The author (left) dropped this gobbler with his standard duck gun and a full choke.
Many shotgun makers today will make you think you need a dedicated turkey gun to kill spring gobblers. That’s not the case. If you only hunt turkeys, then sure, getting a shotgun tailored to thunder chickens makes sense. But if you’re like me and regularly hunt other birds and critters with a scattergun, getting a dedicated turkey gun isn’t worth it. Here’s why.
Calling Them in Close is Half the Fun
Sure, you can shoot turkeys from long distances, just like you can pass shoot mallards instead of taking them over the decoys. But it’s way more fun—and challenging—to call a fired-up tom in and shoot them as they’re trying to beat up one of your turkey dekes. And you certainly don’t need a special gun to drop a gobbler stone-dead when they’re 20 yards away from you. That’s what I do with my trusty Mossberg 500 pump gun, and it works just fine. Semi-autos and even over/unders work well, too.
After-Market Choke Tubes Are Cheap and Effective
As long as your shotgun is threaded for interchangeable choke tubes, it’s not difficult to procure an extended choke tube that will increase your range and lethality when paired with a turkey shell. Hell, you can even snag a solid turkey choke tube online on Amazon for well under a $100 bucks. Just make sure to pattern your gun before you hit the field, as aftermarket choke tubes can change the center of your pattern and throw you off, especially if you’re using open sights.
You Can Shoot TSS from Any Modern Shotgun
When shooting turkeys over 30 yards, the single best investment you can make is buying a premium TSS load. Tests show the benefits of doing so when it comes to pattern density and penetration. Yes, the high velocity of TSS loads can damage an old shotgun, just like steel shells. But for most modern guns, including duck guns, TSS shoots well—and can make a huge difference for you without having to buy a whole new gun.
Red Dot Sights Are Relatively Easy to Install
Red dot sights are all the rage in the turkey hunting world, and for good reason. They allow for quick, intuitive shooting and run well in low-light situations. They’re also easy to install and zero, even if your shotgun does not have a rail system. Companies like Meadow Creek Mounts build rib mounting systems to quickly install a red dot on any shotgun. You can use them for wingshooting, too, which you can’t with a traditional scope. And if you do prefer shooting birds with an open sight, you can do so and simply reinstall the red dot sight again in the spring.
You Don’t Need a Camo Shotgun
Most turkey-specific shotguns are camo. The same is true of duck guns. But, though turkeys are notoriously wary, having a camo gun isn’t critical. You can certainly kill toms and jakes with shotguns that have black or drab wood stocks.