Thinking about buying a new Turkey gun. Need some recommendations

Whatever gun you can shoulder and the only thing you can see it the bead on the front of it is the one to get, the rest is just mechanics!

Here is what I want a short barreled light pump gun with a good trigger and good sights. Most likely 12gauge. But if I could find 20 that was scalled down for the 20 gauge I would buy one. Thought about getting Winchester sxp in 12 or Mossberg Turkey thug?

I inherited my dads newer 870 pump in 3 1/2 and love it.was dads though so that may influence.

Nephew has a Mossberg best pattern of any shotgun I have ever seen but it's light it kills on both ends. If the 870 12 or 20 gauge fits you find a old one with a fixed choke made before steel came out they pattern well might have trouble finding a 3 inch in the 20 maybe.

dad has a mossberg to but that baby says hello and rattles ya,but like you said,boy will it reach out there.38 yrs of 870's here also helps.

Whatever you get I would recommend starting your patterning work with the Longbeard XRs. They are a great beak remover!

First time my Nephew (new to hunting) fired it he stood there like he was in line buying a hotdog. I just stepped back and waited, BOOM he took a few steps back the gun (pump) went flying and he looked at me like what happened! I just laughed and then showed him the proper way to deal with a turkey load.

you should definitely go 410 or muzzle loader if you have been following the crossbow thread. You know a flinter is the only to take a turkey ethically

ok in seriousness now , the mossberg 500 WOW that just rattles a person with a heavy load such a light gun but I hope your fillings are in tight

the 870 had about 2 more pounds of steel in the receiver

but the cats meow is in the 11-87

the same load that rattles me in the 500 , is a bit heavy in the 870 isn't even hard in my 1100 the 11-87 same thing as the 1100 but takes 3 inch magnums

the choke is the most important thing because it is all about pattern

what ever you use pattern it at different distances 20 , 30 , 40 yards know what your working with

I love my Benelli SBE. The Kick is Very manageable with turkey loads. It holds a really tight group and above all else...It looks cool.

For turkey I shoot a H&R single shot with a full choke barrel. 3 in shells hurt, but shoot almost as good as the super full turkey choke i bought for my 870.
I think turkey pics look cooler with a single shot laid out in front.

This is what I got a few years ago. Did find out how much recoil it had when the first shot of a 3 1/2 turkey load I totally missed the target. Held on tighter after that.
https://www.remington.com/shotguns/pump-...redator-w/scope

Remington Versa Max for me gets the job done!

yep me too >>> I bow hunt them but have used the Benelli 3 1/2 and it does the job.

Semis tend to take some of the recoiling mule kick out of 3 1/2 12gauge turkey loads . shooting a Winchester super x-2 with an extra full choke here. its heads off inside the 30 yrd line . have an Ithaca mag ten Id part with for the right money .

Mossberg 500 12gauge for me.

Find an older 870 supermag. I have used the same one since I was 14. I am 33 now. Will flat reach out and roll them up. 3 1/2 inch #4s

If money is no object go with a beretta or benelli, winchester semi, flawless. If you go cheap there are a lot of tradeoffs. Like lonchevity remingtons will break down, mossbergs kick like a mule. Stoegers are the best of the cheap guns.

Beretta Silver Pigeon in 20 gauge. Killed every one I have ever shot at. One Shot!! DRT !! 3 " 5's

I have an older 870 super mag that was worked over my Curtis Wilbanks and it kills on both ends. It loves the Winchester supreme HV and Longbeards. I bought a Versamax last year and the recoil is very manageable with the same shells. I really love the way the Versamax handles.

I know of a Marlin Super Goose 10 gauge bolt action. Reach out and touch somebody

2 3/4" #5 pheasant loads have killed the last dozen or so turkey that my daughter and myself have killed Every 12g out there will shoot those lol. We both use O/U 12g, an SKB and an Italian Fausti and we waterfowl hunt with them as well.

I guess I never saw a need for as much gun as many others suggest either. I think I'll use my 16ga. SXS this year...

There ya go !!

My 7 year old is going for the first time and taking the crossbow. Same range as a shotgun, no recoil and you can take a body shot.

I havent messed with the Turkey Thug, but i do have the Mossberg Tactical Turkey. What i dont like is the safety on top with the pistol grip, otherwise i love that thing. It is pretty light and takes 3.5 inch shell. I got lucky last year and Ace Hardware had an old box of Winchester Supreme 3.5 inch 6 shots- it loves those things. Idk what ill shoot when theyre gone- not made anymore. I put a cheap red dot on top. Idk why everyone worries about the kick- i dont feel a thing when im shooting a bird. I do see the advantage of the semi auto tho.

Well you could probably kill a turkey with a sling shot if you hit em just right. So I guess there are extreme tougher ways to killem and maybe overkill ways. Do you need a 3.5" 10 or 12 gauge, no, does it help? Absolutely. They now make tungsten shot for about $9 a shell that will kill them out to 70 yards. My buddy and I did some testing this past weekend through the same compressed cardboard at 70 yards. With the old Longbeard XR and the new tungsten shot and the tungsten penetrated 12 more pieces deep. I know this is a gun thread just pointing out that equipping yourself how you feel comfortable and what you want to spend is alright.

This is my new Berretta A350 Xtrema Turkey gun bought last year. I mounted a Gobble Stopper scope to it. I never imagined I'd ever need a scope for turkeys but after a couple misses the past 4 years my sight isn't what it used to be. It is about $1200 and is a sweet shooting and carrying gun that
I'd highly recommend. Killed a bird at 50 yards last year. I know you're after a pump but if this is in your price range at least check it out.

If I was to buy a new turkey gun I would probably go old school and get an Ithaca model 37 12 ga. 3 in. chamber with a 26" vent barrel and that cool orange raybar dot on the end. I would then cover it with removable camo tape just for the turkey season. This was the first shotgun I ever hunted with and holds a special place with me. I think I'll do that for next year, but this year I dcided I'm going to tape up my 20 gauge Browning citori lightweight and try it. Only downside is no sling swivels so I'll probably fashion of sling out of a thick piece of rope with two loops on it. Whatever you buy, good luck!

Dont need a turkey gun. A 3" mag will be just fine. I shoot 6s or 5s. My favorite gun is an old duck gun with a 30 inch barrel.

I shoot a Stoeger 20ga 3" semi with a 26" barrel, light weight and very deadly. Shooting 3"#6 out of the stock X Full. Don't know how to post a picture. I have Killed a few with the 20 and really like it, dkills them dead, never had a flopper like with a 12 ga.

I'll throw a vote in for Mossberg 835 Ultimag. Yes it will bite if you don't have it solidly planted in your shoulder, but so will any other pump with mags. The light weight is great for carrying. Inexpensive sure, but I have never felt like any of my Mossbergs we're poorly made. Never felt heavy recoil on a bird. Patterning assorted 3.5 turkey loads last year one bit me. Was rough on the shoulder after that. Next weekend did same test, this time at longer distance and held gun with better form. No problem at all that time. I would still keep the patterning sessions to only a few rounds each to prevent flinching.

Mossberg 500 turkey gun...or step up to the 835 , hard to beat those prices in a fully camo pump! Good quality too!

^ Had my Mossberg 500 for 20+ years I'd say.. Its the Camo Turkey Special edition. It wont win no beauty contest and is a little rattly, but its laid down many Missouri Toms over the years. Paired it with a Undertaker choke. For a good value Turkey shotgun its hard to beat. There are better ones, just depends on your Pockets.
But the Mossberg 500 would have to get my Vote for a good value turkey gun.
If you wanted a 3 1/2 capable shotgun you would have to step up to the 835.

Does me good to talk about turkey guns as it snowed a couple inches here overnight. My son has a Mossberg 835 ulti from when they first came out-good reliable gun. We put an after market choke and fiber optic sights on it. Does kick you,especially with 3 1/2's.My oldest grandson has a Remington 870 super mag turkey and both he and his dad think it is a great gun. I have been there for both of them killing gobblers at 40+ yards. I use a Mossberg 935. Stock sights and choke-great gun also very reliable. We shoot Long Beard XR'S in all of them. My oldest grandaughter(14) is going to hunt this spring so I am looking forward to enjoying all of their company. Good luck everyone!

I bought a Weatherby SA-8 Waterfowler last year. Drops them in their tracks. The semi-auto is nice. Great pattern. Calms recoil and best of all, no more problems from the Mossberg 835. The Mossberg jams up with 3.5" Remington shells. The receiver also wiggles out of place and when you pull the trigger all you hear is the snap of the firing pin and turkeys laughing as they run away. Mossberg = junk.

I agree 100% on the super nova being a great all around gun. I bought a year old one for 400$ last year and hammered ducks and geese with it. Then shot two deer both one shot one kills at around 50 yards. I also killed about a dozen pheasants with it and will use it for turkey this year. Buy it!

Ok so now what gun to carry on the first day. That's the question now. Lol.

What I finally choose was the Winchester sxp longbeard in 20 gauge. Bro got the sx3 in 12 gauge. Already had the other sxp it's 12 also . I like to shoot my Turkey gun a bunch so I choose the lighter kicking 20 gauge. Watch out Turkey's.

I have a sx3 12 gauge and love it. Use it for ducks,geese,doves and turkeys.

Also anyone know what might have caused this wad issue. Winchester longbeard ammo.

what's your favorite Turkey load?

I use a carlson turkey choke and the federal 3" 2oz in #5s pattern the best. The center of the pattern is dead on with the bead sight. I have shot 3 birds with this setup 27,32, and 40 yards and stoned them all.

I use Federal Premium Mag shok 20 ga 3" #6 shot, love them. Don't like the Winchester loads. I have shot many turkey with the 20, like it better than the 12 ga, my Stoeger 3020 weights 5.5 lbs and it doesn't kick at all. Probably can't go wrong with a HS Undertaker choke.

You made a great choice, won't be disappointed.

20 gauge Express w/ 1-4 Leupold shooting 3" Winchester Magnum Blend 5,6,7 out of a Primos Tight Wad choke...

Traveled the country with my Mossburg 835 with a Rhino choke.Rios, merriams,bearded hens and hybrids.And I was even supplied one on my Goulds hunt in Mexico.Best shell for my gun is 3.5 Winchester supremes.When you have a short time to get it done,take a gun that can get it done.