Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

I'm sure a "classic turkey gun" has a different meaning for everyone and also is probably different for different areas and different time periods.  When I think of a classic Turkey Gun, I guess a Remington 1100 comes to mind where I live in the Ozark Mountains.  The Reason is when I think back to grandparents, parents and father in law and looking back at old pictures, the 1100 hundred seems to be the most popular and probably followed by an 870.  I think the 1100 was popular because it came out in the early 60's and it seemed like the Turkey numbers were improving in the ozarks from the early 60s up until 2000ish.  My father in law who loved turkey hunting(was born in 1944) said the 1100 came out at the time when he was in his early 20s and he finally had a decent number of turkeys to really get into it and it was different than the A5s and Model 11 that his dad had used.

remington 870

Quote from: highball on January 28, 2022, 11:55:59 AM
remington 870

X2, the Old School Greenleaf 21 inch barrel.......

To me an 835 wearing original Realtree camo = turkey hunter.

Quote from: paboxcall on January 28, 2022, 03:17:14 PM
To me an 835 wearing original Realtree camo = turkey hunter.

Great gun there

A SXS,

Just ask Archibald Rutledge, Henry Davis, and Rev. Zach Farmer

Model 12.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220312/3044b2058f06260c8d41ad413c49977e.jpg)

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Winchester 1300 is one of my age groups "classics" and since It was my first one and I still have it, I'll say it.

Browning Auto 5

Remington 870

Quote from: crow on January 28, 2022, 04:45:22 PM
A SXS,

Just ask Archibald Rutledge, Henry Davis, and Rev. Zach Farmer

This. If I go 12, older Ithaca Turkeyslayer!  What say you, Greg?

Admittedly there aren't many 'classic' guns in my area, but I'd go for a Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck, an Ithaca NID 10ga, or an HE "Super Fox" double, if I had to switch to a turkey gun a generation or two older than the ones I tote in the woods today.

Winchesters, Model 12 and then 1300's. I still hunt both.

21" Remington 870

When I started turkey hunting in the early 80s alot of guys swore by those H&R 10 ga. I tried one and nope not for me. Remington 870, 1100, and 1187 a few years later.

Winchester Model 12

One of the early 870 Express Super Mag or 11-87 camos.


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I've toted an 870 with fixed full choke for most of my turkey hunting life, but to me, the classics were the Model 12 and the A-5.

The Remington 870 variants and the Mossberg 835 have probably killed more turkeys than everything else combined. Add the Model 12 to those two and I`m pretty sure I`m right.

My 1988 Winchester 1300 NWTF 12ga 22" barrel. It was made the year I was born and from my understanding was the first "Turkey" model shotgun. I have loved carrying and killing turkeys with that thing!

Quote from: Missouri hunter on February 02, 2022, 10:15:38 AM
My 1988 Winchester 1300 NWTF 12ga 22" barrel. It was made the year I was born and from my understanding was the first "Turkey" model shotgun. I have loved carrying and killing turkeys with that thing!

You bet, fantastic Turkey gun......love the way they shoulder with that short barrel.

Winchester 1300, Mossberg 835, and the Remington 870

I sure remember plenty of old single shots or doubles.
Winchester model 12 and Remington model 11.
Followed by the 870 Wingmaster fixed choke but vent ribbed, in use by us younger fellers.
My first turkey special gun was a 21" barrel turkey special ordered the first time they came out and still have one in 12 and one in the youth 21" 20 gauges later.

Quote from: owlhoot on February 06, 2022, 05:12:26 PM
I sure remember plenty of old single shots or doubles.

While I'm still of the opinion a 835 sporting original Realtree camo = turkey hunter, I do proudly have one of these. Pretty iconic turkey gun in its day, too.

IMO, this thread is rather worthless without pics, by the way....

Quote from: paboxcall on February 06, 2022, 05:53:25 PM

Quote from: owlhoot on February 06, 2022, 05:12:26 PM
I sure remember plenty of old single shots or doubles.

While I'm still of the opinion a 835 sporting original Realtree camo = turkey hunter, I do proudly have one of these. Pretty iconic turkey gun in its day, too.

Yes sir. you surely have a nice one there.

Here's you some. Old 97s and Model 12s.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220206/494419c93719666688025f69aa5064e0.jpg)


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Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on February 06, 2022, 06:58:14 PM
Here's you some. Old 97s and Model 12s.

:icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Nice!

While I have toted an 835 since they came out, I still see a SxS an an old school turkey gun

Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on February 06, 2022, 06:58:14 PM
Here's you some. Old 97s and Model 12s.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220206/494419c93719666688025f69aa5064e0.jpg)


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Wow, now that's a flock of Old School beauties......fantastic....

Quote from: Tom007 on February 07, 2022, 07:31:09 AM
Wow, now that's a flock of Old School beauties......fantastic....

I know it! Wish they belonged to me, but I was helping a buddy move one of this safes yesterday and that was the contents. I think that might be half his Model 12s.


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Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on February 07, 2022, 07:52:16 AM

Quote from: Tom007 on February 07, 2022, 07:31:09 AM
Wow, now that's a flock of Old School beauties......fantastic....

I know it! Wish they belonged to me, but I was helping a buddy move one of this safes yesterday and that was the contents. I think that might be half his Model 12s.


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Nice collection there.......you should try to get him to sell ya one or two, or three...lol :turkey2:

Quote from: Tom007 on February 07, 2022, 08:40:28 AM
Nice collection there.......you should try to get him to sell ya one or two, or three...lol :turkey2:

Think I've got about as much chance of that as someone on here handing me a Zach Farmer yelper and saying, "Here, I just wanted you to have this."


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 :blob10:

Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on February 07, 2022, 10:30:30 AM

Quote from: Tom007 on February 07, 2022, 08:40:28 AM
Nice collection there.......you should try to get him to sell ya one or two, or three...lol :turkey2:

Think I've got about as much chance of that as someone on here handing me a Zach Farmer yelper and saying, "Here, I just wanted you to have this."


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:blob10:

Just depends on the age of who you ask, older guys are going to say model 12, Ithaca 37 and A-5's younger fellows are going to claim 870, 1300 , 835's. I'm one of the young bucks I remember the camo 870 SP's that where popular when I was a teenager, I never had the money for one, and looks like I still don't!

Browning A5, Remington 870.

J C Higgin's model 20 12 gauge chambered for 2 3/4.
(https://i.imgur.com/x24m41Y.jpg)

Quote from: Izzyjoe on February 17, 2022, 06:54:45 PM
Just depends on the age of who you ask, older guys are going to say model 12, Ithaca 37 and A-5's younger fellows are going to claim 870, 1300 , 835's. I'm one of the young bucks I remember the camo 870 SP's that where popular when I was a teenager, I never had the money for one, and looks like I still don't!

Agreed, I was the same with the 1187 SP-T's, when my wife and i had no money it was not possible and now that we are better off they are scarce and pricey, I probrably will never aquire one. I believe a fellow scored one awhile back, maybe TOM007? I was drooling over his pics and a lucky guy.

For me its the Special Purpose Remington 870, the 21 inch barrel is the perfect length. I love the old greenleaf guns but prefer a totally black gun. I finally found one and had Billy Tierce, cerekote it, and dropped a 2lb timney trigger in it. To me its the bees knees!

Quote from: b wilt on February 17, 2022, 08:25:37 PM

Quote from: Izzyjoe on February 17, 2022, 06:54:45 PM
Just depends on the age of who you ask, older guys are going to say model 12, Ithaca 37 and A-5's younger fellows are going to claim 870, 1300 , 835's. I'm one of the young bucks I remember the camo 870 SP's that where popular when I was a teenager, I never had the money for one, and looks like I still don't!

Agreed, I was the same with the 1187 SP-T's, when my wife and i had no money it was not possible and now that we are better off they are scarce and pricey, I probrably will never aquire one. I believe a fellow scored one awhile back, maybe TOM007? I was drooling over his pics and a lucky guy.

Got lucky, right price, right place, right time. I always liked the Old Greenleaf pattern, and the 21 inch barrel is sweet. Keep your eye out, you will nail one......be well.

I picked up an 1187 special purpose turkey, but it is a 2000 model.  Same gun, just not the camo everyone prefers.  I think mine is the original mossy oak break up or something like that.  I've come across another one similar that I could have bought reasonable but was a little too slow because i had just bought a new bow. Seems like there are deals to be had on the ones that are a little newer.

Found mine Saturday. This gun just always screamed turkey to me. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220222/72a6215ba055c3618d489ccb82f6acd8.jpg)


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A beauty there........classic. Congrats

Quote from: paboxcall on January 28, 2022, 03:17:14 PM
To me an 835 wearing original Realtree camo = turkey hunter.

Like this ol' thing?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220222/7711034cac598062cace3e453fd5ea93.jpg)


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Quote from: 3bailey3 on February 17, 2022, 08:20:35 PM
J C Higgin's model 20 12 gauge chambered for 2 3/4.
(https://i.imgur.com/x24m41Y.jpg)

Is that a Cutts compensator with a polychoke?


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Quote from: Meleagris gallopavo on February 22, 2022, 06:09:59 PM

Quote from: paboxcall on January 28, 2022, 03:17:14 PM
To me an 835 wearing original Realtree camo = turkey hunter.

Like this ol' thing?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220222/7711034cac598062cace3e453fd5ea93.jpg)

That's a good one. But was thinking of this one (from the Realtree website):

Quote from: paboxcall on February 22, 2022, 06:53:56 PM

Quote from: Meleagris gallopavo on February 22, 2022, 06:09:59 PM

Quote from: paboxcall on January 28, 2022, 03:17:14 PM
To me an 835 wearing original Realtree camo = turkey hunter.

Like this ol' thing?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220222/7711034cac598062cace3e453fd5ea93.jpg)

That's a good one. But was thinking of this one (from the Realtree website):

Yeah.  That's very cool!


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870 wingmaster, model 12, Ithaca 37s, 1100 and a5s. Man what a pile of goodies


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Started with an 870 I had, after a few years I decided to "build" a dedicated turkey gun. Had a gunsmithing team at the store and said here's what I'm looking to do, first one they ever built and still using that gun to this day. Reminton 11-87 Custom Turkey!

(Pictured)
1st.... My gun now "Custom Turkey"
2nd....Originally Remington 11-87 SP Walnut 28"bbl
3rd.... Dad's Rem 11-87 SPST (What I now have others using when with me)

MK M GOBL

For the original classic I'd have to go with a model 1897. But I did enjoy using an old sxs last year.

For "new" classic it's the old reliable 835. Pretty good on geese too.

Hard to choose a favorite. It's fun to hunt with em all.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220223/ac91c3e1486e9c34d97f7bfc011958b2.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220223/6727a482c0a4ec44ccfa05f029754fd4.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220223/02cf924b4898fd5e45c378f3831c6144.jpg)

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^^. Nice

Model 12 Winchester... :camohat:

Here are a few of mine, if I am smart enough to get the pics to load.
a 1956 870 Wingmaster deluxe

Newer 870 express turkey with a 21 inch barrel
A near mint Remington Model 11 made in 1915, has the suicide safety with a 24 or 25 inch barrel,
and the bottom is a 1963 or 64 Ithaca 37 with a full choke and 24 inch barrel.
All of my guns are 12 guages.



Lower top  is  my favorite, a 2000 11-87 Special Purpose Turkey, bottom is just another  2019 Express Turkey, both have the 21 inch Barrel.

I have 30 plus year old 870 special purpose with a Mark Bansner fixed choke 21.5 barrel. Gun was hand painted in a bottom land pattern. Worn, beat up...patterns both lead and TSS well. Not a gun anywhere I would trade for it.

REM 870 15 million sold

Quote from: cane mountain cutter on February 22, 2022, 03:32:31 AM
For me its the Special Purpose Remington 870, the 21 inch barrel is the perfect length. I love the old greenleaf guns but prefer a totally black gun. I finally found one and had Billy Tierce, cerekote it, and dropped a 2lb timney trigger in it. To me its the bees knees!

Hello all. This is my 21" Special Purpose from 1995. It was my Dad's gun and he gave it to me several years back. It's a wood stocked gun that was dipped in Forest Floor camo. I killed my first and only turkey with it 4 years ago at 35 yards. That was the only time I've been turkey hunting. I plan on hunting again this year with it. I killed that first bird with the Remington 4X6 duplex load which I don't think they make anymore. Dad gave me 2 ten round boxes of it and I still have 16 rounds left. It's got the Remington extra full turkey choke. I patterned the gun with the 4X6 loads and I tried some Winchester LB #5's but it did better with the 4X6s. I plan to do some pattern testing this weekend. Still got the 4X6s and half a box of the LB 5's to try again. Haven't seen any turkey loads in the stores here.

Also, normally this gun has an IC choke installed with #1 buckshot loaded for one of my home defense guns.

Mossberg 835 for me. They were the "must have" gun for serious turkey hunters when I was just getting started. That was when Ray Eye was a popular figure and the one guy that helped me learn how to call always had one of his 2.5 Reed cutter calls.

The first gun was a single barrel 12 ga.. after that it was a A5 Browning 20 ga. light 3 inch ... before finally getting a BPS 10 ga. Stalker it was like carrying a ball and chain with you and after that Remington 870 - 12 ga. 3 inch with choke tubes..

Obviously there's a lot of "classics" that have killed a lot of turkeys. 

Winchester Model 12
Winchester Model 21
Ithaca Model 37
LC Smith doubles
Fox doubles
etc............

But those don't qualify as "designated, dedicated" guns DESIGNED to be "turkey guns".  When I think of the classic "turkey guns" I'm thinking.......

Remington 870 Turkey
Winchester 1300 laminated
Remington 11-87 Special Purpose
Browning BPS 10 gauge
Mossberg 835

Quote from: Yoder409 on March 12, 2022, 10:24:27 AM
Obviously there's a lot of "classics" that have killed a lot of turkeys. 

Winchester Model 12
Winchester Model 21
Ithaca Model 37
LC Smith doubles
Fox doubles
etc............

But those don't qualify as "designated, dedicated" guns DESIGNED to be "turkey guns".  When I think of the classic "turkey guns" I'm thinking.......

Remington 870 Turkey
Winchester 1300 laminated
Remington 11-87 Special Purpose
Browning BPS 10 gauge
Mossberg 835

X2 ... agree ... these were the start of turkey guns

From my generation, time, and location the classics are gonna be 870s, 1187s, 500s and 835s. That's probably gonna be the most common and popular models from the earliest era of my turkey hunting , I know there are many classics , but none of which I saw folks using as a kid . Who am I kidding.... When I was a kid nobody turkey hunted ......  never knew many Winchester users . Rifle or shotgun alike.... Just not a common name in these parts for whatever reason. Ruger, Remington .... Maybe a browning for the fancy folks .

Quote from: Yoder409 on March 12, 2022, 10:24:27 AM
Obviously there's a lot of "classics" that have killed a lot of turkeys. 

Winchester Model 12
Winchester Model 21
Ithaca Model 37
LC Smith doubles
Fox doubles
etc............

But those don't qualify as "designated, dedicated" guns DESIGNED to be "turkey guns".  When I think of the classic "turkey guns" I'm thinking.......

Remington 870 Turkey
Winchester 1300 laminated
Remington 11-87 Special Purpose
Browning BPS 10 gauge
Mossberg 835

Why does a gun have to be designated or designed as a turkey gun to be a turkey gun, classic or not.

Hunters from Jordan's generation might of bought the tightest shooting gun made at that time for turkeys, but it would of also doubled as a waterfowl and/or buckshot gun. Probably the majority just used their only shotgun. To them when they were turkey hunting, that was their turkey gun.

Mr. Henry Davis went to the trouble and expense to have a custom 3" English gun built for him, the magnum gun of his time. It was designed to his specs, but even it wasn't to be a total turkey gun. He had it choked to shoot tight buckshot patterns for deer as well turkeys. His other English "turkey" gun, was also designed to be just as much of a tight patterning buckshot/deer gun as it was for turkeys. When he used a shotgun they were his turkey guns.

Simon Everett, turkey gun also used for waterfowl and deer, and I'm sure a lot more.

I don't have 1 gun that is set up just for turkeys, some will hold a pattern a little farther than others, all of them are used for a variety of game.
But when I'm turkey hunting that gun is my turkey gun

Quote from: crow on March 13, 2022, 10:07:26 PM

Quote from: Yoder409 on March 12, 2022, 10:24:27 AM
Obviously there's a lot of "classics" that have killed a lot of turkeys. 

Winchester Model 12
Winchester Model 21
Ithaca Model 37
LC Smith doubles
Fox doubles
etc............

But those don't qualify as "designated, dedicated" guns DESIGNED to be "turkey guns".  When I think of the classic "turkey guns" I'm thinking.......

Remington 870 Turkey
Winchester 1300 laminated
Remington 11-87 Special Purpose
Browning BPS 10 gauge
Mossberg 835

Why does a gun have to be designated or designed as a turkey gun to be a turkey gun, classic or not.

Hunters from Jordan's generation might of bought the tightest shooting gun made at that time for turkeys, but it would of also doubled as a waterfowl and/or buckshot gun. Probably the majority just used their only shotgun. To them when they were turkey hunting, that was their turkey gun.

Mr. Henry Davis went to the trouble and expense to have a custom 3" English gun built for him, the magnum gun of his time. It was designed to his specs, but even it wasn't to be a total turkey gun. He had it choked to shoot tight buckshot patterns for deer as well turkeys. His other English "turkey" gun, was also designed to be just as much of a tight patterning buckshot/deer gun as it was for turkeys. When he used a shotgun they were his turkey guns.

Simon Everett, turkey gun also used for waterfowl and deer, and I'm sure a lot more.

I don't have 1 gun that is set up just for turkeys, some will hold a pattern a little farther than others, all of them are used for a variety of game.
But when I'm turkey hunting that gun is my turkey gun

I guess I interpreted the OP's question as the title stated........   "classic turkey gun".......not "classic guns that kill turkeys".    I read the intent as guns designed FOR turkey hunting.   "Turkey guns", per se, are a relatively new concept. 

When I think classic, I have to go back into the 1960's.  My uncle Fred would take us turkey hunting and he carried a Model 12 Winchester 30" full choke.  Winchester Super X #4 shot was what he shot, I sure miss my Uncle Fred. 

There have probably been more iterations of the 870 than any shotgun ever manufactured. My 2005 12gauge 870 Super Magnum SP-T ( Special Purpose-Thumbhole ) to me hardly even looks like an 870 with a Monte Carlo thumbhole stock, 21" barrel, 31/2" chamber in Mossy Oak Obsession. You could use it for other things I suppose, but it was designed to be a turkey gun.

To me, classic implies old or traditional and I would have to go with a longer single shot or SxS with a minimal forestock.  Ten or twelve gauge.  I have never held an old SxS 12 but they must have weighed close to eight pounds!

Quote from: Brillo on March 17, 2022, 06:12:52 AMI have never held an old SxS 12 but they must have weighed close to eight pounds!

7 lbs 7 oz

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50654952662_d778698014_k.jpg)

Quote from: Yoder409 on March 20, 2022, 08:54:56 AM

Quote from: Brillo on March 17, 2022, 06:12:52 AMI have never held an old SxS 12 but they must have weighed close to eight pounds!

7 lbs 7 oz

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50654952662_d778698014_k.jpg)

Probably already said it , but will say it again. That is a sweet shotgun. And a classic.

Quote from: owlhoot on March 20, 2022, 09:31:37 AM
Probably already said it , but will say it again. That is a sweet shotgun. And a classic.

Thank you, sir.   It IS a very special gun.  But, I tend to gravitate toward it's sister gun..........the 16 gauge.  It's dimensionally the  same for L.O.P. and barrel length.  But it's another 3/4 pound lighter.  Took my fall gobbler with the 16 this past fall.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49929976881_424e6b5e74_k.jpg)

My Grandpa's old Ithaca model 37 featherlight 12 guage. 30 inch full choke barrel. No vent rib just plain barrel. Only chambered for 2 3/4" shells. But it'd sure whack em. Killed on both ends too. Had no recoil pad from the factory, hard plastic butt plate. Only weighed about 6 pounds seems like. Shot a beautiful pattern tho with old 2 3/4 green Remington nitro mags. Grew up on that old gun.


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Honestly if I could have ANY gun for use as a dedicated turkey slayer it would be a camo Remington SP-10 turkey special with the 23" barrel thumbhole stock topped with a RMR and shooting TSS shells I reloaded myself. I know that's the most extreme of over kills, but its what I've always wanted.

STILL kicking myself for not buying a absolute mint condition used SP-10 for $650 back when I bought my 870 SEM at the Gander Mtn. by my home.

Remington Model 31, predecessor to the 870
Parker, 12 gauge double
Ithaca Mag 10
Ithaca 37
Mossberg 835, 1988 1st run camouflage

I have all of the above plus alot of "new" ones as well.
The Remington Model 31 has a 18 inch barrel and a steel butt plate!!! Marked property "State of Louisiana".
THOR'S HAMMER!!!

Have a good one
         Bo

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