What shotgun are you all using for Turkeys

I’ve used a Benelli M1 Super 90 12 ga for years, but I bought a second hand Beretta A300 12 ga “turkey” model last summer with the intention of hunting with it this year. Last fall, I found a cheap Remington 870 20 ga youth model, and I ended up having the metal cerakoted, stock dipped, and added a Aimpoint Micro S-1. It’s now my dedicated turkey shotgun.
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Overkill to say the least but I shoot a Harrington Richardson single shot 10 guage. Its only purpose is to kill turkeys and that it indeed does. It’s heavy and kicks like a mule but I love it and will likely never use anything else for turkeys. Every once in a while I’m tempted to build a sub guage (28 or 410) but really I just love that old beast of a gun too much to cheat on it.
 
I hunt with the ole 870 12ga - kicks gobblin thunder and long beard xr 5 shot patterns unbelievably well.

However, bought a Mossberg SA-410 for the wife to use last year. Topped with a red dot and it’s a blast. If she’s not hunting with me, I often grab this one now. Might have to grab the SA-20 for myself - they’re a blast to shoot and reasonably priced. I scouted gunbroker for a few weeks and ended up getting my SA-410 for right at $600 brand new.
 
I'm using a Weatherby Element Turkey 20 ga and love it so far. Light and compact in the woods but with a good choke and Verdict TSS I have a lethal pattern out to 60 yards. I always try to get the birds closer but the extra reach is nice insurance. I put a Sightmark red dot with a rib mount on it and that's been a great addition to take advantage of the range and precision of the TSS.
 
I'm using a Weatherby Element Turkey 20 ga and love it so far. Light and compact in the woods but with a good choke and Verdict TSS I have a lethal pattern out to 60 yards. I always try to get the birds closer but the extra reach is nice insurance. I put a Sightmark red dot with a rib mount on it and that's been a great addition to take advantage of the range and precision of the TSS.
What choke have you found that is working for that setup?
 
This season I'm using my 28ga Benelli SBE3, burnt bronze cerakote with 3" Winchester TSS #9s 1-1/2oz load.

In the past I've used my 12ga. Benelli SBE2 with original 3-1/2" Hevi-Shot #6s

My son has been using a Tristar Viper G2 in .410 shooting 3" #7.5 Federal TSS.

My daughter used a crossbow for youth season this year.

Also have a 20ga Rem 1100 with some 3" Federal #7.5 TSS.

I'm going thru phase of: "I've never shot that with ______ gun! Let's try it!"

Recently that little 28ga tickles me and it's been my go-to from everything from pheasants & ducks to geese and now turkey.

Last two days I should have connected, but thru a couple sheer unlucky circumstances, I haven't been able to connect. Hopefully Thursday is the day.
 
I use my Beretta Extrema that I use for all bird hunting, just put the turkey choke in. My 10 year-old son is shooting a Tristar 20g pump.
My 9 year-old daughter is looking to bag her first bird with a Nomad single shot .410.
 
Rossi Poly .410 with red dot. If I miss a shot on a turkey stand still at 40yards and under, I don't deserve a follow up shot.
 
My crappy, hideous Charles Daly Walmart Special with a simple fiber optic bead that I got for Christmas 20 years ago as a teenager.

Every year I plan to buy a better shotgun, and every year I just don't have the budget, so this one keeps following me back into the woods season after season :ROFLMAO:
 
I’ve used my Remington 870 pump 12 gauge for years. Pulled the bead out and put in a fiber optic. Still using the long duck and goose barrel but with a turkey choke. Had my daughter shooting a Steven’s 410 this year. I think I’m switching to my own 410. Probably a Mossberg pump maybe a single shot.
 
As you can see, there are lots of options and everyone thinks theirs is best. I wouldn't use an auto for turkeys if I had a choice. So, I have no specific recommendation. Couple notes, tho.

You don't need a red dot for a 12ga. You can throw enough pellets to open the choke a little and just use the bead. Beads don't get knocked off zero, run out of battery or even break very often.

If you do use a red dot, you will find it handy to mount it on the rib above where you hand rests on the forearm. This enables you to do things like turn it on or adjust brightness without moving more than a finger.

With an auto you want the shell elevator protected by the receiver. Check something like a Beretta Outlander to see what that looks like. Turkey guns are carried much more than fired. Movement against the elevator leads to malfunctions from interference when firing and just plain old wear.

They safety should also be protected or in a position that is not likely to be swept off in normal use and all that carrying. To see what a safety that is neither well protected nor unlikely to be swept off check something like a Beretta Outlander.

Me, I'm not carrying anything that weighs over six pounds. I doubt I ever shoot a turkey with a 12ga again.
 
As you can see, there are lots of options and everyone thinks theirs is best. I wouldn't use an auto for turkeys if I had a choice. So, I have no specific recommendation. Couple notes, tho.

You don't need a red dot for a 12ga. You can throw enough pellets to open the choke a little and just use the bead. Beads don't get knocked off zero, run out of battery or even break very often.

If you do use a red dot, you will find it handy to mount it on the rib above where you hand rests on the forearm. This enables you to do things like turn it on or adjust brightness without moving more than a finger.

With an auto you want the shell elevator protected by the receiver. Check something like a Beretta Outlander to see what that looks like. Turkey guns are carried much more than fired. Movement against the elevator leads to malfunctions from interference when firing and just plain old wear.

They safety should also be protected or in a position that is not likely to be swept off in normal use and all that carrying. To see what a safety that is neither well protected nor unlikely to be swept off check something like a Beretta Outlander.

Me, I'm not carrying anything that weighs over six pounds. I doubt I ever shoot a turkey with a 12ga again.
All personal preference. Like there’s zero chance I would ever have my red dot on the vent rib. It’s way out of the way for me to operate it out there. It’s more natural for me to have it at the back of the receiver. Way easier to get to with the least amount of movement for me.

I’ve never thought my 12ga was heavy, but the 26” barrel was not made for turkey hunting.

Shooting a bead vs a red dot for me had more to do with barrel length and fit. Much easier to shoot a really short gun with a red dot. Going on 5 years and haven’t lost zero yet. However, I only turkey hunt about 30-40 days a season. Ymmv
 
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