Hi all. I am new to the forum and to turkey hunting. This is my second year (unsucessful unfortunately). I have had turkey's come in to with in 40 yards of me, do a circle around me, and walk off. Just cannot seal the deal. It was very fun though. Anyways, that brings me to why im posting. I currenty have a beretta pintail(es100). The best pattern I could get was with winchester XX 6s and a truglo super turkey choke. Tried other chokes and ammo including hevi's, but the truglo and winchesters were the best combo. unfortunately this pattern is only good out to 30-35yards before it goes all to hell, which is why I did not shoot at 40 yards. I know today's guns, chokes, and ammo selections have been getting guys out to 45-60 yards which is what I am looking for. Some will say, well that is all part of the sport, calling them in closer than 40 yards. Well, maybe, but it is also equally fun tagging out so please do not post on here things like, "well you need to change your tactics, or get a calling partner...etc."
So here is my wish list for my next shotgun starting with most important down to least.
1) Extended range out to greater than 45 yards (the further the better...with-in reason).
2) Drilled and tapped. Not sure if I want a scope yet but it seems people are trending that way and I may give it a shot so would like the option.
3) Ease of finding things like chokes, sight rails, other accessories and/or parts for the shotgun.
4) 3.5inch capability. I will most likely use 3 inch BUT having the choice to use 3.5's would be nice. I am not recoil shy and may use this shotgun for other things like waterfoul.
5) Semi auto - I dont mind pump but if I did use 3.5's, pump recoil might start to be to much although I am used to shooting my 300 bolt mag for deer season.
6) As stated previously, this will most likely be mainly a turkey gun, but I would like to possibly try waterfoul in the future, so might go with a longer barrel (28 inches..etc)
7) Cost- Obviously the lower the better but I can go as high as like 1000 dollars(new). I will keep my eyes open for used.
So what say you all? throw me some examples what I should keep my eyes open for. Again, patterning to at least 45 yards is pretty much the most important factor.
Mossberg 835
Mossberg 835 or 535
Mossberg 835 or Rem 870 Super Mag. Both are far from $1000 and shoot as good as any.
Browning Silver NWTF edition
Winchester SX2 or 3
Mossberg 935
Mossberg 835
http://www.mossberg.com/product/shotguns-pump-action-recoil-reduction-systemmathews-835-ulti-mag-recoil-reduction-system
H&R turkey pardner, 10 gauge, fiber optic sights, a true reach out and touch one at 50 yards gun. :fud: :OGani:
Quote from: Bob on May 05, 2014, 05:18:36 PM
H&R turkey pardner, 10 gauge, fiber optic sights, a true reach out and touch one at 50 yards gun. :fud: :OGani:
You don't need a 10 ga to have a 50 yard gun... With the right barrel work, choke/load combo 60 yards is very doable with a 12 or a 20 ga with TSS.
That HR 10 is good for detaching retinas, though!
Browning Gold or Silver. Winchester SX2 or SX3.
thanks everyone. I have begun looking into these. do the cheaper mossberg 835 really reach out as far as the sx3 and Brownings or does that backbore barrel technology really help the patterns. again the most important factor to me is getting to an ethical 50yard gun with the old saying of around 100 pellets in a 10 inch circle. I have read people stating different combos on the Browning silver and sx3 with certain chokes and ammk getting good 50 yard patterns but not much on the mossbergs.
Buy a rifle if ya feel the need to shoot that far...
870 or 835 if you want a semi auto I'd look at the 1187 with sure shot stock. I personally have the 870 sps turkey and love it throws wicked patterns with Hevi13 don't think you can go wrong withmossberg great guns I've always had 870's so I stick with them.
Quote from: the Ward on May 05, 2014, 06:14:19 PM
Buy a rifle if ya feel the need to shoot that far...
this is the exact comments I wanted to avoid. just because I want to shoot 50 yards does not make me any less of a hunter. sure calling them in really close is what many people love. and I will try to do my best to do that but if there are shotguns out there that can ethically kill at 50...why not? do you use chokes? some might say that's cheating over an old school side by side with out chokes. why do some people now use these hevi shot loads or the winchester xr loads when old lead loads work fine at 30 yards. if technology can get me 50 yards great. please leave comments like this out of this thread. thanks.
The Browning and Winchesters are backbored and the Mossy is more of an overbore setup as it actually has a standard 10 gauge bore. Mossberg did this since the original 3 1/2" shells had the same payload as the big 10 and the room for the extra 1/4 oz. of shot was supposed to really help patterns. If you go with the Mossberg over the auto's you will pay for it in extra recoil, my hunting partners 835 is a thumper compared to either one of my 10 gauges.
Ive got an 870 super mag and an 11/87 super mag. Both are equiped with a 660 rhino and shooting either hevi shot mag blends or nitro will wad turkeys up all day long at that range. The 870 isnt drilled and tapped but the 11/87 is. Honestly, I cant tell a noticable difference in recoil between the 2. Youre going to feel it with whatever you choose and a .300 win mag or even a .300 ultra mag is nothing compared to the recoil of a 3.5 in shotgun. Its the nature of the beast! LOL. Get a simms recoil pad to go on whatever you choose, it helps some.
In a pump a 870 or 835 and in a semi a 935 ,Winchester sx3 or a browning gold, maxus or silver.
If it matters at all, the smack of an 835 is not noticeable when you bead up a tom and pull the trigger. Last thing on my mind.
You said Semi-Auto because of recoil. So I say 935 or perhaps the Franchi Intensity (don't have a clue how they pattern) but do know about the 935 and it will do what you want without the recoil of a pump.
I own a number of brands of guns in many different price ranges. When I hunt and when I compete in still target shooting, I shoot 3" shells exclusively because they do all that needs to be done for me.
I have been shooting a Mossberg 930 in competition for the last couple of years and when I do my part, it patterns as well or better than any stock commercial shotgun and as well or better than custom bolt action guns.
To meet your 3.5" chambered requirement, there are of course many guns that are available and I have several of those. You would however be very hard pressed to find a 3.5" gun that patterns better than the Mossberg 835 or 935.
Currently, I'm evaluating a new Mossberg 835 with a 28" barrel and the Matthews Harmonic Dampner Recoil Reduction System. It is a fine gun, tight, with a great LPA trigger, drilled and tapped and throws some excellent patterns with a variety of chokes and shells.
I will wrap up my evaluation in the next few days and publish my results as soon as that's done.
I hope that helps some with your decision.
Thanks,
Clark
870 supermag with the shurshot stock. The stock will help with recoil and you will hold rock steady. It's meant to kill turkeys. Just be careful with 40+ yard talk on here.
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Quote from: WildSpur on May 06, 2014, 12:38:51 AM
870 supermag with the shurshot stock. The stock will help with recoil and you will hold rock steady. It's meant to kill turkeys. Just be careful with 40+ yard talk on here.
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I understand but it does not make sense to me. yes, calling in the birds is a lot of fun and part of the sport. but as technology progresses so should we...to a certain extent. the reason im looking for this is because for the past two seasons I have to compete with some other hunters. every time I've had a bird come in its to about 40-50 yards and then circles me and walks off. I've tried different calls and different tactics except hunting with a partner. I hunt with my father in law and he is stubborn and wont buddy up. im at my wits end so I would like the option to be able to take a birdfarther than my current setup of 30 yards. I will still try and call them in that close but if one hangs up at least I may have a chance. iI've been hunting Dee for years with rifle and bow, so I do understand limits and such..the bow I will only shoot at a deer 35 yards or less...due to my skills....not because it is "unfair" to the deer. I don't shoot more than my tag limits and I feel I am a very responsible hunter. it would just be nice to tag my first bird after two seasons of scouting and hunting long hard hours only to have them walk off around 40 yards away. I have read some setups going out to 70 yards...im not asking for that.
Missing the point. ..talk over 40 yards here can get you on admins radar. Just trying to help you from getting your thread locked.
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Quote from: WildSpur on May 06, 2014, 08:43:41 AM
Missing the point. ..talk over 40 yards here can get you on admins radar. Just trying to help you from getting your thread locked.
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ah ok. Well I apologize and want to clarify a few things about this 40+ yard shots. To all, including the admin, I really believe I am an ethical hunter. If shooting beyound 40 yards is unethical, please explain to me why first, before banning my account. I am an avid deer hunter for years, but turkey is new to me for 2 seasons now. I currently shoot a set-up that only patterns well out to 30 yards and has cost me a couple chances at the few tom's I have come in contact with. I have been reading that with today's guns, chokes and heavy loads, ethical shots can be taken out past 50 yards, BUT I do believe maybe that is all hype and BS and wouldnt chance wounding an animal, HOWEVER, I feel that shots from 40 to 50 yards MAY be ethical with the right combo and pattern, along with some heavy 3in or 3.5in loads. These, in my opinion, should have plenty of power up until 50 yards. The key I am getting at is, if I pattern my gun at 50 yards, getting over 100 pellets every shot in a 10 inch circle with heavy tungsten shot, then i would feel confident at shooting a turkey at 40 yards...knowing that if my judgement of distance was slightly off (say 45 yards maybe even 47 yards) I would still ethically take that bird. I do love hunting, and I do enjoy calling the Tom's in with my mouth, slate, and box calls. I will always try and get them as close to the 20-30 yard range as possible. So please, do not ban my account...first explain to me why it would be so bad to go out to 45-50 yards if new technology can get you there ethically. Thank you all for your responses.
I am "hung up" as to why these birds always start circling at 40-50 yards unless they are seeing movement , shiny objects, such as scope glare, poor concealment, etc.
Remember that pellet counts at certain distances do not equate to penetration or energy at a given distance and that pellets do not all arrive at the same instant, so that pattern boards can be somewhat deceiving .
Once you get a few under your belt I hope that the experience enjoyed afield while turkey hunting will amount to more than filling a tag. Wait until you have a hammering gobbler under ten steps for an hour or so while trying to hold a gun up with mosquitoes piercing your ears and nose and you still never get the shot. The best movies in the world do not have the suspense and drama that is sometimes built into a turkey hunt.
Quote from: RAJ on May 06, 2014, 10:33:20 AM
I am "hung up" as to why these birds always start circling at 40-50 yards unless they are seeing movement , shiny objects, such as scope glare, poor concealment, etc.
Remember that pellet counts at certain distances do not equate to penetration or energy at a given distance and that pellets do not all arrive at the same instant, so that pattern boards can be somewhat deceiving .
Once you get a few under your belt I hope that the experience enjoyed afield while turkey hunting will amount to more than filling a tag. Wait until you have a hammering gobbler under ten steps for an hour or so while trying to hold a gun up with mosquitoes piercing your ears and nose and you still never get the shot. The best movies in the world do not have the suspense and drama that is sometimes built into a turkey hunt.
I appreciate your comments. I do not know either. I am used to holding ROCK steady with a bow drawn at deer under 20 yards. I believe I am holding as still as possible. I have had 3 Tom's over the past 2 years come in to my calls pretty quick. One came in to 40 yards (I actually paced that out) but again my current set-up gets me to 30 yards, 35 MAYBE...that would be risky though so I wouldnt want to shoot, but definitely not 40. The other two toms, came in about 45-55 yards away (this is a guess) I had previously ranged some trees with a range finder so it should be pretty close. Two of the times I was very well concealed. one I was physically in a bush. My buddy couldnt even see me at 30 yards and he knew I was there. The other I was behind a fallen log, only the very top of my head and my rifle where sticking about the log. My theory is...these birds heard a lady hen, went to where she was...circled around only to not find her and then went off. The third tom I was at the base of a tree, he definitely busted me...but only after he had already stopped and started walking around me looking for the hen. I tried to move into a better position, swinging my gun to my right...thought his head was behind a tree but maybe it wasnt.. He went running off, but he was still circling me. The story is, if I had a 50 yard gun, I would have definitely shot at the one at 40 yards...probably would not have shot at the other two, but I will be honest and say if it was last day hunting season MAYBE I would have if i really believed it was closer to the 45 yard mark than the 50 yard mark. anyways, I do understand what you are saying about penetration at greater distances, but theere have been plenty of tests out there showing that the newer heavier shot turkey loads, like tungsten alloys and such do penetrate very well out to 50, so I wouldnt be too worried about that. Maybe I am wrong about this...
Sometimes the animals win. As it should be. I started turkey hunting in the late 80s(?) when our county had its first ever turkey season. Had no clue as to what I was doing, except for reading up on it in magazine articles.Made every mistake there was to make, plus some .But I kept at it, learning all the way till I finally got a nice tom in '97. Almost 10 years of fruitless seasons went into that first gobbler, and you know I wouldn't trade those years for nothing. I leaned a lot about turkeys and turkey hunting and now I think i have become pretty fair at it, although I am far from an expert. Technology will only get you so far, nothing wrong with having or working to have an awesome shooting gun, but if you don't combine it with knowledge and woodsmanship you are not going to be very successful. You came to the right place, there are a lot of very good and very experienced turkey hunters here that will help you if you are willing to listen and learn. I've had to pass up shots on gobblers that were out of range, and end up with unused tags at the end of many a season. And you know what? My wife didn't divorce me, my dog didn't bite me and my kid wasn't picked on at school, and when I opened my fridge lo and behold there was food in it so I wasn't going to starve. Don't fall into the" just got to have something dead in the bed of my truck" mentality that is so prevailant these days. The game we take are living, breathing creatures and deserve to be treated with our respect, not just as a target in a shooting gallery. No offence meant toward ya, just my :z-twocents: on the matter
Quote from: the Ward on May 06, 2014, 11:59:19 AM
Sometimes the animals win. As it should be. I started turkey hunting in the late 80s(?) when our county had its first ever turkey season. Had no clue as to what I was doing, except for reading up on it in magazine articles.Made every mistake there was to make, plus some .But I kept at it, learning all the way till I finally got a nice tom in '97. Almost 10 years of fruitless seasons went into that first gobbler, and you know I wouldn't trade those years for nothing. I leaned a lot about turkeys and turkey hunting and now I think i have become pretty fair at it, although I am far from an expert. Technology will only get you so far, nothing wrong with having or working to have an awesome shooting gun, but if you don't combine it with knowledge and woodsmanship you are not going to be very successful. You came to the right place, there are a lot of very good and very experienced turkey hunters here that will help you if you are willing to listen and learn. I've had to pass up shots on gobblers that were out of range, and end up with unused tags at the end of many a season. And you know what? My wife didn't divorce me, my dog didn't bite me and my kid wasn't picked on at school, and when I opened my fridge lo and behold there was food in it so I wasn't going to starve. Don't fall into the" just got to have something dead in the bed of my truck" mentality that is so prevailant these days. The game we take are living, breathing creatures and deserve to be treated with our respect, not just as a target in a shooting gallery. No offence meant toward ya, just my :z-twocents: on the matter
I feel like I might have given the wrong impression of myself. I would never shoot something, just to shoot something. I have let many deer walk, that were either out of range or not the deer I was looking for. I did not mean to seem like because I did not get my tom's in two seasons thats why i want to shoot further (it is part of the reason though I have to be honest). The only thing im saying is, when technology progresses, why not take advantage...to a certain extent? For example, back in the days of the traditional bow...80s' and 90's...one could only take a deer out to say 20 yards or so. It was lots of fun and difficult work to seal the deal. Then came compound bows, which are now allowing many hunters to extend their range to 50+ yards. Many now use the <40yards as exceptable now. I actually will only shoot less than 30 because that is about as good as I am especially when buck fever hits. If my accuracy increases drastically and I can calm my buck fever, I would be willing to extend my range to 40 or so. Now for turkey, yes, I love calling them in and it is fun and very challenging. But why stick to my 30 yard set-up when there are ones that can get me further? Yes I may buy a set-up that can ethically get me a bird at 50, but it does not mean I will take that shot. it is nice knowing that if I judge a tom at 40 and shoot, then come to find out it was 46 yards, that my tom will be dead none the less and most importanly it will be an ethical shot. Some states have laws where you can hunt turkeys with pellet guns, some of which can now shoot 22+caliber faster than 1000 fps allowing hunters to stretch out to 75+ yards. Now that to me is too much. Also, there are states where you can legally shoot a tom on the roost, which again...just seems unfair to me, but shooting a tom at 45 (maybe 50) yards with a properly set-up shotgun/load combo seems fine to me. Maybe I am wrong and other opinions on here will sway me from that train of thought. I do look forward to honing my skills either way and eventually hooking up with my first gobbler.
Quote from: Bigeclipse on May 06, 2014, 10:54:45 AM
Quote from: RAJ on May 06, 2014, 10:33:20 AM
I am "hung up" as to why these birds always start circling at 40-50 yards unless they are seeing movement , shiny objects, such as scope glare, poor concealment, etc.
Remember that pellet counts at certain distances do not equate to penetration or energy at a given distance and that pellets do not all arrive at the same instant, so that pattern boards can be somewhat deceiving .
Once you get a few under your belt I hope that the experience enjoyed afield while turkey hunting will amount to more than filling a tag. Wait until you have a hammering gobbler under ten steps for an hour or so while trying to hold a gun up with mosquitoes piercing your ears and nose and you still never get the shot. The best movies in the world do not have the suspense and drama that is sometimes built into a turkey hunt.
I appreciate your comments. I do not know either. I am used to holding ROCK steady with a bow drawn at deer under 20 yards. I believe I am holding as still as possible. I have had 3 Tom's over the past 2 years come in to my calls pretty quick. One came in to 40 yards (I actually paced that out) but again my current set-up gets me to 30 yards, 35 MAYBE...that would be risky though so I wouldnt want to shoot, but definitely not 40. The other two toms, came in about 45-55 yards away (this is a guess) I had previously ranged some trees with a range finder so it should be pretty close. Two of the times I was very well concealed. one I was physically in a bush. My buddy couldnt even see me at 30 yards and he knew I was there. The other I was behind a fallen log, only the very top of my head and my rifle where sticking about the log. My theory is...these birds heard a lady hen, went to where she was...circled around only to not find her and then went off. The third tom I was at the base of a tree, he definitely busted me...but only after he had already stopped and started walking around me looking for the hen. I tried to move into a better position, swinging my gun to my right...thought his head was behind a tree but maybe it wasnt.. He went running off, but he was still circling me. The story is, if I had a 50 yard gun, I would have definitely shot at the one at 40 yards...probably would not have shot at the other two, but I will be honest and say if it was last day hunting season MAYBE I would have if i really believed it was closer to the 45 yard mark than the 50 yard mark. anyways, I do understand what you are saying about penetration at greater distances, but theere have been plenty of tests out there showing that the newer heavier shot turkey loads, like tungsten alloys and such do penetrate very well out to 50, so I wouldnt be too worried about that. Maybe I am wrong about this...
The real problem is that youre CALLING TOO MUCH.
If they are only coming to 45-50 yards and looking for the hen, you're giving that gobbler too much talk on the way in and he knows exactly where a "hen" should be when he gets there.
Stop calling to them after they commit and you'll have turkeys walking a lot closer than 45 yards because they have to look for you.
In theory, it's simple. In application, guys just watch too much TV and are enamored with hearing themselves call.
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on May 06, 2014, 01:12:10 PM
Quote from: Bigeclipse on May 06, 2014, 10:54:45 AM
Quote from: RAJ on May 06, 2014, 10:33:20 AM
I am "hung up" as to why these birds always start circling at 40-50 yards unless they are seeing movement , shiny objects, such as scope glare, poor concealment, etc.
Remember that pellet counts at certain distances do not equate to penetration or energy at a given distance and that pellets do not all arrive at the same instant, so that pattern boards can be somewhat deceiving .
Once you get a few under your belt I hope that the experience enjoyed afield while turkey hunting will amount to more than filling a tag. Wait until you have a hammering gobbler under ten steps for an hour or so while trying to hold a gun up with mosquitoes piercing your ears and nose and you still never get the shot. The best movies in the world do not have the suspense and drama that is sometimes built into a turkey hunt.
The real problem is that youre CALLING TOO MUCH.
If they are only coming to 45-50 yards and looking for the hen, you're giving that gobbler too much talk on the way in and he knows exactly where a "hen" should be when he gets there.
Stop calling to them after they commit and you'll have turkeys walking a lot closer than 45 yards because they have to look for you.
In theory, it's simple. In application, guys just watch too much TV and are enamored with hearing themselves call.
Honestly that is what i thought...after the first tom, but the second two I hardly called at all...the one that walked around me at 40-50 yards...I called three times. I was walking down a path after sitting all morning on a field. Trying crow calls/pileated woodpecker here and there with nothing. So I moved on to some hen calls and bamn, before I knew it I heard a gobble from, I was guess, about a 100 yards away. I then layed down behind the fallen tree I told you about (it was the only cover in the area). Waited a few minutes with no more gobbles so i called again. He immediately sounded off again. This time I saw him about 75 yards away heading toward me. He then stopped and started walking away though, so i called a third time. This time he made a "B" line straight to me so I I froze perfectly still with my gun barrel on the log aimed at him. He was moving pretty fast then bamn...he stops at about 50 yards and starts strutting. So now it was a waiting game. He strutted for about 5 minutes and then stopped and started walking around where I was..."almost in a perfect circle" around me at 40-50 yards. And then he dissappeared. But yes, I will make sure and not to call too often. I guess let me ask you this question. If you call at a gobbler and he sounds off at say 75-100 yards away and you cant see him...do you stopped calling and just wait? If so, how long? When do you call again if you do not see something after a certain amount of time. Thanks.
Yes, the bird is biologically designed to desire the presence of hens at this time of the year. If I call and he gobbles at 75 yards I'm not calling again. He can choose to come or leave but he only has to walk 35 yards to be in gun range at that point.
Let him tell you what he wants to do and stop expecting instantaneous results. Sometimes, he'll gobble at 70 yards and it'll take him 30 minutes to show up. But he's going to be looking for you at that point instead of knowing exactly where you are.
Less is more in the turkey woods. It may take a lifetime to learn that, as it's hard to resist hearing that gobble. :D
Quote from: Bigeclipse on May 05, 2014, 05:56:36 PM
do the cheaper mossberg 835 really reach out as far as the sx3 and Brownings or does that backbore barrel technology really help the patterns. again the most important factor to me is getting to an ethical 50yard gun with the old saying of around 100 pellets in a 10 inch circle. I have read people stating different combos on the Browning silver and sx3 with certain chokes and ammk getting good 50 yard patterns but not much on the mossbergs.
With the right choke/shell combo you will have no problems at 40 yards, maybe further. Look at deep cleaning or polishing the barrel. I have an 835 and have killed them past OG acceptable ranges, I have a 3 inch 870 express that throws a wicked pattern with an IC and Hevi 6s, too.
Dude youve had some good advice posted here, along with some stern lectures and hand slapping. IF you buy a good gun and a good choke and invest the time, effort, and money into finding what it likes, then YES you can wad em up at 40 yards and MORE. IF they ban me for saying it, so be it, but I will shoot 50 yards or less ALL DAY LONG and when I pull the trigger I fully expect the bird Im shooting at to be there flopping.
Now with all that said, Im going to offer you one piece of advice that I havent seen mentioned: when setting up on a bird, get yourself in a position to where when you can see him, he is within range! Whether that be a hill, hedgerow, whatever between you and him, make sure if at all possible to be within range when hes within sight! I have very little use for decoys simply because I know how to set up on a bird. If you cant see him till you can kill him, he cant see the "hen" either and he will close the distance!
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on May 06, 2014, 03:08:25 PM
Yes, the bird is biologically designed to desire the presence of hens at this time of the year. If I call and he gobbles at 75 yards I'm not calling again. He can choose to come or leave but he only has to walk 35 yards to be in gun range at that point.
Let him tell you what he wants to do and stop expecting instantaneous results. Sometimes, he'll gobble at 70 yards and it'll take him 30 minutes to show up. But he's going to be looking for you at that point instead of knowing exactly where you are.
I do not expect instantaneous results. These were the 3 gobblers Ive actually seen. I have sat more mornings talking to gobblers trying everything. Being silent or calling a bit more often or trying different calls (box, slate, mouth) or different vocab (purs, clucks...etc). These were the three toms to actually show up out of all those different mornings. We cant hunt past 12 here. I dont mean to sound impatient as I am not. I have gone several deer seasons with out even seeing a deer. BUT when seeing three toms, as close as I did, with out moving a muscle and trying both being quiet and calling a little more only to have all of them stop at around 40-50 yards, yes I do wish I had a gun that could throw it a bit farther. Here in NY the season is only 4 weekends, 2 of which I have to travel for work this year. So I do LOTS of scouting and hunt as often as I can the other two weeks. I need all the advantage I can get with such a narrow window of time. Deer season is much longer, almost 3 months, so I have a lot more time to be patient with out expecting "instantaneous results" as you put it. Anyways, thank you for your advice. This is my last weekend hunting this year so I will try some other tactics. We shall see what happens.
You may find this interesting and helpful http://www.turkeyandturkeyhunting.com/hunting-tactics/endofseason
Thanks,
Clark
Quote from: Huntaholic on May 06, 2014, 04:06:43 PM
Dude youve had some good advice posted here, along with some stern lectures and hand slapping. IF you buy a good gun and a good choke and invest the time, effort, and money into finding what it likes, then YES you can wad em up at 40 yards and MORE. IF they ban me for saying it, so be it, but I will shoot 50 yards or less ALL DAY LONG and when I pull the trigger I fully expect the bird Im shooting at to be there flopping.
Now with all that said, Im going to offer you one piece of advice that I havent seen mentioned: when setting up on a bird, get yourself in a position to where when you can see him, he is within range! Whether that be a hill, hedgerow, whatever between you and him, make sure if at all possible to be within range when hes within sight! I have very little use for decoys simply because I know how to set up on a bird. If you cant see him till you can kill him, he cant see the "hen" either and he will close the distance!
Great advice here. I have never used a decoy to kill a gobbler and have killed at least on a year since 1989. We hunt hardwood ridges and always set up about 35 yards maximum from the edge of the hill so when that tom comes up the hill to find his hen on top he is in easy shooting range once he is up top with me.
Back to the original question... Winchester SX3 - Indian Creek .665 with Nitro MH517 ;)
I was having one of those days yesterday and probably got a little over the top with my post. I also forgot to give you kudus for knowing the effective range of your gun and not trying to shoot past it. And last but not least........ :wagon:
Winchester SX3 and Indian Creek BDS choke Hevi-Shot 7's :welcomeOG:
If you want good advice on what gun to buy just look around this forum. The majority of people here shoot Bergs and 870s because they work. When a guy posts pictures of a pattern he shot at 40yds I can guarantee its not BS. A great pattern at 40 will work just fine a few yards further. You have a decent gun so my advice to you is work on technique. Get a strutter decoy of you don't already have one. I don't have one but guys I know and trust use them with great success. As previously stated work on your set up. In my experience turkeys like to move up hill but not always. Set up where a log road or a ridge enters a field. If you hunt a bird and it goes the other way off the roost try him the next time from the other direction. Sometimes they come easy sometimes not. You have to be relentless or you'll never make it as a turkey hunter. Pardon my rambling I've been up at 3:45 am everyday this week trying to get a crack at a long beard. Then I go work a 12 hr shift. So it's been a long week. I'll be damned if henned up or hung up birds will get me down. I'll be in the woods tomorrow at 4:45am with my pre98 BPS and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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I really appreciate everyone's opinions, and to anyone stating how I dont need a 40+ yard gun and so on...I do appreciate you explaining your reasons why and not just getting my my case about it. There is obviously a lot I need to learn about turkey hunting still, and I hope to bag one in the future. As far as wanting the gun to shoot further than 40, after hearing all your comments on here, I will work on mainly calling them inside of 40, but it would still be nice to know that god forbif I miss judge the distance of a 35 yard tom...really being say 45 yards, I would still be able to take it down and not simply wound it. I do stand by if you are unsure of your shot, then dont take it...but we all know what happens when the excitement kicks in. Thank you.
Last question before we can close out this thread...my current shotgun, beretta pintail(es100) is a inertia driven semi so it doesnt save much on recoil, or at least that is what I heard. To me, the 3 inch turkey loads kick pretty good when I was just wearing a t-shirt, but not really painful or anything. When it comes to recoil (especially with 3.5s) how much does a gas semi-auto really reduce over a pump or inertia driven semi? Are we talking a good amount? 25% less...etc Thanks again guys!
Quote from: allaboutshooting on May 06, 2014, 07:23:30 PM
You may find this interesting and helpful http://www.turkeyandturkeyhunting.com/hunting-tactics/endofseason
Thanks,
Clark
thank you...that is actually a great article and really puts things into perspective. I really feel like I portrayed myself in a bad light by complaing i didnt get a bird after two seasons. Yes, I am upset haha. Yes, I put in hours of scouting, patterning my gun, and hunting. Yes I had lots of fun and lots of dissappointment. That article really hits things home though, so thank you again! I will save it for my friends I bring with me who are new to the sport as well.
A semi auto makes a 3.5" gun much easier on recoil. I sold a 870 SM to keep from breaking my middle finger a few years ago. I still have a Baikal 3.5" if I want to use it and it doesn't bother me at all compared the recoil from the 870 pump.
Alright, back to your original question. You said 3.5", semi auto, and under $1000. The SX3 is right around that and is a great gun. Now if you wanted to save a little money and still have good reliable turkey slayer that could also work for a waterfowl gun I would seriously look at these two. The Mossberg 935 and the Stoeger M3500. Those both fit your requirements, and can be had with 24, 26, and 28" barrels. You could even get the Mossy with a 22". For all around I would go with the 26", which in most cases will be easier to get good patterns than a shorter barrel. Try the Mossberg with something like a Indian Creek .675 or a Truglo SSX .670, and the Stoeger with a Sumtoy .655 or a .650. I would also highly recommend the Winchester Long Beards in the #5 flavor, for what you are wanting they will get the job done. I also like the Hevi 6's or Magblends. A lot of guys will say the 7's but I'm just not a fan. That's JMO, they work. Now there is a trade off, if you get your gun to shoot like your wanting this means your patterns are going to be to really tight in close. Good luck with what ever you decide.
All I can say is if you go out shooting turkeys at 50 yds you will find out in short order why it's not a good idea regardless of your shotgun set up. Allot of factors come into play in hunting situations such as wind, rain, limbs that are difficult to see in low light conditions at longer distances, the excitement factor, shooting after sitting motionless for long period of time, shooting off hand or from an uncomfortable position, the turkey is a wild animal and moving, misjudging at 50 sitting on the ground could easily put you at 60, pattern variations at different temps and the list goes on and on. Just because someone can shoot patterns off a solid rest at a stationary target 40+ does not mean he can consistently do it free handed under hunting conditions. I have seen this over and over guiding. Folks shoot great patterns in the camp yard but doing it under pressure is a different story. There are folks on here with 50+ years of turkey hunting experience. They speak from experience. Letting the turkey get inside 40yds will greatly increase your odds of making a good shot. This equals more turkeys in the back of the truck. Your percentages over a long period of time will be much better. I was glad to see Michael Waddell make a stand on the issue that "he would never shoot a turkey passed 40yds" Allot of kids look up to that guy when it comes to deer/turkey hunting.
*turning good patterns at 20,30,40 make for a turkey killing machine. That's where the majority of my shot have been in 40yrs of turkey hunting. Allot have been inside 20yds.
*whether you choose a rem 870sm, mossberg, steoger, or beretta outlander..you can stay under 1000.00 and find the right choke, shell etc fairly easy to turn good patterns at 40. That being said I would pick the gun that is the most comfortable for you.
I have a Mossberg 835, 935, Stoeger 3500 (3 1/2" guns) and an Ithaca 37 Turkeyslayer (3") gun.
My 835 was my go to turkey gun and took a load of toms with it...then I gave it to my grandson and bought a 935...love it...have it set up with iron sights. The 835 is a great turkey gun for not a lot of money.
My Stoeger 3500 has come to the forefront this season with the advent of the Win Longbeards...it now out shines my Mossbergs by quite a bit with 40 yd 10" circle pattern tests. Its a Realtree APG model with 24" barrel and I mounted a Red Dot on it (comes from factory with a base included). These are not expensive guns and so far mine has been extremely dependable. I'm using a Jellyhead choke .650 (I think) (276" in 10" Win Longbeard 3 1/2" 6's) ) but also have a Ballistic Specialties Angle Port choke for it , .650 that shoots very well with 3 1/2" Longbeards 6's (258 in 10"). Might be worth taking a look at the 3500's...only flaw I see is trigger pull is heavy.
Quote from: Bigeclipse on May 08, 2014, 03:51:48 PM
Quote from: allaboutshooting on May 06, 2014, 07:23:30 PM
You may find this interesting and helpful http://www.turkeyandturkeyhunting.com/hunting-tactics/endofseason
Thanks,
Clark
thank you...that is actually a great article and really puts things into perspective. I really feel like I portrayed myself in a bad light by complaing i didnt get a bird after two seasons. Yes, I am upset haha. Yes, I put in hours of scouting, patterning my gun, and hunting. Yes I had lots of fun and lots of dissappointment. That article really hits things home though, so thank you again! I will save it for my friends I bring with me who are new to the sport as well.
You're welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful.
Thanks,
Clark