang for the buck. Also much more versatile.He also might like the benelli super nova, lot's of accessories to customize it if he likes pump actions.
Not that they are the only ones, but 870 Super Mags and 835s are classic turkey guns. As for 3.5" shells, absolutely the LEAST necessary thing to successfully hunt turkeys IMO. 3.5s out of a pump? More man than I am!
Quote from: Turkeytider on March 23, 2021, 10:05:23 AM
Not that they are the only ones, but 870 Super Mags and 835s are classic turkey guns. As for 3.5" shells, absolutely the LEAST necessary thing to successfully hunt turkeys IMO. 3.5s out of a pump? More man than I am!
Especially if you are using TSS but even with the Longbeards they are not needed. Sorry but the juice is not worth the squeeze.
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It will more than likely be an all around gun.
Thanks
Browning. Quality is all I can say. I own rifles and bought a shotgun because of the quality. Properly cared for and cleaned you should have no problems. Great customer service. Look at the other posts where people have had issues with other brands. I've been an 870 guy for years owning a Wingmaster then a Super Mag but went Semi Auto when I bought a Browning. I am pleased with my A5 and now considering a Maxus II. Hold one and you'll know what I mean. The actions for every Browning I own from my X Bolt to my BLR's are smooth! My A5 is just as good.
Quote from: Will on March 23, 2021, 03:07:04 PM
Browning. Quality is all I can say. I own rifles and bought a shotgun because of the quality. Properly cared for and cleaned you should have no problems. Great customer service. Look at the other posts where people have had issues with other brands. I've been an 870 guy for years owning a Wingmaster then a Super Mag but went Semi Auto when I bought a Browning. I am pleased with my A5 and now considering a Maxus II. Hold one and you'll know what I mean. The actions for every Browning I own from my X Bolt to my BLR's are smooth! My A5 is just as good.
Do you have one of the newer A5's that's gas operated out one of the older recoil operated models? I'm just curious. My grandfather had an older one and that thing was bullet proof. Would've loved to have gotten that one but none of his guns made it into the hands of but one family member.
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I love these kinds of threads. I'd say it really depends on your boy and what the gun will be used for. You mentioned it'll be more of an all around gun. If he likes to clean his guns I'd go for a semi-auto Beretta or Winchester (nothing wrong with Benelli's but they don't seem to shoot straight for me, lol). If he is the kind of person who cleans it every couple of years I'd get him a pump Mossberg or Winchester, or a Browning O/U.
I'd go for a 3 1/2 chamber for sure. Unless you're absolutely positive that he won't every want to shoot 3 1/2's out of it, you can't go wrong with bigger chamber cause of the downsize compatability with smaller shells.
Happy shopping!!!!
Quote from: wvmntnhick on March 23, 2021, 03:28:15 PM
Quote from: Will on March 23, 2021, 03:07:04 PM
Browning. Quality is all I can say. I own rifles and bought a shotgun because of the quality. Properly cared for and cleaned you should have no problems. Great customer service. Look at the other posts where people have had issues with other brands. I've been an 870 guy for years owning a Wingmaster then a Super Mag but went Semi Auto when I bought a Browning. I am pleased with my A5 and now considering a Maxus II. Hold one and you'll know what I mean. The actions for every Browning I own from my X Bolt to my BLR's are smooth! My A5 is just as good.
Do you have one of the newer A5's that's gas operated out one of the older recoil operated models? I'm just curious. My grandfather had an older one and that thing was bullet proof. Would've loved to have gotten that one but none of his guns made it into the hands of but one family member.
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I have the inertia driven A5 and had an issue in the beginning where it wouldn't eject trap loads. The gun was brand new and I sent it back. Customer service was the way it should be. It's broken in and works great. I am looking at a Maxus II now which is gas operated just so I can have the best of both worlds. Craftsmanship is unbelievable. The older A5's are legendary, my dad has one and it is a finely made shotgun.
Quote from: Will on March 23, 2021, 03:07:04 PM
Browning. Quality is all I can say. I own rifles and bought a shotgun because of the quality. Properly cared for and cleaned you should have no problems. Great customer service. Look at the other posts where people have had issues with other brands. I've been an 870 guy for years owning a Wingmaster then a Super Mag but went Semi Auto when I bought a Browning. I am pleased with my A5 and now considering a Maxus II. Hold one and you'll know what I mean. The actions for every Browning I own from my X Bolt to my BLR's are smooth! My A5 is just as good.
I totally agree with you about Brownings, my brother has my fathers Browning Sweet 16. Man that is a sweet shooting shotgun.
Quote from: Swenny on March 24, 2021, 08:19:15 AM
I love these kinds of threads. I'd say it really depends on your boy and what the gun will be used for. You mentioned it'll be more of an all around gun. If he likes to clean his guns I'd go for a semi-auto Beretta or Winchester (nothing wrong with Benelli's but they don't seem to shoot straight for me, lol). If he is the kind of person who cleans it every couple of years I'd get him a pump Mossberg or Winchester, or a Browning O/U.
I'd go for a 3 1/2 chamber for sure. Unless you're absolutely positive that he won't every want to shoot 3 1/2's out of it, you can't go wrong with bigger chamber cause of the downsize compatability with smaller shells.
Happy shopping!!!!
Great advice about the cleaning aspect, that had not even crossed my mind.
Thanks
Quote from: Drycreek on March 24, 2021, 11:04:39 AM
Quote from: Will on March 23, 2021, 03:07:04 PM
Browning. Quality is all I can say. I own rifles and bought a shotgun because of the quality. Properly cared for and cleaned you should have no problems. Great customer service. Look at the other posts where people have had issues with other brands. I've been an 870 guy for years owning a Wingmaster then a Super Mag but went Semi Auto when I bought a Browning. I am pleased with my A5 and now considering a Maxus II. Hold one and you'll know what I mean. The actions for every Browning I own from my X Bolt to my BLR's are smooth! My A5 is just as good.
I totally agree with you about Brownings, my brother has my fathers Browning Sweet 16. Man that is a sweet shooting shotgun.
My uncle had a Savage 720 or 750. Can't recall at the moment. It's identical to the A5 but lacks the magazine cutoff. It was a 16 ga as well.
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Quote from: Drycreek on March 24, 2021, 11:06:06 AM
Quote from: Swenny on March 24, 2021, 08:19:15 AM
I love these kinds of threads. I'd say it really depends on your boy and what the gun will be used for. You mentioned it'll be more of an all around gun. If he likes to clean his guns I'd go for a semi-auto Beretta or Winchester (nothing wrong with Benelli's but they don't seem to shoot straight for me, lol). If he is the kind of person who cleans it every couple of years I'd get him a pump Mossberg or Winchester, or a Browning O/U.
I'd go for a 3 1/2 chamber for sure. Unless you're absolutely positive that he won't every want to shoot 3 1/2's out of it, you can't go wrong with bigger chamber cause of the downsize compatability with smaller shells.
Happy shopping!!!!
Great advice about the cleaning aspect, that had not even crossed my mind.
Thanks
I totally missed the cleaning part and this is great advice. I've watched several you tube videos on the how to disassemble the A5, Maxus II and even RETAY shotguns for comparison. You tube is a wonderful resource.
Don't surprise him. Ask him what he wants. He knows better than anyone what gun makes him grin.
3 1/2's or 3's? I've got two grown sons. One is 160 soaking wet and shoots 3 1/2" all day waterfowl hunting. Says no big deal. The other is a muscular 220 and only shoots 3 inch - go figure!
I'm an 870 guy but with the current state of Remington, I'd go Franchi Affinity and never look back.
Quote from: Drycreek on March 22, 2021, 02:31:29 PM
He does have an older Charles Daly NWTF pump 20ga that he really likes, but he is kinda wanting to move up to a 12ga. Which is kinda funny cause I have gone back to a 20ga. Recoil does not seem to bother him. You know how we guys are at 18, think we are 10ft tall and bullet proof.
So if he wants a BIG gun... I have a friend that just got a Stoeger M3500 and with the factory choke and 3" XR #5 great patterns 40+. Only complaint is heavy trigger 7+lbs.... Although MCarbo makes a trigger kit for it to reduce it down to 5#.
Also another option would be the Mossberg 935, just keep them clean.
And if you want to drop big $$$$ you can always get them BIG name brands....
Good luck.
Semi auto and staying reasonable for price the franchi affinity are hard to beat.
In a pump I would say an 870, but being they are hard to find new now, I'd probably lean a BPS
Quote from: 2eagles on March 24, 2021, 03:09:56 PM
Don't surprise him. Ask him what he wants. He knows better than anyone what gun makes him grin.
3 1/2's or 3's? I've got two grown sons. One is 160 soaking wet and shoots 3 1/2" all day waterfowl hunting. Says no big deal. The other is a muscular 220 and only shoots 3 inch - go figure!
When I was thinking about getting a new rifle, it was going to be a surprise only because I knew what he wanted. I have been looking for a Tikka t3x 270 for several months with no luck. When i decided to get him a shotgun instead, I told him we needed to take a trip to see what fit him best and to see what to liked. This thread has given me some ideas as to what to look for and what to stay away from. Right now he is leaning towards an 870.
Thanks for all the info Guys!!
I would look for a older 1990s production 870 or 1187. For the $ hard to beat and reliable!!
Quote from: longbeards on March 28, 2021, 08:10:05 AM
I would look for a older 1990s production 870 or 1187. For the $ hard to beat and reliable!!
I would agree. Hard to beat an 870 IMO. I have three Remington guns, a `15 Remington Express, a `17 V3 and an `05 vintage 870 Super Mag SP-T. All have been faultless. The demise of Remington through mismanagement and the greed of previous owners was a travesty and a tragedy.
My parents gave me a Stevens O/U for high school grad .
That shotgun has seen a pile of gobblers / ducks / squirrels die .
It's retired now , but every hunt I made with it or now glance at it sitting in the gun safe , I think of my parents ! I'm sure whatever you go with he will like it ????
MOSSBERG 930 ARE 935 CAN'T GO WROUNG....
A friend of mine came by last week & he had bought a Retay. I had never heard of it. It was really nice & light, bottomland camo, drilled & tapped & looked to be of good quality. You might want to take a look at this gun before you buy. I was impressed.
Quote from: Howie g on March 28, 2021, 09:28:10 AM
My parents gave me a Stevens O/U for high school grad .
That shotgun has seen a pile of gobblers / ducks / squirrels die .
It's retired now , but every hunt I made with it or now glance at it sitting in the gun safe , I think of my parents ! I'm sure whatever you go with he will like it ????
I totally agree about the sentimental aspect. I still have the rifle my father gave me for graduation and i means a lot to pull it out every once in a while. That is one of the main reasons I decided to give him a gun .
Quote from: grayfox on March 28, 2021, 03:43:34 PM
A friend of mine came by last week & he had bought a Retay. I had never heard of it. It was really nice & light, bottomland camo, drilled & tapped & looked to be of good quality. You might want to take a look at this gun before you buy. I was impressed.
I did look at the Retay, as you said very nice gun. He was more interested in a pump and he chose the Winchester SXP. He is all set up and ready to go now. That sxp really liked the Longbeard XR #5's.