Turkey gun for wife

[Curtdog]

My wife loves

I, myself, set both barrels up the same. If one gets in too close, and I can't let him go further out before shooting, I just aim lower as needed. A turkey gets to be a wider target the lower you aim. The far/close choke scheme is popular, tho. I'd want separate triggers instead of having to fiddle with the safety while a bird is close. CZ was selling one. I'm thinking it was the Mallard model.

I've only used the second barrel twice. Both times the bird was leaving out. Once I had a factory full in and killed the bird at about 25 yards. I missed the first time when I had to swing and fire on a bird that popped up at about 15 yards while I had a hen standing at about 5 yards. The other time I had killed the lieutenant and then killed the boss as it tried to exit stage left. That one was with a tight turkey choke. I normally only kill one, but the tract was about to be clear cut; ending my season early.

Stevens is a polished ATI, which is to say not highest quality. They are extraordinary in that they offer a baby frame 28ga. Other makers in the price range build their 28ga on a 20ga frame. Weights vary slightly due to wood density. You may get one that's 4#. It has

You cannot go wrong with the old Winchester 870 express in youth 20 gauge. It is the perfect size and my wife is about the same size and has no problem with the kick! There is also part widely available for them which makes it easy to keep them going for a lifetime.

I also love shooting my cz bobwhite. Mine is set up in 12 gauge and I typically set up my rear trigger as my long range choke and my first trigger as a slightly closer range choke. I believe they are made in 20 gauge as well. And with modern turkey loads 20 gauge has more than enough power for turkeys!

 

[Skydog]

Stevens is a polished ATI, which is to say not highest quality. They are extraordinary in that they offer a baby frame 28ga. Other makers in the price range build their 28ga on a 20ga frame. Weights vary slightly due to wood density. You may get one that's 4#. It has a stocked twisted for RH.

How is the recoil on the Stevens 28ga with that smaller/lighter frame? I've never shot a 28ga, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that the recoil is similar to a .243 Win or maybe 6.5 Creedmoor?

 

[juju]

Rifle versus shotgun recoil doesn't compare well because of the difference in recoil velocity. My standard for reference is a 7# 12ga with 2oz at 1200fps. Everything is pleasant compared to that.

 

[Bluefish]

How is the recoil on the Stevens 28ga with that smaller/lighter frame? I've never shot a 28ga, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that the recoil is similar to a .243 Win or maybe 6.5 Creedmoor?

About 10.5 ftlbs. So less than a 6.5 cm. I love a good 28ga, but am skeptical about tss availability. I have not run across them yet and 3” chambers only really came to production guns in the last 5 years or so. Before that they are almost always 2 3/4. Btw I do hunt with tss in a 28ga, but it’s all hand loads.

 

[Skydog]

About 10.5 ftlbs. So less than a 6.5 cm. I love a good 28ga, but am skeptical about tss availability. I have not run across them yet and 3” chambers only really came to production guns in the last 5 years or so. Before that they are almost always 2 3/4. Btw I do hunt with tss in a 28ga, but it’s all hand loads.

Why are you skeptical about TSS availability? I did a quick search online and it was easy to find...My "local" Cabela's (about a 25-minute drive) has some 28ga TSS in stock, Midway USA has 7 different 28 ga TSS options currently in stock, Sportsman's Warehouse has 2 options available, etc. And I think we'll begin to see a lot more ammo and gun options (with 3" chambers) come to market as the 28 ga seems to be growing in popularity (see post #35).

 

[Bluefish]

Why are you skeptical about TSS availability? I did a quick search online and it was easy to find...My "local" Cabela's (about a 25-minute drive) has some 28ga TSS in stock, Midway USA has 7 different 28 ga TSS options currently in stock, Sportsman's Warehouse has 2 options available, etc. And I think we'll begin to see a lot more ammo and gun options (with 3" chambers) come to market as the 28 ga seems to be growing in popularity (see post #35).

Just looking at all my local stores, I have never run across 28ga tss. 12, 20, and 410, but no 28. Not saying it isn’t out there, but I have not run across it locally.

This year 410 has been hard to find as well. I would like another box, but none of the usually sources have any.

 

[juju]

If you're using factory shells, you're subject to the variations in materials lot to lot. If you find a load that works especially well you should buy as much as you can easily afford of that specific lot.

We all went through that with Federal changing their Heavyweight 20ga loads lot to lot. Heavy sevens didn't have near so many pellets as TSS. You could get one box that was great for you and another from a different lot that wasn't even useful.

It's worth noting that .410 TSS loads don't have an overwhelming number of pellets as do larger bores. It's the same situation as with the heavyweight 20ga loads. Buy up the lot that works or at least test a shell from a new lot to be sure.

 

[Kurts86]

28 gauge TSS is far more available in 2025 than just 2 years ago. Federal loads it as a factory load now and Apex ammo is becoming quite common. Even the niche TSS ammo companies like Rogue are stocked at Midway.

The thing with TSS is that is typically seasonally available late January thru April. If you wait until May 1st to change loads your options are likely sold out.

Why in store ammo availability matters is a head scratcher to me. So many common retailers have free shipping thresholds that are almost a given with TSS cost, Bass Pro is $50, Roger’s and Mack’s PW are $100, SG Ammo is $200.