[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/building-the-best-turkey-gun\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/building-the-best-turkey-gun\/","headline":"Building the Best Turkey Gun","name":"Building the Best Turkey Gun","description":"Learn how to buy or build the perfect turkey gun for you with expert recommendations on gauge, scopes, choke tubes, chamber size, barrel length, and accessories.","datePublished":"2016-03-16","dateModified":"2018-12-04","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/author\/hagosto\/#Person","name":"Hector Agosto","url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/author\/hagosto\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d7bfedbdc5ef3ed8f8df91eb37e1ffbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d7bfedbdc5ef3ed8f8df91eb37e1ffbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Legendary Whitetails","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/logo-legendary-whitetails.png","url":"http:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/logo-legendary-whitetails.png","width":522,"height":226}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/TurkeyHunting.jpg","url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/TurkeyHunting.jpg","height":794,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/building-the-best-turkey-gun\/","about":["News"],"wordCount":1814,"keywords":["News"],"articleBody":"March is here and the spring thaw is upon us.\u00a0 After a stagnant winter following the end of deer season, it\u2019s finally time for many of us to start gearing up for turkey season.\u00a0 The days are getting longer and the temperatures are getting warmer, making it the perfect time to get out and pattern your shotgun.\u00a0 Whether you\u2019re a first-timer looking to buy a perfect turkey gun or simply a hunter looking to improve your existing shotgun, this article will walk you through the key features you should be considering if you\u2019re looking for the perfect turkey gun.What gauge is best for your turkey gun?Adult Hunter:\u00a0 You can\u2019t go wrong with a 12-gauge shotgun when it comes to killing turkeys.\u00a0 Not only is it the most versatile shotgun size for hunting multiple game species, but it also has the most options when it comes to finding the right shell for your target species.\u00a0 This is one decision that should be easy, get a 12-gauge that can chamber at least 3-inch shells.Youth Hunter:\u00a0 Recoil is often one of the biggest fears for youth when it comes to shooting guns, which is why a 20-gauge will be their best friend.\u00a0 A 20-gauge will offer a significant reduction in recoil, while still proving plenty deadly.\u00a0 Couple this with some of the new shotgun loads on the shelves today, and you\u2019ll set them up for immediate success.\u00a0 A semi-auto will further reduce the recoil.Beware: Most shells designed exclusively for turkey hunting will only come in 3-inch and 3 \u00bd inch shell size.Should you put a scope on your turkey gun?Adult Hunter:\u00a0 This decision largely comes down to personal preference and sometimes state game laws.\u00a0 Personally, I prefer no optics because I don\u2019t want to worry about bumping it while I\u2019m out running and gunning for toms.\u00a0 A simple small fiber-optic sight placed on the end of the barrel is a great choice for the turkey hunter on the move. \u00a0\u00a0The one big bonus with conventional scopes and red dot scopes is that they take a lot of hunter error out of the equation.\u00a0 Both cause you to keep your head down while locking on to a turkey.\u00a0 Also, a slight bit of magnification can help you hold the crosshairs exactly where you want to, which is becoming more important every year with the ultra-tight shooting turkey loads of today.\u00a0 However, a scope does make it more difficult to pick the bird up in compared to a bead or barrel sightYouth Hunter:\u00a0 For the reasons stated above, a scope of some sort is often beginner friendly.\u00a0 A scope on a turkey gun will help beginners know exactly where to aim on a turkey and allows for consistent practice while they pattern their gun.\u00a0 Another big advantage of having a turkey gun equipped with a scope is the fact that it allows you to see the whole bird when you\u2019re taking aim.\u00a0 In comparison, if you\u2019re using a shotgun equipped with a bead or iron sights, the bottom half of your sight picture is covered up by your barrel. But again, it comes with a higher price tag and can be more difficult to find the bird.What choke tube is best for your turkey gun?If you\u2019re setting your gun up to be a dynamic turkey killing machine, you\u2019ll definitely want to equip it with a turkey choke.\u00a0 A turkey choke is basically an extra-full choke that will hold a tighter pattern at further distances, thus increasing your effective range. There\u2019s been thousands of turkeys killed with full chokes as well, so don\u2019t think you have to go out and buy a turkey choke.\u00a0 I\u2019d advise against taking a modified or improved cylinder (choke) shotgun into the field to kill turkeys, as this pattern is designed for shooting birds of flight and spreads out quickly.Should you get a semi-auto or pump action turkey gun? The choice is yours, of course, but we\u2019ll lay out some pros and cons of both.\u00a0 First, we\u2019ll look at the semi-auto shotgun.\u00a0 A semi-auto will allow you to get off a second shot quicker than a pump, but there is an increased likelihood of experiencing a jam. A good semi-auto will often times double as a great waterfowl gun as well, however, you\u2019ll pay significantly more for a semi-auto.\u00a0 Semi-autos also have less recoil and they eliminate the need to physically load another shell.Now, on to the pump action shotgun.\u00a0 Here you\u2019ll find perhaps the most popular do-everything shotgun of all time, the Remington Model 870 Express.\u00a0 Pump action guns are extremely reliable and durable with the proper maintenance. They often come with an attractive price tag and are simpler to use.\u00a0 With a little bit of practice, you\u2019ll be able to cycle through rounds nearly as fast as a semi-auto.\u00a0 In the end, turkeys are made to be taken with one shot, after that you\u2019re just sending prayers down range.What is the best chamber size for your turkey gun?Adult:\u00a0 We\u2019ll limit this discussion to cartridge length, as the debate for shot size and brand of shell is everlasting.\u00a0 When it comes to knocking down turkeys, you\u2019ll want a gun that can chamber a 3-inch or even a 3 \u00bd-inch shell.\u00a0 Again, improvements in turkey specific ammo such as the Winchester LongBeard XR and Federal 3rd Degree have made the smaller 3-inch shell size more capable than ever.Youth:\u00a0 If you\u2019re setting up a 20-gauge, you\u2019ll want a gun that can chamber 3-inch loads. \u00a0If a younger hunter is using a 12-gauge, then the 2\u00be-inch load is a good option, as it will have less kick than a 3-inch load and significantly less recoil than a 3 \u00bd-inch load.What is the ideal barrel length for your turkey gun?Shorter barrels have become the general norm for turkey guns because they are more maneuverable and lighter to carry.\u00a0 Choosing a turkey gun with a barrel length between 21 – 24 inches will suit you well.\u00a0 The shorter barrel length of a turkey gun makes it easier to use in a blind and is ideal for both adult and youth hunters.Accessories Buys Sling?Equipping your turkey gun with a comfortable sling is an absolute must.\u00a0 Whether you\u2019re toting your gun across the countryside trying to catch up with a wild gobbler, or hunting them from a pop-up blind behind the house, a sling makes the commute a whole lot easier and safer.Paint Job?A camo dipped shotgun is great, but it often comes with a higher price tag.\u00a0 Any shotgun with a matte black barrel finish is a suitable alternative.\u00a0 Basically, when you\u2019re looking to choose a shotgun for turkey hunting you want something that doesn\u2019t glisten or glare.\u00a0 Turkeys have tremendous eyesight, so don\u2019t let a shiny gun ruin your hunt.\u00a0 There\u2019s also plenty of camo tape options to cover up the glare of a blued barrel if you choose to go that route.You can see the type of abuse a shotgun can take during a turkey hunt, especially when you’re stalking them. My turkey gun doubles as my waterfowl gun, so I chose to get a camo dipped barrel with a synthetic stock to hold up in the elements.Stock Type?A turkey gun is typically a gun that you don\u2019t mind trucking through the brush or sitting in the rain with, thus, a synthetic stock is the way to go.\u00a0 Not only will it hold up to the elements better, but it will also be a bit more camouflaged.\u00a0 Save the beauty of a walnut stock for your rifles and sporting shotguns.Monopod?A bi-pod, monopod, or any other type of shooting sticks can provide a helpful and stable rest to make the moment of truth count.\u00a0 A collapsible shooting stick is great for hunting turkeys out of a blind, as the mesh window frames don\u2019t offer much support.\u00a0 A monopod that mounts to your gun barrel is great for the run-and-gun type hunter.\u00a0 You can keep it folded up and out of the way if you prefer to use your knee, or you can fold it down if you have the time.The choice is yours\u2026Hopefully this list of important turkey gun features has given you a reason to go out and buy another gun.\u00a0 If not, hopefully you\u2019ve already got one.\u00a0 In the end, buying the right gun ultimately comes down to personal preference.\u00a0 Be sure to handle and shoulder as many different makes and models as you can to find one that fits you properly.\u00a0 Also, spend plenty of time on the range experimenting with different types of ammo at different distances, as these two factors will significantly impact results."},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Legendary Whitetail's Blog"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/building-the-best-turkey-gun\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Building the Best Turkey Gun"}}]}]