Looking for some recommendations for a turkey hunting shotgun. Western public land hunting. I don’t frequent hunting-specific forums much, and I think I’ll get better advice from a fellow front-stuffer who also hunts turkeys.
I’ve decided on a 3 inch chamber, 12 gauge. Undecided on pump action or semi-auto. Restricted to 3 round magazine in my state.
Not looking for a no frills option, or top end either. Just a good mid, to upper mid-tier gun that is a good value for the money. Something like a CVA Optima. It’s not as nice as a Knight, or a Paramount, but it’s a lot of gun for the money (in my opinion).
Some sort of weather resistant coating or stainless would be nice.
Thanks for the input,
Buster
I gotta tell a story. When I was 25 or so I belonged to a hunting club. Saturday was a 6 event game day and started at 9AM. Well, I was out till about 4AM drinking and Johnny Walker was my specialty. I did awake in time to drive like a maniac to the club and arrived with just enough time to sign in and get out to the range. The first event was hillbilly skeet. I was using my favorite shotgun for birds (it still is). A Smith and Wesson 1000 semi in 20 gauge. ( Talk about looks from the money crowd) In hillbilly skeet you say pull and the guy has 30 seconds to throw it. Im a bird hunter and I always thought a shooter had plenty of time to shoot the skeet so I yelled pull with my gun ( which happened to be leaking BBs) at my side and holding a conversation with the guy next to me. I tied for first and in a shoot off won the event. Some not so happy shooters.For a good time take that pump out to a skeet range and practice with it for a while. Don't mind the stares from the high $$$ crowd.
I am happy with my Mossberg 500 turkey special. It's just the right length for getting thru the woods without hanging the barrel on climbs and all camo helps with concealment. The 3X full choke helps hold a tight pattern out to 40 yards and it has a kick that makes one love the recoil pad on the butt when shooting 3" heavy turkey loads. In pattterning I have found Winchester turkey load in #5 shot to be the best for me.
I never liked the hi vis supplied sights so Mossberg supplied the Tru Glo red dot scope which is fine.
It also serves a 2nd purpose for me as a self defense weapo
A few loads that I patterned my turkey gun with....I am happy with my Mossberg 500 turkey special. It's just the right length for getting thru the woods without hanging the barrel on climbs and all camo helps with concealment. The 3X full choke helps hold a tight pattern out to 40 yards and it has a kick that makes one love the recoil pad on the butt when shooting 3" heavy turkey loads. In pattterning I have found Winchester turkey load in #5 shot to be the best for me.
I never liked the hi vis supplied sights so Mossberg supplied the Tru Glo red dot scope which is fine.
It also serves a 2nd purpose for me as a self defense weapon.
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