Dedicated Rig. Stoeger M3000

[357MAGNOLE]

Here is my newest addition.

Stoeger M3000 with a TRS-25 red dot.  I ordered a Sumtoy .650 for it, will see how it patterns when that comes in. Got a bunch of Long beard #6's ready to go for a fun day of patterning.

I was going back and forth for a while trying to decide on working my SX3 into a turkey/waterfowl gun but could not bring myself to drill/tap the receiver. I had a perfectly good waterfowl gun and some cash screaming at me to just have a dedicated turkey gun.  The wife also told me to do that over risking the SX3 receiver to damage.

There was not a ton of info on this particular model, so I plan to do my best to update this with patterning results for folks researching.

[USMC0331]

Very nice looking set up!

[KPcalls]

 I think you did real good.  I have a M3000 scoped with a nikon that is my girlfriends turkey gun...I love it.

[357MAGNOLE]

Thanks!

Hopefully it patterns as well as some of the 3500's on here. I am not 100% sure, but I believe the only difference is the size of the chamber with this one being a 3". 

The gun + weaver base + TRS-25 + sling was right around $630 in the end. Not bad, still got to get the choke installed. That brings it right around $700 total. Not bad considering I was about to buy the SX3 turkey addition for $1100

[taylorjones20]

Nice looking set up.  I hope it patterns well with the LB 6's since you have enough to last a few seasons 

[KPcalls]

 I sure wish they would have made a M3020 in that design....I'd have one.

[357MAGNOLE]

Nice looking set up.  I hope it patterns well with the LB 6's since you have enough to last a few seasons 

I am sure they will, hell the long beards pattern pretty decent with my old Charles Daly Field with a carlsons xtra full turkey choke.  If they pattern well in that they should pattern well in near anything.

Which makes me wonder, do these rounds pattern bad in anything? I tried the turkey thugs, and Nitros out of my SX3 and they put 1/4th of the pellets in the 10" that the long beards did. Granted they where both #5's but still.

[357MAGNOLE]

I sure wish they would have made a M3020 in that design....I'd have one.

That is actually what I was originally looking for, I wanted a 20 gauge. BUT I already had all these 12 gauge shells and I got this Stoeger for $500 which was not bad if you ask me.

[Neill_Prater]

I have a 2000, which was the forerunner to the 3000, and have been quite happy with it. I think you made a good choice.

I still am completely puzzled as to why all camo guns manufactured nowadays don't come drilled and tapped from the factory. Shoot, Mossberg started doing that, what, 25+ years ago?