I have been using a rem 1100 w/ 30" full choke barrel for years to hunt Turkey. I decided its time to get somthing a liitle more suited to the job. (not a goose gun). The 2 3/4 1100 has done just fine in the past dropping the birds when the time was right. My dilemma now is do I buy a new barrel for my 1100 ( which is my all time fav. shotgun), or my other choice is a Mossberg 535 3.5" chamber, with a 22" barrel. I figure 50 yds is the absolute max shot. With a good tight choke I'm thinking that the 2 3/4 shell will do fine. Am I really going to get that much more with the larger shell? Thanks in advance.
Opinions on turkey gun. What should I do?
- Thread starter grizbear
- Start date
FirstFreedom
Moderator
No the 2.75s will work fine - the choke is what matters the most - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Having said that, if you DO have to upgrade to a new gun, run with the Mossy 930, not the 935. The 930 will shoot 3.0" magnum shells, to give you the extra oomph you want, but will ALSO cycle the 2.75s when you want to use those. The 935 will not; repeat, will NOT cycle 2.75" shells. So it's magnums or bust with the 935, which makes a fun day at the range, well, not fun. So the 935 is just a little too "specialized" for my taste - sold the one I had when I realized it wouldn't cycle any 2.75s.
I had my eye on the 930 Turkey last year, until I settled on the NEF Excel Auto 5 Turkey - 22", 3.0 or 2.75 shells, camo, with FO sights & X-Full choke - first shot that ever came out of it smoked a turkey good at about 22 yards, IIRC (bought it last spring right before season and didn't have time to get to the range to test it beforehand).
http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=10§ion=products (click on the right arrow where it says "More Models").
http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/excell.aspx (scroll down about 2/3rds of the way).
I had my eye on the 930 Turkey last year, until I settled on the NEF Excel Auto 5 Turkey - 22", 3.0 or 2.75 shells, camo, with FO sights & X-Full choke - first shot that ever came out of it smoked a turkey good at about 22 yards, IIRC (bought it last spring right before season and didn't have time to get to the range to test it beforehand).
http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=10§ion=products (click on the right arrow where it says "More Models").
http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/excell.aspx (scroll down about 2/3rds of the way).
Grizbear
For what its worth, I would get another barrel for your 1100. From your post you seem to like the performance of the 1100 and I don't blame you. Try and find a barrel maker in your area tell him what you want and they will probably take a trade on your barrel so it will be less expensive than purchasing a barrel retail.
For what its worth, I would get another barrel for your 1100. From your post you seem to like the performance of the 1100 and I don't blame you. Try and find a barrel maker in your area tell him what you want and they will probably take a trade on your barrel so it will be less expensive than purchasing a barrel retail.
wolverine350
New member
you can have a smith shorten your barrel and put the screw in chokes in it, or buy another barrel and have it done and keep the 30 incher
Check out E-Bay. I've bought and sold barrels for an 11-87 and they always have a few.
Here's a barrel just like yours:
This on is kinda high but it would work good for deer or turkey with a scope or red-dot sight.
Here's a barrel just like yours:
This on is kinda high but it would work good for deer or turkey with a scope or red-dot sight.
ebutler462
New member
For what it is worth, I use a 20" barrel for turkey, with flourescent bead on front and a turkey sight on the rear with double flourescent beads. Put an Undertaker choke on it and it is a handy turkey getter. Quite handy in a blind and in the brush. Never let me down yet. JMHO
Brad Clodfelter
New member
Mike on post #7 is a very smart guy. I have the exact same set-up and choke tube and have killed birds at 53yds and 59yds using Win 2 and 1/4oz. #4 shot. Both birds went straight down. The bird at 53yds, I actually had a shot enter the birds heart too. I broke some leg bones I believe as well. The head had several shot in it as well. I could see a 65yds shot, but that is pushing it for distance. I had a Browning Auto 3.5" shotgun that I bought new. It shot 5's and 6's real well. But I like 4's for their killing power not just on head and neck shots, but the shots that hit the bird on all body parts will penetrate and break bones. 5's and 6's are good only for the head and neck on 50yd shots are farther. There are those that will argue this, but I am talking from my personal experience of shooting the stubborn birds at 50yds that just won't come any closer. I have been there and done that. Some may say don't shoot at that distance and call the bird closer or wait another day. I say buy a Mossberg 835 and take the bird home at those longer shots and be done with it. Anyway, I sold the Browning after I bought the Mossberg 835. The Browning was no doubt the better quality gun, but I want a gun that will pattern 90% patterns at 40yds using #4 shot. Most standard barrel Rem 870, or 1187 or other standard barrel guns just won't shoot 4 shot as well. Remington will tell you that there is no need for a bigger backbore barrel than what they have of around .740, but I can tell you through experience of owning each of these guns and shooting them, that the Mossberg 835 .775 backbored barrel will shoot the larger shot from 4 shot or larger way better.
I won't take any gun turkey hunting without it being a Mossberg 835 with a backbored barrel of that of a 10ga. Turkeys don't stand a chance with a .695 Undertaker choke tube. You can increase your distance to right at close to 60yds for consistantly putting a bird down regardless of how big he is. I do know that a turkey shot at 50yds with this gun and choke tube combination and Win 2 and 1/4oz #4's is a dead bird every single time. My buddy turned me on to this gun after seeing how his shot these Win #4 loads on cardboard. Yes, I am a cardboard shooter. I have tested a lot of turkey guns and loads on cardboard at 40 and 50yds. You can learn a lot by buying different guns and loads and doing this. You can also break the pocketbook. I have another buddy who has this same gun, and he has had the exact same results using 4 shot. He, too, has shot a bird at I believe 65yds and the gobbler went straight down. I am now a believer.
Brad
I won't take any gun turkey hunting without it being a Mossberg 835 with a backbored barrel of that of a 10ga. Turkeys don't stand a chance with a .695 Undertaker choke tube. You can increase your distance to right at close to 60yds for consistantly putting a bird down regardless of how big he is. I do know that a turkey shot at 50yds with this gun and choke tube combination and Win 2 and 1/4oz #4's is a dead bird every single time. My buddy turned me on to this gun after seeing how his shot these Win #4 loads on cardboard. Yes, I am a cardboard shooter. I have tested a lot of turkey guns and loads on cardboard at 40 and 50yds. You can learn a lot by buying different guns and loads and doing this. You can also break the pocketbook. I have another buddy who has this same gun, and he has had the exact same results using 4 shot. He, too, has shot a bird at I believe 65yds and the gobbler went straight down. I am now a believer.
Brad
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nef pardner
Consider the inexpensive nef single shot 12 or 10 gauge. They come with camo stocks, screw in chokes and sling for around 200 bucks. Not much more than a barrel. You can shoot 2 3/4 or 3" in the twelve and with a 10 to 12 gauge adapter you can shoot anything in the 10 gauge. It weights nine pounds and really absorbs the recoil. I have a 835 and the reason it shoots well is the bore is larger. You get that with the ten gauge in a 23" barrel but a short package due to no action length(single shot). I have found it easier to change positions when the bird is coming in with a short gun.
I reccommend an 18" barrel on pumps and autos and up to 24" on single, double and over/unders.
My shortest is a 20" Encore.
I have a 1100 with an 18" barrel and screw in choke but I rather carry a 3" or 3.5" magnum.
I have killed two birds this year and they both were about 12 yards so almost anything would have done the job. But you never know when you will have a gobbler in a field at 50 yards two hens at ten feet getting nervous.
Consider the inexpensive nef single shot 12 or 10 gauge. They come with camo stocks, screw in chokes and sling for around 200 bucks. Not much more than a barrel. You can shoot 2 3/4 or 3" in the twelve and with a 10 to 12 gauge adapter you can shoot anything in the 10 gauge. It weights nine pounds and really absorbs the recoil. I have a 835 and the reason it shoots well is the bore is larger. You get that with the ten gauge in a 23" barrel but a short package due to no action length(single shot). I have found it easier to change positions when the bird is coming in with a short gun.
I reccommend an 18" barrel on pumps and autos and up to 24" on single, double and over/unders.
My shortest is a 20" Encore.
I have a 1100 with an 18" barrel and screw in choke but I rather carry a 3" or 3.5" magnum.
I have killed two birds this year and they both were about 12 yards so almost anything would have done the job. But you never know when you will have a gobbler in a field at 50 yards two hens at ten feet getting nervous.
stellarpod
New member
I was faced with a similar issue. I have a left-hand 1100 that has been very reliable hunting everything from dove to quail to duck to ???
I opted for a RemChoke slug barrel. The barrel is short and comes with iron sights. I replaced the sight inserts with fiberoptic glowing dot sights and installed a tight turkey choke.
This combination has been great! The short barrel swings with ease, the rifle-type sights are great - especially with the Truglo inserts. And I get to use a trusted gun that fits me and has never let me down.
stellarpod
I opted for a RemChoke slug barrel. The barrel is short and comes with iron sights. I replaced the sight inserts with fiberoptic glowing dot sights and installed a tight turkey choke.
This combination has been great! The short barrel swings with ease, the rifle-type sights are great - especially with the Truglo inserts. And I get to use a trusted gun that fits me and has never let me down.
stellarpod
bought the 535!
Well I finally decided and bought the mossberg 535. Been out to shoot it twice now, and it seems to throw some pretty tight patterns. The turkey choke that came with it is a .670. I just have to get it dialed in a litte better. It shoots a little high and to the right at 40 yds. Think I need to adjust my hold a little to compensate. I'm not really thrilled with the fiberoptic iron sights that are on it. However I'm sure that I just need a little more practice and I'll be good to go for next month. I like the idea of using the no4 shot for the extra power at longer ranges, I figure with 2+ oz of shot I will have plenty of pellets going with the larger shot. I just want to test a couple of different sizes first to make sure that I am satisfied with the patterns. As far as the gun itself, I am happy with it. It is light and the 20" turkey barrel will be a lot handier than the 30" on my
Remington. I had two to choose from for $299. The Thumbhole with Turkey/ Deer barrel and red dot, or the standard stock with Turkey/ Deer barrel and 28" feild barrel and red dot. Both full camo. I took the standard stock with both barrels. I have never really been all that comfortable shooting with thumbholes, and I really would rather have the extra barrel for more versatility. I am torn over weather or not to put the red dot on the gun. Also am thinking of removing the rear iron sight and just using mid bead and front fiber optic. Hopefully will be able to get in a liitle more shot testing and practice over the next few weekends and be settled in for May 1. good luck to all in the spring season. GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!!!!!!!
Well I finally decided and bought the mossberg 535. Been out to shoot it twice now, and it seems to throw some pretty tight patterns. The turkey choke that came with it is a .670. I just have to get it dialed in a litte better. It shoots a little high and to the right at 40 yds. Think I need to adjust my hold a little to compensate. I'm not really thrilled with the fiberoptic iron sights that are on it. However I'm sure that I just need a little more practice and I'll be good to go for next month. I like the idea of using the no4 shot for the extra power at longer ranges, I figure with 2+ oz of shot I will have plenty of pellets going with the larger shot. I just want to test a couple of different sizes first to make sure that I am satisfied with the patterns. As far as the gun itself, I am happy with it. It is light and the 20" turkey barrel will be a lot handier than the 30" on my
Remington. I had two to choose from for $299. The Thumbhole with Turkey/ Deer barrel and red dot, or the standard stock with Turkey/ Deer barrel and 28" feild barrel and red dot. Both full camo. I took the standard stock with both barrels. I have never really been all that comfortable shooting with thumbholes, and I really would rather have the extra barrel for more versatility. I am torn over weather or not to put the red dot on the gun. Also am thinking of removing the rear iron sight and just using mid bead and front fiber optic. Hopefully will be able to get in a liitle more shot testing and practice over the next few weekends and be settled in for May 1. good luck to all in the spring season. GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!!!!!!!
Smitty in CT
New member
I have the 535 with the 22" barrel and extended ported factory choke tube, I found that the Federal Strut-Shok #6 lead patterned the best out of my gun.
I even tried some of the more expensive Federal "FliteContol" shells and the were lousy!!
I even tried some of the more expensive Federal "FliteContol" shells and the were lousy!!