BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

bigmarc · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Looking to get into hunting and always thought turkey hunting look fun.I will not be hunting this year because I like to get to the shooting range first to lean how to shoot.I never had a gun so I would like to know what I should be looking for.Like what size 10,12,16 gauge and how long should the barrel be.Or tell me what make and model I should look at?

CVC · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 1295 Location: Kansas

I have a 12 gauge. The 10 gauge is more gun than you need. I don't know if the 16 gauge is enough gun so someone else will have to jomp in on that issue.

I have a Mossberg 835. Not a high dollar gun, but more middle of the road and good enough for turkey hunting. It came with a short turkey barrel and a longer barrel so I can do more than turkey hunt with it.

Here is a link to their site. http://www.mossberg.com/

There are lots of good guns out there.

Get yourself some turkey calls and start practicing this winter and you'll be ready come spring.

redrider · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 2534 Location: NE Kansas

I use the good old Remington 870 in 12 gauge with 3" magnum turkey loads in 4 shot. Works well for me and won't break the bank :thumbsup1: Good choice to start out on those turkeys. They are a Blast :yes: Good Luck and let us know what else you need to know :thumbsup1:

bigmarc · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for the help.The mossberg looks like a nice gun.Should I look at the 20 or 24 or longer barrel for turkey hunting.

bigbucks8 · Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 146 Location: Rochester WA.

Welcome BigMarc! and hopefully you get into Turkey hunting as anyone on this forum will tell you it is balst. As far as a firearm goes I use a 12 Ga. remington 870 Express magnum turkey gun with 3 inch 1 7/8oz 4's. 12 Ga is probably your best bet as being the most common guage and versital. I have killed turkeys with a 20 GA but I called them in a little bit closer than normal. Goodluck and anymore questions this is the place to ask! :thumbsup1:

greatamericanhuntingstore · Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 59

Good rule of thumb to remember is, A 12 gauge is ok but a 10 gauge if you can see it you can kill it. I have both and hunt with both. I love my 10 gauge and in the spring I will use it again. It is heavy and if it is allot of walking I grab my 12 gauge. I have very limited time in the woods and the only way my family eats is what I get on the farm so I need to get my turkey when I can and I love turkey hunting. But remember any of them will kill the turkey and dead is dead.

Troy
www.greatamericanhuntingtore.com
www.huntingthebackwoods.com

Tatertot45 · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 40 Location: Minnesota

I use my trusty Remington 870 Express Magnum. It happens to have a 30 inch barrell, which is what it cam with. I thow in a "turkey choke" tube and it patterns like a dream. I also splurged for some Tru-Glo sights. Just the simple ones with the two sided tape. Made all the difference in the world. I was having a tendency of looking over the barrel. Those sights cleared that right up. I use a 3inch mag, 4 shot. it is a great set up....

rezhunter · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:02 pm Post subject: Turkey hunting aye

We have alot of Turkeys on our reservation here in Oregon. No one hunts Turkey on our rez, just might have to get into Turkey hungint and bag a few 8-)

Tree Killer · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Sandy, Oregon

rezhunter wrote: We have alot of Turkeys on our reservation here in Oregon. No one hunts Turkey on our rez, just might have to get into Turkey hungint and bag a few 8-)
rezhunter...do you sometimes post as "motcha"?

Does the rez sell turkey tags to non-rez hunters? Sounds like a good area to photograph some birds!

Tree Killer aka sliverpicker

rezhunter · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:27 am Post subject:

No, only use one handle, rezhunter, practically new to this place. I'm not sure about all the tag stuff, never had to apply. We can hunt turkey, cougars, and white tail year round on the rez though. Yep got plenty of birds, see alot of turkeys roaming around the foothills, alot of pheasants, never really paid any attention to hunting birds, again, just might have to get into it :D

hatracked · Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 232

Quote: A 12 gauge is ok but a 10 gauge if you can see it you can kill it.

I got to take issue with that. Fact is most 3.5 twelves throw nearly as much shot and typically throw it tighter anyhow creating a higher hit percentage. I have yet to see a ten gauge that can outdistance a properly set up 3.5 12 gauge.

Furthermore, just how far is "if you can see it"???? I understand your probably just talking loosely here but youve got a new guy asking questions that might just take you litterally and think he can dust birds at 80 yards with confidence.

I've seen some great guns that would hold a killing pattern way on out there, I have also seen those great guns wound and cripple gobblers in the hands of overzealous shooters. There isn't too many guns that are going to give you a 100% dead tom result past 50 yards. In fact I doubt theres any that are shooting shot.

Tatertot45 · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 40 Location: Minnesota

I have to agree with hatracked. I think you really need to go out to the range with a few boxes of shells and figure out the gun. Set a limit on shooting distance that you feel is lethal, then stick to it. I don't shoot past 30 yards. I know where the birds are, and what they do in my area, so my buddy and i set up to get them close enough. If you practice, pattern, and work a little, a 16 is going to be enough gun. you just can't shoot them at 60 yards away.