Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

This is my first year using an auto, i i was wondering about the general oppinion about what is better and why.  i hope the auto helps me in ks when two big gobs run up on me

I don't know about two toms but your shoulder will tank you.. :funnyturkey:

I tried the pump route first.  But having used auto's and o/u's all my life I just couldn't remember to pump after first shot (and would almost bend the trigger trying to get second shot off).  I traded it for a semi auto and like it much much better. Less recoil too!! lol.

It's usually a one and done deal, but I've pulled doubles with a pump as well.  Growing up hunting birds with a pump and an auto, getting a 2nd shot of was just about as fast with either.  I have a pile of each now and still don't find a pump to be a hinderance.

I'd rather have the reliability and light weight of a pump.  Never felt recoil when I shot a turkey.

I don't have to pump with the hard recoiling loads out there now....especially the Magblends...OUCH!
Those things will shuck themselves outta there.  I like the sheer simplicity and lower cost of a pump.  

It's hard to beat the cost and reliability of the pumps and I can shoot a pump just about as fast as a semi.

Most of the time turkey hunting is one and done anyway. I do use an auto for waterfowl hunting where repeated recoil and multiple shots are much more frequent.

All of the above will kill turkeys. Hats off to the bow guys.

I think the pumps shoot a lot harder than the auto's,gas operation looses part of there power moving the shell out of the camber and cycling another shell to the chamber.

I thought a pump was cool when i was younger, now I won't carry anything but an auto or O/U. A pump cost me a turkey once when the hull wouldn't eject after the first shot so don't think they are foolproof.

Either one. I like both.

Me realy luvs my 870. :z-flirtysmile3:

Quote from: Brent on February 27, 2012, 10:29:57 PM
I'd rather have the reliability and light weight of a pump.  Never felt recoil when I shot a turkey.

x2

I selected auto although I dont think it really matters when hunting turkeys. Ive never lived in a state that allowed more than one bird per day so I dont have an arguement on the speed side of it but I cn give you my own personal pros and cons of a semi-auto. First is when I duck or dove hunt I dont feel like Im as rushed to shoot as I do with a pump and I shoot a lot better but with that I had to over come the knowledge of being able to have that second shot backup so quickly and not to rush the first shot.

My favorite gun is my 870 sPs-t, I,ve killed a lot of birds with it, know how it shoots,and it shoots strait to point of aim, But due to a bum shoulder I've been relying on a SX2 and SX3 the last 3 years.

i hunted with an 870 for YEARS and but finally went with a stoeger M2000 auto. Liked it some much i bought a M3500 as well and sold the 870

pumps are great no nonsense guns but i just prefer an auto, plus i use my guns for other then turkey so the pump just makes it much easier on everything else not to mention the recoil aspect. Just my opinion but i doubt i will ever own another pump gun.

I own a 1975 Rem 1100...  Great gun, very accurate but limited in 2-3/4 shell.  Purchased a 11-87 SM semi-auto for the following reasons:
2-3/4 thru 3-1/2 shells as long as using game loads (which is about all I use). 
When picking up the gun solid forearm and no noise as hunting deer I am sometimes with-in 30 yrds of the deer when I pick up the gun.  870 slight clunk when picking up this method.
softer hitting...  Really only a issue when patterning the gun, never feel a thing when pointed at game.  Less flinching is a good thing
Price, Was able to get into the gun for under $500 factory new with day after Thanksgiving sales/rebates.
Had a offer to purchase a Browning Gold 3.5"...  With 3 barrels for $1100 hardly used...  Was a great price, but to nice of a gun worried I would scratch it up walking thru the thick marsh.
Resale is higher, and easier to transition kids to 12 guage as they get older.

Pumps are dependable and get er done....  With larger payloads, however the semi has a nice buffer to the kick.

I chose auto because i love my sbe2 it will do anything its asked to do and more but i also have pumps they are a little better balanced to me as far as walking through the woods they have a ton of accesories and they are reliable depending on my mood dictates what i carry to the woods

been hunting with pumps all my life

I selected autos, I love my Benelli SBE but I also hunt with several pumpguns.

Tried both & for me its the pump. Older Rem 870 work horse.  Never failed me and been run hard.  Patriot trigger spring, little work on the rough parts of the trigger, wilson combat oversized safety button and a couple other do-dads and gismos!! :icon_thumright:

I prefer pumps for turkey hunting.

Browning Pumps,I can shoot a pump just as quick as most can shoot an auto,Been Using a Pump shotgun my whole life and like them better then Autos.

I read all the replies, but didn't see my reason for being a auto man........I have killed alot of turkeys with pump guns, but 4 seasons ago I switched to a auto because of 2 reasons. The first is accuracy on a folow up shot. I can shoot a pump just as fast as anyone, but if a follow up shot is needed its still on target and ready to go. Second reason is the magnum loads have caused me problems with partial ejections or feeding problems.............