Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips
Turkey Guns & Shooting => Turkey Guns => Topic started by: bcuda on June 09, 2021, 07:39:06 PM
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Hello everyone just wondering what your opinions of what would be the best Turkey shotgun for me under $1200.
Some things to consider:
For me is I am in South Texas and will have quite a few long shots to make.
I want a 12 gauge with a 3 1/2 shell capability
Also prefer one that has a factory applied camo
Thank you in advance for your suggestions !
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I'm not sure it is the best, but I had a Remington Versa max turkey in my shopping cart last January to buy, I decided to tell my father about it as they were $300 plus tax off price. He wanted it and there was one left.
I patterned it and shot it before season after he bought it, and I love that gun. If I were too find one,I'd buy it and I am not sure I would buy anymore 12 gauge turkey guns, other than it. I usually like vented rib barrels but that gun just fits and feels great.
Ps- I will buy more 12 gauges,It's an addiction.Happy shopping.I am shopping right now.
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It will be a while before I buy one as I am fixing to have a ton of medical bills coming my way.
So I can afford to wait a while like for a black Friday deal or something, figured I better know
what I want though that way when I see a deal I can jump on it. :funnyturkey:
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I like my stoeger m3500. Its on the cheaper end but patterns and kills well with 3.5" lb xr #6. Really though not much benefit over the 3" longbeard it has just been easier for me to find the 3.5" version around here.
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Benelli SBE2 or Franchi Affinity 3
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Learn how to hunt and call turkeys. Focus on that instead of worrying about making so many "long shots". Turkey Hunting is about calling birds in close not making long shots.
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Learn how to hunt and call turkeys. Focus on that instead of worrying about making so many "long shots". Turkey Hunting is about calling birds in close not making long shots.
Thank you for your input . I don't remember asking anyone if I if I should focus on how to hunt. I do know if I get one that hangs up here in TX at 40 yards I can take an ethical shot and not have to worry about wounding it and it running off to suffer and die somewhere else. By the way go to the general discussion and look at the sticky post titled (one rule) and read it. Hope you have a great year in 2022 Turkey hunting.
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If I was going 3 1/2", I'd be looking hard at another M3500. The one I had was a solid gun with good camo finish. It shot to POA and the factory XF provided a solid 40yrd hunting pattern. Mine was drill/tapped with base provided. Trigger was a tad heavy, but for the cost I'd assume you could get a 'smith to lighten it if you wished.
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Franchi Affinity Elite 3 in 20 ga.
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Winchester sx4 might be one to check out in that price range, it has the features you listed, and has slightly overbored barrel and takes Invector plus chokes. Should pattern good, gas operation for recoil, good track record for reliability, and is fairly light weight for a 12 gauge 3.5.
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Winchester sx4 might be one to check out in that price range, it has the features you listed, and has slightly overbored barrel and takes Invector plus chokes. Should pattern good, gas operation for recoil, good track record for reliability, and is fairly light weight for a 12 gauge 3.5.
I agree with this. A nice used SX3 or the newer SX4 are great choices. I own 3 of them and they became my dedicated turkey guns.
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Learn how to hunt and call turkeys. Focus on that instead of worrying about making so many "long shots". Turkey Hunting is about calling birds in close not making long shots.
Turkey hunting is about different things to different folks. You need to keep that in mind before coming off so rudely.
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First off ill say this...anything you want done with a 3.5" can most likely be done with a 3" gun. 3.5" shells don't allow you to kill any further than do 3" shells. The only difference is that a 3.5" shell USUALLY has more shot. A #6 pellet flying @ 1200 fps doesn't know if he's been shot from a 3" shell or a 3.5" shell ,he just knows he has more brothers & sisters flying with him....lol. You didn't mention what type ammo you would be shooting, so let's say it's TSS 9 shot. And let's say it's Apex's 3" 2.25 oz. load. There are 814 pellets in this load and it's well capable of killing past 40 yds. If you think you're going to be shooting past that then use an a # 8.5 or #8 pellet.
Now, for the gun...someone mentioned an SX4 or SX3 -both are great guns as is the tried and true SBE 3 or you might even find an old new stock SBE 2. A gun that has peaked my interest for awhile now are the Retay series shotguns
retayusa.com
They have a wide assortment of 12 &.20 gauge guns with barrels ranging from 28" to 22" on their turkey model.
Whatever you get, keep us apprised of your choice. Good luck!
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I agree Bink. I stopped shooting 3.5" shells a long time ago. Brutal on the shoulder and no real advantage with today's chokes and loads.
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Might not need 3 1/2” but with today’s market with shells being hard to get gives you options.
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Learn how to hunt and call turkeys. Focus on that instead of worrying about making so many "long shots". Turkey Hunting is about calling birds in close not making long shots.
I bet if the guy asked that question in a bar, he would not receive such chicken $hit replies. Don’t think he asked for your self righteous opinion or to have his balls busted. “Old school” ain’t about smart azz remarks and blowing your morality horn.
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Might not need 3 1/2” but with today’s market with shells being hard to get gives you options.
It was much easier to find 3.5" turkey loads all spring than it was any other kind in my are of WV. 3" 12 and 20s were and are scarce.
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If I was going 3 1/2", I'd be looking hard at another M3500. The one I had was a solid gun with good camo finish. It shot to POA and the factory XF provided a solid 40yrd hunting pattern. Mine was drill/tapped with base provided. Trigger was a tad heavy, but for the cost I'd assume you could get a 'smith to lighten it if you wished.
MCARBO sells a trigger spring kit that drops it a couple lbs. Its only like $20. It was really easy to install and made the trigger more enjoyable.
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I have a Winchester Longbeard SX3 that l like a lot. Mated with a Rob Roberts .660 choke it shoots lights out with 3” or 3 1/2”.
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I'll give you a straight answer...Mossberg 835 and use 3" not 3.5. You won't have any trouble hitting a hung up bird with this gun. I use 3" LB. If you are just dying to have shoulder surgery, than go with the 3.5. lol
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Under $1200?
The Retay Turkey XT’s. They’re Benelli’s with more features out the box at lower price point.
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If I had $1,200 to spend on a dedicated turkey gun I’d likely go $600 on the gun and $600 on choke, sights/optic, ammo. Plenty of fine guns, last you a lifetime guns, pumps and autos, in that $600 range. Not knocking the higher end autos, but this tends to be a one shot game and there’s plenty of mid range and lower end shotguns that will get it done season after season after season. And personally I WOULD buy the 3.5” gun. Nothing saying you need to shoot them but doesn’t affect cost and sure nice having options.
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My 16 year old son is truly a 1 gun man/kid. We got him a Benelli super nova and he hunts squirrels, rabbits, crows, turkey and he got to go duck hunting once this past year with it. Since he only uses this one shotgun, he has all the confidence in the world with it. He's about 6'1 and only weights about 120lbs and has no problem with the 3 1/2 turkey loads in it. He dropped one at 45 yards with it using 3 1/2s this year and the factory full choke. His is in the Max 5 duck camo, but it really blends in good with field grass. I really feel like the Super Novas are kind of overlooked when it comes to turkey hunting. Shoots 2 3/4 up to 3 1/2 and the comfort stock makes the 3 1/2 recoil bareable. Simple to clean and comes with 3 chokes and camo for around $599
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If I had $1,200 to spend on a dedicated turkey gun I’d likely go $600 on the gun and $600 on choke, sights/optic, ammo. Plenty of fine guns, last you a lifetime guns, pumps and autos, in that $600 range. Not knocking the higher end autos, but this tends to be a one shot game and there’s plenty of mid range and lower end shotguns that will get it done season after season after season. And personally I WOULD buy the 3.5” gun. Nothing saying you need to shoot them but doesn’t affect cost and sure nice having options.
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I agree. I have an old 835 that is really a one-shot pump because I haven’t been able to get the shell stop fixed. I hunt with a shell in the chamber and one shell in my pocket. Next year I’m planning on taking a 180 to a .410 single shot. Mainly because it’s lighter and the concept of taking less in the woods with me is appealing. There were a few times this year when I had to hold the 835 at-the-ready for what felt like hours at the time when I had birds on me. My arms started shaking from holding the gun up so long when I was twisted and couldn’t rest it.
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I don't know if you are interested in pump guns, but the browning bps pumps are hard to beat on the pattern board.
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