Which Shotgun Gauge for Turkey?

[JustinN]

I'm really leaning towards getting an 870, but my question is what gauge? I'm mainly just wanting it for Turkey....No chance of ever putting slugs or anything through it, very slim chance for waterfowl....maybe for doves or something but that's about it. So should I go 12 or 20 and why?

[Bawanna]

Warning Personal Opinion forthcoming.

I'd get a 12. To me more versatile, you can get light loads that will do what a 20 will. Everyone I know that hunts turkey uses a 12, you gotta hit em hard although you being in Missouri and from my cousins talking and stuff you'd have more info on that than I.

If you go the 870 try to stay away from the Express model, the finish doesn't seem to hold up. If you can get the police model, the innards and mag follower and stuff is a little better, heavier duty.

Personally I prefer the Mossberg 500's myself, I don't like the location of the safety on the trigger guard or the slide release button, not natural for me. The Mossberg has a thumb safety and the slide release is on the back of the trigger guard easy to reach. They also have models that come with 2 barrels so you could have a long turkey bird barrel and a 18 1/2'' home defense barrel and they are very reasonable. Some say the Mossberg isn't as durable and tough as the 870 but I've had no issues at all and I have 3 Mossbergs.
Extra barrels for both are easy to get so you can swap as needed very easily.

Dove hunting, something I've always wanted to do in the past is a different game too. A 20 over/under seems like would be a good set up for that but again a 12 would work.

[JustinN]

Good info - I like the more wooden look of the express type guns...I carried the police issue one and the finish on those looks absolutely terrible (but they work).

I'll check the Mossbergs out, but I have used my Dad's 870 a bit and I really like it...plus from my policing days I know those guns in and out....

[recoilguy]

Then get the 870 about a million other people have....there has to be a good reason!

RCG

[koishoes]

I have an 870 with a black polymer stock and police fore-grip. It's fitted with an 18in improved cylinder fixed choke barrel but I have linger barrels for other uses :D.

It functions flawlessly and it's hard as nails. I recommend the remington supercell recoil pad IMO too. It's a different design than limbsaver and much better.

Happy buying!

[Bawanna]

Then get the 870 about a million other people have....there has to be a good reason!

RCG

Absolute truth there. And you can still do the wood if you prefer, the police 870's I'm familiar with had wood and the Wingmaster is wood although they usually have the thick acrylic shiney finish, looks kind of pretty but hard to fix dings and dents etc.
If your familiar with it and like it, your choice is easy.

[JustinN]

Right....my choice was never about the actual model of gun....the question was about whether to get a 12 or a 20 gauge.....

[JustinN]

I don't know if this will work for your needs BUT...........

That new Taurus -Circuit Judge Rifle/Shotgun is sweet as hell.
They revue one on GUNBLAST.com
It is a revolver style rifle which shoots 410 shotgun shells including 3 inch. & also shoots 45 long colts. Holds 5 rounds.

Makes a nice Home defense weapon too.

Honestly....Not in the Least.....

Even though I've kinda leaned on the 870 already, has anyone had any experience with the Weatherby PA-08?

[Bawanna]

I don't know if this will work for your needs BUT...........

That new Taurus -Circuit Judge Rifle/Shotgun is sweet as hell.
They revue one on GUNBLAST.com
It is a revolver style rifle which shoots 410 shotgun shells including 3 inch. & also shoots 45 long colts. Holds 5 rounds.

Makes a nice Home defense weapon too.

Never heard of it but I want one really bad! Dang, here we go again. The want list just don't never end.

[Bawanna]

Honestly....Not in the Least.....

Even though I've kinda leaned on the 870 already, has anyone had any experience with the Weatherby PA-08?

I live on the wrong side of the tracks to own a weatherby. I got to hold a Benelli once, it was real nice, light, it was an auto loader, don't recollect the model name, it's been awhile.
I did actually shoot a couple Weatherby rifles, one was a 460. Not for the faint of heart or recoil conscious, I do recall that quite clearly. Will probably never forget.
I'll go away now and not jack your thread. Good luck.

[JustinN]

I don't mean to dismiss the judge "rifle" but I really don't want to use 410 on turkey, plus it holds more rounds than I'm allowed.....

Yeah, I had an M1 Super 90 Benelli (made by HK) but it was not a huntin' gun....

[joje]

i'd only take a 20ga over a 12ga if the primary use case was deer hunting. and then i'd want it with a fully rifled cantilever barrel. for all other uses, including turkey hunting, the 12ga packs more wallop and has a larger selection of loads at better prices. the only downside i can see is some added weight.

as for the judge, i have a real hard time to see why this pistol is so popular. it is large, heavy, expensive, offers marginal ballistics with 410 shells and is unable to handle modern p+ pressure 45LC loads. i'd love to hear what it is that im missing :)

(edit)heh, ok so now i know what i'm missing: the "circuit judge" literally is a long gun :) unlike its revolver predecessor it should be able to develop some of the ballistic potential of 410 loads. i'd still not consider it for turkey hunting though.(/edit)

[Jeremiah/Az]

I would go with the 12 gauge for versatility, more range of loads. The Remington 11-87 or the Beretta 391, auotloaders, will be much easier on your shoulder than the 870.

[mr surveyor]

I generally agree with the concept of the pump gun, and having alternate barrels for different uses. One thing that comes to mind is the fact that most "turkey guns" come standard with 22"+/- barrels... not your standard length birding barrel of 26",28",30". Use a bit of "google fu" and there's tons of information available on turkey guns, barrel length, choke, etc. One of my running buddies has a camo 12 ga 870 "turkey gun" with a 22" factory barrel that was made specifically for the job. As for 20 guage not being up to the challenge..... with 3" high brass loads and full choke, I think it would work very well. I recently bought a Mossberg 500 "Bantam" (shorter stock for reduced length of pull) with a twin bead, 22" vent rib barrel (interchangeable choke tubes), NIB for $280. I bought the Bantam (not a "junior model") thinking it may reduce arm and shoulder fatigue on my abused right shoulder, and the 22" barrel is still long enough for complete powder burn, thus not sacrificing ballistics. I would most definately screw in the full choke, load up with some hot 20 ga turkey loads and give it a try. Whether 12 or 20, I think either will do the job with the right load and shot placement. I did want to point out that the 22" barrel is pretty standard on a turkey gun, and not too bad on length for a SD gun as well. Now, would I dove hunt with a 22" barrel? Yep, or i wouldn't have bought the little Mossy 500. Actually, I have a Spainish made Laurona 20 ga SxS with 20-1/2" barrels (fixed choke - Imp Cyl and Mod) that will take doves. It's made as an upland bird gun for those close, quick shots, but I have dropped fast flying split pairs of doves with it at 25-30 yards.

I'm always late to the discussion, then ramble too much:rolleyes:


surv:)

[recoilguy]

12 ga

[JustinN]

The gun question is absolutely answered. I went to Bass Pro and fondled a Mossberg, a Remington, and a Weatherby.....hands down on the Remington. The action is so much smoother and nicer.....and it sounds like 12 wins out. Now to make sure Santa knows how good i've been.....

[Bawanna]

The gun question is absolutely answered. I went to Bass Pro and fondled a Mossberg, a Remington, and a Weatherby.....hands down on the Remington. The action is so much smoother and nicer.....and it sounds like 12 wins out. Now to make sure Santa knows how good i've been.....

Maybe we could set up one of them forum question tally deals, like we've done, you know like do you have a CCW or is Kahr your primary ccw.

We can call it Santa, Justins been good/bad/questionable. Everyone can vote and I'll forward it to your wife, er Santa. Might help to allow people to vote more than once so if we have to delete any votes that are illegible we've still have lots of votes. Might want to check Buds for a price comparison too.
What are prices like at Bass Pro?, I forgot you guys had one back there, my cousins talk it up all the time. We were suppose to get one close to us but so far I think it all fell apart.

[JustinN]

We have the Original bass pro, for whatever that is worth. Actually their prices are really good on guns. They have the 870 for $309 and Bud's is $310. Plus No shipping/FFL fees and they have a Rewards card where you gain rewards points on purchases. Got about anything outdoors you could want, and for good prices. It gets crazy during their fall hunting classic when they have all kinds of folks in for seminars and what not. They do some free classes like fly fishing and stuff so that is nice, plus they have a Huge inventory, and you can search online to see what they got and how much before you go in the store.

The bad part is they got kinda anti gun for a bit (sounds odd), dropping their pistol line etc etc, but I think it was more about hassle of paper work than anything....cause they sure stock them now. They often run some decent sales on ammo and stuff, and carry a wide variety of calibers.....all in all a pretty good place to shop, imo.

[Bawanna]

We have the Original bass pro, for whatever that is worth. Actually their prices are really good on guns. They have the 870 for $309 and Bud's is $310. Plus No shipping/FFL fees and they have a Rewards card where you gain rewards points on purchases. Got about anything outdoors you could want, and for good prices. It gets crazy during their fall hunting classic when they have all kinds of folks in for seminars and what not. They do some free classes like fly fishing and stuff so that is nice, plus they have a Huge inventory, and you can search online to see what they got and how much before you go in the store.

The bad part is they got kinda anti gun for a bit (sounds odd), dropping their pistol line etc etc, but I think it was more about hassle of paper work than anything....cause they sure stock them now. They often run some decent sales on ammo and stuff, and carry a wide variety of calibers.....all in all a pretty good place to shop, imo.

Thats a good competitive price for sure. Almost has to be an Express Model. But that will work. I have looked at them on line before and as you say it is a real candy store. We have a Cabela's an hour and half or so away and everyone I know has been there. Not sure I want to even go, too many temptations.

[JustinN]

Yeah, its an express (so is buds). Not sure the difference on an express and a regular, but I don't really need much. I need it hold 3 shells and go boom when I pull the trigger...the rest is kinda up in the air. I know you can take a police model, abuse it and hate it because it is so ugly, and it will still run fine after firing 10 bean bags through it....