What shotgun are you all using for Turkeys

N2TRKYS said:
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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If you prefer the stink and consistency of mud in your sty, far be it from me to tell you about greener pastures.

Anyhow, OP asked what everyone uses, indicating preferences.
 
Luked said:
How has the Tristar worked? That is one I been looking at also
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My son likes it. One thing however is that the spring that goes around the magazine tube broke and had to order a knew one.

Like all gas autoloader. Just make sure you clean it regularly.

I can see how that spring and mag tube could be an issue if you don't clean it regularly and keep it properly lubed/oiled. I was surprised that it didn't have a big spring in the butt stock like a lot of other auto loaders. The butt stock is completely hollow with only a giant 10" lag bolt to screw into the back of the chamber.

The issue is that the gas ports are on the barrel (like every other gas auto I've taken apart) but because the spring and charging limbs are on the mag tube, the recoil spring also gets carbon build up as does the mag tube.

So if you let it go too long w/o cleaning the spring and charging bars, the gun won't cycle smoothly and get gritty with carbon build up. When that happened, the spring coiled over itself and broke. (Think like a slinky when the coils get all kiddy wampus. Only this being a metal spring causing it to break.)

Now, Tristar sent a new one and arrived 2 weeks later just in time for our youth turkey season.

I also have a Youth Tristar 20ga that has the 2 inch extender to go from a 24in to 26in barrel and it also has the youth and adult stock. So it can grow with my kids.

I tried the 20ga spring for a temporary solution until the .410 spring got to me. No dice. The two springs appear identical in size and number of revolutions of coil. But the 20ga spring wouldn't allow the chamber to come fully open nor lock open. My guess is the spring tension on the 20ga is more ft./lbs than the 410. Which would make perfect sense since 20s kick more than 410s.

All that being said, it's a fine gun.

We got it because it's an autoloader, .410 and it's about the lightest kicking option for my kids. Not a lot of other options other than single shots and pumps.

I also got a limb saver recoil pad for my kids, I had to take it to a gunsmith for a grind to fit pad and he also had to drill some new holes because no other butt pad manufacturer has the correct holes for the youth stock. I also put a 2nd bead on it so my kids could line up the sights properly. That was until my brother bought them a red-dot site and we popped that on. Much to my distaste. I'd rather then learn a bead since that's what they'll eventually get to for other bird hunting excursions.
 
The last few years I’ve just been using the CZ Bobwhite 20ga SxS I use to chase quail and grouse. It’s relatively light and with the right chokes/shells gets the job done.
 
My old remington sp-10 short barrel with vortex venom red dot, #7.5 tss hand loads. Absolute hell on turkeys. Been toting it since 1992.

Set up a benelli m2 12 gauge with a vortex venom. 21 inch barrel. #8 tss hand loads

Also have a remington 11-87 youth, burris ff3, #9 tss handloads

I run indian creek chokes in all 3, fantastic results.
 
I use three, change as I kill one each year: Model 12, 2 3/4", 30" full choke; Rem 1100 Magnum 3", 30" full choke; Browning A5 2 3/4", 30" full choke. I'm currently back to the Model 12, I'm ready for my 4th bird. I don't shoot TSS shells.

Those are my dedicated turkey guns.

You looking for a gun that is semi-auto, get an old 1100, points like an old 870. You wanting something newer to shoot TSS or wanting a smaller gun? There are others that can help you with that. I will say this, the old Beretta's 301, 302, 390, 391, you can't go wrong with those. The old Browning Gold 3" models were also very good. These will handle TSS loads.
 
I used to use my 870 12ga with a regular bead. But since I have a versa max 12ga now that has been my go to lately. Red dot on top of the receiver. Load #5 longbeard xr, X tra full turkey chokes in both. If I were getting a dedicated turkey gun I would get a 20 ga with a red dot and a milder choke. Load it with #9 tss. I've never taken more than 1 shot at a turkey so I would probably get a pump.
 
Benelli sbe 28 gauge with apex green leaf tss 9/10s. First year with the sub gauge but it’s 4/4 thus far. The best thing is how much lighter this gun is than my son’s franchi 20 gauge. I won’t be going back to my 12 as long as tss is available.
 
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