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Turkey gun ponderings

Southern Sportsman

Southern Sportsman

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For the last several years i have shot my SBE turkey hunting. I love it because it's not as heavy as must pump guns, and i shoot it for everything so im used to it. However, its got a 28" barrel + 2 inches of turkey choke so its long. It usually doesnt bother me when im sitting with it, but when carrying it slung, it sticks well above my head and catches branches, etc. plus im adding about an inch to my length of pull so it will be even longer over all. Thus, im thinking about relegating the SBE to ducks only and getting a dedicated turkey gun.

I already have a 26" 870 that is my back-up/guest/home protection gun which i could turn into a turkey gun. Or, i may look into getting a mossy 835. Your opinions?
 
yeah i would find a 24" barrel before buying a whole new gun...that SBE will be more fun to shoot then an 835 without question!

I personally wouldnt own an 835 if you gave me one but thats just my opinion...they are turkey killing machines but just not something i like to carry or shoot.

if you cant or dont want to wait then the 870 build could be fun depending on what all you had or wanted to do with it.
 
I've got an 835 I'm looking to sell. It's the older blotchy style camo, but it served as a turkey gun during it's tour in active duty. It has since been a demoted to safe queen. Let me know if you're interested.
 
REN said:
yeah i would find a 24" barrel before buying a whole new gun...that SBE will be more fun to shoot then an 835 without question!

I personally wouldnt own an 835 if you gave me one but thats just my opinion...they are turkey killing machines but just not something i like to carry or shoot.

if you cant or dont want to wait then the 870 build could be fun depending on what all you had or wanted to do with it.
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I'm with you REN on the 835. I wouldn't take one if given it, and would charge someone to throw it away after they gave it to me.

One option if you are looking for a shorter barrel and don't want to shell out a fortune is to comb the auction sites, a lot of times you can pick up a barrel around 50% off if you keep your eyes open. If I see one while looking myself I will certainly send you a link
 
Thanks Setter,

I've looked off and on for a while and haven't stumbled on what I'm looking for yet. The SBE and SBE II barrels are interchangeable, but I would have to buy new turkey chokes if I got II barrel, which wouldn't be a big deal, but I would still rather have the I.
 
I use the 835 because its free but ive put a lot of money into it. if I was going to get another pump which I probably wont itll be the super nova. my next will be the sbeII !
 
The reason the barrel sticks up so high above your head when it's on your shoulder is because of the short forearm, of course, the 28" barrel ain't helping the situation. That's one thing that annoys me about some Benellis. Also, the SBE has a long receiver. I used a SBE for 6 years chasing turkeys and I know what you're talking about. In 08 I went to a NEF single shot with a 24" barrel for turkeys. Best decision I've ever made. The SBE/SBEII will work for turkeys but, they would be dead last on my list for a dedicated turkey gun.

You could buy a new Stoeger for what another barrel would cost for the SBE. It would also use the same chokes.

A 24" barrel on a SBE will be the same overall length as say a 3" chamber Beretta 391 with with a 26" barrel. Figure in the difference in forearm length and the 24" barrel on the SBE will stick up about 3 inches higher than the Beretta with a 26" when slung on the shoulder.
 
What do you like so well about the NEF Uncle Jesse? Ive always said that i wouldn't want a single shot turkey gun mainly because I've killed more than 1 turkey on my second shot (and 1 on my third - not my most graceful kill). But i like the idea in theory.
 
With the improvements in shells, shot, and chokes seems like more and more folks are carrying single shot or O/U 20ga guns these days too. Short, light, and the patterns they can throw are flat murderous.

Just another thought you might consider.
 
deerhunter10 said:
if I was going to get another pump which I probably wont itll be the super nova.
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I would shoot one first. I was going to buy one until I took it on a 2 day duck hunt. It was the biggest rattle trap POS I ever tried to hunt with. Give me an 870 anyday.
 
Spurhunter said:
It was the biggest rattle trap POS I ever tried to hunt with.
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I have heard this numerous times from a couple of my hunting buds who wanted to experience the Nova. They all eventually sold their Novas and washed their hands clean.

Spurhunter said:
Give me an 870 anyday.
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Same here.
 
As just mentioned, short and light and because of that, they are very easy to hold steady. I can shoot mine one handed, no problem. The lack of a second shot is the bad part but, hasn't been much of an issue as I've only missed once with it, that I can remember anyway. I don't want a super tight pattern and mine doesn't produce one with a fixed full choke. I originally got the gun to carry in my farm truck and never considered turkey hunting with it at first.

I'm thinking a double barrel might be the ultimate turkey gun. Having one barrel set up for close range and the other for long range.
 
yeah i have a buddy that has a Nova and i make him put rubber bands on it if he goes with me....while i LOVE benelli products, that one leaves some to be desired compared to an 870.

Im not much of a pump fan and dont really care to ever own another one but if i did it would be an 870.
 
REN said:
...that one leaves some to be desired ....
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I've always been somewhat shocked that Benelli put their name on the Nova, and furthermore, that they kept producing them. I know it is their way of offering a competitive priced shotgun, but I have yet to hear positive feedback from anyone who has owned or shot a Nova.
 
Spurhunter said:
deerhunter10 said:
if I was going to get another pump which I probably wont itll be the super nova.
Click to expand...

I would shoot one first. I was going to buy one until I took it on a 2 day duck hunt. It was the biggest rattle trap POS I ever tried to hunt with. Give me an 870 anyday.
Click to expand...

I know a few people that have them never had any trouble. but that's good to know. ill never buy another pump unless its just a great deal. but ill remember that if one ever comes up.
 
I am very happy with my mossbergs though have a 835 and 500. and I have a stoger m2000 that I absolutely love! I think they are a outstanding value! but I want a sbeII for my next one.
 

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