Well its time for me to hang up my old mans shotgun and get a turkey gun of my own. I have a few options I'm considering, price is really not an factor but I'm not going crazy, I'd rather buy more calls! Pondering the following: Benelli SuperNova Pump, Mossberg 500 Turkey Thug, Mossberg 500 Grand Slam or the Mossberg 935 Grand Slam. I'm open to other opinions but in my own findings, this is what I have narrowed it down to......Any suggestions? Just looking for something simple, get the job done. Gun will only be used for turkey hunting, so figure three trips a year. Thanks guys!!
For many years I used the mossy 500, first generation camo 3" turkey gun. Even with the original factory choke-tube in place, I dropped birds at 35-40 yards, with Fed. #6s ... no problem.
Now a Remington 870 3.5" SM is first out of the safe. Nice gun,
I would take a good look at the Remington 870 as well. I've had mine for 15 years now and wouldn't trade it for anything else.
I think any of those would be great choices. I use and 835 and an 870, both throw wicked patterns with the right choke/shell combo and are very affordable.
I have a newer 870 and it is still a good gun, if I were truly in the market for a new (to me) turkey gun, I would search for one of the old 870 special purpose guns made 15-20 (or more) years ago. I have a buddy that has one in original bottomland and it is a shooter!
My dad and I both have Benelli Supernova's with Jellyhead chokes, Nikon turkey scope, and Nitros. It's a deadly combo for turkeys.
Got the Remington 870 wing master magnum, have been using it for over 25 years. This bad boy has smashed a lot of turkey heads! Never a malfunction!
Quote from: wvlimbhanger on March 04, 2015, 10:00:52 AM
I would take a good look at the Remington 870 as well. I've had mine for 15 years now and wouldn't trade it for anything else.
:agreed: Love mine and its been one of the most durable guns that I have ever owned.
Thanks guys, I am doing some research on the 870 as you all and many other have nothing but good to say about the model. Are you referring to the Turkey/Waterfowl combo gun?
:turkey2: My next gun is going to be an SX3 turkey model
Quote from: nsselle on March 04, 2015, 11:15:49 AM
Thanks guys, I am doing some research on the 870 as you all and many other have nothing but good to say about the model. Are you referring to the Turkey/Waterfowl combo gun?
Mine is the standard Express model . . . with a few upgrades
I have a standard black 870 from Walmart that went to the gunsmith. Had the barrel honed and forcing cone lengthened. Also did get a good choke, which there are a ton of.
Now you don't have to do the extras, that was a personal preference, but clean the barrel good, find a good choke, and an 870 will be all the turkey gun you ever need.
Thanks for all the replies guys......now if I can find a store around chicagoland that has an 870 in stock we'd be in business!
My 870 is a super express magnum....
:a few years back I was wanting a new turkey gun. At the time I was sure I wanted a mossberg 835 or 935. Well I took someones advice and went to gander mountain and shouldered all the guns in the store . To my suprise the mossbergs didn't feel right to me. I ended up buying a Remington 870 supermag a few months later. The Remington's fit me better. Now I have also picked up a Remington 11-87 since then.
So I'm I'm not telling you this to try and tell you that a Remington is better. What I'm telling you is go shoulder then guns and see what fit you best!
Remington 870
QuoteThanks guys, I am doing some research on the 870 as you all and many other have nothing but good to say about the model. Are you referring to the Turkey/Waterfowl combo gun?
Mine started out as a standard express with wood stock and 26 inch barrel. Had a gunsmith cut the barrel down and rethread it, drilled and tapped receiver to put a weaver base and scope mounts on it, and I also polished the barrel and put a sur-grip stock on it.
I would definitely polish the barrel when you get it, unbelievable the gunk in a brand new gun.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,182.0.html
That link will tell you all you need to know.
Once you polish the barrel I would highly recommend getting either a scope or red dot for it because it will shoot tight at close ranges.
I'll add one more thing. While I am not bashing Mossberg by any means as they are very well made firearms the deal breaker with me was the safety locations. I went to a pistol grip style stock in order to save some wrist fatigue and I found that for me it was extremely difficult to disengage the safety without excessive movement due to the safety location. It may be totally different for you or you may not want that style of stock. Just something to consider. Good luck and please post pictures.
I have a Supernova pump with a pistol grip. It has been a super reliable gun through all kinds of conditions. The pistol grip has come in handy in odd situations, like shooting one handed at a hung up bird off to my side. If I were to look again, I might look for a shorter, lighter gun.
I have had many guns in my life and I have killed many Turkeys with many different ones; I love (and always will) my Special Purpose 870 and My Browning BPS; the Browning are "Back Bored" from the factory and that makes a huge difference; if I had to buy just one shotgun for everything I hunted from small game to big game, I would choose the Browning; they are as tough as they come.
Before you buy anything, put a 870 super mag with a shur shot stock to your shoulder. It's a killer and feels great!
I handled a 500 at a dealer the other day. It was a new 20 gauge with the adjustable stock. I just can not get past the forend rattle. I know they make a good gun but that's a deal breaker for me. I'd probably go with the 870 as suggested or the benelli if you must. BPS is the ultimate turkey gun though. :)
I was skeptical about the Benelli Supernova when I saw it and held it. Ugly like Darth Vader. Deadly on ducks and flawless so far after four seasons. A little more money than Rem but a keeper. I also have a BPS Stalker that I use for both ducks and turkeys. I vote for both Benelli and Browning if you are after a pump.
Quote from: nsselle on March 04, 2015, 11:15:49 AM
Thanks guys, I am doing some research on the 870 as you all and many other have nothing but good to say about the model. Are you referring to the Turkey/Waterfowl combo gun?
Have the older 870 Wingmaster and that has been the standard of pumps for years..will kill any turkey that walks with authority with right load. The Wingmaster is solid steel receiver and still made, but would get a good used if had a choice. I have a early 90's that had been shot only once and would sell other guns before it. The 870 Express has the aluminum receiver and probably little lighter I think. Also, the Browning BPS pump heck of a turkey slayer also...has taken many a bird for years. I am a pump guy and all are good being suggested...just know where it throws the pattern at all ranges. Do not know if Wingmaster comes in combo...may be the 870 Express...someone chim in.
......with a Jellyhead .665 choke. You will NOT regret it.
I like Remingtons and Mossbergs both. My favorite is my Browning Belgium made 2.75in A5 12 gauge. It has a 29in full choke barrel and will along them new Rooster XR shells very well.
But sadly it will hardly ever go hunt and I'll wax his head with my early 90's model Remington 870SP in original bottomland with a 20 inch barrel. Shooting 3in longbeard 5's it puts up 150's all day through a .665 jellyhead.
If that gun don't hunt my Mossberg with a ssx puts 3.5in lb 6's to work 200+ range
Hope I made it more difficult to decide ;)
870... It's a work horse. Easy to break down and clean. I fell and dropped mine in a mucky muddy marsh while driving for Sika deer. Gun was caked in mud. I knocked the pins out, cleaned what mud I could with water and finished my drive killing a sika. Of course I cleaned it better when I was home but no problems since. I still use it to this day. I can't tell you how many animals I've taken with it.
Ithaca Turkeyslayer is a nice option. Reliable, smooth, very nice gun.
Quote from: Bigspurs68 on March 05, 2015, 01:33:17 AM
Before you buy anything, put a 870 super mag with a shur shot stock to your shoulder. It's a killer and feels great!
If I were buying a new one today this would be my pick.
Quote from: jblackburn on March 04, 2015, 10:20:32 AM
I think any of those would be great choices. I use and 835 and an 870, both throw wicked patterns with the right choke/shell combo and are very affordable.
I have a newer 870 and it is still a good gun, if I were truly in the market for a new (to me) turkey gun, I would search for one of the old 870 special purpose guns made 15-20 (or more) years ago. I have a buddy that has one in original bottomland and it is a shooter!
x2 on this, if you can find one! Those old 870 special purpose magnums are fantastic. I am lucky enough to own one and I will never part with it. It throws a wicked pattern and has withstood a ton of tough hunting conditions.
Quote from: jwhunter on March 04, 2015, 02:58:52 PM
:a few years back I was wanting a new turkey gun. At the time I was sure I wanted a mossberg 835 or 935. Well I took someones advice and went to gander mountain and shouldered all the guns in the store . To my suprise the mossbergs didn't feel right to me. I ended up buying a Remington 870 supermag a few months later. The Remington's fit me better. Now I have also picked up a Remington 11-87 since then.
So I'm I'm not telling you this to try and tell you that a Remington is better. What I'm telling you is go shoulder then guns and see what fit you best!
^^ This ^^
Quote from: Uncle Tom on March 05, 2015, 03:33:47 PM
Quote from: nsselle on March 04, 2015, 11:15:49 AM
Thanks guys, I am doing some research on the 870 as you all and many other have nothing but good to say about the model. Are you referring to the Turkey/Waterfowl combo gun?
Have the older 870 Wingmaster and that has been the standard of pumps for years..will kill any turkey that walks with authority with right load. The Wingmaster is solid steel receiver and still made, but would get a good used if had a choice. I have a early 90's that had been shot only once and would sell other guns before it. The 870 Express has the aluminum receiver and probably little lighter I think. Also, the Browning BPS pump heck of a turkey slayer also...has taken many a bird for years. I am a pump guy and all are good being suggested...just know where it throws the pattern at all ranges. Do not know if Wingmaster comes in combo...may be the 870 Express...someone chim in.
All 870s are steel
Here is my suggestion for your new turkey swatter...It is the Stoeger M3500 with a 24" barrel. I debated long and hard on researching the perfect turkey setup for myself and decided on this one.
My reasons are:
1) I wanted a 3&1/2" chamber, whether I will need it or not.
2) This gun comes with a recoil reducer that you attach inside the buttstock, to lessen the severity of the "kick" from the 3&1/2" shells.
3) This gun comes with a chrome lined barrel (no polishing required).
4) The receiver comes drilled and tapped so you can mount a scope on it.
5) It is a semi auto so recoil will be a little less than a pump or single shot.
6) Cost on it was only around the $600 mark, so when I am out and about abusing it on a hunt, I won't feel guilty about beating it up.
7) It takes the Benelli/Beretta Mobil chokes so choke selection is fantastic.
8) This gun has very few moving parts in it to malfunction.
9) It has a nice size trigger guard so you can easily shoot it with thick gloves if in cold weather.
10) It has built in studs for attaching a sling.
11) Comes in Realtree APG camo (I like this pattern).
12) The fit and finish on this gun is awesome!
It basically has everything I want on it for a Turkey setup. I did ditch the Turkey choke though that came with it and replaced that with a Hevi-Shot .656 Turkey choke. Now, I am just waiting for warmer weather to get it patterned. Here is a pic of "Thumper"...
Weatherby PA-459....& here's way. Short, light, chrome lined barrel, lifetime warranty,comes with a very nice set of ghost ring sights, has a rail already installed if you want to add optics,built like a tank,smooth action,quiet forend and it patterns great. I own a 835 too and it's a great shooter....I had a supernova and while it patterned well it weighed a ton. I traded the supernova for the Weatherby with NO regrets!!!
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/drum817/IMAG0010_zpsnmv59vlb.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/drum817/media/IMAG0010_zpsnmv59vlb.jpg.html)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/drum817/IMAG0012_zpsihlgli3u.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/drum817/media/IMAG0012_zpsihlgli3u.jpg.html)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/drum817/IMAG0011_zpsh7gwyye4.jpg) (http://s160.photobucket.com/user/drum817/media/IMAG0011_zpsh7gwyye4.jpg.html)
Benelli Nova with a Rhino Choke is deadly!
Remington SPS-T with the original thumbhole stock. Then upgrade it to the new Shurshot stock.
I have found nothing on the market that will out pattern this gun.
An absolute turkey killing machine that has half a dozen confirmed kills over 60 yards. Longest is 72 yards measured with a laser rangefinder after a four hour stalk on a group of field turkeys in Western Kansas.
Id look around for an old Winchester 1300 turk gun cant be beat in my book. :OGturkeyhead:
Remington 870 26" Barrel with a HD Remington turkey choke shooting logbeard 6's
It's just going to come down to what feels good in your hands. My first gun was an 870 so that's what I'm used to and what feels right to me. Mossburg, remington, benelli, it's all a ford chevy debate.
Lots of different opinions, as the final choice is whats right for you. I know looking back, if there was one thing that improved my success, was an autoloader. Regardless the brand you choose, I'd consider an autoloader in my opinion.
Started with a Moss. 500 which killed many turkeys, but cost me several too. A loose noisy rattling forearm for one, and an ejector button that gets bumped once in awhile while running and gunning and not knowing, and at the moment of thruth click, and no boom.
Since using my 11-87 S.M. shurshot and looking back, I personally do not miss a pump for turkey hunting as reasons stated. Let alone the fact if a second follow up shot is needed, the autoloader offers me a more stable and solid follow up shot.
Went to Bass Pro last night to look at the mossberg 535 turkey 12 ga. they had on sale for $375, felt like a $375 shotgun and opted to pass on that very quickly, I can only imagine the punch with 3.5in magnums. They had a Rem. 870 SPS Super Mag 23 in barrel for $549, plus $30 rebate straight from Rem. and I had $50 in points, well I could not pass it up. So the Rem. 870 SPS Super mag it is!! Can pick it up tonight. Glad I went there as they did not have this model advertised on their website. Thanks for all the help guys!
Since I will be back at the sports shop tonight whats a good load size to start patterning with? Will hit the range next week. Seems they only had Hevi-13 3.5 no. 4 shot.
Thanks again!!!
I would start with #6 in either longbeards or Hevi.
My first shotgun was a Mossberg 500 and the lighter weight aluminum receiver made it kick like a mule. It was before the days of choke tubes, so I bought a 30inch full choke barrel with a vent rib for it. The tighter choke helped, though the added extra weight didn't change recoil much. I shot an 835 at the range one day that still had enough recoil that would kill from the front and cripple behind. Your choice, but if you can afford better, do it.
My buddy has an 870 magnum that he added a limbsaver recoil pad to, which helps felt recoil a lot. The good thing about either gun is that if they ever give trouble or break, parts are available all across the country. I've got a 20 ga. 870 Wingmaster that I'm in the process of turning into a turkey slayer and the aftermarket stock choices for 870s are pretty impressive.
I only hunt with 3 inch ammo, but it does a great job. I'm also much more recoil sensitive than I used to be 33 years ago when I started chasing turkeys. Find whatever gun fits you and your budget. Remember why you are switching away from your father's gun and make sure your new one doesn't leave you wanting.
No matter what you get, good luck, have fun, & enjoy!
Jim
I recommend an auto loader. Those pumps kicked my a** over the years. I have an SX2 and an 11-87. :turkey2:Good luck.
1187 20 gauge with Truglo SSX choke or Franchi Affinity 20 gauge (there's a Carlsons choke giving wicked results). Pair them with Federal HW #7 and you have all the turkey thumping gun you need without the shoulder pounding of a 12 gauge.
hunted with mossbergs all my life bought a browning maxus and it is a great shootin gun
I am kind of biased because all I have ever turkey hunted with is a 870 express, no need to change. You made the right decision with the 870. The best loads in my gun are the magnum blends and the #6 long beards XR. I have mine set-up with a Tru-Glo SSX choke and at 40yrds in a 10" circle can get 220 to 230 with the long beards and have gotten as good as 250 with the magnum blends.
Mossberg have always felt cheap to me an 870 in the same price range is a much nicer gun I love both of mine I have a mossberg 835 that just sits in the gun case because I do not like it. The specialized Turkey / Predator 870 is a great turkey gun.