Shotgun For First Time Hunting (Turkey)

S

samefly

New member
Getting things together to go hunting for the first time and looking for a good 12 gauge semi auto shotgun. I'm on a budget so $1200 shotguns are out for me. Here's what I'm considering so far:

Semi Auto:
Stoeger Model 2000
CZ 712

Pump:
Benelli Super Nova

Also do you prefer #4, #5, or #6 bird shot for turkey and what choke?
 
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shot size

I use pumps and single shots.
I reccomend 4 lead and 5 heavy shot but use handload 8 and 9 Tungsten super shot. It is extremely heavy shot.
The only autos I have are Remington 1100 that are about 20 years old and were not bought for turkey hunting.
 
I currently own a Benelli Nova Tactical Pump for HD but doubt it would make for a good hunting shotgun. I thought a semi auto would be the way to go because I might graduate into other hunting in the future. Am I off mark with that? What would you recommend for a good hunting shotgun for around the same price as those mentioned?
 
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Have used the following:

Ithaca M37 (use no heavy loads),
Mossberg 500 with 24" choked tubed barrel (already camo'd),
Winchester M97 30" full barrel,
& Marlin 16ga O/U ( call sparsely and softly, they'll come)
Will try using A-5 12Mag this upcoming year.

pattern chokes to give even density on the standard turkey head/neck target, @ 40yds.

Try different shot size, 2, 4, & 6's and weights 1-5/8 to 1-1/8 oz loads.

Good luck!
 
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thanks for the recommendations. Do you all use iron sights or scopes? I was thinking of the Leupold VX-I 1-4x
 
gotta chime in

Turkey shotgun huh!

From your choices, I like the Nova. Turkey hunting is often turkey hiking, and a portable shotgun is a big plus. The quick second shot of an auto is not that big a deal for hunting turkeys. Also, what you might gain in recoil reduction of a gas gun, can be offset by a good pad on a pump.

Shot size is the age old question, made even more complex by the heavier than lead options offered these days. Best answer is shoot a mix of shells in your gun (turkey choke please) and see what it likes. (tight dense patterns). I do not like the price of the space metal shells and still shoot lead, high speed W-W #5 if it matters.

You need some type of sights, avoid the single bead if at all possible.

Watch out mounting a scope on your turkey gun. The only scope cut I have ever gotten is from my 870 and a 3" lead turkey load when I was experimenting with a scope on it. You need ALOT of eye relief.
 
Of the guns you listed, Id pick the Nova. Check and see if you local Wal Mart sell the Beretta AL390. Its a significantly better gun than the two autos you listed for less money.
Ive always used #5 Winchester Supremes and Carlsons turkey chokes.. They pattern well in about every shotgun Ive tried. I feel that #5's are a good compromise. You get more energy than 6's and more pellets per oz than 4's. Never seen the need for the wondershells. If I cant get a turkey closer than 40 yds, he gets a pass. The shot ends the fun...
 
Stoeger shotguns are nice, but I haven't shot anything other than their condor.

Not to highjack this thread, but would full choke be adequate for turkey hunting? I know most suggest super full. I have 2 guns I'd like to take turkey hunting next year, both have fixed full chokes with 36 inch barrels. One is 10 gauge Stevens and the other is a 12 gauge bolt action Marlin. Any suggestions?
 
Not to highjack this thread, but would full choke be adequate for turkey hunting?
Click to expand...

You bet. I've killed a gang of turkeys over the last 30 yrs using nothing but fixed full choked shotguns.

Just pattern your fixed full with different shot and ammo brands to get the most pellets in the head,neck area of the turkey target out to about 40-45yds.

The 'specialized' extra full turkey chokes will get you a better pattern at a longer range but are no means a 'have to have' for turkey hunting.
You just have to get the bird in closer to ya.
The downside to the extra full turkey chokes is you better have that bead set right on that turkey neck at closer shots. In close, patterns are tight enough its easier to miss. :eek:

Far as gun selection goes, there's many times that you'll cover a lot of ground turkey hunting. I like a lighter shotgun for this reason. These hills get longer/steeper as the morning wears on. The very reason I like my single shot.

As far as between the 12 and 10ga., I've never turkey hunted with anything but a 12 and 16 but I'd suspect the 10 full may give you more range than the 12 full, but that's just speculation on my part.

I'm sure someone with 10 ga turkey hunting exp. will chime in.
 
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for a semi auto would probably checkout the mossberg 930, weatherby sa-08 and the franchi I 12.
nothing really wrong with a pump for turkey hunting but if you think you may be using it for other things you may want to get a semi auto.
 
Pumps are great but last turkey hunt I was on it almost cost me. I had a borrowed Rem 870. I had gotten between some separated hens and a Tom. Hens where clucking as was I. I sat there over 2 hrs, gun laid across my lap. Tom had stopped responding long ago. Out of the corner of my eye I see the Tom coming across a field. The gun was in my lap and pointing away from the Tom. Finally, toms is within 30 yds, goes behind a tree and gives me a chance to bring the gun up. The pump rattles as I bring gun to should, to me sounds like a plate hitting the floor. I thought I'd blown it. After what seems like forever Tom steps out from behind tree. Knows something is wrong but not sure what to do. Bang, I take 'em.

I always like Auto's for hunting. Don't get me wrong, I killed many things with a pump because thats what I shot as a kid. But now I go with Auto's. Also prefer the gas auto's over inertia and 3 1/2 .in chamber for Turkey and waterfowl.

Absolutely would not put a scope on turkey gun. More weigh and obstructs view. You need to see everything going on as a turkey approaches. I don't see what is really gained by a scope.

I would choose the lightest gun. As day goes on you'll appreciate it.

Turkey Choke or Extra Full if you have it. If not then a full works great. Used a full for over 20 years and never had a problem. I use #4....but thats what patterns best in my Rem 1100.
 
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The Mossberg 500 pump with 24" full choked barrel (w/ two #2 shot shells) has always worked for me. Its affordable, reliable and is the comfortable weight range; something you'll appreciate most on the hike back with your game. It's been my own experience that, more often than not, anything after the second shot is doing more to release frustration than put Tom in the oven. You've announced your presence for a half mile and the critters herd the alarm...day over.

Putting in some practice time and going for reliable over blowing your budget can only add to a fun and rewarding day. Not to mention avoiding that "look" from the wife when you get home empty handed again with that expensive shotgun, "...you just had to have!" as she'd put it. Okay, maybe two #2 and one 00... ;)

Happy hunting!
 
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