Well lets talk about your favorite turkey gun. What is your go to? Make, Model and gauge? How long have you had it?
So I started off with a Mossberg 500, 12 gauge with 28" barrel and a fixed choke. Then went with a turkey model Remington 870 12 gauge 21" barrel. This was in the late 80's early 90's. Then in the 2000's I got a Charles Daly Maxi-Mag 12 gauge 3.5" 24" barrel..... So I got on the Nitro custom shells and the Heavyshot.
I see so many are going to 20 and 410 and TSS.
I love my old Remington and carry it every once in a while.... But my Charles Daly is my go to, because man I hit's them hard.
Thanks for taking the time to read and share your thoughts.
May God bless you and your family.
I picked up a mossberg sa20 turkey thug cheap on gunbroker.
Added a tru glo adjustable rifle sight and Indian creek .555, shooting Hal's big 20xl number 9 tss, its a lethal combo!!!
May add a vortex venom but have no issues with the current sight!
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My Remington 11-87 20 ga. Had it dipped last summer as the only complaint I had was rusting on the bluing. After getting it dipped I am very happy with it. It has a 26" barrel and she balances great. I use the Tru Glo right sights with JH .570 shooting 1-5/8 oz hand load. I have had it since 2013 I believe. There are other guns I am interested in buying but it would take a lot for one of them to take the 11-87's place.
Remmington 870 Express 12 gauge. Bought it while in college 25 or so years ago. I needed a gun I could beat around in the woods with and use it for deer with a rifled choke, turkeys with a Jellyhead chocke, geese, rabbits, skeet, and sporting clays. I have a scope used for deer and turkeys but remove it from the barrell for evrything else.
It is a great gun but weighs 9.5 lbs with the scope and is almost 50 inches long.
This year I am shopping for a SA459 20 gauge exclusively for turkey hunting. I want to lighten the load and shorten the overall length.
In 2006, my cousin won a Legacy Sports Hatsan 12ga semi auto at a banquet. I took him to do some patterning work as he wanted to use it for the upcoming turkey season.
He fired it one time and said 'it kicks too ***** hard!!!, I'm not firing it again". I jokingly said I'll give you $200 for it after seeing the pattern. Sold!!
It has been my gun ever since.
Jinx statement time: I went back to gun hunting in 2008. So far "we" are 100%.....like I said "jinx statement".
Plain black 28" barrel sporting a brass bead sight with factory full choke . Not flashy but effective.
I have a Winchester SX3 20 gauge with a 26" barrel shooting tss 7's. I wanna put a vortex Venom on it but haven't decided yet. I have tru glo fiber optic sights on the vent rib. I also wish I had a 24" barrel M2 20 gauge but I think I'll just keep using what I have.
I have a benelli m2 with the barrel cut to 22" and a winchester sx3 20 gauge. Both dipped in greenleaf and both about equal hunting time. My benelli super black eagle 12 gauge was my dedicated turkey gun until about 6 years ago.
My go to gun is a benelli cordoba preformance shop 20 gauge with a burris fast fire 2 shooting TSS #7x9 shot. I have this gun for 5 years. I also have same gun in 12 gauge, but prefer the 20 gauge because of weight.
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My buddies old Remington 12 GA 870 upland. He bought it when he was 17.
I got it when he passed away.
I had a short barrel and converted it to a turkey gun.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/71cbba22d21017a5e8a3da3d4753f617.jpg)
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Depending on were i'm hunting , decides the gun and gauge i'm using .. 12, 20 or 410 .. the gun i use the most is Remington 870 - 20 gauge .. I enjoy my dedicated turkey guns just about as much as my calls ... it's all part of hunting these gobblers .. Sometimes i will take the old double barrel hunting..
I've only ever had one dedicated turkey gun and it's a used 12ga Benelli Supernova I found in a pawn shop for cheap. Had a jellyhead choke in it, but I put a Carlson extended in it that shoots a little better. It's a beater, but I like it. This season I started falling in love with the gun my wife carries, which is just an old New England Pardner SBI single shot 20ga fixed modified. Shoots TSS incredibly well and is super fun to tote around all day. Easy on the knee and easy to the shoulder. Makes me think more and more about hopping onto the single shot train.
My go to turkey gun is a 12ga 870 SPS Turkey/Predator shotgun w/ the Remchoke that came with it topped w/ a tri-color Triton Tru-Glo. It's deadly out to 40 yds.
I'm in the minority now with everyone going the 20 TSS route but mine is the tried and true Mossy 835 12 gauge with 3 1/2" Hevi 7's through a Pure Gold .670 choke, topped with a Bushnell Trophy Red dot scope. I've got plenty, for a lifetime, of the old Hevi 7 lots that shot so well, so WHY CHANGE?
Go to, Benelli SBE steady grip turkey with Bushnell BDC scope. Pistol grip is comfortable when calling. Rob Roberts .660 choke patterns real well with Fed Heavyweight 6's. Great thread, thanks....
Remington sp-10 22 inch barrel. Bought it in 1993. Added a indian creek choke vortex venom sight. Shoot #7 TSS out of it. I absolutely love this gun. When it goes boom stuff dies.
Recently added a benelli m2 12 gauge with 21 inch barrel. Indian creek choke and #8 tss. It's at carolina graphic enterprises right now getting cerakoted and dipped. Mounting a sumtoy base for a vortex venom.
Today picked up a franchi affinity 3 in 12 gauge 26 inch barrel. If it patterns I will get it dipped and leave it in vent rib for now. Just for fun.
Mossberg 835 ultimag,,3 1/2 inch 12gauge,,,no reason to buy another turkey gun in my lifetime.
12 gauge Wingmaster not a single piece of plastic on the whole gun( buttplate is hard rubber) flawless American made performance (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/2774b8b6a75c4cb6000e7fbd1a3443d9.jpg)
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Legendary gun, beauty.....
Benelli M2 12 ga, 24" barrel, lens .665, truglo mag gobble dot sight. Barrel is cerakote just for rust prevention.
Older Mossberg 835,25 inch barrel,sports a Nikon turkey scope. Carlson lb .683 choke using lb 3 inch #5 shot or factory .695 using Federal 3#inch 1 7/8 oz #4 shot. She`s a goodie! :funnyturkey:
Past: Benelli Super 90 3.5" all black 26" barrel comp n choke
Present: Benelli Super 90 20 gauge. Realtree 26" barrel Carlson's .587
Future: just bought a Yildiz sxs 410 with screw in chokes. Weighs 5.3 lbs on the scale.
Remington 870 camo supermag Indian Creek with an ultra dot mounted shooting 3 1/2
Longbeards #5. Main gun for years.
Went to Stevens 301 410 turkey factory turkey choke bushnell reflex sight shooting
Federal #9 tss.
Mine is a benelli m1 20 gauge outfitted with a burris fastfire 3 moa using my hand loaded tss # 9's with a carlson's choke tube.
Guess I'll be the black sheep. My personal favorite is anything chambered in 223 or 22 WMR. Many will scoff in disgust and I don't much care. Have killed more than my share of birds well within shotgun range using those rifles. So long as it's got Ruger on the side, I'm in. As for shotguns, don't much care. 835, 870, both the same to me. Pull the trigger. Bird goes flop.
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26" Benelli SBE II in Bottomland with Burris FF3 on top
My 11-87 3" 12g in MO Greenleaf(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200619/a34953735a33f9e3b97d6473bf05ef96.jpg)
That's the holy grail my friend.......
Remington 870 12GA Special Purpose Mag original bottom land purchased in 1996. I started out shooting Federal 3" # 6's, then switched to Hevi 13 2oz #6's. I originally had a tru-glo choke, then switched to the hevi-shot choke. In 2010 i mounted a gobble stopper red dot on it. This gun has been awful good to me and I will NEVER part with it.
My old Browning 3.5" BPS enough said!!
Browning BPS 3". It's what I have, so it's my favourite and a far sight better than the 870 Express I used to own.
Winchester SX3 20 gauge. 26" barrel. Sweet shooter but I did have to have the trigger worked. It was heavy and rough out of the box.
I'm reply #32, but only the second to say a 10 gauge? Sign of the times, I guess.
Remington SP-10, matte finished wood and blue with a 25" barrel. Trulock .700 non-ported choke, shooting Nitro Ammo Company #7.5 TSS. Vortex venom 3 MOA red dot on top. With a clean barrel it's putting 300+ pellets in 10" at 40 yards. Yeah, it's a little heavy, but I love it!
Remmy 870 super mag real tree advantage (about 25 years old)...23" barrel...3.5" apex tss#9...IC .650....speadbead w/ff3....timney trigger sear n spring kit (set at 3#s) Its been good to me......
Remington 870 super mag in advantage camo with an Indian creek .665. Been shooting 3.5 hevi 7's since I got it but down to only one round left. Got several boxes of 3" hevi 6s I may go back to, or I may go longbeards, maybe try TSS. Who knows. I change my mind all the time.
Quote from: budtripp on June 19, 2020, 06:18:30 AM
Remington 870 super mag in advantage camo with an Indian creek .665. Been shooting 3.5 hevi 7's since I got it but down to only one round left. Got several boxes of 3" hevi 6s I may go back to, or I may go longbeards, maybe try TSS. Who knows. I change my mind all the time.
I would go with your 3" Hevi-6s especially since you have several boxes. That's all i use in my 11-87 and they flatten birds every time!
I've got a variety of shotguns of different persuasions hangin' on the rack,...but when I go turkey huntin', the one I grab is my old reliable 835. It ain't real pretty, and it weighs as much as a small horse, but when a gobbler gets in range, his snood is soon to be floppin' in the dirt,....unless I decide to let him live to gobble another day.
Ole man thanks for everyone that took time to share. I love reading what others are shooting. I could comment on each reply, but I don't want to jumble up the thread with my own comments.
It's awesome to see the 870's, 835's and hear about the others. Yes I remember the 10 gauges, and when Mossberg and Federal launched the 835! Man it takes me back. Can't we all agree that ammo has come a long way from 30 years ago??? I'm still using Nitro Heavyshot 4x5x7 in 3.5 and 3". Trying TSS in my Son's 410 working with SumToy to get her right.
Again thanks to all that took time to post on this thread.
May God bless you and your families.
Started with a 870 Super Sport in camo topped with a Leupold Gilmore sight. Decided wanted someone with a little less recoil so went to a Beretta 391 extrema which I have used for probably twenty years. After reading this site decided I wanted a 20 gauge, decided in the Winchester sx3 but could not find onem they are discontinued so settled on a Weatherby SA459 but they were sold out. Maybe next year
Single shot Stevens 12 ga. hammer type I've been using since 1957 although never started using it for turkeys until the '70s. Only good to about 25 yards but I haven't tried TSS in it.
Vintage beauty
Remington 870 12 ga. 21" barrel with a Magpul stock. Wrapped in Mossy Oak Infinity camo skin & topped with a TruGlo TruBrite red dot. I shoot 2oz. of Hevi-13 #7's using a Hevi-Shot .662 choke tube. Also has a lightened trigger & upgraded magazine spring.
(https://i.imgur.com/m08G8Tbm.jpg)
Quote from: idgobble on June 19, 2020, 11:52:06 AM
Stevens 12 ga. I've been using since 1957 although never started using it for turkeys until the '70s. Only good to about 25 yards but I haven't tried TSS in it.
Awesome!
Quote from: idgobble on June 19, 2020, 11:52:06 AM
Stevens 12 ga. I've been using since 1957 although never started using it for turkeys until the '70s. Only good to about 25 yards but I haven't tried TSS in it.
Is it a fixed modified?
I've been using a 870 super mag topped with Williams fire sights shooting 3" longboards #5. Switched to a Mossberg sa-20 turkey this year with vortex venom sumtoy .562 and federal 9's.
The Mossberg 535 my wife bought me in the 2010-2012 time range for my birthday is my goto/favorite.
The gun was entirely camo, but the stock and forearm had to be replaced after I left the gun leaning against the tire.... I got in the truck and ran over the gun from end to end!
New stock and forearm and I was good to go! Thoroughly inspected it and it didn't put even a single scratch in the metal. Heck, didn't even break a fiber in the sights. Shot it and it was still dead on. Wicked lucky.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/369d169a383e41950e8d824bec5a79f2.jpg)
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I only own the one, so it is my everything shotgun. Though since I had it drilled and tapped and added a scope to it I have thought of getting another.
Favorite over last 35yrs is a tough one but would have to go with my BPS 10ga with 24" barrel it's a heavy gun that killed on both ends. But last few years it has been a 11-87 20ga with a 26" barrel.
Remington 870 Super Max Gobbler dipped in predator green camo. Primos tightwad choke tube, Hevi shot magblend 3.5" Gets it done.
`05 12 gauge Remington 870 Super Mag SPS-T, MO obsession camo, thumbhole stock. Tasco Red Dot ( cheap, but came with the gun and works great ), 23" barrel, original .660 Jellyhead shooting 3" Hevi-13 #6. It`s a tank but a great turkey gun for my style of hunting ( mostly set up and wait `em out as opposed to running through the woods!).
Dedicated and favorite. When I take the BPS 10g out of the cabinet it is about turkeys or turkey shells
Got her a new dress this year before season too. Shoot TSS 8X9 through her with a IC 690 tube. Yep the girls heavy, but I like her curves! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200622/8e25b8502dabf0e2e0563c475aff99b8.jpg)
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Beauty, looks great.....great gun...
As much as I enjoy the new Mossberg 20 gauge pump with 2.75" loads of TSS, this has been my favorite dedicated turkey gun. H&R 12 gauge with a factory dipped original Bottomland camo. Shoots 3" Hevi #7s. William at Sumtoy did a great d/t job for me and installed fiber optic rifle sights.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4327/35839032461_be768e3c67_w.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WAYpJM)
Shooting a 20 gauge 870 youth model with a 21 inch barrel for the last 10 years. Hunted with a 835 for the 20 years before that. Started with an 1100 12 gauge. Hard to beat the 870.
Amen, all great guns.......
Nice
My dedicated turkey gun is a 12 ga. 28 inch barrel Benelli SBE ii with a Burris FF3 on a speed bead mount, and a Sumtoy .650, with a claw sling. It does a number on turkeys when I've got some to shoot at.
Jim
My dedicated turkey gun, I won at a DU banquet of all places back in 2008. It is a Winchester Model 1300 12 ga. with 26" barrel. I shoot the original super full choke mounted with a Tru-Glo Gobblestopper red dot sight. It is in Realtree camo I believe and does a real number on the ol' longbeards shooting Remington Nitro Turkey loads 3" #5's. Have thought about changing to some TSS or TSS/Lead mix, but it does such a great job out to 45 yards why mess with a good thing, right!?
Nice set up...
I guess I'm an odd ball, but my go to gun is my Winchester 1300 12 ga. I'm still killing turkeys with the Federal Heavyweight straight 7's.
Quote from: turkey_picker on June 24, 2020, 10:06:29 PM
I guess I'm an odd ball, but my go to gun is my Winchester 1300 12 ga. I'm still killing turkeys with the Federal Heavyweight straight 7's.
LOL look up post #56 two up from yours, there's a Winchester 1300...
Thanks for sharing everyone.
Great guns, nothing wrong with 1300's....
21" barreled Benelli M2 with a RMR red dot, RR Final Strut choke tube .655
Had the receiver drilled and tapped at Benelli and put a Scalarworks Mount on it for the RMR. They will drill and tap the receiver with four holes for $80
Finally having it camo dipped right now after a few years without. Waiting for it to get back to me in the next month or so!
Quote from: TX_Gobbler on June 25, 2020, 11:05:11 AM
21" barreled Benelli M2 with a RMR red dot, RR Final Strut choke tube .655
Had the receiver drilled and tapped at Benelli and put a Scalarworks Mount on it for the RMR. They will drill and tap the receiver with four holes for $80
Finally having it camo dipped right now after a few years without. Waiting for it to get back to me in the next month or so!
Awesome you'll have to post a picture with its new skin.
I started off with a mossberg 835. I have been using a Remington 870 supermag 26 in barrel for the last 18 years and have slowly upgraded it to a strictly turkey gun. I have added a Knoxx blackhawk adjustable stock and drilled and tapped the receiver for a Vortex Venom red dot. I use a carlson longbeard choke and 3.5 in 5 shot longbeards. Has been a great combination for me and the adjustable stock makes it work for a couple youths I have taken out just use smaller shells.
Quote from: countryboy3006 on June 25, 2020, 01:14:04 PM
I started off with a mossberg 835. I have been using a Remington 870 supermag 26 in barrel for the last 18 years and have slowly upgraded it to a strictly turkey gun. I have added a Knoxx blackhawk adjustable stock and drilled and tapped the receiver for a Vortex Venom red dot. I use a carlson longbeard choke and 3.5 in 5 shot longbeards. Has been a great combination for me and the adjustable stock makes it work for a couple youths I have taken out just use smaller shells.
That's awesome. I added a Blackhawk stock to my ole 870. ;)
Circa late 90s 870 supermag with a 28 inch pipe and rattle can paint job. It not a picky gun and poa and poi are either right on or very close with many loads. I've got a fiber optic bead it but that's the only modification I've made. The longer barrel gets in the way at times but makes a difference on the pattern board. It won't win any beauty contests but it's a good gun.
Quote from: LaLongbeard on June 18, 2020, 06:12:28 PM
12 gauge Wingmaster not a single piece of plastic on the whole gun( buttplate is hard rubber) flawless American made performance (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/2774b8b6a75c4cb6000e7fbd1a3443d9.jpg)
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I hear ya... nothing beats the balance and feel of a wooden stock shotgun. With that said... my dedicated turkey guns are plastic.
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12 Ga Mossberg 835 Turkey with 24" barrel, Indian creek choke (can't remember the size), Tru Glo Micro Red Dot Sight
But what I'm getting ready to potentially switch over to at least for when I got a lot of walking and climbing to do...
Stoeger M3020 20 gauge Turkey edition, had the barrel shortened from 26" to 22". Indian Creek choke .562, Burris FastFire 3. Currently in real tree, getting it dipped this summer in bottomland.
Apex #9s for both
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Quote from: fallhnt on June 18, 2020, 01:17:42 PM
My buddies old Remington 12 GA 870 upland. He bought it when he was 17.
I got it when he passed away.
I had a short barrel and converted it to a turkey gun.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200618/71cbba22d21017a5e8a3da3d4753f617.jpg) I also use a Remington 870 that was given to me by my hunting buddy who died.12 gauge, super mag, 26 inch, extra full rem. Choke, sling, real leaf camo.I shoot 1 7-8 oz.copper plated lead BB'S.FEDERAL GOLD
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Quote from: Kylongspur88 on June 25, 2020, 09:00:28 PM
Circa late 90s 870 supermag with a 28 inch pipe and rattle can paint job. It not a picky gun and poa and poi are either right on or very close with many loads. I've got a fiber optic bead it but that's the only modification I've made. The longer barrel gets in the way at times but makes a difference on the pattern board. It won't win any beauty contests but it's a good gun.
This one has had several rattle paint jobs...LOL
Can't say I have a dedicated turkey gun but my M2 20 with a 26" barrel is my primary shotgun for everything.
870 20 gauge, Sumtoy choke, Sumtoy mount with Burris FF3, TSS # 9 handloads.
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on June 20, 2020, 08:28:57 AM
Quote from: idgobble on June 19, 2020, 11:52:06 AM
Stevens 12 ga. I've been using since 1957 although never started using it for turkeys until the '70s. Only good to about 25 yards but I haven't tried TSS in it.
Is it a fixed modified?
Yes. And I'm not going to have chokes installed.
Quote from: idgobble on June 28, 2020, 10:16:15 PM
Quote from: ChesterCopperpot on June 20, 2020, 08:28:57 AM
Quote from: idgobble on June 19, 2020, 11:52:06 AM
Stevens 12 ga. I've been using since 1957 although never started using it for turkeys until the '70s. Only good to about 25 yards but I haven't tried TSS in it.
Is it a fixed modified?
Yes. And I'm not going to have chokes installed.
Reason I asked was my wife shoots an old single shot fixed modified and it was always a 20-25yd gun but that TSS shoots amazing out of it. I bet in the 12ga it would do well.
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My turkey gun has been a Remington 870 20 ga. 26" barrel with Carlson's.575 choke. I have also used my Benelli Montefeltro 20ga. Carlson's .575 choke. Just bought an 870 youth with 21" barrel. I put a sureshot stock on it, and a Vortex Venom. I've been shooting TSS in my 20's for a few years, and they have been deadly.
Quote from: Mossberg90MN on June 25, 2020, 10:41:57 PM
12 Ga Mossberg 835 Turkey with 24" barrel, Indian creek choke (can't remember the size), Tru Glo Micro Red Dot Sight
But what I'm getting ready to potentially switch over to at least for when I got a lot of walking and climbing to do...
Stoeger M3020 20 gauge Turkey edition, had the barrel shortened from 26" to 22". Indian Creek choke .562, Burris FastFire 3. Currently in real tree, getting it dipped this summer in bottomland.
Apex #9s for both
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I'm an 835 guy, as well, shooting Hevi 7's out of a Pure Gold .670 choke but I'll bet that 835 won't ever leave the gun cabinet once you get that Stoeger set up and dialed in with the TSS 9's. I would go to a 20 with TSS if I didn't have a lifetime supply of the old Hevi 7's. My 835 patterns so well with the Hevi 7's, I can't justify a New 20 with the TSS. Well I could but...I would hate to see the ole boy just collect dust. Good luck with the Stoeger and let's see some pattern pics.
Hard to pick a favorite. I have 5 shotguns dedicated to turkey hunting. One 10ga ,three 12 ga. to include a Knight ML TK 2000 and one 20 ga.
The one I have used the most in the last several years is a Benelli Nova 24" full camo 20 Ga. I recently added a Leupold VX-I 1x4 Shotgun scope with their HEAVY Duplex reticle. The scope replaced a Bushnell TRS 25. Choke is a Hevi-Shot .573 and I shoot Hevi-Shot 3" Magnum Blends. Finished off the rig with a CLAW sling.
Thanks for sharing everyone.
I have three guns that are used just for turkey hunting. 12 gauge Ithaca in advantage, with a 2-7 Nikon scope, and a kicks gobblin' thunder .665 choke. Next one is a 870 20 gauge Wingmaster with a Remington 21 inch turkey barrel and a Carlsons .565 choke with rifle sights. Last one is an old 1980 Remington wing master light weight in 410 gauge, that I used successfully last spring to shoot one of my best birds. I was using a TSS9 shot shell. Seems like the older I get the lighter the gun!
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My favorite is a youth 870 20gauge with a tactical stock and Fast Fire 3 site...
Love the size and kills them as far as a I want to shoot them.
I won a Rem 870 super mag that was setup for turkey hunting at a banquet back in 07. It's been my go to ever since, it's been a turkey killing machine for me.
The one I carry most is a Winchester SX3 20 gauge. I sometimes carry a CVA single shot and haven't broken the old dedicated Mossberg 12 out in a couple of years.
Mostly a Remington 870 super mag SPS with a sure-shot stock, 23" barrel, Sumtoy .660, and hand loaded TSS 9s topped with a Vortex Spitfire. It's a killer for sure. Also added a homemade cheek weld out of an old sleeping pad. That Spitfire aight is great, but it sits up a little high. I couldn't get a good cheek mount without doing something. Added some layers of the old sleep pad and taped around it with camo duct tape (pic is from before I taped it up.) Works like a charm.
I've started taking my wife's/daughter's Mossberg 500 super bantam 20. It's got a bushnell trs-25, wright's swarm .555, and shoots the federal TSS 9s extremely well. Pretty sure the barrel on it is 22".
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/5c28937026b9a65f9ebfb6297c0fb44b.jpg)
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Mine is a bit of a read!
26 years ago I built my turkey gun! This started out a Remington 11-87SP 12ga 28"bbl matte finish Walnut Stock, I was working for Gander Mountain as the Archery/Hunting Manager at the time in Wilmot WI (This is where Head Office and Main Gunsmithing Team is located at the time) So I find this gun as a used / trade-in we had. I took the gun in to our head of the gunsmith team, this was in January of 1995. I talked to Jack a bit on what I could do to get a better pattern, tighten up the choke and such (he was a turkey hunter too) first was to take off the 28 inch bbl and replace it, I said I wanted a scope on the gun and asked what would work, we found Remington had a Matte finished RemChoke Cantilever "Deer" Slug bbl the would fit/match the gun. So our "parts" guy goes to order this and says were going to want/need a new butt stock with a raised cheek piece to work right with that barrel, that gets ordered with it. So we start looking at scopes and I find this Bushnell Trophy XLT Deer/Turkey Scope 1.75-4x32 with Circle-X Reticle we have, well parts arrive and we fit everything together. I start asking about chokes and Jack says the Briley has a program that we can send the gun down to them and they will test pattern with a number of choke sizes and loads to determine best for the gun. Jack says before we do that lets lengthen out the forcing cone and back bore the barrel then polish it. So were getting this plan together and I ask about camo for the gun, well we were working with a company called Colorworks who could dip it but could only do the "metal" on the gun, I decided that would work and thought would look good with the Matte Walnut Stock. Gun is sent off to get all this done, Colorwork'c calls back to Jack and asks if we wanted to dip the scope too, it's on the gun but we thought only bbl and receiver could be done, so now I have rings and scope camo too. After a few more weeks the gun is back to the shop and everything is done, choke is in and they dipped it too! A box of Federal Premium 12ga 3" Turkey Loads and test pattern papers from 20,30 & 40 yards are sent back with it. Next thing I want is a good sling for it and find a Outdoor Connection Padded Super Sling with Talon Swivels in Camo. Finally we have the gun done "built" Jack, Roy and a couple other from the Gunsmith team were pretty proud of what we came up with! This year was the first year Gander Mountain was really adding to our turkey "Game Plan" buyers were adding more calls, ammo, choke and such to our stores, and were going to add in "Turkey Hunting Seminars" as part of this, well be fortunate enough to work at the Wilmot location this is where they would test this out. I was asked to head up the turkey events in the store and part of this deal was promoting our business and "Gunsmith Team" Jack had talked with the Corp. bosses and about this, Which I did not know about until I went to pay for all the work they had done, When I got my bill Jack handed it to me and it was stamped "PAID IN FULL" I was like what??? Jack said he talked to the corp guys on this a little after we started this and seeing how it turned out he said he wanted to use this a way he could promote the gunsmith teams services, when corp. had said they were going to have me start doing these seminars (These ended up being my "Turkey University" line of seminars I started and still do today) things just worked out, All the work the smiths did the store/corp covered the cost of and I had to speak/promote this during my seminars. I asked Jack about this and he told them how big this could be for them and I just had the WOW factor going on. Gun was done, I paid for it by talking turkey!! I own the first dedicated turkey gun built by them and over the years the only thing I have changed was the stock to the Remington ShurShot and Turkey Loads to Winchester Double xx HV#5's
MK M GOBL
Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 21, 2021, 05:47:01 AM
Mine is a bit of a read!
26 years ago I built my turkey gun! This started out a Remington 11-87SP 12ga 28"bbl matte finish Walnut Stock, I was working for Gander Mountain as the Archery/Hunting Manager at the time in Wilmot WI (This is where Head Office and Main Gunsmithing Team is located at the time) So I find this gun as a used / trade-in we had. I took the gun in to our head of the gunsmith team, this was in January of 1995. I talked to Jack a bit on what I could do to get a better pattern, tighten up the choke and such (he was a turkey hunter too) first was to take off the 28 inch bbl and replace it, I said I wanted a scope on the gun and asked what would work, we found Remington had a Matte finished RemChoke Cantilever "Deer" Slug bbl the would fit/match the gun. So our "parts" guy goes to order this and says were going to want/need a new butt stock with a raised cheek piece to work right with that barrel, that gets ordered with it. So we start looking at scopes and I find this Bushnell Trophy XLT Deer/Turkey Scope 1.75-4x32 with Circle-X Reticle we have, well parts arrive and we fit everything together. I start asking about chokes and Jack says the Briley has a program that we can send the gun down to them and they will test pattern with a number of choke sizes and loads to determine best for the gun. Jack says before we do that lets lengthen out the forcing cone and back bore the barrel then polish it. So were getting this plan together and I ask about camo for the gun, well we were working with a company called Colorworks who could dip it but could only do the "metal" on the gun, I decided that would work and thought would look good with the Matte Walnut Stock. Gun is sent off to get all this done, Colorwork'c calls back to Jack and asks if we wanted to dip the scope too, it's on the gun but we thought only bbl and receiver could be done, so now I have rings and scope camo too. After a few more weeks the gun is back to the shop and everything is done, choke is in and they dipped it too! A box of Federal Premium 12ga 3" Turkey Loads and test pattern papers from 20,30 & 40 yards are sent back with it. Next thing I want is a good sling for it and find a Outdoor Connection Padded Super Sling with Talon Swivels in Camo. Finally we have the gun done "built" Jack, Roy and a couple other from the Gunsmith team were pretty proud of what we came up with! This year was the first year Gander Mountain was really adding to our turkey "Game Plan" buyers were adding more calls, ammo, choke and such to our stores, and were going to add in "Turkey Hunting Seminars" as part of this, well be fortunate enough to work at the Wilmot location this is where they would test this out. I was asked to head up the turkey events in the store and part of this deal was promoting our business and "Gunsmith Team" Jack had talked with the Corp. bosses and about this, Which I did not know about until I went to pay for all the work they had done, When I got my bill Jack handed it to me and it was stamped "PAID IN FULL" I was like what??? Jack said he talked to the corp guys on this a little after we started this and seeing how it turned out he said he wanted to use this a way he could promote the gunsmith teams services, when corp. had said they were going to have me start doing these seminars (These ended up being my "Turkey University" line of seminars I started and still do today) things just worked out, All the work the smiths did the store/corp covered the cost of and I had to speak/promote this during my seminars. I asked Jack about this and he told them how big this could be for them and I just had the WOW factor going on. Gun was done, I paid for it by talking turkey!! I own the first dedicated turkey gun built by them and over the years the only thing I have changed was the stock to the Remington ShurShot and Turkey Loads to Winchester Double xx HV#5's
MK M GOBL
Very cool story!
Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 21, 2021, 05:47:01 AM
Mine is a bit of a read!
26 years ago I built my turkey gun! This started out a Remington 11-87SP 12ga 28"bbl matte finish Walnut Stock, I was working for Gander Mountain as the Archery/Hunting Manager at the time in Wilmot WI (This is where Head Office and Main Gunsmithing Team is located at the time) So I find this gun as a used / trade-in we had. I took the gun in to our head of the gunsmith team, this was in January of 1995. I talked to Jack a bit on what I could do to get a better pattern, tighten up the choke and such (he was a turkey hunter too) first was to take off the 28 inch bbl and replace it, I said I wanted a scope on the gun and asked what would work, we found Remington had a Matte finished RemChoke Cantilever "Deer" Slug bbl the would fit/match the gun. So our "parts" guy goes to order this and says were going to want/need a new butt stock with a raised cheek piece to work right with that barrel, that gets ordered with it. So we start looking at scopes and I find this Bushnell Trophy XLT Deer/Turkey Scope 1.75-4x32 with Circle-X Reticle we have, well parts arrive and we fit everything together. I start asking about chokes and Jack says the Briley has a program that we can send the gun down to them and they will test pattern with a number of choke sizes and loads to determine best for the gun. Jack says before we do that lets lengthen out the forcing cone and back bore the barrel then polish it. So were getting this plan together and I ask about camo for the gun, well we were working with a company called Colorworks who could dip it but could only do the "metal" on the gun, I decided that would work and thought would look good with the Matte Walnut Stock. Gun is sent off to get all this done, Colorwork'c calls back to Jack and asks if we wanted to dip the scope too, it's on the gun but we thought only bbl and receiver could be done, so now I have rings and scope camo too. After a few more weeks the gun is back to the shop and everything is done, choke is in and they dipped it too! A box of Federal Premium 12ga 3" Turkey Loads and test pattern papers from 20,30 & 40 yards are sent back with it. Next thing I want is a good sling for it and find a Outdoor Connection Padded Super Sling with Talon Swivels in Camo. Finally we have the gun done "built" Jack, Roy and a couple other from the Gunsmith team were pretty proud of what we came up with! This year was the first year Gander Mountain was really adding to our turkey "Game Plan" buyers were adding more calls, ammo, choke and such to our stores, and were going to add in "Turkey Hunting Seminars" as part of this, well be fortunate enough to work at the Wilmot location this is where they would test this out. I was asked to head up the turkey events in the store and part of this deal was promoting our business and "Gunsmith Team" Jack had talked with the Corp. bosses and about this, Which I did not know about until I went to pay for all the work they had done, When I got my bill Jack handed it to me and it was stamped "PAID IN FULL" I was like what??? Jack said he talked to the corp guys on this a little after we started this and seeing how it turned out he said he wanted to use this a way he could promote the gunsmith teams services, when corp. had said they were going to have me start doing these seminars (These ended up being my "Turkey University" line of seminars I started and still do today) things just worked out, All the work the smiths did the store/corp covered the cost of and I had to speak/promote this during my seminars. I asked Jack about this and he told them how big this could be for them and I just had the WOW factor going on. Gun was done, I paid for it by talking turkey!! I own the first dedicated turkey gun built by them and over the years the only thing I have changed was the stock to the Remington ShurShot and Turkey Loads to Winchester Double xx HV#5's
MK M GOBL
That's a great story, thanks for sharing...great gun..
I dont have the history with my turkey gun that a lot of you do. I bought it a couple years ago but I really like it. It's a Stoeger m3500, 28" barrel in Realtree APG. It has a Bushnell rs25 red dot and a jellyhead choke. It shoots Federal 3rd degree TSS and Longbeard XR very well.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/3546dda34478ded487f40ee953d50646.jpg)
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Just painted it and had my buddy make new strings. 400 gr Beman ,Grim Reaper mini mag @ 50 lb 27.5 draw length 230fps. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/c8aeda6ba751cd3ce225f4c333d71272.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/472f5d3d017e70f8e66c8d66ea5a7793.jpg)
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Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 21, 2021, 05:47:01 AM
Mine is a bit of a read!
26 years ago I built my turkey gun! This started out a Remington 11-87SP 12ga 28"bbl matte finish Walnut Stock, I was working for Gander Mountain as the Archery/Hunting Manager at the time in Wilmot WI (This is where Head Office and Main Gunsmithing Team is located at the time) So I find this gun as a used / trade-in we had. I took the gun in to our head of the gunsmith team, this was in January of 1995. I talked to Jack a bit on what I could do to get a better pattern, tighten up the choke and such (he was a turkey hunter too) first was to take off the 28 inch bbl and replace it, I said I wanted a scope on the gun and asked what would work, we found Remington had a Matte finished RemChoke Cantilever "Deer" Slug bbl the would fit/match the gun. So our "parts" guy goes to order this and says were going to want/need a new butt stock with a raised cheek piece to work right with that barrel, that gets ordered with it. So we start looking at scopes and I find this Bushnell Trophy XLT Deer/Turkey Scope 1.75-4x32 with Circle-X Reticle we have, well parts arrive and we fit everything together. I start asking about chokes and Jack says the Briley has a program that we can send the gun down to them and they will test pattern with a number of choke sizes and loads to determine best for the gun. Jack says before we do that lets lengthen out the forcing cone and back bore the barrel then polish it. So were getting this plan together and I ask about camo for the gun, well we were working with a company called Colorworks who could dip it but could only do the "metal" on the gun, I decided that would work and thought would look good with the Matte Walnut Stock. Gun is sent off to get all this done, Colorwork'c calls back to Jack and asks if we wanted to dip the scope too, it's on the gun but we thought only bbl and receiver could be done, so now I have rings and scope camo too. After a few more weeks the gun is back to the shop and everything is done, choke is in and they dipped it too! A box of Federal Premium 12ga 3" Turkey Loads and test pattern papers from 20,30 & 40 yards are sent back with it. Next thing I want is a good sling for it and find a Outdoor Connection Padded Super Sling with Talon Swivels in Camo. Finally we have the gun done "built" Jack, Roy and a couple other from the Gunsmith team were pretty proud of what we came up with! This year was the first year Gander Mountain was really adding to our turkey "Game Plan" buyers were adding more calls, ammo, choke and such to our stores, and were going to add in "Turkey Hunting Seminars" as part of this, well be fortunate enough to work at the Wilmot location this is where they would test this out. I was asked to head up the turkey events in the store and part of this deal was promoting our business and "Gunsmith Team" Jack had talked with the Corp. bosses and about this, Which I did not know about until I went to pay for all the work they had done, When I got my bill Jack handed it to me and it was stamped "PAID IN FULL" I was like what??? Jack said he talked to the corp guys on this a little after we started this and seeing how it turned out he said he wanted to use this a way he could promote the gunsmith teams services, when corp. had said they were going to have me start doing these seminars (These ended up being my "Turkey University" line of seminars I started and still do today) things just worked out, All the work the smiths did the store/corp covered the cost of and I had to speak/promote this during my seminars. I asked Jack about this and he told them how big this could be for them and I just had the WOW factor going on. Gun was done, I paid for it by talking turkey!! I own the first dedicated turkey gun built by them and over the years the only thing I have changed was the stock to the Remington ShurShot and Turkey Loads to Winchester Double xx HV#5's
MK M GOBL
Awesome story.
Quote from: ShootingABN! on February 21, 2021, 02:22:51 PM
Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 21, 2021, 05:47:01 AM
Mine is a bit of a read!
26 years ago I built my turkey gun! This started out a Remington 11-87SP 12ga 28"bbl matte finish Walnut Stock, I was working for Gander Mountain as the Archery/Hunting Manager at the time in Wilmot WI (This is where Head Office and Main Gunsmithing Team is located at the time) So I find this gun as a used / trade-in we had. I took the gun in to our head of the gunsmith team, this was in January of 1995. I talked to Jack a bit on what I could do to get a better pattern, tighten up the choke and such (he was a turkey hunter too) first was to take off the 28 inch bbl and replace it, I said I wanted a scope on the gun and asked what would work, we found Remington had a Matte finished RemChoke Cantilever "Deer" Slug bbl the would fit/match the gun. So our "parts" guy goes to order this and says were going to want/need a new butt stock with a raised cheek piece to work right with that barrel, that gets ordered with it. So we start looking at scopes and I find this Bushnell Trophy XLT Deer/Turkey Scope 1.75-4x32 with Circle-X Reticle we have, well parts arrive and we fit everything together. I start asking about chokes and Jack says the Briley has a program that we can send the gun down to them and they will test pattern with a number of choke sizes and loads to determine best for the gun. Jack says before we do that lets lengthen out the forcing cone and back bore the barrel then polish it. So were getting this plan together and I ask about camo for the gun, well we were working with a company called Colorworks who could dip it but could only do the "metal" on the gun, I decided that would work and thought would look good with the Matte Walnut Stock. Gun is sent off to get all this done, Colorwork'c calls back to Jack and asks if we wanted to dip the scope too, it's on the gun but we thought only bbl and receiver could be done, so now I have rings and scope camo too. After a few more weeks the gun is back to the shop and everything is done, choke is in and they dipped it too! A box of Federal Premium 12ga 3" Turkey Loads and test pattern papers from 20,30 & 40 yards are sent back with it. Next thing I want is a good sling for it and find a Outdoor Connection Padded Super Sling with Talon Swivels in Camo. Finally we have the gun done "built" Jack, Roy and a couple other from the Gunsmith team were pretty proud of what we came up with! This year was the first year Gander Mountain was really adding to our turkey "Game Plan" buyers were adding more calls, ammo, choke and such to our stores, and were going to add in "Turkey Hunting Seminars" as part of this, well be fortunate enough to work at the Wilmot location this is where they would test this out. I was asked to head up the turkey events in the store and part of this deal was promoting our business and "Gunsmith Team" Jack had talked with the Corp. bosses and about this, Which I did not know about until I went to pay for all the work they had done, When I got my bill Jack handed it to me and it was stamped "PAID IN FULL" I was like what??? Jack said he talked to the corp guys on this a little after we started this and seeing how it turned out he said he wanted to use this a way he could promote the gunsmith teams services, when corp. had said they were going to have me start doing these seminars (These ended up being my "Turkey University" line of seminars I started and still do today) things just worked out, All the work the smiths did the store/corp covered the cost of and I had to speak/promote this during my seminars. I asked Jack about this and he told them how big this could be for them and I just had the WOW factor going on. Gun was done, I paid for it by talking turkey!! I own the first dedicated turkey gun built by them and over the years the only thing I have changed was the stock to the Remington ShurShot and Turkey Loads to Winchester Double xx HV#5's
MK M GOBL
Awesome story.
xxxx 4, 5 or 6... great story, thanks for sharing.
Up until this year the only shotgun I've owned is a hand me down Remington Wingmaster LW 20 gauge with a fixed modified choke that took a few turkeys over the last 26 years. I ended up buying a Mossberg 835 and a Stoeger M3020 to set up as dedicated turkey guns since the old 20 gauge is starting to show some wear and I want to hand it down to one of my kids once they are old enough.
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No doubt the 11-87 Sps-t in Greenleaf, Bought the gun new back in 1992 gave like 530.00 for it. Gun hunted 7 states and was responsible for no less than 150 long beards for me. All three of my kids killed their share with it also. She has been a safe queen for the past 7 years, Sa459 in 20ga has taken her place.
My original dedicated turkey gun is A 870 mag with A jebbs .650 head hunter shooting 3in lbxr #6 tapped with A utg reflex.
My go to turkey gun is my Winchester sx2 Nwtf sure cycle upgrade,sumtoy mount,vortex viper,Nordic industries controls. Rhino .670 running 3in lbxr#6(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/205f402d3ef5553a2cd09071710b598a.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/ef6c67b4d327b5609c197628d540d547.jpg)
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Bought an 835 in 2006, killed 75% of my turkeys with it since and it's my go to. I was gifted a Winchester model 1200 from the late 70's a couple of seasons ago that's been dipped in a camo pattern and has a Rhino .660 on it that's my back up gun now. For a 2 3/4" chambered gun it throws a good pattern with lead 6's with that choke.
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My dedicated gun is a Winchester 1300 and for back up a Winchester SXP with both of them being 12 ga.
I was thinking of making the SXP my primary gun, but I just can't retire the 1300.
I've had several different turkey guns over the years and have killed birds with all of them, still have a few and enjoyed most of them. The 20's are fun, light to carry, and will get the job done. But my number one go to gun when things get serious is my mossy 835. I shoot winchester lead loads in it with a kicks GT .670. Before the 835 I had a binelli nova 12 gauge as my go to from 2002 til I got the 835.
Two for me.....12ga Winchester SX3 longbeard and a Weatherby SA 459 20ga.
Both have Fast Fire 3s mounted on top. Much prefer a pistol grip for turkey huning.
Willy
I've got three dedicated turkey guns. One is a Franchi Affinity Compact, dipped in Greenleaf. Another is a Winchester SXP Longbeard edition, and the last is a Winchester 1300 NWTF.
All are sporting Indian Creek choke tubes.
Quote from: old3toe on February 21, 2021, 10:48:13 PM
I've had several different turkey guns over the years and have killed birds with all of them, still have a few and enjoyed most of them. The 20's are fun, light to carry, and will get the job done. But my number one go to gun when things get serious is my mossy 835. I shoot winchester lead loads in it with a kicks GT .670. Before the 835 I had a binelli nova 12 gauge as my go to from 2002 til I got the 835.
Lots of fine guns that will do the job, but IMHO the 835s and 870s are THE classics.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing everyone!
Looking forward to the 2021 season.
Quote from: justin.arps on February 21, 2021, 05:59:09 PM
My original dedicated turkey gun is A 870 mag with A jebbs .650 head hunter shooting 3in lbxr #6 tapped with A utg reflex.
My go to turkey gun is my Winchester sx2 Nwtf sure cycle upgrade,sumtoy mount,vortex viper,Nordic industries controls. Rhino .670 running 3in lbxr#6(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/205f402d3ef5553a2cd09071710b598a.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/ef6c67b4d327b5609c197628d540d547.jpg)
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I like that SX2. What is the sure cycle upgrade? My go to is the SX3 12 Ga and will be buying a 20 real soon. Already have the Trijicon RMR red dot, some chokes and TSS for it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50937612107_541cce88a5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kBbzrv)
Seeing as how I lost all my guns in a boating accident, I guess I'll just hit them with the truck from now on.
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Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 25, 2021, 07:59:38 PM
Seeing as how I lost all my guns in a boating accident, I guess I'll just hit them with the truck from now on.
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:TooFunny: :smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an
I'm not sure we should even dedicate our gfs or wives as a favorite, never mind guns. Too close minded. I like em all! Just kidding kinda
Will a Mossberg 930 move up in the ranks? Time will tell.... More to follow.
Quote from: lunghit on February 24, 2021, 09:27:18 AM
Quote from: justin.arps on February 21, 2021, 05:59:09 PM
My original dedicated turkey gun is A 870 mag with A jebbs .650 head hunter shooting 3in lbxr #6 tapped with A utg reflex.
My go to turkey gun is my Winchester sx2 Nwtf sure cycle upgrade,sumtoy mount,vortex viper,Nordic industries controls. Rhino .670 running 3in lbxr#6(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/205f402d3ef5553a2cd09071710b598a.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210221/ef6c67b4d327b5609c197628d540d547.jpg)
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I like that SX2. What is the sure cycle upgrade? My go to is the SX3 12 Ga and will be buying a 20 real soon. Already have the Trijicon RMR red dot, some chokes and TSS for it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50937612107_541cce88a5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kBbzrv)
The sure cycle system is just A upgraded stainless/ buffer tube/recoil spring set up. You can change spring rates on.
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Started with a Mossberg 500 on 1st bird in 1999.
Used Remington 870 SP 12 gauge for all but Fouls turkey (Mexico rules) on Grand Slam
Now have more guns than can shoot, plan on 870 20ga this year.
And have 870 410 for youth hunts, but after testing it with Federal TSS I may be carrying it as the season ends due to the weight.
Thanks for posting everyone!
Winchester SX2 universal hunter MOBU with a forcing cone removed,, barrel ported and polished, trigger and action job done by ballistic specialties. Indian creek .655, H13 3.5" #6 2.25oz and aimpoint 9000 and sure cycle.
My go to turkey gun is a Mossberg 9200 12 gauge in Mossy oak tree stand. My wife bought the gun for me around 95 during a time in our lives when we really didn't have the money to put into a turkey gun, but she knew how bad I wanted one so she ordered it. Sentimental value aside, It is a turkey slayer. I still use the extra full choke it came with from factory with Winchester #6.
Quote from: Gobbler-one on March 16, 2021, 12:56:41 AM
My go to turkey gun is a Mossberg 9200 12 gauge in Mossy oak tree stand. My wife bought the gun for me around 95 during a time in our lives when we really didn't have the money to put into a turkey gun, but she knew how bad I wanted one so she ordered it. Sentimental value aside, It is a turkey slayer. I still use the extra full choke it came with from factory with Winchester #6.
Awesome post a picture of that bad boy. Thanks for sharing.
I'm attempting to add a picture with the assistance of my impatient daughter. lol If this doesn't work we'll try something else.
Quote from: Gobbler-one on March 16, 2021, 09:45:31 PM
I'm attempting to add a picture with the assistance of my impatient daughter. lol If this doesn't work we'll try something else.
That a great looking gun you have there Gobbler. I love guns from that era.
Quote from: lunghit on March 16, 2021, 09:57:38 PM
Quote from: Gobbler-one on March 16, 2021, 09:45:31 PM
I'm attempting to add a picture with the assistance of my impatient daughter. lol If this doesn't work we'll try something else.
That a great looking gun you have there Gobbler. I love guns from that era.
X2, great looking gun Mr. Gobbler....
Scope on a shotgun? Really?
Quote from: High plains drifter on March 17, 2021, 07:26:48 AM
Scope on a shotgun? Really?
Ever tried it? I'll take a scope over a red dot any day.
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My dedicated turkey gun
Yildiz youth 20 O/U
Cerakote and dip by Carolina graphics
Trijicon dual illumination RMR with triangle dot on Sumtoy mount
Sumtoy 562 shoot tss #9 over 30
Sumtoy 585 shoot pheasant #6 load under 30
Limbsaver butt pad and kodiak sling
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210317/d23756ae53a3213041fb0cc6c98a8571.jpg)
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Quote from: wchadw on March 17, 2021, 09:06:21 AM
My dedicated turkey gun
Yildiz youth 20 O/U
Cerakote and dip by Carolina graphics
Trijicon dual illumination RMR with triangle dot on Sumtoy mount
Sumtoy 562 shoot tss #9 over 30
Sumtoy 585 shoot pheasant #6 load under 30
Limbsaver butt pad and kodiak sling
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210317/d23756ae53a3213041fb0cc6c98a8571.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
While I'm not a fan of the Turkish guns, I like what you've done with yours.
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Quote from: wchadw on March 17, 2021, 09:06:21 AM
My dedicated turkey gun
Yildiz youth 20 O/U
Cerakote and dip by Carolina graphics
Trijicon dual illumination RMR with triangle dot on Sumtoy mount
Sumtoy 562 shoot tss #9 over 30
Sumtoy 585 shoot pheasant #6 load under 30
Limbsaver butt pad and kodiak sling
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210317/d23756ae53a3213041fb0cc6c98a8571.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's a pretty slick set up. I've never owned an over and under but that seems like a really practical system.
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Finally got my turkey gun set up this past weekend. I've been wanting a lighter and shorter gun than my 870.
Weatherby SA-459 12 Ga
Burris FF3 with Sumtoy Protector mount
Sumtoy .665 choke
Mossy Oak Graphics kit
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210317/5a83a17ec38897c49a5cf3bece090867.jpg)
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Quote from: wvmntnhick on March 17, 2021, 10:05:10 AM
Quote from: wchadw on March 17, 2021, 09:06:21 AM
My dedicated turkey gun
Yildiz youth 20 O/U
Cerakote and dip by Carolina graphics
Trijicon dual illumination RMR with triangle dot on Sumtoy mount
Sumtoy 562 shoot tss #9 over 30
Sumtoy 585 shoot pheasant #6 load under 30
Limbsaver butt pad and kodiak sling
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210317/d23756ae53a3213041fb0cc6c98a8571.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
While I'm not a fan of the Turkish guns, I like what you've done with yours.
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For the price it's a good little gun. Had some really nice walnut on the stock. I almost didn't dip it
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The Turkish walnut looks good. But, I question its durability to that of the American walnut. It just doesn't seem to want to hold up to "dings" as well. Could be my perspective though. Could also be the difference in finishing. Who really knows?
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Steven's 301 410 with a truglo red dot and tss 9s, but I recently picked up a new toy that will see some use... Nef sb2 10ga with a 23" barrel. Just had to have it
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12 ga Remington Sportsman 12 Pump Magnum, with a 21" VR barrel and a red dot on a saddle. Cerakoted OD Green. Boyds thumbhole stock in forest camo. Flush mount Carlson's .680 choke.
I shot a Mossy 835 for years, then a single shot Iver Johnson 16 ga., then a 20 11-87 with a youth stock for a couple seasons. Came back home to the 12 ga for convenience of finding ammo while out in the wilds of turkey country, and because 1 shot isn't always enough, but semi-auto shotguns are just silly.
Probably hunt it until I'm done hunting.
Benelli Nova, 24" barrel, LBXR Choke, LBXR #5's first shotgun I ever bought when I was 16. 20 year anniversary this year, but I'll be taking out my grandfathers Rem 11-87 this year for the first time. It hasn't shot a turkey in over 20 years since he was still alive.
I've been shooting birds with this since 1957. Click on the pic for a better look at that thick beard.
mossberg sa-20 with a swampfox green dot sight, indian creek .570 choke.
stevens 301 20ga. single shot, vortex venom red dot, carlson .575 choke.
shooting tss handloads in both setups.
Quote from: idgobble on March 21, 2021, 03:08:04 PM
I've been shooting birds with this since 1957. Click on the pic for a better look at that thick beard.
WOW that is a thick beard and beautiful bird.
Quote from: wchadw on March 17, 2021, 09:06:21 AM
My dedicated turkey gun
Yildiz youth 20 O/U
Cerakote and dip by Carolina graphics
Trijicon dual illumination RMR with triangle dot on Sumtoy mount
Sumtoy 562 shoot tss #9 over 30
Sumtoy 585 shoot pheasant #6 load under 30
Limbsaver butt pad and kodiak sling
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Sweet looking rig!
Quote from: wvmntnhick on March 17, 2021, 08:30:59 PM
The Turkish walnut looks good. But, I question its durability to that of the American walnut. It just doesn't seem to want to hold up to "dings" as well. Could be my perspective though. Could also be the difference in finishing. Who really knows?
I don't know about that honestly. I've had my 20ga yildiz youth for a while now and hunted it hard in some of the nastiest, thickest terrain you can drag one through and it still looks like new. I was going to dip mine right away too but just couldn't cover up that walnut!! Mines beautiful.
Two things I do do though and one that I don't. One I don't prop it up against a vehicle, wall, or tailgate. I lay it down if I need my hands free. And I always wipe it down with a dry rag every time I get home with it followed by a little oil. Then check the barrels to make sure they're clear and free of moisture or debree. And number two on the do list is transport it in a padded case so it can't bounce around everywhere in the vehicle unprotected. Great little guns.
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Quote from: idgobble on March 21, 2021, 03:08:04 PM
I've been shooting birds with this since 1957. Click on the pic for a better look at that thick beard.
That's awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!
Just picked this up a few weeks ago. Love the pistol grip and 22" barrel. Will get it dipped down the road, but for now it'll do just fine.
Benelli M2, pistol grip, Romeo 4 sight...Indian Creek choke....I don't care what 3" shell.........dosen't matter at 20 yards.
Not sure it would be my favorite if I were to choose between all of the options, but I have used the same Mossberg 835 for 30+ years and it has been great. I put an aftermarket choke tube in it when I got it, shoots lights out, plus I don't mind crawling around the woods with it.
Obviously my favorite dedicated gun is the one I'm currently using. It's been a 4 decade process of fine tuning.
I started with my (non-dedicated) 2 3/4" Winchester 1200 and a factory Winchester X-full Winchoke tube and Federal magnum #2 shot.
My first dedicated gun was a Remington 870 SP Turkey. Used that one for a good many years. Then got a Browning BPS 10 gauge and tricked that out. Nasty, NASTY at both ends and killed a TON of turkeys with that gun. Got tired of the brutal beating, so I got a 3 1/2" Winchester Super X2. GREAT gun !!!! Again.......killed another ton of birds with it. Decided to lose a little weight and got a 3 1/2" Super X3. Great gun !!! Monster at the patterning board. But again.........decided to try something in a bit of a different direction.
Found a nice, little NEF Pardner 20 gauge and sent it off to Mr. William at SumToy Customs. He stroked it wwith his magic wand and its been my dedicated gun ever since. This gun is a JOY to carry and is pure BAD to all reasonable turkey killing distances. I can't see us parting company any time soon.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51102301960_3bb998b249_k.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46959194854_afebf820c0_k.jpg)
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This has been a great thread with a lot of passion about everyones favorite Turkey gun. My go to gun for about 30 years was a BPS pump. It has had several changes and upgrades: it wears a scope, 22" barrel from a 26 inch has been repainted several times and has a patternmaster choke. Current paint job is a course stone type that is primarily black with white flexs and three layers of clear coat. I have retired this shotgun to Coyote hunting with #4 LB. Did I mention I killed my first slam with this gun?
As a dedicated muzelloader hunter I use a 50cal Thompson Center Prohunter. It performs so well thatr I decided to try out the 20g Turkey barrel. Did not shoot really great with the factory choke so tried an Indian Creek .555 with more than satisfactory results out to 50 yards which is farther than I shoot turkeys but to get an idea of its full potential shot to 70 yards. Target is awfull small at seventy but pattern will still kill. I have a leopold Ar scope on it that is illuminated. I reload #9, #6 and #4 TSS: patterns are awesome. I shoot the number #4 TSS though a PatternMaster mainly for Coyote.
While I have no plans to change my setup for the next 10 years I hope everyone will keep posting as I am always lookinf for new ideas.
Benelli M2 with Vortex Venom
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210407/f63136bb4174ffc001a1878006309eeb.jpg)Fond of them all, and they all have their place,but would probably give the nod to the 12 gauge 870 Express Turkey with the Holosun, it is very easy to hunt with.
Beretta md. A301....3''mag...24'' barrel W/ Brierly choke.
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I had a Mossberg 500a 12 gauge. 28" barrel. I hated it, I used it because that's what I had been given. I may put a vinyl kit on it.. last year I got an older Tristar viper 12 gauge with pistol grip and real tree camo from a pawn shop at a decent price. It's ultra light. It had a .665 choke I swapped it out to a .5** choke. I got two turkeys with it last year. I swapped back to the .6 choke for this year.
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Quote from: idgobble on June 19, 2020, 11:52:06 AM
Single shot Stevens 12 ga. hammer type I've been using since 1957 although never started using it for turkeys until the '70s. Only good to about 25 yards but I haven't tried TSS in it.
That's old school as ever... reminds me of my pappaw. The only camo I ever knew him to wear was like what he has in the pic. He Only used it for turkey hunting that I know of.
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Here's my guns, a 870 lw .410 full , a 870 20 in claro walnut 21 inch Remington turkey barrel, Carlsons .568, rifle sights, and a trigger job. Last is an Ithaca Turkey slayer in 12 kicks gt .665 , Sig Sauer Romeo 5 circle dot. Gonna use the Ithaca this year, it has taken many birds in the last 25 years. With the new circle dot should should be a toe tagger! Good luck to all! :z-guntootsmiley:
As was mentioned this has been a great posting.. Lots of great guns... I have several that I have used over the years but really can't pick one over any other that I have used...