Over & Under Turkey Gun

[VGJ5]

I read a couple of articles talking about turkey hunters that use an over & under shotgun.  What really caught my eye in one of the articles was that many “expert” turkey hunters prefer this style (e.g. NWTF Chief Conservation Officer James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., and Jim E. Miller, professor emeritus of wildlife at Mississippi State University).  I've been obsessing about this idea lately; even more so now that turkey season has ended. 

I’ve been turkey hunting for at least 20 years (that’s about as far back as I can remember), and I’ve only ever used three guns.  I started out with a .410 single-shot as a boy, and then moved up to a 20g single-shot shortly thereafter.  The gun that I’ve used most of my life is a 12g Remington 870 with a 20” barrel.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my 870 and I’ve killed several gobblers with it over the years (including two this Spring).  I simply like the philosophy of an O/U turkey gun.  However, I’ve never even shot an O/U shotgun at all, so I guess I need to borrow an O/U from someone and see if I like the feel and resulting patterns.  I want to discuss some of the pros and cons, and hopefully get everyone’s opinions on the matter.

Pros: 
1) A choice between different choke tubes and/or ammunition.  This seems to be the biggest Pro.  I know many people that have missed a turkey at close-range because the pattern was too tight (my cousin calls my 870 a turkey-rifle).  Having an improved cylinder or modified choke in one barrel would eliminate this problem by producing a nice wide spread at short to medium distances.  This would also allow you to go as tight as you want with your other barrel/choke, without having to worry about it being too tight.  Finally, you could use different shells in each barrel, if you really want to customize it.
2) Faster second shot.  This is somewhat of a pro for me, but not a huge one.  I’ve been using my pump so long that I load the second shell automatically (I never even remember doing it).  I guess it would be beneficial to have an absolutely instant second shot (some say a good O/U is faster than a semi).     
3) Multi-use gun.  I don’t really dove/duck/quail/etc. hunt, but I would like to ease into it, and I don’t believe my short-barrel 870 will do the job.

Cons: 
1) Weight.    No matter how you slice it, an O/U is not going to be as light as my 870 with a 20” barrel.  I know they made some short-barreled O/U specifically for turkey hunting, but I’ve only heard bad things about them.  So assuming I would get 26 or 28” barrels . . . that is quite a jump from my single-barrel 20” 870. 
2) Different Second Shot.     I know I listed the second shot as a pro above, but it could have some negative aspects as well.  The most obvious to me is that if you customize an O/U in the manner that I described, you only have one of each type of shot (one close range and one long range).  I have rarely been in a situation where this was an issue, but it’s something to consider.  At close distances, however, the second shot would be about the same as my pump: patterned-in for longer shots.
3)  Price.    O/U shotguns are just plain expensive.  Yes, you could go with a cheaper O/U shotgun like Tristar, but then you’re sacrificing performance.  Going with a used one is one option, but finding a decent used camo. O/U is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.  One option is to find a used one you like and have it dipped.  As far as buying new goes, I like the Browning Cynergy, but the cheapest I’ve found it is around $1600 or so.

So, those are my thoughts on the issue.  I’m probably leaving some pros and cons out here; please feel free to add any that y’all have.

Thanks,
Gaines

[Old Geezer]

From someone who has been there,  "go with what you know".   Pattern your gun with different shells so it does best in the 30-40yard range.  If the bird is too close, let him walk.  You have not mentioned the type of sights you want to use on the gun.

Some sporting clays facilities rent O/U guns.  You might have one in your area.  

Ralph

[GR8CALLS]

 Some of the information you have either been told or are assuming aren't on point. The O/U shotgun can be had in lighter versions than you think. Mossberg makes one ($460.00). It has 18 inch barrels w/ screw in chokes and has a picatinny rail already mounted on it if you choose to mount optics to it. This gun is far lighter than your 870.  The pump acton gun can be as fast to operate as any shotgun on the market. The difference is the person using it. Quick follow up shots, don't necessarily add up to meat on the ground! If I were strictly hunting water fowl, I would personally stick w/ the pump or auto, but for turkeys, the O/U isn't that bad a choice.  Long barrels aslo don't equal additional range. most shells for shotguns burn all the powder in them w/in 18 to 22 inches, so no additional velocity is being gained in a 28 or 30 inch barrel. H&K had an O/U turkey gun for several years (camoed). It also had screw in chokes and was compact and light weight.....handeling up to the 3 1/2 " shell. I have two of these and believe me, they shoot!

Bill

[muddpuppi]

870 20 ga youth and a moss.reserve...the moss has 26" brl and screw in chokes and weighs less than the rem..the u/o is gettin a makeover this summer 

[Turkeybuster]

I have a Browning Citori with 28" bbls. and 3 1/2" chambers I have used it on turkeys , geese , and sporting clays.
It is a very good gun easy to carry and shoots great, one point not mentioned is the O/U doesnt have a receiver which shortens the overall length. Thus the 28" bbls. do not seem to long for turkey hunting but versitale enough for upland and waterfowl hunting. Hope that helps.

Jon

[VGJ5]

Ralph: 
You hit the nail on the head with that one.  The hardest part about this decision would be leaving "what I know," especially since I've had such success with my 870.   Now as far as "if the bird is too close, let him walk," goes, that’s just not my style.  I'll pull out a knife and Rambo him, if need be.  I’m pretty sure that I missed one up close when I was younger, and I can think of at least one occasion each when my mom and dad have done so.  However, I peppered both of my gobblers this year in the head from about 15 to 20 steps, with my turkey rifle.  So, the tight pattern at short distances doesn’t seem to be a problem for me now (unless it happens again, knock on wood).  I mainly was interested in what others thought about the use of an O/U turkey gun.  I also want to move up to a 3 ½” (my 870 is 3”), so I am considering new options.  Oh, and to answer your question, I use truglo sites on my 870 and I’ll most likely put them on my next turkey gun.

Bill:   
Yeah, that’s one of the reasons I started this thread: because I have no experience with O/Us.  I’m going to look into the Mossberg and the HK.  I might have seen one of the HKs, if it’s made by or connected with Fabarm.  Thank you for the very enlightening information about barrel length, as well.  I wonder what the advantage is of having a 28” or 30” barrel, if any (fill me in, if anyone knows).
I’ve always felt that I can shoot my pump as fast as if it were an automatic.  If I ever do switch to an auto or O/U, I’ll probably still pull on the forend out of habit.  I can only remember one time when I even needed more than one shot (and I needed all three).  It was 10+ years ago, and my mom was calling for me.  I shot the gobbler, he started flopping, and then the SOB jumped up and took off running.  She was yelling at me to shoot him again, and I did, but he just kept running with blood shooting up out of his neck like old faithful.  I finally took him down with the third shot, which is good, because I only carry three shells. 

Craig:
Those are both very nice guns!  Is the O/U 12 or 20?  What do you plan on doing to the O/U this summer?

Jon:
That’s a good point about the lack of a receiver; I didn’t consider that.  Do you know any advantages of a longer barrel length for O/Us (28/30, as oppossed to 26 or less)?  Maybe, to help with balance, or is for some other reason?

Thanks for the info. guys,
Gaines

[muddpuppi]

Jon good point...i forgot to mention that ...which you can see the difference in my pic...870 yth and a regular o/u

[muddpuppi]

Gaines, both are 20's...i dont shoot 12's... ...i just posted for a side by side comparison....both are good guns...on the u/o its an odball thread so im gettin Sumtoy chokes to build me some chokes and drill an tap for a fast fire and polish and lengthen the forcing cones....

[J.L. Erb]

Good Post.

[Old Geezer]

 If the bird is too close, let him walk.  Ralph

I would qualify that with, "let him walk a little farther away". 

Ralph

[Turkeybuster]

Gaines I dont see any advantage with the longer barrels for turkey hunting as Bill stated the shorter barrel will burn the powder sufficiently. However if you plan to use the gun as I have on waterfowl or any type of upland or clay shooting they will give you a better sighting plane for all around use but will not hinder you in the turkey woods.
I really like mine even in tight set up's on turkey or goose pits it handles well. One thing to remember they can kick like a mule if they arent balanced correctly if you decide to get one get a good one the extra money will be well worth it in the long run.

Jon

[Bulldogmikey]

I have a Browning Citori with 28" bbls. and 3 1/2" chambers I have used it on turkeys , geese , and sporting clays.
It is a very good gun easy to carry and shoots great, one point not mentioned is the O/U doesnt have a receiver which shortens the overall length. Thus the 28" bbls. do not seem to long for turkey hunting but versitale enough for upland and waterfowl hunting. Hope that helps.

Jon

Have the same gun and it is a GEM!

Mike

[wiltznucs]

I've been toying with picking up a Browning Cynergy in Mossy Oak Break Up.  I use a Cynergy Euro Sport for sporting clays, trap, and dove shoots and consider the Cynergy's to be wonderful guns.  I had the occasion to fire a 3.5" shell through the new camo model recently.  She kicks like a mule, it was an experience on par with the most extreme slugs I've fired.  I'd add a mercury reducer to the stock at the minimum.  I like the fool proof action of an O/U or a SxS.  The automatics still have problems from time to time and the cleaning of an O/U is a walk in the park.  

[West Augusta]

I have a Browning Lightning Feather 20 gauge OU that got it's name honestly. It is much lighter than my 20 gauge 870.

[Turkeybuster]

For sporting clays and skeet I shoot Kreighoff's they swing fast and I like the mechanical trigger.

Jon