I'm in the market for a turkey gun and wanted some advice on the best set up. I've hunted with a Berretta 390 with a turkey choke for the past 10 years, but want to get something that will shoot 3 1/2's, camo, sights, etc. just for turkey hunting.

thanks

Depends on what you want to spend and if you want to stay with a semi-auto. Dollar for dollar it's hard to beat a Remington 870 Super Mag.

$500 price range. I prefer a semi-auto b/c I've never liked the way a pump rests on my knee.

I was in your same boat as you. I too shot a 390. I wanted something camo in 3 and a half for a true turkey gun. I searched for months trying to find the 'perfect' gun. I ended up with a Benelli SuperNova with the pistol grip. it ain't perfect but I really like it.

Only semi you will find in the $500 range will be the Mossberg 935.

Reb, How do you feel about the pistol grip? You bought it so I know you like it...what are the advantages...I am looking at turkey guns myself.

The pistol grip is nice. It just feels natural. Ask me again in a few months and I'll know for sure.

just get the 390 dipped in whatever camo you want and buy some 3"nitros and you will save money and have a turkey killing machine

I could save money and would like to, but I hunt fields a pretty good amount and would like to be able to have the extra power and pellets that are in a 3 1/2 to be able to consistently drop a bird at 40 yds.

I hunted with a pistol grip one morning last year (was my brother in law's gun). I had a bird with in 70 yds for half hour or so and for some reason the pistol grip made my hand cramp up really bad.

You really dont get extra power and pellets in the 3.5 unless you are shooting the 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 ounce loads.

Im not trying to persuade you either way, just stating facts. I shoot alot of 3.5s, but the loads I have been using are the 3 inch 2 oz loads.

If I was wanting a 3.5 inch autoloader I would get a SBE II.

Just my opinion.

just about any gun made with the right choke and Nitro Co shells will kill every bird at 40 yards...and further.

I've heard a lot of guys say they get just as good of a patter with a 3", so what is the advantage of a 3 1/2". I know it has more pellets and more brass, so how does that not equate to giving a least a small advantage at longer ranges? I honestly don't know the answer as I've always shot 3" shells, so would appreciate any input.

I've shot a 3 1/2 gun a total of two times(I'm a slow learner) and it kicked the crap out of me. Never again. If ya get a gun light enough to tote it will kick your azz.

My wifes twenty gauge Beretta will kill any turkey every time at forty yards with Nitro 4-5-7s.

My 3" 12 ga Benelli will kill every time at 50 yards with the Nitro 4-5-7s.

I just don't see the need for a 12ga 3 1/2 or 10ga gun to shoot turkeys.

If I had to start over again I'd get a 20ga Benelli with Nitros or TSS and be done with it.

You have to increase your payload or your speed to increase the damage.

If I was you I would check out the 3 inch Nitros and go from there. They really will turn about any gun into a legit fifty yard killer.

There are other options also. Hevi 13 makes some good loads that compete with the Nitros IMO.


Now if your just wanting another gun, the 935 will be your best bet for the money you want to spend. If you do go the 3.5 inch route. Look at the hevi 13 loads with the 2.25 oz loads. Either the mag blends or the 7s.

The 3.5" equalled quite a bit more pellets on target (240 in a 10" circle on average vs. 180 at 40 yards) for me personally over the 3" gun I used last year with the exact same load (Hevi Mag Blends). If your main goal is extending your range and you don't like the feel of a pump gun (i.e. the 835), you're not gonna beat the 935's overbored barrel for pattern density, regardless of which load you choose assuming that you choke it properly. You're more than welcome to check mine out if you would like. I guess time will tell how well it holds up, but it will cycle everything from dove loads to 3.5" turkey loads just as quick as I can pull the trigger and the recoil is CONSIDERABLY less than a 3.5" pump gun considering it is a gas gun.

Unless you just want a new gun, the one you have with the right choke and some nitros or tss would be the way to go.

You do gain a extra 1/4 ounce of shot in the 3.5s with that load.

I hate this turned into a 3 vs 3.5 thread. Since it did I'll add...There is no scientific ballistic data that suggest that 3" throws a better pattern than 3.5". Actually just the contrary. A .410 will kill a turkey as will a 20 gauge yet there are far less snobbish people who shoot them that suggest anything more is unnecessary. I chose a 3.5" gun so I can have the option. I may not ever shoot a turkey with a 3.5 but I will if I want to and I will not apologize for it.

The ammo you use is far more important than the gun. If you just want more range, get the right choke for the gun you have now and hand load some tss. Hawglips has 3" loads that will easily kill a turkey at 60 yds and further. There is no such thing as a "best turkey gun;" there is only "best turkey shells."

The reason I like a 3 1/2 is that you can jump up a shot size and still have just about as much shot as you would in a 3". I shot the 3-2-6 hevi 13's for a long time and loved them but then I discovered that at could shoot the 3 1/2" 5's and throw the exact same pattern that I could with the 3" 6's, so it was a no brainer for me. Recoil isn't a factor in my opinion, you'll never feel it shooting at a turkey even out of a pump.

That being said, If I had a 3" gun I really loved there is no way I'd trade if off for a 3 1/2 just to have one. Shells and chokes are so advanced now that you really don't have to have one.