Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

My wife grew up around a family that hunted and is now obviously married to an addict.  She has decided she wants to go on one trip a yr, or pretty regular anyway, somewhere we can hunt/vacation.  Anyway, I need to purchase her a shotgun and was looking for suggestions from anyone that has experience w/ women turkey hunting.  thanks

Generally, a semi auto produces the least felt recoil. Start her on light dove loads; working up to a 3" turkey load (Hevi13 or similar). Make sure the stock fits her and put a good (LimbSaver) recoil pad on it. Make it a joy to shoot ... a good experience.

Id look into one if those Mossberg SA-20 turkey thug,I've never shot or handled one but they seem like it would be a good gun for a small frame person.

Don't buy a Mossberg pump unless you want a gun that sounds like two skeletons on a tin roof.

I'm sure there will be some shotgun lovers that will hate me for not going with the Beretta or Benelli line but I'd look no further than the remington 11-87 20 ga if the budget allows. I've had one for a few years and it's been great. Have let several young hunters start out with it since the recoil is quite manageable. On the other end of the spectrum, if you can swing the Winchester sxiii, that'd be the ticket. I'm in love with those guns. Love my sxii and would really like to have a matching 20. If you're looking to save money, the Mossberg international sa-20 is another viable option that is more affordable than any of the others and had gained a great reputation for reliability even though the fit and finish isn't all that great.They are made overseas but if it's all I could swing, I'd be getting it for sure.

Quote from: WV Ridge Reaper on May 29, 2014, 07:30:57 PM
Id look into one if those Mossberg SA-20 turkey thug,I've never shot or handled one but they seem like it would be a good gun for a small frame person.

Don't buy a Mossberg pump unless you want a gun that sounds like two skeletons on a tin roof.

Guess I shoulda read this before posting. Coulda kept the sa-20 info to myself. Lol

I'm a Remington fan, If she can handle the little extra recoil then an 870 youth is a no brainier, but if she is a bit sensitive then an 11-87.

I bought my girlfriend the Mosberg Bantam youth 20 gauge and she loves it.  It has adjustable stock which is nice.  I have seen her give some turkeys a dirt nap without them flopping.  It's a great little gun!

My petite 11 year old daughter shoots a youth Remmy 20. Has shot numerous light loads without a problem. I've shot some stouter loads thru it and it's not that bad. Next year when she can hunt I don't think she'll feel the difference on a turkey load with the adrenaline pumping on old tom

Quote from: stringtown on May 29, 2014, 06:58:09 PM
My wife grew up around a family that hunted and is now obviously married to an addict.  She has decided she wants to go on one trip a yr, or pretty regular anyway, somewhere we can hunt/vacation.  Anyway, I need to purchase her a shotgun and was looking for suggestions from anyone that has experience w/ women turkey hunting.  thanks

What I found when Doris started shooting in 2006 was fit is quite different for men and women and that fit will be very important if you want your wife to enjoy and continue shooting and hunting.

I'd also really encourage you not to get a short barrelled gun for your wife. They can produce so much muzzle whip that translates into cheek slap, that it can discourage her and also cause her to very quickly develop a flinch.

Doris is 5' 5" with normal length arms for a woman of that height. She also has a slender neck, about average, and her cheeks are not fat. Those are very important considerations when fitting a gun and even more critical for a woman.

She needs a 12 3/8" length of pull stock. She shoots 3 different 20 gauge shotguns. The Remington 870 has an ATI stock set at its shortest and that happens to be 12 3/8". The Mossberg 500 has the same ATI stock. Both have 26" barrels.

For hunting most of the time, she uses a Remington 11-87 youth model that came with a 22" (I think) barrel but that one caused so much cheek slap that we put a 26" barrel on it and a neoprene sleeve on the comb and that solved the problem.

All 3" turkey loads kick but if the fit is correct, it can really minimize it.

I had a lot to learn when it came to fitting a woman with a gun. Almost everything is different about it. Fortunately, I have a friend who is a gun fitter and he helped me learn a lot about how to get the job done.

If I can help in any way, don't hesitate to let me know. I've been there.

Thanks,
Clark

If she is small framed, I suggest a Franchi AL48 youth model. Worked for my son when he was young and my wife shot it too. Light and low recoil. Only 2 3/4" but the boy killed his first bird at 38 yards with hevi shot #4's, STONED HIM. Good luck and keep her interested

I bought a Rem 870 youth model for my wife and it is a great little gun for her. It was also a very good value.

I'd just take her to a big gun store and let her pick out her own. As long as it's light enough for her to handle easily and good quality with readily available chokes, etc. it really just comes down to personal preference. The biggest thing with my wife was finding lower recoiling loads and getting her one of those recoil pads that straps to the bra strap. I will say she appreciates the ease of using an o/u. She doesn't shoot much so simpler manual of arms is better.

Quote from: Gooserbat on May 30, 2014, 10:49:49 AM
I'm a Remington fan, If she can handle the little extra recoil then an 870 youth is a no brainier, but if she is a bit sensitive then an 11-87.

This

I also purchased a gun for my wife, but the gun is used for primarily wing shooting and clays.

There are three things I take into consideration with women and kids:

1)   Recoil
2)   Gun fit
3)   Gun weight


If the gun kicks, the shooter will not enjoy the experience, and will also have trouble hitting anything...  A semi-auto with a good recoil pad is a good choice here.

Gun fit is key to shooting accurately and comfortably.  Poor gun fit will increase felt recoil as well.  Most women and kids need a short stock, which is why I look for a wooden stock on a gun (a wood stock is much easier to have cut and fit than plastic).

Gun weight is also over-looked.  If the gun feels to heavy, the shooter will not be able to control the gun, which will create issues for both accuracy and safety.  Unfortunately as you make a gun lighter, it will also increase the felt recoil.

I purchased a Beretta Youth model for my wife, and we have both been happy with it.  My wife is petite, and we cut that stock to 12.65" (that is including putting on a thicker/softer pad on the gun)... 

I purchased the Beretta because it was the most comfortable gun for her to pick up, and although a light weight gun, it has a reputation as a soft shooter.

My first choice was the Browning youth model, but that gun was too heavy for my wife.

Looking at a Semi-Auto for reliability, I would be looking at:



• Beretta
  
• Browning
  
• Winchester SX-3

I think the franchi 48al would be a good choice as previously mentioned. Its super light and a nice pointing gun. Only takes 2 3/4" though (or at least that's what mine is chambered for). Other than that I'd go with a Browning but my opinion is distorted.

Quote from: Marc on May 30, 2014, 05:09:30 PM


There are three things I take into consideration with women and kids:

1)   Recoil
2)   Gun fit
3)   Gun weight



Looking at a Semi-Auto for reliability, I would be looking at:

• Beretta
  
• Browning
  
• Winchester SX-3

[/list]

This.

However if I were on any sort of a budget I would list the guns in reverse order.  From what I've seen of my SX-3 over the first 2 years, there may be a semi AS good.  But I don't think there's one better.

Quote from: Yoder409 on May 31, 2014, 08:51:00 PM

Quote from: Marc on May 30, 2014, 05:09:30 PM


There are three things I take into consideration with women and kids:

1)   Recoil
2)   Gun fit
3)   Gun weight



Looking at a Semi-Auto for reliability, I would be looking at:

• Beretta
  
• Browning
  
• Winchester SX-3

[/list]

This.

However if I were on any sort of a budget I would list the guns in reverse order.  From what I've seen of my SX-3 over the first 2 years, there may be a semi AS good.  But I don't think there's one better.

I don't have the sx3 but do have an sx2. There's not a great deal of difference in the pair so I'd have to agree with your statement. Every company had produced a lemon and I'm sure there have been some guys with bad experiences with the Winchester (Browning, FN) but I've personally not heard of any. Having said that, never had any issues with the Beretta I had either. Just didn't point as well imho. If you can swing it (no pun intended), go for the sx series or a Browning auto.

Quote from: wvmntnhick on June 01, 2014, 06:05:27 AM

I don't have the sx3 but do have an sx2. There's not a great deal of difference in the pair so I'd have to agree with your statement.

Hick..............

I've got both of them.

From a practical standpoint, the only REAL difference between the two (and I am comparing 12 ga to 12 ga because there was no 20 ga SX-2) is the weight.  The SX-3 will run nearly a full pound lighter than the SX-2.

not sure but the SX3 with the scope rail(cantilever style) felt pretty heavy to me , more than the 12 without it felt.
Heavy enough that i didn't want it after picking it up.
Ati stocks , the Akita model are heavy and have a great pad, really take the recoil down. :anim_25:

12 gauge to 12 gauge with 26" barrels, the SX-2 is 8 lbs and the SX-3 is 7 lbs.  I can readily notice the difference at the back end with 3 1/2" turkey loads.

Still.............. being gas guns, they recoil less than any inertia gun.

Quote from: Yoder409 on June 01, 2014, 07:25:46 AM

Quote from: wvmntnhick on June 01, 2014, 06:05:27 AM

I don't have the sx3 but do have an sx2. There's not a great deal of difference in the pair so I'd have to agree with your statement.

Hick..............

I've got both of them.

From a practical standpoint, the only REAL difference between the two (and I am comparing 12 ga to 12 ga because there was no 20 ga SX-2) is the weight.  The SX-3 will run nearly a full pound lighter than the SX-2.

I believe that the sx3 has either an alloy or aluminum receiver if I'm not mistaken. That's where your weight different comes from. Didn't realize they didn't make the sx2 in a 20 ga though. Would love to find a shorter barrel for mine. Just don't like packing that much barrel in the woods. May as well be carrying a 30" waterfowl gun and just club them when they get close. But then that's just a personal opinion which carries no value. Having said that, the 11-87 is a decent gun for the value and recoil is quite manageable as was mentioned by other posters. Have had several kids cut their teeth on that one and all have found it to be a pleasure and some have bought their own when they got the money rounded up. My wife is recoil sensitive (deer hunts with a 223 for that reason) and had fun with it as well.

I have a little franchi that is great but's only 2.75"r and 3"  870LW and the 3" M2 20, mine always wants to shoot the M2 2o, I think because it's light and fits her pretty well.
The others I liked personally and that seemed to fit her good was the Franchi Affinity compact, Whatever you decide to go with I would go where you can handle them all and see how they fit.

Benelli  M2 :icon_thumright:

thanks for all the info

Quote from: Snoodsniper on May 30, 2014, 08:26:19 PM
I think the franchi 48al would be a good choice as previously mentioned. Its super light and a nice pointing gun. Only takes 2 3/4" though (or at least that's what mine is chambered for). Other than that I'd go with a Browning but my opinion is distorted.

Quote from: vaturkey on June 03, 2014, 12:58:54 PM

Benelli  M2 :icon_thumright:

Word of mouth, the AL-48 is a nice gun and very light weight...  Also known as a kicker.  It is a long recoil action (like the original A-5), which is in effect a type of inertia action...  Reports of reliability are good, but once again, it has some recoil associated with it.

Having owned a Benelli M-2 (in both 20 ga. and 12 ga.) it is a very reliable gun, and far easier maintenance than any gas auto I have owned.  It is also a kicker...  And my 20 ga. was more unpleasant to shoot than the 12 ga. due to ultra light weight and inertia action (at least with stout loads).

As a wing/clay shooter and shooting higher volumes of shells, I find recoil issues to be extremely important.  Shooting a single shell out of a turkey gun, I would think recoil would be far less of an issue.

I've shot my franchi an awful lot and recoil has never been an issue. I will say that I only use it for upland hunting though. My seven year old has shot it but not repeatedly. Some options would be hand loading light loads or maybe try a 28 gauge. A friend of mines wife is very small and she has a citori lightening in 20 gauge for skeet. Its a slick little gun and would be my first choice if price isn't an issue.

A friend of mine has a Beretta 390 in 20 gauge with a mercury recoil reducer.  He has a real bad neck issue and that thing is a SWEET shooter.  Soft with 3" loads and carries very light, even with the extra half pound or so of recoil reducer.

I got my eye on one of those benellis