Let's talk about slug/turkey guns...

[awp101]

Let me say up front, I don't hunt turkeys. Something about LEOs and the Secret Service getting bent out of shape...

Anyway...

Cabela's has these on sale:

Remington 12 Ga/23" Barrel/Rifle Sights SurShot/All Purpose Green HD Stock

The most dependable slide action of all time. Super-tuned to bring the
strut to a grinding halt. These shotguns are fully covered in Realtree APG
HD camo and deliver 3 1/2" Super Magnum payloads with lethal authority at
the longest ranges. Now featuring our new ShurShot synthetic pistol-grip
stock, the updated model 870 SPS ShurShot Synthetic Turkey offers both
right-and left-handed hunters the pinnacle of lightweight shooting comfort
and handling ease. With this stock in your grip, repositioning for the shot
is quick and efficient, plus the position of your hand naturally diffuses
recoil. The 23" barrel offers awesome maneuverability, while the fully
adjustable TruGlo fiber-optic sights and an extended Wingmaster HD Turkey
Rem Choke maximize pattern placement


SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: 81061
Category: FIREARMS - SHOTGUNS
Action ump
Gauge :12 GA
Barrel Length :23"
Capacity :3 + 1
Chamber :3 1/2"
Length :44 1/2"
Weight :7 1/4 lbs
Drop :
Stock :SurShot APG Synthetic
Finish :Realtree All Purpose Green


What I don't know is if the barrel is rifled. It doesn't say, so I have to say it's not. If that's the case, will it be an accurate slug shooter? What about the choke? If I remove it can I shoot slugs or is there something that screws in to cover the threads for slug shooting?

I know you can hunt deer with a slug but what is the max effective range? What about 'yotes?

I don't NEED one and I'm not sure if I WANT one but I figure I should at least research it.

I'm a fan of the 870 series and if I can find multiple, effective and worthwhile uses for this I might be able to thin the herd a little and consolidate.

Thanks!

[Pete44ru]

It is the same as any other remington Model 870, except for styling and finish, etc.

It has a smoothbore barrel w/rifle sights and a removeable extended choke tube for 3 1/2" magnum turkey loads.

Yes, Foster-type slugs (NOT sabots) can be accurate in smoothbore/sighted barrels - provided the extended choke tube is replaced with a rifled choke tube, meant for slug shooting.
NEVER shoot any loads through a tubed barrel without a tube of some sort in place.

The barrel, like any other 870 is QD, and so can be replaced with a rifled barrel if saboted slug use is desired, and/or a scope (w/cantilever barrel).

I can usually cut a wooden 2"X4" in half @ 100yds on demand with my open sighted, smoothbore 20ga Ithaca Deerslayer - and both I and my friend (who shoots a 12ga Deerslayer) got tossed from a rifle turkey shoot after winning, because our guns "weren't rifles" - So, slug cans can be accurate enough, although not rifle accurate.

.

[awp101]

Thanks!

I wonder if it'll take a rail for a red-dot...

[RIHMFIRE]

What...you dont hunt turkeys.....in my opinion, thats some of the best hinting there is!
the version in the pic is a turkey gun for sure...screw in chokes...
Rifled barrels dont have the choke

I think remington sell a combo version...
If your only gonna have one shotgun
I would not get the thumbhole stock...
I prefer the pistol grip...
then you can use it for upland bird hunting...
skeet, trap, sporting clays, duck hunting...
then trade out the barrel and sling sluds down range...

[Pete44ru]

You don't need to add a rail. Remington makes the same model in a cantileved scope mount version.

Look on the Remington website.

http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... turkey.asp



You could get the pictured shotgun and an extra cantilevered barrel to end up with this:

http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... ilever.asp



.

[awp101]

OK, I'm going to have to do some number crunching and thunking here...

I can get the pictured shotgun for $479+tax OR I can go with the 870 Express Tactical for $300. The Express tactical would have to be plugged and I'd have to get a slug barrel which may put me closer to the pictured shotgun price BUT I'd have a double duty rig minus the camo the thumbhole stock (which doesn't bother me anyway).

Hmmm....

RIHMFIRE like I said, no turkeys around here unless they are bottled or in office.

[TedH]

I think your on the right track with the regular 870 Express with another barrel for slugs. I don't think I would like that thumb-hole stock for general shotgunning.

[Pete44ru]

Factory Model 870 extra barrels, including slug barrels, are dime-a-dozen at NorthEast gun shows in the $50-$75 range.

The Gun Digest online newspaper (the old Gun List) has a barrel section, where I've seen & bought hard-to-find barrels for about the same $$$$.

Heavier aftermarket slug barrels, like a Hastings, are another story.

IIRC, even local dealers have unsold OEM barrels gathering dust..........................

.

[awp101]

Good point Pete, I thought about that after posting. I'd forgotten I was looking at barrels on the Cabela's website. I might even see if they have any on sale or in the bargain thing if/when I go.

[buckeyeshooter]

You need a real remington turkey gun---- the sp-10! 12 guage is for chickens

[awp101]

You need a real remington turkey gun---- the sp-10! 12 guage is for chickens

Cluck cluck cluck...

[Gobblerforge]

In my opinion, this would not make a good recommendation to anyone wanting "one gun". However, that being said, I have said for years, probably the most versatile single firearm a person could buy, that won't break the bank, is a Remington Express 870. For me, I say 20 gauge. Matt finish which makes it ready to go hunting, under all conditions,right out of the box. Easy to plug for conditions limiting magazine capacity. Rem chokes easily go from turkey choke, which has proven quite satisfactory for logging several birds for me, to improved cylinder for slugs. Looks fine on the line of a turkey shoot or in a duck blind. It is just difficult to improve on that.
Gobbler

[Blaine]

I'm guessing with your thumb in that hole, it would "wack" the poop out of that thumb and hand......I'm sorry, that is just a silly looking shooter

[awp101]

I've thought about that Blaine but I don't know. My first AK had one and it was OK but there's a world of difference between 7.62x39 and a 3" 12ga. I hear slugs are pretty stout as well but I've never fired one.

IIRC my BP .45 Optima has one but I haven't fired it yet.

[C. Cash]

For about 70 bucks plus a mod or two, you can have one with a little class and history to it......

[tman]

i have good results with an 870-18"rifled sighted barrel with choke tubes. an extra-full tube and 12gauge hi-brass #4's, 23/4" for turkeys. they pattern well at 40 yards. 23/4" brenekee slugs through a rifled tube for deer, or any other game you can think of. the experts recommend 31/2" special turkey loads that cost about $2 a pop. at 100yards the brenekee slugs should handle anything on the planet. this combo works for me,anyway, and it doesn't cost a fortune.