Lastly, new turkey huntersjust like a new handgun shooterwill benefit from a red-dot, because all they have to do is put that ball of fire on the turkeys neck and squeeze the trigger. Genzel grew up chasing mallards and Canada geese in the Illinois River Valley. Apparently they sold guns a bunch to rich Texans who were tired of missing turkeys. Bear in mind that double-barreled shotguns will have shorter overall barrel lengths than pumps and semi-autos with the same barrel length. 7.5 shot. With an overall length of just 41, its a very wieldy Tom-taker. There are plenty of affordable, highly suitable shotguns waiting to be turned into dedicated turkey guns. A view of the break-action of a typical over-and-under (O/U) double-barreled shotgun, with action open and the ejectors visible. Mossbergs Maverick Hunter represents a great budget o/u turkey gun. The most popular is the Maverick Hunter O/U with its 28 barrels in either fixed F/M or better yet, with interchangeable chokes. The SA-410 had a fixed 13-inch length of pull, but you could buy an aftermarket recoil pad and slide it over the stock to increase that. Whether you use them for home defense or as a display piece . A double-barrel shotgun is very useful in many different situations, such as hunting and self-defense. Natalie Krebs is the Senior Deputy Editor of Outdoor Life, where she tackles everything from reporting digital features to producing podcast episodes. The Beretta A400 XCEL is a 12 gauge shotgun that kicks as gently as a newborn baby. The Browning BPS is a beefy shotgun with excellent recoil absorption. The Triple Tom is a 12-gauge, 3.5 with a trio of 24 chrome lined barrels. J.G. It weighs in at 8 pounds, 4 ounces, which is heavy enough to stay balanced under recoil, and to reduce recoil to what youd expect from a 20 gauge. They utilize a four-way adjustable comb and ship with adjustable butt-plate. This allows the hunter to fire the barrel with the more open choke if toms come strutting in to, say, 20 yards. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. The receivers of these guns are steel and easy to drill and tap if they didnt already come that way, as mine did. A proven reliable gun with an ambidextrous safety. With the restoration of turkey populations across the U.S. and Canada (there were almost 7 million birds between both countries by the early 2000s), the dedicated turkey gun became popular. They all come with chokes designed specifically for printing tight, gobbler-killing patterns. Full choke means that the muzzle diameter is reduced about .030 from bore diameter. I realize that sinking a bunch of money into a gun worth about $100 makes no sense, but thats the essence of gun projects. This compact shotgun is a good choice if youre going to carrying your gun through brush and other obstructions. Double barrel shotguns are not as complicated as other types of guns, which makes them easier to use. Break-action shotguns are incredibly reliable, and the Scout is an affordable single-shot that is also compact, which makes it an ideal choice for turkey hunters. This same concept would work with a lot of different doubles and O/Us. Everything you need to know about the parts of a compound bow and how they work. Engraved receiver; Single selective trigger; Automatic . Joe Genzel. The Turkey Camo is a variant of Remingtons proven 870 platform, and the 21-inch barrel makes it easy to maneuver in the timber. Still, it is nice to be able to teach that wary tom a lesson if he does hang up. Though non-typical, O/Us make perfect sense in the turkey woods. Would like to pick one up this spring and start working the particulars of shooting. For more information on shotguns, call us at 877-446-8370 to speak with one of our knowledgeable consultants, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Before jump in, it's worth noting that we chose production firearms. J.G. But when I switched to a Carlsons TSS choke and Apex Ninja 3-inch loads, I was able to get plenty of pellets on paper at 40 yards. First of all, most 20 gauges are a pound or two lighter than 12s, and as a result offer faster handling. Sporting a 24-inch barrel, the shotgun comes in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country with an NWTF buttstock decal. In terms of double-barrel options, a great option for the price is the CZ USA Reaper Magnum. This comes at a relatively steep price, but you wont be disappointed with what you get. To that Id respond, need has nothing to do with it. I have been happy with the Truglo Strut Stopper in my Mossberg 835, and Ive had good luck with the Rob Roberts .660 tube in my backup Remington 870 using almost any load. Though the website indicates the HS12 now comes with chokes, the models weve seen are fixed cylinder bores. Stock configuration and drop are quite differently and specifically designed for each. These advancements help us feel beyond prepared on the range, they even give us something to gloat about on social media, but they skip over the common reality of up-close action. Out of all the doubles I tried that trick with (maybe a half dozen or so) when having moved to an area where local deer hunting laws mandated shotgun slugs or ML's, all but one failed miserably. Sometimes thinking outside the box in terms of guns or calibers creates the most memorable hunts. Available in 20-gauge only and shoots 2- and 3-inch shells. We chose what we think are the 12 best shotguns on the market for, Change A Fishing Reel From Right To Left Handed, Best Barometric Pressure for Deer Hunting, How Long Does Deer Meat Last in the Freezer, How Much Wind is Too Much for Deer Hunting. I hunted with the 212 Turkey a few years ago for Goulds turkeys in Mexico, and found that it handled just like a magnum-caliber rifle would. Top 8 Best Turkey Hunting Shotguns For The Money In 2023 Reviews Remington 870 - Best Affordable Turkey Hunting Shotgun Mossberg 835 - Best Value for Money Turkey Hunting Shotgun Stoeger P-350 - Best Budget Turkey Hunting Shotgun Weatherby 459 - Best Tactical Turkey Hunting Shotgun Benelli Supernova - Best Low Cost Turkey Hunting Shotgun But doing it with a project gun that youve customized to suit all your wants and needs is a real blast, By Weighing in at just 7 pounds, this shotgun is both light and maneuverable. With top-end TSS loads it shoots killer patterns at 60 yardsand probably farther but Ive never tried it. If you desire both those elements in a shotgun, the Scout is an ideal platform. Canvas & Leather Rifle Sock, Gun Carrying Case KorektLeatherGoods (177) $81.83 Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus International. You dont need a turkey gun to kill a longbeard, but modern turkey-specific shotguns have earned such popularity because theyre more effective. The five included Beretta-style choke tubes make this a ready killer on both short and long range toms. CZ provides six different extended choke tubes with each Reaper Magnum shotgun, so you'll have more than enough variation to customize your gun's versatility right out of the box. If you like to go against the grain, this ones for you. Here's a look at seven Turkish shotguns that are worth their price tag. Inertia shotguns are light and less expensive than gas gunsbut they dont handle recoil as well. As the name suggests, double-barrel shotguns have two barrels. However, sometimes the barrel will just read 3 1/2, however, it is always safe to shoot a shell shorter than what is listed never longer. With this difficult game, you need every edge you can get, which is why we decided to find the best turkey shotgun on the market. Besides, its a wingmaster in its own right. This gun is a solid choice for youth hunters or for women who prefer a smaller gun. From widest to tightest: the Singles, the Mid Handicap, and the Long Handicap. Chambered for 3-inch loads, an XX-Full turkey choke is included with the .410. A staple of the Old American West, Impact Guns carries a wide variety of side-by-side, double barrel, shotgun designs. Many people choose to use a double-barrel . I have had one gun Cerakoted and few dipped, the last by Specialty Camouflage Products, Inc., who did an excellent job. One of the hottest trends in the shotgun market is the turkey gun. Today, the best turkey hunting shotguns are typically variants of a shotgun that was designed for waterfowl or small game hunters with stocks and barrels that are shortened to make the guns easier to carry and more maneuverable in tight cover. J.G. Not to worry with the Ithaca Turkey Slayer 20 gauge, you can take the shot. . This isn't wingshooting. Red-dot sights also help you get on target more quickly because theres only one point of alignment compared to an open sight (or iron sight) which has tworear sight to front sight to target (though some hunters, myself included, shoot turkeys like they would a duck and dont use a sight to line up the shot at all). 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. 1.2 2. 1 Go for A Double Barrel Shotgun. From a cost standpoint, it makes more sense to buy one tube and try several different loads until you find the right one, rather than accumulating choke tubes. Indeed, there are some very definite advantages to hunting toms with double (or triple) barrels, as seen in these three examples. With a double, just push that shell in, close the action and fire. It has a thumbhole stock, which is used by rifle shooters for better accuracy. Plus, its a reasonably light shotgun for a 12-gauge, ideal for turkey hunters that have to walk a lot. The Benelli Nova offers exceptional accuracy and recoil resistance with even the heaviest shells. If youre having a barrel shortened and threaded for chokes, keep in mind that 24-inch barrels are short enough to make a gun compact, but long enough to stabilize a shot charge for good patterns. Would also double nicely as a home defense weapon (which is what it is made for . On the other hand, if you want to shorten a stock to make a gun easier to handle in the woods, you may as well have it cut and put a good pad on it. Justin is a firearms enthusiast with an expansive knowledge of the firearms & hunting scene. If youre lucky you might run across the old 21- or 23-inch Special Field 870 that also features a classy straight grip stock, and I should point out, too, that a 20-gauge 870 Youth gun makes up into a great turkey gun, too. Side-by-side shotguns are double-barrel shotguns with the barrels oriented next to each other. The retail price over $1500 will put off many buyers of this specialty scattergun, but its nonetheless a fascinating, if unusual, option. Rubber inlays on the pistol grip and fore-end will give you a better grip on the 11-87 in inclement weather, or when it gets hot and your palms get sweaty. You spend hours sitting and calling that first Tom on opening day and he won't come any closer than 50 yards. Many hunters will put a turkey choke on a shotgun they already own and take it turkey hunting. Not only does this allow you to quickly change from one load to another, it lets you make your gun safe without dumping the entire magazine every time you want to change locations. Its a perfect gun for run-and-gun hunters. The Stoeger Coach Gun cost little yet gives you two barrels, two chokes, and two triggers. Without the plug (you must have one in to legally turkey hunt), the magazine can hold four 2 3/4-inch shells, and the 12-gauge will accommodate up to a 3-inch load. Conversely, if youre an experienced hunter looking for their dream gun, those bells and whistles may be exactly the thing youre looking for. The only real downside of the 835 Turkey is that my version came with cheap, flimsy sights. If budget is your middle name, and O/Us are your game, check out Mossbergs Maverick line. The major benefit of hunting with a double barrel is the ability to have two different chokes in place, one for the 15-20 yard bird and another for the 35-50 yard gobbler. Unlike other turkey guns (I wont mention), the 870 doesnt punish you when you shoot it. Phil Bourjaily How do you identify a double barrel shotgun? The only downside on this gun is the trigger, which is on the heavy side. We are so worried about that out-of-range tom that weve all bought into the trendy new choke tubes and high-priced loads. Get the best deals for 410 double barrel shotgun at eBay.com. The Savage Arms 320 Spring Pump is a hunting variant of their 320 Security shotgun. I went with an Aimpoint Micro H1 for my Mossberg 835. But the weight tames much of the felt recoil, and there are sling swivels, so you can haul the gun over the shoulder if you buy a strap. Dual bead rear sight and bead front sight. To get the proper comb height in order to see through my new sight, I stole a trick from Dave Petzal and taped a few strips of foam to the stock using green duct tape. Though there are affordable double-barreled shotguns available on the market, any double that you would be proud to own will be a little pricey. Hinterland Outfitters carries a full selection of modern day double barrel, pump and autoloading shotguns for sale online. The Browning BPS is a 12 gauge shotgun with a long, 28-inch barrel that reliably puts softball-sized groupings on turkey neck-sized targets. If youre buying a dedicated turkey gun for the first time, its smart to start with an affordable model, and work your way up. That is why so many turkey hunters use them. This double-barrel shotgun looks like the Mad Max Classic and was originally designed as an anti-carjacking tool to fend off highwaymen. This gun will accept 3 -inch magnum shells if you want to sling as much shot as possible. If just one gun, buy the dove gun (longer barrel that swings well for you) and toss a tight choke into it when hunting turkeys. Ive done some penetration testing with TSS, and it will go through two sheets of -inch drywall with ease at 40 yards. Screw an extra-full turkey choke into one barrel and load it with the most modern tungsten shotshells. It gets splashed with snow, rain, mud, and turkey blood every season and just keeps running (now that I think about it, Im not sure that Ive actually ever cleaned the gun). Ghost ring sights allow you to put a bead on an incoming tom with better precision. This is a purpose-built turkey slayer, but technically its not just an O/U, but rather an O/U/U. If you want something more durable than stick-on or clamp-on sights, find a gunsmith to install something permanent. It has a longer 24-inch barrel and weighs a half pound more than the 500, which is welcome weight to help soak up all that recoil. Though not the most common shotgun during Turkey season, O/U shotguns can actually make superb longbeard busters. Because of the advancement of shotshell technology, 10 gauges have fallen out of popularity with many hunters. Over the last decade, the author's favorite all-around shotgun has been this 12-gauge Sauer Model 60 side-by-side double barrel shotgun. And there hasnt been a gobbler strut within 40 yards of this gun to change that yet.Adam Moore. Learn More . The Winchester SXP Turkey Hunters all-around Mossy Oak Break-Up skin keeps the gobblers from seeing you until its too late. If you intend to mount a scope on this gun, like one of the trendy new LPVOs, mount it as far forward as the eye relief will allow. The 870, like the Mossberg 500, has been around forever, and theres almost no end to the parts you can find made to fit it for both hunting and tactical use. Can I buy 1 shotgun that can do all 3. Since the load gate and ejection port are one in the same, theres less of a chance for mud and grime to find their way into the chamber and gunk up your gun. Add a pad if you want to. Mossberg was one of the first manufacturers to offer the .410 auto in a turkey gun. There are hefty, long range guns for hunters who want to sit in a blind and kill turkeys beyond 50 yards. All you really need is patience and the self-control to let a turkey step inside 30 yards. So, you won't see auction guns from the early 1900s with price tags of $10,000+ here. I have shot turkeys with every kind of sight from a brass bead on a plain, ribless barrel to a Swarovski dangerous-game scope with an illuminated reticle. The Arkansas gunsmith, known for his aftermarket choke tubes, teamed up with Benelli on the SBE3 Turkey Performance Shop. Thats all well and good, but the real goal should be fooling a turkey into committing those last few yards. Mossberg proves time and again with decades of experience that guns dont have to be expensive or purpose-built to get the job done. I dont care a lot about pads because I dont feel the gun go off in the excitement of hunting, and I am padded up and/or shooting from a Lead Sled at the range. The shotgun's magazine has a nice capacity, large enough to support the best turkey hunting shells (their dimension is usually about 3 inches). Truglo. Looking for Dp-12 12 Ga Double Barrel Pump - Shotgun 16 Rds Flat Dark Earth for sale? For several years I hunted with a BPS on which Id added a large orange front bead in front of a white middle bead. This is impressive in a relatively inexpensive gun, and goes a long way towards putting the PA-08 Upland in the top of its class. Its built off Savages iconic 110 rifle platform, includes the excellent AccuTrigger (Savages adjustable, two-stage trigger), and features the modular AccuFit stock so you can adjust length-of-pull and comb height, which is especially useful when adding an optic. Than gas gunsbut they dont handle recoil as well the CZ USA Reaper Magnum of Remingtons proven 870,. 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