870 Turkey Shooters

Swamprat · #1 01-06-2018, 07:51 PM

I recently picked up a 870 from a guy at work for 125.00 that has had less than 20 shells ran thru it.

I bought it for turning it into just a turkey gun. Gonna paint it, better sights, sling, choke. etc. Yeah I know, there is better guns out there and I have a few but just want one dedicated turkey gun. My others are turkey/dove/squirrel or home defense.

Figure with what I payed for it I can splurge on it to set it up correct.

My main question is what choke do you recommend. 26" barrel and more than likely be shooting #5's out of it. Not wanting to go thru the whole buy a choke and not what I want then go buy another and repeat the process.

If you got a setup post it up. Thanks for all input.

GDAWG84 · #2 01-06-2018, 09:52 PM

My dedicated turkey gun is an 870 with the 26” barrel. I run a factory turkey choke(extra full or super full I can’t remember) and fiber optic sights. Federal flight control #6s. I’ve been very satisfied so far. Longest shot was 54yds.

swamppirate · #3 01-06-2018, 10:02 PM

Try a super full.....I like the 4X6 loads.

Gamblinman · #4 01-06-2018, 11:40 PM

Primos Jellyhead

blt152 · #5 01-07-2018, 09:10 AM

Kicks Gobbling Thunder .665 with Winchester LongBeard XR number 5 shot.

DRBugman85 · #6 01-07-2018, 10:59 AM

Kicks Gobbling Thunder. 660 with Longbeard XR 3 INCH #5 the gun is 45 year old 870 with a million+ rounds run through it.BAD TO THE BONE. Most dependable shotgun made....

Esau · #7 01-07-2018, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blt152

Kicks Gobbling Thunder .665 with Winchester LongBeard XR number 5 shot.

This is the exact set up I use. It works!

blindhog · #8 01-07-2018, 02:18 PM

My dedicated 870 I got from a pawn shop for$150

I put some camo tape on it, an Undertaker 655, and it slays them with #6 Hevi shot. Boom!

Oh, and tru glo fiber optic sights.

armyvet4583 · #9 01-07-2018, 02:20 PM

My 870 I shoot a .660 tightwad with #6 long beards. Very tight at 20yrds. Great pattern at 40. This is my back up now so have no pics of patterns. If you go to old gobbler forums they have hundreds of gun/ choke combo patterns. That being said If I was goin to change chokes in it without a doubt I'd go with a sumtoy.

Mexican Squealer · #10 01-07-2018, 02:22 PM

Undertaker unless I'm hunting in the woods. I shoot a modified in the woods.

Bubba_1122 · #11 01-07-2018, 07:03 PM

I love the 870.I grew up shooting an 16 guage (for many,many years). I shoot turkeys now with an 870 20 guage with TSS #9's (no flap after the shot - DRT).

Mine shoots a Primos Tightwad choke and is topped with a Millet red dot scope (scope cost me $56 on Amazon).

kmckinnie · #12 01-07-2018, 07:38 PM

I would not worry about chokes. Any said are great. The shot I would use is the heavy shot. I like no 7. It’s as heavy as s
No 5 shot. All them super chokes will work fine with this killer shot. My 2cent.

Curvebow05 · #13 01-08-2018, 12:21 AM

I picked up a Longbeard XR at Cabelas for $17 for my 870. What you shoot out of it makes a huge difference, but I have a box of cheap Remington and Winchester in the closet that will both kill anything in front of it. If you want to pay $20-30 per box go for it. I'll take $10 and dead birds.

matt79brown · #14 01-08-2018, 09:33 AM

I'm with Curvebow05, my 2 dearest turkey pals got expensive chokes and they both shoot expensive shells. I'm shooting a Tru-glo choke with the Remington Nitro #5's from wal-mart. Killed a pile of birds with this set up. No survivors yet. One of em was at 52 steps (not recommending you shoot 'em that far) but it can be done. I could afford to shoot any gun/choke/shell thats out there I guess. But why? Hey if ye got it flaunt it! As for me I just use what works. Save your $ for a good strutter mount when you roll 'em with that ol' 870.

Beagler282 · #15 01-08-2018, 12:49 PM

870 with Kicks GT .655 and Hevi 3"Magnum Blend 5,6,7 shot. 50 yd killing machine.

Steve Roberts · #16 01-11-2018, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamprat

I recently picked up a 870 from a guy at work for 125.00 that has had less than 20 shells ran thru it.

I bought it for turning it into just a turkey gun. Gonna paint it, better sights, sling, choke. etc. Yeah I know, there is better guns out there and I have a few but just want one dedicated turkey gun. My others are turkey/dove/squirrel or home defense.

Figure with what I payed for it I can splurge on it to set it up correct.

My main question is what choke do you recommend. 26" barrel and more than likely be shooting #5's out of it. Not wanting to go thru the whole buy a choke and not what I want then go buy another and repeat the process.

If you got a setup post it up. Thanks for all input.

Hate to differ with you, but there is no better, or more reliable shotgun out there!!! There is some lighter, and more expensive! What gauge is your shotgun?

PharmHunter · #17 01-13-2018, 08:55 AM

Been shooting a 20 gauge 870 exclusively for 4-5 seasons now I believe.
Started with a Primos Jellyhead. Now shooting a Sumtoy. Off the shelf the Jellyhead was fantastic. Went to a Sumtoy to get away from a ported choke. Couldn't be more pleased.

chase870 · #18 01-13-2018, 09:48 AM

Forcing cone needs to be lengthened this will improve the pattern. The 870's I hunt with are done that way

hoytslanger87 · #19 01-13-2018, 04:34 PM

I’ll give 2 options:
I did Jebs .650 with LB #5 it was around 190 in the 10, 6s 252.

Option 2: Any turkey choke with apex tss #9.

fountain · #20 01-13-2018, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoytslanger87

I’ll give 2 options:
I did Jebs .650 with LB #5 it was around 190 in the 10, 6s 252.

Option 2: Any turkey choke with apex tss #9.

On option 2...make sure it's in the 665 to 670 range. Tss will need a little more open choke than lead or hevi

fountain · #21 01-13-2018, 05:20 PM

As far as lengthening the forcing cone, that's not completely necessary. If you're shooting lead, you may see some increase in pattern density. If shooting hevi, you may/may not see any difference.
The biggest thing it "could" do is to help reduce recoil.

hrstille · #22 01-14-2018, 12:25 PM

Give William at Sumtoy a yell. He'll get you setup. Best in the business IMO

hhcryan · #23 01-14-2018, 10:10 PM

I put a Nikon scope on mine with Carlson longboard choke shooting the long beard #6’s been great for me so far

Tomboy Boots · #24 01-15-2018, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDAWG84

My dedicated turkey gun is an 870 with the 26” barrel. I run a factory turkey choke(extra full or super full I can’t remember) and fiber optic sights. Federal flight control #6s. I’ve been very satisfied so far. Longest shot was 54yds.

I have the 870 Supermag 12 ga. with 26" barrel with a Remington Super Full choke and Truglo fiber optic sights. I've tried several other chokes but this one patterns the best in my gun. I've been turkey hunting with this combo since 2010 and it has never let me down. It isn't just a dedicated turkey gun though. I shoot ducks, geese, squirrels, pheasants, and dove with it too, just swap out the chokes.

Swamprat · #25 01-15-2018, 09:29 PM

Thanks all for the help, response and insight.

Have heard of Sumtoy but never looked into them. Was thinking of the Kicks route as first choice with Primos second but will throw Sumtoy into the mix.

Good thing is my daughter works at a drug/sporting goods store so she can order for me and I can get a discount.