Turkey Gun Help and Opinions - Please Read

[CascadeHunter180]

I absolutely love turkey hunting, but have been borrowing my dad's old 870 for the last several years, and I think it's time for me to upgrade and get my own turkey gun.
Here are my parameters/wants (I'd like your opinions on these):
1. I'd like it to be a 12 Gauge
2. I would like it to ideally hold 3.5" shells
3. It needs to be a pump action; I don't like autos
4. I think I want a shorter barrel, I'm a 45 Yards and in type of guy, and I'd prefer to have the mobility of a shorter barrel, maybe a 20"?

So I think I'm going to get this Mossberg, but I'd like to hear from people on their thoughts about what makes a good turkey gun.
If anyone has experience with these types of Mossbergs, let me know
thanks

The Gun:

https://www.cabelas.com/p/mossberg-835-ulti-mag-turkey-pump-action-shotgun-with-holosun-optic-and-sling

 

[B Harrison]

I have a Moss 835 Ultra Mag 24”
Had it for years, used to shoot trap with it (well) when I was a kid.

It’s clunky, heavy, and kicks hard with 3.5” loads.

It’s failed and been worked on a couple times, but still works ok.

I own a fair collection of nicer shotguns, and would recommend a Beretta A391 Extrema
The A300 line (original) are superior guns to most everything else in the $1000 range. They aren’t light like SBEs but they run everything, and the gas gun will be easier to shoot than a pump.

If I only got one shotgun, it’s going in the swamp, and I would pick a 390 or 391.
If you find a nice one, it will maintain value. No Mossberg is going to maintain value.

If you must have a pump, buy another 870.
I agree with a short gun, but stay 24-26” you will have a better pointing shotgun, which is a better shooting gun.


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[LongWayAround]

A short barreled 12ga pump shooting 3.5" turkey loads is not going to be a very pleasant gun.

I'm sure that's a decent gun and I've never really noticed the recoil when shooting a turkey, but it sure sucks to check the pattern with that kind of setup.

At least with an auto you lose a fair amount of recoil with the action.

I think the 870 is a better gun than anything I have handled from Mossberg.

That said, I've been eyeballing the Mossberg 20's but will wait until after the season now and hope for a better price.

 

[Halligan]

any reason you don’t like autos?

 

[CascadeHunter180]

any reason you don’t like autos?

I’m sure there’s a thousand counter arguments for this but I prefer pumps because on a less expensive gun they are generally less reliable, they are much louder to load, they tend to have more major failures, and I just generally prefer to pump between shots as a nice reset. I am still curious about getting an auto, is there any particular reasons you prefer an auto? And do you have an auto suggestions?

 

[brentr9]

I’m a huge advocate for shorter barreled 20 gauges. Lighter and easier to maneuver. With modern loads (hevi shot, TSS, etc) you’re lethal beyond normal ranges. We have A LOT of dead turkeys over the last ~15 years with the smaller gauges.

 

[CascadeHunter180]

I’m a huge advocate for shorter barreled 20 gauges. Lighter and easier to maneuver. With modern loads (hevi shot, TSS, etc) you’re lethal beyond normal ranges. We have A LOT of dead turkeys over the last ~15 years with the smaller gauges.

Very helpful thanks. Defintly reconsidering a 20 gauge. No matter what it is it will be short. How far will you shoot turkeys with a 20 gauge?

 

[brentr9]

Very helpful thanks. Defintly reconsidering a 20 gauge. No matter what it is it will be short. How far will you shoot turkeys with a 20 gauge?

I’m not handicapped by my 20 gauge and 1.5oz of #9 TSS. It’s is far more effective than the 2oz loads of lead I used to shoot in my 3.5” 12 gauge

 

[CascadeHunter180]

I’m not handicapped by my 20 gauge and 1.5oz of #9 TSS. It’s is far more effective than the 2oz loads of lead I used to shoot in my 3.5” 12 gauge

My goal is to shoot up to 45-50 yards with confidence, 20 gauge with a good choke and TSS get her done?

 

[brentr9]

My goal is to shoot up to 45-50 yards with confidence, 20 gauge with a good choke and TSS get her done?

Without hesitation.

Tungsten Super Shot - What Makes Them Effective

What Makes TSS So Effective? The key to the superior performance of Super-18 shot is the density. At 18g/cc (about 60% denser than lead), the penetration energy is so high that it enables one to go down significantly in pellet size, to greatly increase the pellet count and pattern density, while...

www.super18tungstenshot.com

Edit to add link

 

[PAHunter777]

20 gauge with tss gets you 50 yards easily. I went the 3.5inch 12 gauge pump route for a while and I would not recommend.

 

[Chris in TN]

There's no way I'd ever buy another 12 gauge shotgun for turkeys with TSS shot available.

50 yards is a cakewalk for even the lighter TSS loads such as the Apex LT20 load with 1-3/8oz of #9 TSS.

Frankly, a single barreled 20 gauge is more than sufficient.

 

[Southernfried]

Here is my take and learnings over the years. Yes the 20 ga and 410 TSS shot has really extended the distances, plus lighter recoiling. No matter your choice, I highly suggest you get a quality choke like an Indian Creek. They really, tighten a pattern up. So much so, you may want to put a 2-7 scope on your shotty for 40 yard shots. They are a tight patterning choke.....
870 vs Mossberg.
I have both, a 835 3.5" with a 24" barrel, an 870 Super Mag that is a 3.5" with a 21" barrel, and a 3" 870 that I am putting a Carlson 18.5" barrel on with an Indian Creek choke, all in 12 ga. You already have contact with your Dads 870. All of the Rem 870's, 1100, 11/87 rear stocks are interchangeable. The forarms on an 3" 870 and 3.5" 870 are not interchangeable without modifications. I learned this the hard way lol. IF you got a Rem 870 20 ga, you can make the stocks from a regular 870 fit, but ya need an adapter for most. To me, the perfect turkey shotgun is an 870 tactical model with the 18.5" barrel that will take chokes in 3". Ya just dont need a 3.5" anymore with the TSS shells or really any 3" magnum shells will do just fine. The tacticle also already comes drilled and tapped for a rail, IF it does not already come with one. There are just more options for the 870 in stocks etc. Good luck with your search, seems like a fun one. 870's are every where as are the Mossbergs, lol I am weird, I even like the old speedfeed pistol grip stocks, just aim better for me. I have even thought about getting a Mesa adapter to put a collapsible stock on my 870 to make it even shorter. Like you, I have to keep my shots close anyway lol one other option, and one I reguarly use, check with the used section at BP/Cabelas. Sometimes you can get either Rem or Moss dirty cheap on there. They also ship for free to your local BP/Cabelas. Super easy. Good luck!

 

[Macintosh]

but I prefer pumps because on a less expensive gun they [autos] are generally less reliable

This is not wrong ime. BUT from a reliability standpoint Id rather have a 20 year old used $750 beretta 390 than a new $750 mossberg pump. If you have a gun to use now it could be worth taking your time to find a nicer used gun. But yeah, most pumps are pretty reliable, especially relative to the really inexpensive autos. Im partial to 870’s as well.

With tss you 100% definitely absolutely do not need 3.5” shells to shoot 45 yards. A 3” 20ga with tss will easily shoot good killing patterns at 45 yards with almost any inexpensive turkey choke.

That said, I think TSS is on the way out. I said it a year ago, and its come up again recently. For turkeys if you are only going to shoot 1-3 shells per year maybe it’ll make sense for a lot of people even at much higher prices, but I think its just going to get more and more $$$ from here. But for sure Id be nervous getting a gun that REQUIRED tss to be effective.

Imo most any 12ga 3” with regular lead shot and an inexpensive turkey choke will be a 40 yard gun. Add tss and its easily 50, farther with even a little patterning work. If you’re really a 45 and in guy, a regular 3” 12 ga is going to work fine and give you options if TSS becomes iffy.

 

[bcv]

I turkey hunt with a 835, 935, and SA-28.. Blue collar guns that get it done. The 835 and 935 are basically a 10 gauge that necks down to a 12 gauge. They take 3.5's and paired up with Indian Creek choke are a 45 yard shotguns shooting 2 ounce or if you can find some older Winchester 3.5 shells with over 2 oz #6 lead shot are bad news for turkey. I've found the 6's seem to be the sweet spot. The 835 and 935 put out excellent patterns and besides needing the firing pin cleaned every 5 years or so have been maintenance free shotguns. You need to take all the "kick like a mule" crowd with a grain of salt. You're shooting a heavy load, big boy shells. If you like consistent basketball patterns and recoil makes you feel alive then give Mossberg a serious look. It will probably be the least hit on your wallet, especially if you buy used.... and no one feels the kick of any gun when you pull the trigger on a critter.
I like everything about my pistol grip 28 gauge. I've got years of 28GA TSS shells rolled up but the price of TSS now is stupid high. I wouldn't recommend anything but a 12 gauge that shoots 3.5's to someone in your position. I've been turkey hunting 8 days this year and 4 of those days I've brought my 12. A 12 gauge shotgun shooting magnums will not let you down, lead shells will always be cheap, and enjoy the success from the bang.

 

[Erict]

I only hunt 1 state for turkey. I have been using a 12ga, 870 with 21" barrel and factory Turkey Super Full choke, front bead sight only and a sling. 3" lead #5 or #4. I have never been disappointed inside 50 yards, but I prefer the challenge of getting them closer. The gun is infrequently used other times for rabbit and grouse only. It's basically a 1-2 bird/year gun.

If I were to start over, I'd think hard about a 20 or 410 with more "modern" ammo. Less recoil, lighter, etc.

Good luck.

 

[Fred@Exterra]

I think I’ve killed turkeys with every gauge possible. 870 was my graduation present from high school & I literally wore it out. Then I used an 835… I was tougher then. I definitely noticed the recoil, especially in very awkward turkey shots… and the time I left my thumb on the tang safety when I shot. Youth model 870 in 20 gauge was a joy to carry, killed them plenty dead. Benelli super black Eagle 3.5” worked well, but packing it on a sling caused the Benelli click a couple times. Browning BPS 10 gauge was the most impressive… but I’d never wanna pack that thing around again. For the last decade I’ve used a single shot 410, a few with lead & a bunch with TSS. Definitely my favorite.

If I was setting up a dedicated turkey gun today ( and I didn’t want any limitations) it would be a gas operated 24” barreled 20 gauge semiautomatic with a pistol grip. Statistically speaking I’d say the more you spend the more reliable it will be. That being said, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy an SA-20 or a Mossberg. The A300 from Beretta has always treated us well.


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[Halligan]

I’m sure there’s a thousand counter arguments for this but I prefer pumps because on a less expensive gun they are generally less reliable, they are much louder to load, they tend to have more major failures, and I just generally prefer to pump between shots as a nice reset. I am still curious about getting an auto, is there any particular reasons you prefer an auto? And do you have an auto suggestions?

There is merit to what you are saying, take me, my turkey gun is a 3” 12 ga 870. This said, having shot my buddies’ set ups, Franchi, Benelli, and Mossberg semis, they are just more pleasurable to shoot. Even shooting 3” shells, the recoil reduction is noticeable, and the faster follow up shot has certainly saved the day for them a time or two.

I’ll also note on reliability, these same guns have been used on water foul with hardly a hiccup, so I don’t think in the modern era, that I’d be too worried about that with normal maintenance.

This is all to say, nothing wrong with a pump, but don’t discount good semis.

If it was me, I’d point you towards a Mossberg 940. Can’t remember if they come in a 3.5” though. The things pattern very well, and cycle authoritatively.

Out of curiosity, you mentioned louder to load. Are you not walking chambered?

 

[JimIsland]

 

[N2TRKYS]

Here’s my two turkey guns. Remington 870 and 1187 with 21” barrels and both in 20 gauge. The 870 is a youth model and the 1187 is a compact. I included a 40 yard target with my 1 5/8 oz of #9 handloads.