turkey hunting w 2 3/4 mag?

baker9017 · 02-18-2008, 10:49 AM

hey i was just wondering if my 870 express with 2 3/4 magunums would be ok for turkey hunting???

lefty o · 02-18-2008, 12:39 PM

yes, it will work. i personally would rather have a 3", but with the heaviest load of #5's you'll be set. turkeys are kinda tough, so you definately want something that throws a tight pattern. use a full ,or xtra full choke.

two-70 · 02-18-2008, 12:55 PM

+1 lefty0

ArkansasHunter · 02-18-2008, 02:18 PM

baker my step father who is in his late 70's he lives to turkey hunt and all he shoots is 2 3/4 shells.
I just tried to call him to see what shot size he shoots. He didn't answear.
Rest asured 2 3/4 Turkey loads will get the job done and have been longer than you've been breathing.
I do advise though you buy some different brands and see what patterns best in your 870.
I've got to do that too with a Mossberg Turkey gun I recently bought.
I hope you get one feller !...A.H

baker9017 · 02-18-2008, 09:22 PM

Hell Ya! thanks a lot guys, I figured it would be ok , there were some nay sayers i talked to si I wanted another opinion.
thanks again

Lng Rng · 02-19-2008, 12:48 AM

I shoot 3.5 inch #5's, just because they gave me the densest pattern at extended ranges. But last year, I shot my bird at 10 yards, so a 2 3/4 inch shell would have worked fine.

SwedeSteve · 02-19-2008, 02:31 AM

Havta' agree with AH! Patterning is definitely a must!

win39 · 02-19-2008, 02:44 AM

2 3/4 Full choke #4 or #5 shot, and pattern the gun you will be just fine out to about 40 yards.

Wingwiper · 02-28-2008, 12:54 PM

I use Full Choke and I only own a 20 ga, it is short and I am able to carry it down. I load every other shot a 7 and every other shot an 8. (Partridge and Turkey, same time)
Turkey are tough and I haven't ever had one much further than 20 yards or so. The ones that seem to die the quickest are the ones I am able to connect in the head and front of the breast in the vital area. They will still kick them back scrathers for a while longer.
I like 20 ga and have only chewed on one pellet that I can remember. It is also a Winchester Model 12 and I need only hold the trigger and work the pump. You will get addicted to Turkey hunting.

We have a saying " a Deer will see a hunter and think he is a stump. A Turkey will see a stump and think it is a hunter" they have keen hearing and eyesight, can do about 55 in the air and about 45 on the ground and with them ole Frog legs and Wing tips can be at tree top quicker than you can bat an eye.

Have fun.

Look on the Sunny side of the Cow pastures where the Cow chips, Grasshoppers and Crickets are.

TomAnsley · 03-15-2008, 02:28 PM

Most of the 2 3/4 shells have the same velocity as the 3 1/2 ultra mags.Kinda makes you wonder.1200-1300 fps.Today was opening morning for Turkey here in Florida.Had one gobbling from daylight untill about 8:30 then he just quit,One hen walked 10 feet from me,I did kill a big fat mean moccassin.Wath your step when its warm.

nodlenor · 03-15-2008, 04:33 PM

I use a Mossberg 500 and have for several years. I have tried 3"ers but can't get them to pattern as well as 2 3/4" mags. I mostly use Federal #6s. They get the job done. I also try to call them as close as possible. 30 yds. is max for me. I know, I know they can be killed farther out but thats like shooting deer at 500 yds. Not many of us can do that on a regular basis and get a clean quick kill.

02-18-2008, 10:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
baker9017 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5	turkey hunting w 2 3/4 mag? hey i was just wondering if my 870 express with 2 3/4 magunums would be ok for turkey hunting???

02-18-2008, 12:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,755	+1 lefty0 __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

02-19-2008, 02:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
SwedeSteve Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AnchorTown, Alaska Posts: 6,034 Images: 1	Havta' agree with AH! Patterning is definitely a must! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

02-19-2008, 02:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
win39 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 201	2 3/4 Full choke #4 or #5 shot, and pattern the gun you will be just fine out to about 40 yards. __________________ Benny

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02-18-2008, 12:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,474	yes, it will work. i personally would rather have a 3", but with the heaviest load of #5's you'll be set. turkeys are kinda tough, so you definately want something that throws a tight pattern. use a full ,or xtra full choke.

02-18-2008, 02:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 9,833	baker my step father who is in his late 70's he lives to turkey hunt and all he shoots is 2 3/4 shells. I just tried to call him to see what shot size he shoots. He didn't answear. Rest asured 2 3/4 Turkey loads will get the job done and have been longer than you've been breathing. I do advise though you buy some different brands and see what patterns best in your 870. I've got to do that too with a Mossberg Turkey gun I recently bought. I hope you get one feller !...A.H

02-18-2008, 09:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
baker9017 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5	Hell Ya! thanks a lot guys, I figured it would be ok , there were some nay sayers i talked to si I wanted another opinion. thanks again

02-19-2008, 12:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 939	I shoot 3.5 inch #5's, just because they gave me the densest pattern at extended ranges. But last year, I shot my bird at 10 yards, so a 2 3/4 inch shell would have worked fine.

02-28-2008, 12:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wingwiper Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 790	I use Full Choke and I only own a 20 ga, it is short and I am able to carry it down. I load every other shot a 7 and every other shot an 8. (Partridge and Turkey, same time) Turkey are tough and I haven't ever had one much further than 20 yards or so. The ones that seem to die the quickest are the ones I am able to connect in the head and front of the breast in the vital area. They will still kick them back scrathers for a while longer. I like 20 ga and have only chewed on one pellet that I can remember. It is also a Winchester Model 12 and I need only hold the trigger and work the pump. You will get addicted to Turkey hunting. We have a saying " a Deer will see a hunter and think he is a stump. A Turkey will see a stump and think it is a hunter" they have keen hearing and eyesight, can do about 55 in the air and about 45 on the ground and with them ole Frog legs and Wing tips can be at tree top quicker than you can bat an eye. Have fun. Look on the Sunny side of the Cow pastures where the Cow chips, Grasshoppers and Crickets are.

03-15-2008, 02:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
TomAnsley Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 43	Most of the 2 3/4 shells have the same velocity as the 3 1/2 ultra mags.Kinda makes you wonder.1200-1300 fps.Today was opening morning for Turkey here in Florida.Had one gobbling from daylight untill about 8:30 then he just quit,One hen walked 10 feet from me,I did kill a big fat mean moccassin.Wath your step when its warm.

03-15-2008, 04:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
nodlenor Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5	I use a Mossberg 500 and have for several years. I have tried 3"ers but can't get them to pattern as well as 2 3/4" mags. I mostly use Federal #6s. They get the job done. I also try to call them as close as possible. 30 yds. is max for me. I know, I know they can be killed farther out but thats like shooting deer at 500 yds. Not many of us can do that on a regular basis and get a clean quick kill.