Turkey shotguns tend towards shorter barrels because the muzzle movement through the arc when bringing it to bear is less noticeable. Wave a 30" barrelled scattergun and then one with an 18" barrel if you doubt this. For wingshooting, most folks shoot most shots better with longer barrels.

Then, is a longer barrel better for turkey hunting?

Shorter barrels have become the general norm for turkey guns because they are more maneuverable and lighter to carry. Choosing a turkey gun with a barrel length between 21 – 24 inches will suit you well.

Similarly, what is best gun for turkey hunting? Top 5 Turkey Gun Models of All Time

  • Mossberg 835 Rifle. I was 14 when I first shot an 835 and although I hit the paper target, I also got a bloody nose and a new respect for recoil.
  • Remington 11-87 Rifle.
  • Winchester Model 1300 Rifle.
  • Benelli Super Black Eagle Rifle.
  • Browning A5 Rifle.

In respect to this, does barrel length matter for turkey hunting?

Less than 16 inches and it will have less turkey killin' power, but it's illegal as well. (Shotgun barrels must be at least 18-inches.) So, for all practical purposes, don't worry about barrel length when considering a new shotgun for turkey hunting.

Is 5 shot good for Turkey?

As much as it pains me, for those of you who won't pattern your shotgun, a quality turkey choke with a perfectly squeezed, carefully aimed head/neck shot on your part, using magnum No. 5 shot, should kill any gobbler in range. Fives seem to be the perfect compromise between numbers of shot, energy and distance.

Related Question Answers

Can you hunt with a 18.5 inch barrel?

yes have hunted hogs in south texas where i live for several years with a mossberg 500 18.5 barrel it had an improved cylinder which means it is an open choke and it shot sabot slugs very well even out to 100yrds with just a front bead for sites,it also work well for quail in heavy cover over close working dogs and for

Does a longer barrel hold a tighter pattern?

And yes, a longer barrel will pattern better than a short one. Like in the case, when patterning at 30 yards, a 29 yard long barrel will pattern much tighter than an 18 inch barrel!

What is the best shotgun barrel length for duck hunting?

Shots at ducks and geese tend to be long. A 28- or even 30-inch barrel smooths your swing and encourages a positive follow-through. Twenty-six-inch barrels will do, but anything shorter is too light in the muzzle, and deafening to the guy sitting next to you.

Does shotgun barrel length affect range?

Shotgun barrel length is always interesting, but usually not critical. In shotguns, barrels have more to do with pointability, swing and follow through than power or reach. Long shotgun barrels do not shoot appreciably farther or “harder” than short ones, but they're easier to keep moving.

What length shotgun barrel is best for deer hunting?

While a 26” barrel is lighter and more maneuverable, a 28” barrel is going to be more accurate for long-range shots and should be regarded as perhaps the best all-around barrel length. Keep in mind that choke selection can mitigate the inherent differences between 26” and 28” barrels.

What is a turkey barrel?

Turkey barrels are really closer to rifle barrels in the way that they are used than shotgun barrels. Same with slug barrels. Both emulate rifle lengths, not shotgun lengths for ease of maneuverability.

Can you hunt turkey with a Remington 870?

And a turkey barrel for the 870 will cost you half as much as you paid for the shotgun in the first place. This gun, a Remington 870 with a full choke, was ready to shoot turkeys right out of the box. By a wide margin, this model of shot-gun has killed more turkeys than any other shotgun ever produced.

What is a turkey gun?

Turkey guns are a contradiction: They're shotguns we shoot like rifles. But turkey guns as we know them today feature several common traits: a short barrel; a tight choke; the ability to shoot heavy loads; sling swivels; and a matte or camo finish to hide them from sharp, suspicious eyes.

Do you need a choke for turkey hunting?

Turkeys are a lot different than hunting pheasants. They're a tougher bird and you need to get pellets into their vital areas to kill them cleanly and a tighter choke will allow you to do that, allow you to throw a dense pattern so you put more pellets in the turkey's head or neck, in his vital areas.”

Should I get a 26 or 28 inch barrel?

For most field applications guns with a 26 or 28-inch barrel work well because they offer improved maneuverability and less weight yet they provide a neutral balance point that allows you to swing the gun comfortably and efficiently.

Is a longer barrel more accurate?

The short answer: Yes, a longer gun barrel improves accuracy. Theoretical accuracy of handguns and rifles is driven by rifling, barrel length, and bullet mass. Therefore, a longer barrel increases the exit velocity of the bullet and the effective range of the bullet.

Can you duck hunt with a 24 inch barrel?

A 24-inch barrel is a 'point and shoot' type and better suited to rising bobwhite quail than pass-shooting waterfowl. They're also dam-loud in the confines of a blind.

Does shotgun barrel length affect velocity?

Long barrels don't increase velocity. You will read that powder burns entirely in the first 18 to 19 inches of the barrel, so any additional barrel length has no effect on velocity. Bear in mind that manufacturers typically list shotshell velocities based on results from a 30-inch test barrel.

What is the best barrel length for pheasant hunting?

28-inches

Can a 22 kill a turkey?

The answer is absolutely YES. A 22 lr will kill a human, a deer, or pretty much anything else if it penetrates the body enough to cause severe damage to an organ that is vital for life.

How far can I shoot a turkey?

A hunter should never attempt to shoot at a turkey beyond 35 yards, regardless of gauge, choke and shot size. This should be the gospel of turkey hunting. Why?

Is 6 shot good for Turkey?

When hunting early season with little green-up, open areas or simply looking to put as many projectiles into the air, No. 6s are ideal. More guns pattern the smaller shot better and out to typical turkey killing ranges, the high pellet count can literally swarm a turkey's vitals with a combined abundance of energy.

How many shells can you have while turkey hunting?

three shells

Will a 410 kill a turkey?

You can kill turkeys with a . 410 and lead shot. You can also call them very close and kill them with your breath if it's bad enough, but that's no way to fill a gobbler tag. Because the pellets are so dense, even 9 shot makes clean kills, equating to lead 5s in penetration.

Do you need a camo gun for turkey hunting?

In one word NO you do not have to have a camo gun to turkey hunt.

Can you kill a turkey with a 20 gauge?

Light, easier to point and new shell options put 20-gauges in the turkey hunting game. You might try a 20. The lighter gun's softer kick, lighter barrel and brand-new shell options could make your hunting more effective and fun. I've always hunted with 12-gauges.

What choke should be used for turkey hunting?

The Most Commonly Used Choke Tubes are These:

Full: This choke has tight constriction and a dense pattern, delivering approximately 70 percent of a shell's total pellets in a 30-inch circle at 40 yards. It's often used for trap shooting, waterfowl pass shooting, turkey hunting and buckshot loads.

Can you use a 12 gauge for turkey hunting?

Best Shotgun Gauge for Turkey Hunting

The main thing to consider when choosing a shotgun for turkey hunting is confidence. You want to go with a shotgun you're comfortable shooting with the right choke and load. A 12-gauge may shoot further than a 20-gauge, but the 20-gauge has less recoil.

How many BB does it take to kill a turkey?

In terms of penetration, it takes a minimum of 2 foot pounds of energy for a pellet to penetrate a turkey's skull or neck vertebrae. Surprisingly, many pellets fail to penetrate bone even if they do have more than enough energy.

Is Turkey shot good for home defense?

#4 shot is more than fine for home defense. You don't need the push of a turkey load at all though, 2 3/4" is more than enough. You have a lot to think about when you want to use a shotgun. Buckshot goes through walls.

Can you use BB shot for Turkey?

While not Technically a "land animal", Turkey is hunted with BB sized shot.

What's the best shot for Turkey?

Let's take a look at what I consider to be the five best turkey loads on the market.
  • Federal's 3rd Degree.
  • Remington Premier High Velocity Magnum Turkey Loads.
  • Hevi-Shot Magnum Blend Turkey.
  • Winchester Long Beard XR.
  • Federal Premium Mag-Shok Heavyweight Turkey.
  • Want to read more from Philip Massaro?

Where do you aim in Turkey?

When hunting wild turkeys with a shotgun, greater success is achieved when hunters shoot at the head and neck area of the bird. The most effective firearm shot for a turkey is to the head and neck. The preferred shot angle for bowhunters is broadside, aiming for the heart or lungs.

What is the best shotgun shell for turkey hunting?

A standard 2 ¾-inch or 3-inch magnum tungsten load is more than enough for killing turkeys out past 50 yards. Additionally, the advantages of tungsten shells make 20-gauge shotguns indisputably effective turkey killers.

Will Buckshot kill a turkey?

Its not very effective unless it his the spinal column or the brain. Turkeys are REALLY tough critters if you just hit them in the body. Even at 50 yards I would not bet a lot of money that buckshot would reliably penetrate the feathers. They turn shot like crazy.

What does a good turkey pattern look like?

A good pattern will have at least 20 pellets in the vital head and neck area. Don't count the liners! And ALWAYS remember to take a couple final shots from a "butt-on-the-ground" position like you would be if you were actually hunting. Now take another of the big blank targets and tape a turkey-target in the center.

How many pellets are in a 5 shot turkey load?

6 shot has about 222 pellets to the ounce while No. 5 shot has about 171 pellets to the ounce. Out to 40 yards, #6 shot is "perfectly adequate." Beyond that, #5 shot is "perfectly adequate" until our pattern density decays to the point where we are no longer convinced of a 100% chance of lethality.