So I already have one gun, a Remington 870 20ga with a 26in barrel.. And I love this gun. But I'm worried it may be a little heavy for sitting out in the woods for extended periods of time without a blind.
Would it be worth it to just buy the same gun in synthetic with an 18in barrel or are there any other guns recommended as an alternative/compliment to what I already have?
Personally I think it fine. Your not going to save too much weight with a slightly shorter barrel. If I am sitting for a decent amount of time I just lay it across my lap and over a knee. Not to hard to bring into action from that position.
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Are you a first time turkey hunter? If the gun has a tube barrel, i would first decide on what kind of turkey loads i'm wanting to hunt with and decide on a good turkey choke. If your a first time hunter, i would spend my money on a couple good custom calls and use the gun you have with good shells.
Yes I am, my boyfriend has an 870 express 20ga with an 18in barrel and it's synthetic.. And comparing the two side by side in weight is a big difference. He also has a pistol grip and an adjustable stock (I just ordered one for myself), so maybe that's making some of the difference.
I'm just paranoid that a bird will sneak up on me while I have the gun rested and get busted trying to adjust my position.. I've heard you basically have to be in position from the point the bird starts making his way.
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 10, 2017, 06:31:17 PM
Are you a first time turkey hunter? If the gun has a tube barrel, i would first decide on what kind of turkey loads i'm wanting to hunt with and decide on a good turkey choke. If your a first time hunter, i would spend my money on a couple good custom calls and use the gun you have with good shells.
x2 You have to make the barrel length decision probably for yourself,but you have a great gun in the 870 20g. Pair it up with a sumtoy or primos tightwad choke and some fed Heavyweight 7s or H-13 7s and you have a great combo. Lots of info in the turkey gun and 20 gauge threads.
Welcome to OG. Your gun is fine. If it's heavy you may be small? My daughter is 13 now n has a prob w weight. Some guns are lighter than others but bear in mind they'll kick more. It may be a compromise.
Bear in mind felt recoil is determined by many things, stance, non existent mostly in the turkey woods, drop of comb or cheek piece on the firearm, type of ammo and the weight of the gun. Realize too that most people don't feel a gun go off in the excitement of a bird coming in.
Gotta weigh it all out. Keep your shoulder pointed towards the bird when he's off a ways. Practice moving to reposition( make sure gun is unloaded),
Oftentimes you'll get away w one slight motion before they bust as in bringing a gun up. Not always n it's very dependent on how they come in n the type calls you're using. For instance if you're using a gobbler fight they seem dumber or more tolerant.
Jakes are much more tolerant of a slight movement but it shouldn't be when they aren't in range but in sight that you ever move. Hope that made sense
Thanks for your responses! I appreciate your input!!
You will be perfectly fine. Don't overthink it! Go have fun!
If boyfriend's gun feels lighter, and fits you better - just tell him "thank you" and switch! Lol
Haha I wish I could!
If the gun is heavy feeling. Just wait until you are holding it up to track and fire on a turkey. Your arms will feel like lead and the shakes and pain can become unbearable. Get a pair of shooting sticks. They are very easy to adjust and will take the weight of the gun. Good luck!
Shooting stick has helped me a bunch. I shattered my left arm (rh shooter) several years ago. Without too many details, I just don't have full use of it and it's a lot weaker than it was. I bought a small telescoping shooting stick and it makes me shoot like I did prior to my injury. It makes it so much easier holding up even a light shotgun when that gobbler is in sight but still has to close another 10 or 15 yards.
Try taking off the recoil pad and sitting down in your house to see how the shorter pull feels , this would let you know if the shift of a inch or two of pull length will shift the gun ballance back more , resulting in a more comfortable ballance
I'm not a guru on shotgun fit but most remingtons are one size fits all for you average man , aka 5 foot 10 inch tall with all 14 inch plus pull
I have a 12 pound remington sp10 10gauge shotgun and I "bobbed " the stock to a 13.5 inch trigger pull length it shifts the weight back squarely between my hands
I'm 5 foot 7 , 155 lbs , I used to shoot the same gun 2 decades ago when I was 125 lbs
If it's determined that the shorter pull is right for YOU you can see about cutting down the stock , or use a adjustable a-r type pistol grip , that's likely a better option
Shannon
Quote from: Meaghan009 on February 10, 2017, 06:20:19 PM
So I already have one gun, a Remington 870 20ga with a 26in barrel.. And I love this gun. But I'm worried it may be a little heavy for sitting out in the woods for extended periods of time without a blind.
Would it be worth it to just buy the same gun in synthetic with an 18in barrel or are there any other guns recommended as an alternative/compliment to what I already have?
Just a thought but Sumtoy on here likes to cut barrels down , you can have it threaded for chokes and he has some highly rated chokes. You maybe set . Good luck with your new addiction :welcomeOG:
I've carried my 28" NEF Pardner pump action 12 gauge metal brick around for 6 years and only this year I will finally have a sling for it. If you have a sling that will make a lot of difference. I would like to eventually get an 870 and the ones I've held were a lot lighter than the gun I have now
I think after a couple of set ups you'll realize you have a very good gun. Can't beat a Remington 870 for durability. Find yourself a choke that works well with your gun and you'll be knockin em down. Don't be afraid to rest it on your knee until the moment of truth. After you've worked a few birds you'll figure out when and how to shift your weight or gun when needs be. Good luck!
X2 on the Remington.
My son's middle name is Remington!! I'm just a little fond of them!
Quote from: Old Gobbler on February 11, 2017, 10:57:59 AM
Try taking off the recoil pad and sitting down in your house to see how the shorter pull feels , this would let you know if the shift of a inch or two of pull length will shift the gun ballance back more , resulting in a more comfortable ballance
I'm not a guru on shotgun fit but most remingtons are one size fits all for you average man , aka 5 foot 10 inch tall with all 14 inch plus pull
Especially for wing-shooting (or clay shooting) gun fit can make a huge difference in:
*Recoil
*shooting accuracy
*perceived weight of the gun.
I had 1.5" cut off my wife's junior 20 ga., and she noticed a huge difference with comfort and success while shooting. A bit too short is a lot better than a bit too long as far as stock length. And it is far easier to cut a wooden stock than those hollow plastic ones.
As far as holding the gun up... Most of us rest the gun on our knee while turkey hunting, but I prefer to find a tree with a fallen log or rock in front that I can rest the gun on if I think I will be sitting a long time.
As far as shooting sticks, I found one of these easier to carry, and change position on if necessary:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Shooting-Optics-Monopod/720921.uts?productVariantId=1716155&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=02884157&rid=20&gclid=CLndxqCojNICFdRyfgodAp4HQw&gclsrc=aw.ds
I do not carry it any more, cause basically I am too lazy to carry anything I do not need to.
Also, while sitting (if you are right-handed), position yourself so that the bird will be on your left when it comes in (or where you think it will come in)... A right-handed shooter cannot swing or point a gun well to the right... If I set up decoys, I always set them up to my left side.
Quote from: SteelerFan on February 10, 2017, 08:53:45 PM
If boyfriend's gun feels lighter, and fits you better - just tell him "thank you" and switch! Lol
This and tell him he got the better end of the deal...and he better like it !
I have been using a padded gun rest made by H.S. Strut for about 12 -13 years that I really like. http://www.hunterspec.com/product/gun-rest It takes the weight off my arm, helps hold the gun steady, and allows me to run calls without waving the gun all around. The gun rest is less than ideal if you do a lot of running & gunning, but if you're going to be in the same area for a while, they're hard to beat.
Jim
:welcomeOG: You own one of the best guns going Remington 870 12,000,000 sold since 1950. Twenty ga ain't bad either. With a twenty you got to call him in close, inside of forty yards. But that is the essence of turkey hunting, call him in close. You call one in close, him gobbling off and on all the way in...thinking he took off on the way till he gobbles closer than the last gobble...and if you stare down the rattle, well there almost isn't anything else like it in the world. Good luck and BE PATIENT. Welcome to the 'Tenth Legion' ! :wagon:
Quote from: Gumby on February 10, 2017, 08:32:53 PM
You will be perfectly fine. Don't overthink it! Go have fun!
+1 I personally like the shorter barrel but thats just personal preference...doesn't mean it patterns any better or handles any differently
IMO