Just wanted to ask, when you first started hunting, what equipment did you use. Lets go back in time and see how less was more.
I used a fixed full choke Remington model 11 2 3/4. Very few calls in what was called a "turkey vest". And I still managed to have a good time and kilt a few turkeys. Wish I still had that gun lost when our house burned to the ground. Before that I remember my Daddy with his Ithaca model 37 2 3/4 12 gauge, a box call and a couple mouth calls (when they were first available).
Walk down memory lane and tell us what you used !!!!!!!
1885 WH Davenport 12ga. single shot...Still have and use!!!
3" Winchester Super X paper #4.....Still have and use!!!
Handmade slate and peg and just the small part of a jake wingbone with cupped hands for the sound chamber...upgraded sense then on the calls!!
(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr348/smokeyscustomcalls/WHDavenport001.jpg)
(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr348/smokeyscustomcalls/WHDavenport002.jpg)
1100 with a mod. choke. Then 1187 SP switched to 870 12 ga. Now I shoot a Benny Nova 20 ga.
Mossy 835 with 3.5" Win. #5s(the red shells). Used the factory xx full turkey choke that came with the gun for years.
sears and roebuck 12 gauge with the ole poly choke bolt action, and a box call
Winchester model 50 semi-auto, glossy stock and bright blue, Remington Peters High brass 2.75" #4. Woodland camo and a pair of Lynch Birmingham Boxes. Still have the gun and the boxes.
Stevens SxS with 2 3/4 high brass win #6 pheasent loads :z-guntootsmiley:
Winchester Model 12 2 3/4" 12 gauge with Federal #5s.
On my first hunt, I carried a 20 gauge Winchester ranger pump with fixed modified choke loaded with some Federal 3-1.25-6's. No vest...just a pair of Trebark coveralls, cap, face mask, and hat. I only had one call...a Perfection double-reed on which I tried to mimic everything I heard in an old Paul Butski / Billy McCoy video.
My first Turkey hunt was done with my Remington 870 Wingmaster. Highly polished 26" blue barrel and glossy wood stock with a 2.75" chamber. The choke was a Remington Super Full (unknown exit diameter) since it's not marked and I bought it second hand.
Shells were Winchester Supreme 2.75", 1.50 oz, #4 Pb.
My call was a hand me down H.S. Strut double slate pot call that was used and abused by it's previous owner.
Despite the less than stellar equipment, I still managed to kill a smaller Tom on opening morning. I was hooked after that experience.
Same as Joshua ....mossy 835 copper plated #5 3.5" win supreme
i had a couple old single barrels. but my first turkey slayer that actually had a pretty good choke left in the barrel was a model 37 Winchester
Stevens mod 311 with a fiberglass stock. Kicked my head off.
Beretta Pintail
I started with my Remington 870 Express Magnum 20 Gauge youth model that I still use, but I had it and killed turkeys with it every year for about 6 years before I ever did anything other than just shoot it. I used the extra full rem-choke it came with and Winchester Supreme 3" #5's.
This year I am going out with my new Model 12 30" full choke with 2 3/4" chambers. It will almost be a step back in time.
Daman
Quote from: runngun on February 16, 2011, 11:25:29 PM
I used a fixed full choke Remington model 11 2 3/4.
What a beautiful looking gun the model 11 is! Do you still own it? The first shotgun I used when I was old enough to hunt with was the Remington model 11-48.
Remington Sportsman 58, 12 gauge, 2 3/4 " chamber with a 30" Full choke. I shot Remington 1 1/2 oz #4s through it. I wish Federal would make 2 3/4" flightcontrol with their hevishot in it.
I'm still using the same gun I started with. 95 or 96 model 870 3" with a 21"bbl. I shot the factory super full and Winchester #4s... I killed and missed a lot with that combo.
My first gun was an old used Remington 22 pump for learning around 1948, this was followed by dads old Winchester 30 30 lever action long barrel (still have it) then my own new Mossberg 410 bolt action with three "screw on" chokes. I now have the replacement of my first 12 G "Sears" JC Higgins with the cutts comp style choke system complete with all three chokes (great gun smooth action). I acquired this shotgun from a friend that heard me talking about the one I had that was stolen years ago, he showed up at work one day and handed it to me, I always take it with me and use it for pheasant every year.
Mossberg 835 undertaker choke federal #5's now Benelli Nova Rhino Hevi #7's
Winchester 1300 and handloaded 2-3/4" 1-1/2oz #6s from a full choke.
Hard to believe turkeys used to actually die with all the inadequate guns and ammo mentioned in this thread :D
Winchester 1300 Black Shadow Turkey- Which is my back up gun now.
I used a Mossberg 20 gauge 28" barrel with a modified choke. That gun was old when I used it, but I killed a few birds with it. I used Winchester 3" #5's.
Stevens FOX. double barrell 16ga. burned in house fire
I started out chasing turkeys with a Humpback Browning 12 GA. with a 28" full choke, mouth call and a Ben Lee box call. I shot my first bird at 7 steps in self defence. He wanted some and I was not going to be his squealing hen
Rem 870 Wingmaster 2 and 3/4"
Winchester 1300.
Remington 1100 23" x-full choke Remington Nitro Mag 6 shot
Primos True Double mouth call -
All at the ripe ol age of 15.
My 1st turkey gun was a 916 S&W 12ga. 3" full choke and 3" winXX #6 :1 7/8.oz
:z-winnersmiley:
brian
Mine was a Remington Model 1100 12 ga. Magnum 3" with 28" barrel with a Full choke. :cowboy:
mine was a Mossberg 500 12ga with the "old" Federal 3" 2oz #5 loads
Remington 870 wingmaster with fixed modified 30 barrell. 2 3/4 Remington duplex 4X6
First gun was a Remington 870 Wingmaster 20 guage with full choke. I still have some of the shells left too....#4 Nitros (Oh yeah, the gun is still in the cabinet as well) :icon_thumright: