Hey guys, just recently got into turkey hunting and I'm addicted. My dad has an 835 that I've been using. I'm not a big mossberg fan though. I really like 870's. I'm looking at 2 different ones and have a question. I'm looking at a supermag model at dicks sporting goods. One has a 21 inch barrel, and other is 26 inch barrel. I really like the 21. Way it pulls up and feels. But I want this turkey gun to last and be happy with it. What are your guys opinion? 21 vs 26? Or any other model/brand preference? Thanks good luck hunting.
Is this going to be a dedicated turkey gun? Or are you going to use it for any other hunting such as dove or duck?
I prefer a 26" barrel on my shotguns but I use them for everything...
The 835 is about as perfect a turkey gun as you can get. Superior to all in a turkey gun if killing patterns, easily obtained are what you're after. Anything else you gotta work harder to get things as good or spend money to do barrel work n such
" is this going to be a dedicated turkey gun? "
Yes sir it is.
I'm just not impressed with the 835. When I patterned it is
Shoots about 4 inches to the right at 30 yards. It was adjustable
Truglo sights but I couldn't get the pattern to move changing the sights.
I'm shooting longbeard #5's through it. I'm going to try changing the choke
To get it fixed. I also don't like where the bolt release it located behind the
Trigger. It may be the perfect turkey gun, but I like the feel of the 870
A whole lot better.
:wagon:
Here's some questions that you can look into..
What are the specs on your Dad's 835? How old? Barrel length. etc.etc.
Did you try a different shell? Me personally JMO, I'm not a fan of the longbeards. There too tight for me and unforgiving. They look great on paper but when bird is bobbing and weaving... Ya just may miss.
Win HV are more suited for me.
Would you stay with lead or possibly switch to Hevi?
Was the barrel deep cleaned?
Answer some of these and compare to what you have, look at the old threads on the 835 pattern board. The post will give the shell and choke combo along what the pattern looks like. I'm not saying your setup will shoot identical but it may be close. Or better,or worse. It will help narrow your guesswork down.
Your Dad's 835 needs to be tinkered with a little bit. Not unless you just want to get a new gun,and that's cool. The 835 has produced fantastic patterns here on OG. I assure you won't be disappointed when you get it where it needs to be.
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This is what has worked for me.
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,62732.0.html
If you like the 870, and your question is about barrel length... I would say 26" is a great all-purpose length. Allows for a smooth swing on doves, ducks, etc. Plus your buddies in a goose blind won't kick you out for blasting their ears with a short barrel.
That said, if this is gonna be a 90% - 100% turkey gun, then I would opt for the portability and "point-ability" of the 21". I understand what you're saying about the Mossberg. No doubt a turkey killing machine...but I've never really liked the "feel". It's a Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge thing, there...
:z-twocents:
Quote from: SteelerFan on April 28, 2016, 03:31:57 PM
I understand what you're saying about the Mossberg. No doubt a turkey killing machine...but I've never really liked the "feel". It's a Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge thing, there...
:z-twocents:
This sums it up well ^ You got to go with what makes you happy,comfortable and confident. And get the Chevi! Lolol!
:funnyturkey:
:anim_25:
Quote from: Walton91 on April 28, 2016, 02:20:01 PM
" is this going to be a dedicated turkey gun? "
Yes sir it is.
I'm just not impressed with the 835. When I patterned it is
Shoots about 4 inches to the right at 30 yards. It was adjustable
Truglo sights but I couldn't get the pattern to move changing the sights.
I'm shooting longbeard #5's through it. I'm going to try changing the choke
To get it fixed. I also don't like where the bolt release it located behind the
Trigger. It may be the perfect turkey gun, but I like the feel of the 870
A whole lot better.
Bud with all due respect patterning is different than point of aim. Majority of guns I've tested did not shoot point of aim especially with something as tight patterning as Longbeards. If you expect another gun to be "better" you're likely to be surprised. 4" is easily adjustable.
870 is a tested gun so you can't go wrong with it just understand what you experienced was normal n likely the Mossberg will outshoot any of them.
Bear in mind I have a safe full of Remington's, only 1 Mossberg so personally I'm not a fan either. Til you shoot one
I have the 21in barrel 870 super mag and love it I have it choked with a sumtoy .655 and it shoots hevi 6s real well when I tried long beard sixs the shot about 2in low not bad since I have added sights may switch when my hevi shot stash is up. If you buy a new Remington polish the barrel as soon as you get home they really need it right off the shelf. Mossberg is a good gun I had one just never favored it as much as much as the 870
I am also looking at the same gun at Dicks but I just kinda have a hard time dropping 500 for a 870. My local Walmart has a camo 870 for 379 with a 26" barrel. I had a 835 and had problems with it misfiring so it went on to a better place. But for now I am planning on getting a 870 for next year. For the rest of this year I will be using my 28" 870.
Don't be afraid to buy a used 870 you can take your extra money and dress it up to the turkey killer you want stock choke and etc.
Mossberg fan here. However if your an 870 guy go with it. If it's a dedicated turkey gun I would go 21" barrel. With an aftermarket turkey choke your now at closer to 23". That's all you need for turkeys. Regardless of choice I think you should invest in some adjustable sights. Very few guns shoot to point of aim with tight turkey patterns. Even different brands will shoot differently. Good luck.
Thank you all for your input. I'm going mess with the 835 some more. But I'm going to a few gun shops see if I can find that 870 cheaper than 500. Just want my own turkey gun, instead of having to borrow my dads. I'm really like the 21 inch barrel model.
I had an 870 with a 21" barrel. I really liked it. I will say that it seems Remington quality control isn't what it used to be though. I had ordered a 21" barrel separate from the gun. The rib was not all that straight.
Also, I recently bought an 870 youth for my son. Can't get 3" shells in the magazine. Will have to send it in this summer. Didn't realize until opening day of youth season that they wouldn't go without force. Holds 2 3/4 fine. Luckily, he killed his first two turkeys with single shots this season.
I'm a lefty so I now have a BPS, but I killed a lot of turkeys with my 870. I found a 20.5" barrel for the BPS that has adjustable sights. It just works better for me.
I like the mossberg 535 turkey and waterfowl combo, it's 429.00 and dicks sporting goods. It comes with 2 barrels 22 " and 28 " and chambered in 3.5" as well. Gives you best of both worlds
First and foremost buy what YOU want!!!!!! I'm kinda like you,I like the feel ,swing,and how an 870 shoulders waaaaay better than a mossy.Not to mention I have known several folks that have had just plain bad experiences with them.....a good buddy of mine bought a BRAND NEW 835 ,we went to test it,and after the shot he had to literally slam the butt pad down on the ground to get the action to even open so he could eject the empty.....so he ended up trading it back to the store he bought it from on a used rem. 11-87 which turned out to be one of the best patterning and most reliable guns he ever owned!!!!
Bottom line is ,get what YOU like. My advice and what I have done a couple times now upon tryin' to help my buddies out is look at pawn shops,local gun stores,and even online for used shotguns,and ifn you can get em' for a song then you can put $$$ with it and have it tricked out (like havin forcing cones lengthened & polished,trigger jobs,or ifn you find one with a longer bbl. than what you want,send it to someplace like Rob Roberts' Gobbler Guns and have the bbl. cut down to the length you want a fitted with one of his KICK-BUTT Final Strut chokes and you will in no time have one AWESOME turkey rig!!!! Let's say you find a 26" bbl......have it cut to 23", do the cones,have him let up on the trigger poundage,tell him what shells your wantin' to shoot and he can match a choke for you,and in no time you will be ready to rock -n- roll!!!!!
I also looked up a few $$$$ from Buds gun shop in Lexington just to try and help you get an idea of whats out there and how much....
These are ALL NEW IN BOX Remington 870s....some are supermag,which i'll note.Also they ship for FREE!!!!!! Hope this helps,and ifn you have any ???? or want more info. just hit me up!!!!
12/21"-3"-MONBU camo with Hi-viz fiber optic sites. model: 81115 for $387
12/26"-3"-blk.syn.model:5589 for $329
12/28"-3"-blk.syn.model:5587 for $326
12/26" -3.5" supermag-camo. MOBL-model:81125 for $478
12/26"-3.5" supermag-blk.syn.model:25102 for $363
12/28"-3.5" supermag -waterfowl camo...(I think its wetland camo from MO)model:81111 for $488
Again, I hope this helps and don't hesitate to hit me up ifn you need any help!!!!! HAPPY HUNTIN'!!!!!
870 21" bbl. you can buy another barrel for that gun in 26" or 28" if you want to duck, dove, or pheasant hunt. Good luck.
^THIS^ 870 barrels are cheap. Get a 21" and a 26 or 28 to wingshoot with if you do that. I have a M1 with a 28" and a 24" barrel for turkey and waterfo/birdhunting and I wanted it to be even more light and compact so I got a 21" and love it.
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I've owned and killed gobblers w/ an 835 and I'm not a Mossberg fan. I've got a 3 1/2, 26", Browning BPS which will pattern as well as any 835 I've ever worked with, doesn't rattle, and doesn't swing like a 4x4. I hunt almost exclusively w/ a 3" gun and Hevi-13, 6's, 7's, and MagBlends and seldom use a 3 1/2" shotgun except for waterfowl hunting. If you run & gun for turkeys, get the lightest most reliable gun which fits you, and shoot it a lot for doves, crows, ducks, geese, and lastly turkeys. There is no substitute for developing the fit, feel, and confidence which comes from shooting a particular shotgun a lot. I agree with the comment that the "new" Remington's are not as well built as the older guns. If you want an 870, I would shop around for an older model, buy a 21" barrel, put on adjustable sights, and have a 26" or 28" barrel for hunting everything else.
I love my 870 youth with 21" barrel. I also love that with the scope dialed in.... The cross hairs are right on with the bead. Usually you have some POA/POI shift. This one is dead on.
My buddy has an 835. I myself have an 870 super mag I bought used for 300 bucks. Camo, 23" barrel. He kills the snot out of gobblers every year, but so do I. It's really a personal thing and you can't go wrong with either.
I see mention of the way guns swing, problems, etc. just to give you more to think about, you don't swing on turkeys, you aim at em. You said you wanted a gun for turkeys.
You want a good swinging gun get a well made, well balanced over/under, the gun would be made for wing shooting n excels in that regard. Guess it's all about what you're doing with gun.
Next saw mention of problems, I've had mine(835) since the 80s, never once a single problem.
Most guys I know own n hunt w em. Again never a single problem. I'm sure there is some, but that goes for every manufacturer. Winchester had tons of guns recalled for safety reasons, same for Remington, you'll see/hear bout probs w Benelli, ah list goes on n on.
I'm bashing no companies, the three companies I listed as having problems should not be overlooked since they're all great.
I understand wanting your own gun, good luck w search
You swing on turkeys when you shoot them in the air. I have never planned on wing shooting a gobbler, but over the course of 36 years, I've killed 5 flying long beards which includes one I called across a lake and another which flew to the call from an adjacent ridge. I hunt a lot of ducks and geese and got rid of my first 835, which was a 3rd year production gun, for a 2nd year production H&K/Benelli SBE which is a superior wing gun, has better balance and weighs considerably less than the 835. Today there are numerous shotguns which with different barrels and chokes will accommodate a shooter as an all-around shotgun and enhance your opportunities to shoot the gun at more than turkeys.
decoykrvr you sir are spot on. I bought my 2001 21" mossy oak camo 870 used from a gun show for $350 as my first shotgun. Bought it mainly for turkey but swap out chokes for wing shooting and routinely outshoot my buddies on dove. And that's with the 21" barrel. Come turkey season It is most definitely a benefit to have a gun that shoulders, swings, and fits you like a glove. Here's a video I took with a iPhone several years ago. If I hadn't been wing shooting like I had been, I would've never taken this bird. It was my first time calling with a mouth call, as I had just discovered small frame calls. (Can't believe I actually called in a bird back then sounding like I did). From my vantage point, I never saw or heard the hens, and he was strutting, head obstructed by his fan when I tried to raise on him. They spooked, and started to flush. The gun came up, went boom, and he was done.
There was no conscious effort to raise, acquire, and shoot. It was all muscle memory, and I nailed him. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160510/2d2a316fe6a677bab5e4083c8ed631f0.jpg)
First 3 videos are me calling and him gobbling. Last video I snap shoot him the last 30 seconds.
http://youtu.be/9CVLHwEC2SA
http://youtu.be/OgmgmmUGT7g
http://youtu.be/yydWq9grt7w
http://youtu.be/8mtT9zn_MuU
Ozark870Hunter, I would strongly advise you to find a 26" or 28" barrel for your 870. The longer barrel will be a definite advantage when wing shooting doves, crows, ducks, etc., and will really help your swing and follow-through. Most importantly, a longer barrel will go a long way to preserve your hearing and that of anyone hunting near you. The DB rating to your ear from a 21" vrs a 26' or 28" barrel is significant. A 21" barrel is fine for turkey hunting, since you probably wear ear protection during sighting and patterning sessions, and won't shoot the shorter barrel much, even during a great season.
Use ear protection when ever hitting clays or patterning. And only go through a box or two a season while dove hunting. When I say I outshoot my buddies it's usually my 2-5 doves vs 0-2, but point taken. I should be using a longer barrel for anything but turkey.
Wanted to add that my buddy recently purchased a new 870 and the first thing I noticed too was the rail wasn't that straight either?