Hello all,
I've been on the forum for a while but havent spent much time posting in this section. But, I have a question and was hoping you guys could help me out. I've always just had a general purpose shotgun that I used for everything and would like to buy a gun to customize and designate for nothing but turkey hunting. The problem is I have no idea where to start. My budget isn't huge but I don't want to cheap out and end up replacing the gun in 5 years. So do you guys have any suggestions for the best shotgun models out there for turkey gunning? I'd prefer one that is chambered in 3.5" and obviously patterning is the top priority.
Thanks,
TJ
Im sure someone will chime in here shortly that knows alot more than I do, but I see Mossberg 835 show up a lot on here. I have bought two used 835s in the last two weeks, and I am still alot cheaper than some of the guns folks are shooting on here. Heck Im still a lot cheaper than a couple of the shotguns in my safe. Anywho that my .02. Good luck and I hope you find what your looking for.
Rem 870 - over 10+ million sold and counting.. for a reason.
Or.. if you have a little more cash - Rem 11-87 turkey sure shot. I have both of them.. awesome guns
Cant go wrong with Winchester either.. personally I would pass on Mossberg
:fud:835
I would get an 870 SM. There are ALOT of aftermarket components to customize a gun with. I've got one I've customized over the years. It ain't much to look at but I love it.
Mossberg 835,935 or Rem 870, 1187 all good shooting guns
Hard to beat an 870
Been shooting Winchesters 1300 for yrs and have no problems,It cant shoot 3 1/2 shells but the 3" shells do the job just the same. :firefighter:
If on a budget stick with a pump. The 835 and 870 are proven performers with a good selection of aftermarket goodies if you ever customize.
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2
I have four 870's and I love them, but I I was in the market for a gun just to turkey hunt I'd probably buy an 835 as my next one. They come drilled and tapped, have rifle sights on them, come camo from the factory, and have a turkey choke, all for less than $400 at wal mart.
835. It was made to turkey hunt and it can produce patterns like not other. Easy to strip and clean. After market parts are easily found and inexpensive.
I have a Remington 11-97 20 ga as a back up and there is nothing wrong with the 870 or Mossy 500, but if I could pick up one gun and take it to the woods it would be the 835 every time. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
870 super mag. It won't break your bank and should last a long time. I would pass on a mossberg. I'm just not a mossberg fan, rattle too much for me.
Another vote for the Rem 870 SM. ;D
I'm sure I'm in the minority here but have been scared of an 870 ever since Remington started making the 870 Express. They were about $100 to $175 cheaper than a Wingmaster and for some reason nobody can or will explain where they cut corners to make it cheaper. I'm sure a cheaper grade of wood is one thing but not all of it. They also have a duller finish but thatsd one thing most hunters wil pay extra for instead of less.
I'm sure I will be blasted for this but it gives you a different viewpoint that noone thinks of.
There is no doubt about it Clif, the older 870s were made so much better than the new ones. That said, I still like a new 870 over any mossberg. I've had some bad luck with mossbergs and refuse to ever own another one.
My Brother has an 870 and couldn't believe it, when he watched me pull the barrel off my 835 in about 15 seconds when we were cleaning it the other day... His 870 is takes a lot longer to take down... The 835 turkey guns are over bored to 10 ga from the factory for better patterns.... Either way you go is a good choice.... This is kinda like a Ford Vs. Chevy thing.... Do some research on both..
I definitely like the Remy 870 sure shot stock, but there are so many people having problems with new Remington guns. And I mean alot. I would get an older model 870 and put the sure shot stock on it, or go ahead and get the 835 you won't find one that shoots better.
My 11-87 Super Mag has been good to me so far?
Quote from: Clif Owen on March 21, 2013, 07:53:40 AM
I'm sure I'm in the minority here but have been scared of an 870 ever since Remington started making the 870 Express. They were about $100 to $175 cheaper than a Wingmaster and for some reason nobody can or will explain where they cut corners to make it cheaper. I'm sure a cheaper grade of wood is one thing but not all of it. They also have a duller finish but thatsd one thing most hunters wil pay extra for instead of less.
I'm sure I will be blasted for this but it gives you a different viewpoint that noone thinks of.
Pretty sure what separates the 870 is the finishing. A wingmaster will be flawlessly polished and have more metal where an express will not have burrs, etc polished away and have a composite trigger guard, etc.
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Cutt - I'm loving the 11-87 SM I got got...man that thing is nice. had a bird down in the first hour I hunted with it last weekend on our season opener.
For about $650 or less you can get a Mossy 930 or 935.
And its not something you will really ever need to upgrade over.
Quote from: FL-Boss on March 21, 2013, 09:48:47 AM
Cutt - I'm loving the 11-87 SM I got got...man that thing is nice. had a bird down in the first hour I hunted with it last weekend on our season opener.
Congrats, must be nice, our opener isn't till April 24th? 1 hour not bad? Took me about 7 hrs. to get my first with the 11-87 last Season, 2 mornings of hunting on Public. Mine shoots great too, as it seems to like heaver loads 3.5 6's.
Quote from: captin_hook on March 21, 2013, 09:04:05 AM
There is no doubt about it Clif, the older 870s were made so much better than the new ones. That said, I still like a new 870 over any mossberg. I've had some bad luck with mossbergs and refuse to ever own another one.
Had a Mossberg before my Remington, no problems with it, but in my opinion, just not the same quality as a Remington? Just as Remington is not the same quality as a Benelli? Just depends on what you are willing to spend?
Another vote for the 870 i've got three newer one(all bought in the last three years) no issues my newest one i haven't shot yet but don't expect any issues
Like it was said above... it's like Ford or Chevy. Or course Chevy is better... just like the Remington. :TooFunny: Seriously.. I'm sure Mossberg is making good guns now.. but my personal experience way back with a 500 pump was not good. Long story ... but about 20 years ago I shot at the biggest buck I had ever seen with my Mossberg 500. Right after I shot.. I went to rack in another shell to get off another shot (deer was running) When I went to pump the gun it never would eject the old shell...so I could only get off 1 shot. Turned out that one shot was enough as I found the buck dead about 200 yards away.
But that was enough for me... traded that gun the next week for a Rem and never looked back. Was probably just a fluke.. or could have been the ammo... I know this can happen to any gun. But either way it was enough for me to never want to own a Mossberg again. Again.. this was a long time ago and I'm sure the new Mossberg pumps are as good as any..... I just prefer Remington.
Quote from: FL-Boss on March 21, 2013, 11:15:04 AM
Like it was said above... it's like Ford or Chevy. Or course Chevy is better... just like the Remington. :TooFunny: Seriously.. I'm sure Mossberg is making good guns now.. but my personal experience way back with a 500 pump was not good. Long story ... but about 20 years ago I shot at the biggest buck I had ever seen with my Mossberg 500. Right after I shot.. I went to rack in another shell to get off another shot (deer was running) When I went to pump the gun it never would eject the old shell...so I could only get off 1 shot. Turned out that one shot was enough as I found the buck dead about 200 yards away.
But that was enough for me... traded that gun the next week for a Rem and never looked back. Was probably just a fluke.. or could have been the ammo... I know this can happen to any gun. But either way it was enough for me to never want to own a Mossberg again. Again.. this was a long time ago and I'm sure the new Mossberg pumps are as good as any..... I just prefer Remington.
Could have been shell just as easy as gun.
like I said.. could have been the ammo.... and could happen in any gun. But it happened at a real bad time... and has never happened with a Rem
Browning BPS 10
Try some of your friends guns and see what you like best, what feels best to you. I have all the guns and currently only turkey hunt with one of my three Mossbergs (2 - 835s and 1 - 935) or my 870 youth 20 ga. They are all good but it gets down to your personal tastes and what you like in a turkey gun. For me a overbored Mossberg with a Rhino or Hevi shot tube and Hevi shot 7's patterns like no other.
On the subject of shells not ejecting, in my experience most will do that if you shoot enough shell types or gun brands. I have recently polished chambers on a BPS and 870 SuperMag for hanging and not ejecting 3.5 shells. BPS did not like Nitro's and the 870 did not like Kent 3" or Remington 3.5"'s, both guns the shells had to be pried or knock out. I have other guns that don't like Fiocchi. Are they bad guns or shells no, with the right ammo or cleaning they work great.
The 870 express is built with a lot of stamped parts where the wingmaster is built with machined parts. The stocks are made with different wood and the finishes are different. I have three express models and one special purpose super mag that was made in the 90's and I have never had an issue with any of them. I love my 870's as far as how they fit me and I know when I pick one up it's going to function. But the 835 takes the cake on pattern, although I have never owned one I'm sure they are good guns.
I've got a Mossberg 835, I don't use much any more. It was a killing machine for a while. I moved up to a Winchester SX3 to take some of the recoil away. I would like to sell the 835, but don't know how to market it. Ebay won't let you sell guns on there.
:z-guntootsmiley:
I bought my 935 for $500 out the door. I also have an 870 and a Win. 1300. Had an 835.
I like them all. I bought the 935 cause of the way the 835 patterns and I wanted an automatic. Mine has been great so far.
I'm a man of extremes I think, if it were me I would get either a Ithaca Turkeyslayer with their recoil reducing stock or a 20ga H&R single shot with their "survival stock".
Ithaca Turkeyslayer
Wow, what a response. Thanks guys, this is great. So as far as I see it looks like the vast majority are either fans of the 835 or the 870. Both are guns I have looked at. I've also heard that both pattern extremely well. Not sure if it makes a difference since I know aftermarket parts are pretty well available for either but the first thing I will do when I get it will probably be to swap the stock out for a pistol grip or thumb-hole stock. I will probably forgo installing any optics so decent sights are a big factor. Does that help settle the tie or is it still going to be a Ford-Chevy type battle?
P.S. I have hunted with both brands and don't have much preference one way or another. If anything I guess I have noticed that the mossbergs aren't as tight.
Thanks,
TJ
If you are going to put a pistol grip or thumb hole stock on I would lean towards the 870 just because of the location of the safety.
If you want that type of stock I would look at the 870 SPS super magnum. 3.5 inch chamber, shurshot stock, good fiber optic sights, and factory camo.
Another question I guess I'd have for you guys is whether barrel length makes a noticeable difference in pattern or impact energy on those longer shots since a longer barrel means more velocity, I'm just not sure how much?
Thanks,
TJ
Quote from: ttcustomcalls on March 22, 2013, 01:47:22 AM
Another question I guess I'd have for you guys is whether barrel length makes a noticeable difference in pattern or impact energy on those longer shots since a longer barrel means more velocity, I'm just not sure how much?
Thanks,
TJ
Great thread. It's always good when folks state what they like and why in such a friendly way.
I shoot guns with many different barrel lengths and prefer those with at least 26" barrels. Others like shorter barrels for convenience or ease of carry in the woods or in a blind.
It is normally easier to get good patterns in guns with longer barrels but shorter ones will still allow you to cleanly kill a turkey at reasonable ranges.
Shotshell manufacturers use 30" barrels and measure muzzle velocity 3' from the muzzle but few of us use 30" barrels for turkey guns today. Once they were common.
There are trends in barrel lengths just like trends in most other things and there are advantages and disadvantage to both long and short barrels. It really comes down to what works for you and what you are most comfortable with in the turkey woods.
Again, good questions and good thread. Whatever you choose, good luck this spring.
Thanks,
Clark
Quote from: ttcustomcalls on March 22, 2013, 01:47:22 AM
Another question I guess I'd have for you guys is whether barrel length makes a noticeable difference in pattern or impact energy on those longer shots since a longer barrel means more velocity, I'm just not sure how much?
Thanks,
TJ
A longer barrel is usually easier to get to pattern. The shorter barrels can be made to pattern well but usually take a bit more work. I like a 24"-26" barrel personally.
Regardless of which gun you go with, both the 870 and the 835 are proven turkey killers. Shut us all up and get a browning 10 gauge. Hahahaha. :TooFunny:
Barrel length does make a great difference not only in pattern but carry and pointing ability. Also, you may want to consider how you hunt and where. That is how you end up with many turkey guns as you find one size does not fit all. I have guns from 21" ( SP10 and 870) to 22", 24", 26" and 28" that I use for turkeys. If you like to walk, stalk, run and gun the shorter barrel lengths make more sense. I do hunt fields out of blinds and shooting houses on occasion therefore I use a scopped 26" 835 or a BPS 28" 10 ga. to reach out there and show a better pattern. If you shot Nitro loads these distances can reach out there.
TT,
Welcome to OG. You're going to get a lot of I like this or that but you have to make the final decision. The 870, 835 and all mentioned are great TKM's. When you figure out what you want, check with the Sporting Goods section of Wally World and their special order catalog. You should be able to get the 835 or 870 SM for around $350-400, decide what type of shell you want to use and pair that up with a quality choke like SSX, Sumtoy, Pure Gold, Indian Creek etc and you'll be in business. The guys here on OG have vast knowledge in what works, so continue to ask questions. Good Luck with your decision.
I bought the 835 Ulti Mag two years ago. Wanted a gun with some reach and this 835 has it. Don't recall exact numbers, but think I got around 340 in the 10" at 40 yards with 3 1/2" Hevi 13 #7". I am using a .670 Pure Gold choke.
Slide was a bit noisy compared to my 870's. I put some mole skin on the inside of the slide, next to the barrel and that took care of that issue.
I put a Burris FF II on it and this 835 has an awesome factory trigger. That helps a lot with close shots as there is very little pattern spread inside 25 yards.
My son has a 935 with an IC Diamond Strike .675 that also shoots great patterns and is a bit softer on the shoulder.