Price Check: How Much Should a Turkey Gun Cost?

Regarding my blog on April 21, about using a Benelli M2 for turkey hunting, David asked why I would buy a high-priced gun like that. Good question. And the answer is, I didn’t.  The hunt I went on in Texas was for writers to test out products for possible review. The manufacturers send us out in the field and often hand us gear that costs more that many of us might normally spend.  The Benelli M2 with the Bushnell red dot that I tested in Texas  costs around $1300-plus dollars. 

Now, I actually have a Benelli M2 that I set up as my waterfowl gun and I love it. The reduced recoil is a welcomed attribute as I reach the core of middle age and nurse a torn rotator cuff. The gun is actually the first $1,000 auto that I’ve owned.

As for my home turf turkey gun, it’s a Remington 870 Express that I bought for $180 back in 1990. It has been spray painted several times and had some custom choke work. The gun has killed more than 50 turkeys in five states.

In the next few months, I will install the permanently mounted Bushnell red dot that I tested in Texas. My homebody M2 will remain scope-free for duck hunting, and yes, my less-than-$200 Remington will remain my main implement for long beards. Check out the photo of my 870, which appeared in the March issue of Field & Stream in 2002. Hit the comment bar and tell us how much you think a good turkey gun should cost.

Comments

[tom]

I think every person is entitled to shoot what they want. I drive an old tacoma and put my Sako Deluxe with a Zeiss scope in it to go big game hunting, but on the other hand somtimes I take out the 50 cal muzzleloader my dad built in the 70's to hunt, its my choice. Now people might want to say my priorities are screwed up. I think not, I spend more time in the field than I do in my truck. I get more pleasure from my guns than I do from my truck. Each person is entitled to buy what makes them happy. If you are happy with an "every day gun" fine, if you want somthing different fine.

[tom]

And buy the way, My last Turkey Gun Cost me $500. I bought a Percussion cap Double barreled 12 gauge from Davide Pedersoli. And I guarantee I can put 30 pellets in te kill zone at 40 Yards EVERY TIME.

[craig]

i was ready to blast you guys for always forgetting the guy that can only afford to turkey hunt his or her local community nevermind being able to buy a sweeeeet custom shotgun that would make your neighbor jeoulous.then i read the price check, and much to my suprise we have a little in common god knows i wish i could hunt other states but the budget doesnt allow .but god did bless me with the very same shotgun i just read aboutweeeeeeeee i love my 870 just about as much as my first 20 ga. 1100 i also put a bushnell red dot on it and love it .these guns are on sale right now in michigan for about 239.00 and what a wounderfull allaround shotgun. the turkeys here in mi. are shakin!!!! ps do you guys ever get to keep these guns you test dont tell me ill just keep dreaming of working for feildandstream,guns and ammo,outdoorlife ect. thanks guys for letting me know im a little bit like my favorite writeing staff

[kevin thompson]

I've hunted turkey in Missouri for twenty years and in Florida once.Kansas has turned into an annual trip for me for the last 3 years.I have shot turkey with 1100 20ga 2-3/4"12ga,and the big sp10.Any gun will do the job if you understand its limits.$200.00 to $1500.00 does'nt matter to a turkey shot in the head with the right load and choke within the effective range of the gun of your choice.My next purchase will be the new extrema2 with kick off.It is a pleasure to shoot with next to zero felt recoil.This gun is at home on the sporting clays range, the duck or goose blind as well as in the turkey woods.Retail price is $1300.00 which seems fair to me on a gun of this quality .

[Ryan]

I personally only have 1 shotgun for all seasons. A Browning Gold 3.5 inch. with plenty of chokes and the right load I can use it for dove, quail, turkey, duck, geese, and pheasant. I've loved this gun and can easily justify the $700 I spent for it.

[P. Bolding]

Turkey gun? I turkey hunted for years in TX where a rifle is OK. I used an H&R Topper ($119)in .22 Hornet, down loaded 30-06 (inherited 1950 model 70) with 110 grain FMJs, down loaded .22-250 ($250) with FMJs, down loaded Marlin 30-30 ($150) with 110 grain FMJs. In CO I have used a shotgun: Rem 870 12ga($179) with stick on dayglo sights, 10 ga Marlin Super Goose ($200) which hurts pulling the trigger, and an inherited LC Smith 12 ga.
They all did a good job taking turkeys.
I believe because the loads in a shotgun are so heavy, that a semi auto which shoots to point of aim would be the most comfortable.

[mack]

Bought my 1100 2 3/4" in 1972 for less than $200.00 when my original 1100 was stolen. I used a Mod barrel and used it, never missed a shot as, I am sure of the range until 1992. Then I bought an 11-87 SPT and got a 26 barrel too. Now with heavy shot and it's wonderful patterns, I use either gun with confidence.

[Mack]

One question, with the NYC mayor all bent on more gun laws, why doesn't your large publishing house pick up stakes and move too a outdoor/hunting/gun friendly location? Makes sense to me and phoey on all 15 mayors and their cities. You need to publish all of them so I can stay the heck out on vacation trips and conference planning.

[B. Cameron]

A good turkey gun should cost as much as you're willing to spend on it. Like some of the others here, I have One Gun For All Seasons. Like others, it's a Remington 870 SuperMag synthetic. One barrel - a 26" vent-rib smoothbore RemChoke. I put in the IC for deer and I'm good for 50-60 yards. Fine for the upstate NY deer woods. Tighten it down to Modified or Full and I take it hunting for goose, pheasant, quail, rabbit, etc. A turkey choke and a 3-1/2" magnum load and I can put down gobblers at 50+ yards. I've got a scope on a rail for deer and turkeys, and the single silver bead works just fine the rest of the year.

Yep, I've got other guns in my cabinet ... but the 870 is the go-to. For $230 or so, you can't beat it.

[Alan]

I would like some informaton on a Marlin Goose gun model 1899 Bolt action.

[David Chumley]

Buy what you can afford and keep it. Build memories and KEEP the gun for your son, daughter, or grandkids to enjoy! Don't ever trade guns or sell guns.

[GlenStef]

Hello,
Not sure that this is true:), but thanks for a post.

Have a nice day
GlenStef