Dedicated Turkey Gun

[IndianaMatt]

I'm in the market for a dedicated Turkey shotgun. I would like to have 12ga 3.5 capability. Any suggestions? Not much in shops around where I live so will most likely be an internet purchase. Some I have considered are-

Benelli Nova 24 inch
CZ 612 26 inch Turkey
Mossberg 500 Turkey model
Savage 212 Turkey model

 

[Rick Richard]

I would advise you to shoot a 12 gauge with turkey loads. You might rethink the 12 since it has such an OUCH with recoil. The norm now days is 20 gauge with TSS ammo…this is what I did this past year.

 

[Bucklowery]

I have shot the benelli and it is nice. I have been shooting a mossberg 835 since they came out. Either company makes a solid gun. I shot a Remington 870 for years before. A couple of seasons ago I set the wife up for turkey with her 20 guage and we started with copper plated 6's. I decided to try the tss loads 7's and 9's to give here more pellets. I am convinced they hit as hard as my 3.5" 12 guage

Thanks

Buck

 

[biff's reloading]

You gonna handload? Hunt waterfowl too?

I'd suggest either going smaller bore with hevishot or step up to the 10ga if you waterfowl hunt. I have 3 10's and haven't reached for any other shotgun in years except for dove hunting I take grandpa's old sxs.

3.5" 12 ga is fine for 1 shot on a Turkey... but they absolutely destroy your shoulder and face in a goose blind.

 

[IndianaMatt]

You gonna handload? Hunt waterfowl too?

I'd suggest either going smaller bore with hevishot or step up to the 10ga if you waterfowl hunt. I have 3 10's and haven't reached for any other shotgun in years except for dove hunting I take grandpa's old sxs.

3.5" 12 ga is fine for 1 shot on a Turkey... but they absolutely destroy your shoulder and face in a goose blind.

I have a dedicated waterfowl gun. I have the ability to load shotgun shells but haven't in years. I shot trap as a teenager and loaded my own then.

 

[IndianaMatt]

I would advise you to shoot a 12 gauge with turkey loads. You might rethink the 12 since it has such an OUCH with recoil. The norm now days is 20 gauge with TSS ammo…this is what I did this past year.

Interesting I had never considered a 20.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

I used a Rem 1100 Mag with a Poly Choke for 25 years on everything from quail to Geese, Turkey. Then got a Benelli M1 Field. 20 Ga. Camo. What a difference!! Use it from Quail, Doves to Ducks, Geese, Turkey. I use a good choke & 3" Turkey Ammo. No problem slamming them at 50 yrds. Light weight too. 20ga is great you just need to match up the choke to the ammo. I use Rem Hevi Shot and a "Briley XF" but there are more turkey chokes than the stars in the sky. The last 14 years I hunted Turkey with a Bow. Find it more challenging.
Now you can get yourself a dedicated Turkey Gun. I am sure you can find used ones that have not been fired too much. They have short Barrel 12 Ga 3 1/2", pistol grip, recoil reduction stocks and red dot sight. Pretty expensive new, but you can find used.
If you have the funds and want an extra shotgun go for it. Get what YOU want.
Personally, after many years of wing /bird shooting I'll go for the 20ga every time. Light & very low recoil and very deadly. I haven't taken my 1100 mag out since I got the Benelli 20 ga unless I loaned it out.

 

[birddog 68]

Like others have mentioned, I got tired of getting beat up with 3.5" loads and switched to a 20. I decided on the Franchi affinity in mossy oak bottom land camo and shoot Winchester long beard 3". Good pattern out to 40 yards. Can probably get better with tss loads but 1) I can't see spending close to $10 a shell 2) I don't think it's much fun shooting them at 60 yards. I prefer within 30

 

[IndianaMatt]

Like others have mentioned, I got tired of getting beat up with 3.5" loads and switched to a 20. I decided on the Franchi affinity in mossy oak bottom land camo and shoot Winchester long beard 3". Good pattern out to 40 yards. Can probably get better with tss loads but 1) I can't see spending close to $10 a shell 2) I don't think it's much fun shooting them at 60 yards. I prefer within 30

I haven't seen any of the newer Franchi shotguns. My grandpa has a 48al I believe is the model. Its a nice rig.

 

[Pete FARR]

I haven't seen any of the newer Franchi shotguns. My grandpa has a 48al I believe is the model. Its a nice rig.

Buy once, cry once. Get yourself a Benelli Super Black Eagle. They are top of the line and the recoil is mild.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Buy once, cry once. Get yourself a Benelli Super Black Eagle. They are top of the line and the recoil is mild.

Super Black Eagle 3 Turkey Performance Shop Shotguns | Benelli Shotguns and Rifles

www.benelliusa.com

 

[Wolf76]

There zero reason to shoot 3.5" shells anymore. TSS has changed the game. I load my own with 8s and 9s. Getting about 350 hits inside 12" at 40 yards. With TSS, a 12ga is overkill. A 20ga with 3" shells + TSS is fine to about 60 yards. Many people are killing birds with 410s and TSS.

I have scope on my dedicated turkey gun, but others like red dots.

My suggestion is get a semi auto of whatever gun fits you well.

 

[Thompsonj]

There zero reason to shoot 3.5" shells anymore. TSS has changed the game. I load my own with 8s and 9s. Getting about 350 hits inside 12" at 40 yards. With TSS, a 12ga is overkill. A 20ga with 3" shells + TSS is fine to about 60 yards. Many people are killing birds with 410s and TSS.

I have scope on my dedicated turkey gun, but others like red dots.

My suggestion is get a semi auto of whatever gun fits you well.

I went way overkill, shooting TSS in a 10ga

 

[Wolf76]

I went way overkill, shooting TSS in a 10ga

Your ready for pterodactyl season