Best dedicated turkey gun for $500

[MikeStaten]

I've been using my Benelli M2 12 gauge but I also use that gun for other hunting applications and there is no easy way swap a red dot or open sights on and off the gun so I'm thinking of picking up a dedicated turkey gun. 

I plan on using 12 gauge 3" shells but I'm not opposed to having a 3.5" chamber.  I'd prefer a semi but for my budget I assume I will have to go with a pump.  I'd like the gun to be generally lightweight, max barrel length of 24" and if a pump, I'd prefer for the pump not to rattle around like crazy while walking around.

Thanks,
Mike

[mote1977]

I picked up a used/like new Mossberg 930 turkey last year for $400 and have been very happy with it.

[Spring Creek Calls]

I would look for a used 1300 Winchester with a 22" choke tube barrel.

[MikeStaten]

Are those 1300s better than the current SXP?

[jac63]

Probably not a real popular choice but a few years ago I was looking for much the same thing. Had to be semi auto for me, reliable, & looks didn't matter for this purpose. After a good bit of research over on shotgun world I went with a wood stocked Stoeger M2000. It is a 3" inertia action gun w/26" barrel, NIB I got it for $400 on gun broker. Came with a 5 factory chokes including a XF turkey tube. Added a cantlever 20", choke tube acceptable, smooth bore barrel for $180. Then put a Bushnell 1.75-4 power scope on the cantlever barrel. Total cost w/scope and transfer fee right around $600. Could have come well under that with a used gun. I don't use it for anything but turkeys but I could swap the barrels and still use it for something else very easily if I wanted. I've been using it for several years now and it has been exactly what I hoped it would be. It's ugly but functional and 100% reliable and I don't mind dragging it through the brush and mud like I would my Brownings.

[Swampchickin234]

Hit up some pawn shops and used gun racks and you might be surprised what ya find.  Good luck in your find

Myself, if I was doing it today, would buy a pre 2005 rem 870, put synthetic stocks on if ya hae to, put on some Williams fire sighs or tru glo mags, and you'll still have a hundred bucks or a little over for chokes and shells




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[howl]

Mossberg 535 is really light for a 12 gauge. When a pump starts to rattle you can fix it by putting pieces of furniture slider under the forearm.

If you're near an academy store, check out the yildiz o/u. They're light. You might get one and a choke under budget. I sure like my 20.

[Sand Man]

870 youth 20ga.  Mine rigged out with a Knoxx Stock and Burris FFII is around $500.

[MikeStaten]

That's a nice looking rig right there.  How far do you get decent patterns with it?  Are you using Federal Heavyweight 7?

[Spring Creek Calls]

Are those 1300s better than the current SXP?

The 1300 is a much better gun. I was disappointed in the SXP.

[Sand Man]

That's a nice looking rig right there.  How far do you get decent patterns with it?  Are you using Federal Heavyweight 7?

Thanks.  I load TSS for my gun.  Let's just say it's as good (I'd argue better) as any 12ga you've seen with over the counter ammo.  40 yards isn't a problem.  I have friends that shoot HW 7's with great results.  Even watched a 10 year old girl kill her first bird this year with one at a ranged 42 yards with 1oz of #6 lead.  It's all in knowing and patterning your gun.

[FL-Boss]

Get a semi. Weatherby SA-08 black ... around $500.  I have 2 of them... great guns.  Very light too..

[Waynesworld23]

Get a used rem 870 and use the left over money for chokes and ammo

[Waynesworld23]

A short barreled bps is on my list of wants. How do you like yours some folks say they are heavy is that true everyone I know hunts with rems or mossbergs. How has the bps treated you

[Longshanks]

I saw a 11-87 in original bottomland with a 26" barrel in a pawn shop for $400 the other day. Double beads and just needed a turkey choke. I looked at the barrel of that old gun and it was smooth as glass. That's a turkey gun for life. I have a few turkey guns that are one shell guns and that makes them about as turkey specific as it gets. Bought a Beretta Outlander for around $600 and with a Jebs .660 choke it will shoot 4 different HTL loads well and good patterns with lead as well. POA/POI is dead on. Saved me allot of money to find a set up that will shoot a number of shells with double beads and no after market sights. I can shoot allot of the loads that I had laying around.   Just something to consider.