Looking for a shotgun for skeet and turkey. What is the ideal brand, model, barrel length, auto vs pump?

[emsdr]

Looking for a shotgun for skeet and turkey. What is the ideal brand, model, barrel length, auto vs pump?

[Greenhead]

The biggest question is what is your price range. A Remington 870 with a 26" barrel is a fantastic all around gun. It is a jack of all trades. It can handle 3" magnum turkey loads as well as the lightest target loads with ease. It does very well shooting fast flying doves, decoying ducks, arrogant toms, and infurating clays.

That being said, it is not the BEST gun for anything. Ideally, you would have a pistol grip 3 1/2" 12 ga with a scope for turkeys, a sleek O/U that points as naturally as your finger for skeet, and half a dozen other shotguns for various tasks. Maybe someday I will be lucky enough to own half the guns I want.

In general, I prefer pumps because you can get more gun for your money. Whether you are comparing bargin guns or Europe's finest, a pump costs less than an auto of the same quality and is more reliable. My duck gun is a Benelli Nova that costs about 1/4 of what the Super Black Eagle costs, and as good as the SBE is, it will malfucntion more often than my Nova. More parts simply means more things to go wrong.

If money were no object, I would shoot nothing but Italian autos and fine O/Us, but that is not the case. I want guns I can afford and that do what I ask of them. For the most part, this is quality pumps.

In short, look at the Remington 870, Benelli Nova, and Browning BPS with 26" barrels. All are great guns, buy the one that fits you best.

[wallofsam]

I'd start with a Remington 870 pump with multiple screw in chokes. That way you have an all around bird-hunting gun that wont break the bank. Then later on down the line purchase a auto for skeet and every other foul. It's just my personal opinion, but I like to have a gun specifically set-up for one season and another gun for hunting something else.

[hunt_fish_sleep]

I've got a Remington 870 super magnum with a 23" barrel and I've done everything with that gun. Deer, Doves, Turkeys, Crows, Skeet, Trap, Rabbits..... you name it. You can do anything with an 870.

[slothman]

The Benelli nova is alot of gun for the money. I havn't used my 870 since i got one and now only use my 1100 during dove season.You can often find them on sale.

[idduckhntr]

I would look for a 26in 1187 or browning gold there both prety light and reliable and once in awhile you can find some good deals on used ones,you might also want to check out the new Browning Maxus.

[ras38023]

I agree a 870 is the best all around choice.I've used mine on birds,deer & varmits.

[kyhunter554]

i use my winchester 1300 defender 26' barrel with a 3' shot and inner changeable chokes in my opinion works great for turkey,deer, and skeet