Can I use this gun

[HungBuck]

I got access to new land to hunt last fall and while deer hunting I saw alot of turkeys.  I've decided to turkey hunt this spring for the first time.  My problem is that the only shotgun I have has a rifled slug barrel on it.  Would it damage the barrel to shoot a turkey load out of it? And if not, would it pattern ok to kill a turkey?

[NYBuckHunter27]

Bird shot may damage the rifling twist of your barrel, i would not recommend using that barrel for turkey.

[G-Man]

If your worried about saving money, you'll mess up that barrel , and you won't get a pattern out of it worth a damn, save a buck and just get another barrel, or gun with choke tubes

[HungBuck]

Thanks for the replies.  I thought that was what the answer would be and I just wanted to make sure.  I've looked for another barrel and the cost seems very high for just a barrel (upwards of $200).  I think I will get a whole new gun before spending that on a barrel.  Thanks again

[TeeBugg]

Can always get a rossi or h&r single shot for under $200. Thats a route i was thinking of going and may still go that route.

[growalot]

Pull out your bow and give it a shot....

[noahmstone]

What make and model is the shotgun you have. You can try eBay. I bought a slug barrel and a home defense barrel for my mossberg 500 on eBay a couple years ago for around $75 a piece. It looks like now a 28" bird barrel for the mossbergs are around $150 buy it now. If you keep your eyes open on an auction you might be able to get one for under or around $100.

[HungBuck]

It's a remington 870 express magnum.  I thought a barrel would sell for about $100 but everything I have seen so far is closer to $200.  At that price I might as well buy a new gun.

[TeeBugg]

Thats where i was with my 870. Cheaper to buy a single shot for me than another barrel.

[mike35mmnut]

I got an 870 last year with an 28" barrell.  I love it and we love to shot skeet in our backyard but I wanted a 21" inch barrell this year because it is a lot liighter and easy to go through the woods.  It was like you said $200 so I decided to get a second 870 and get a turkey gun for $399.  It has the xxfull choke and Shurshot Camo grips and is also tapped and drilled and comes with the 21" barrell. 

 

So for twice the price on the barrell I got a lot more then I would have and it was worth it.  It is a lot of money but spending $200 for just a barrell seemed stupid

[TPhunter]

Can always get a rossi or h&r single shot for under $200. Thats a route i was thinking of going and may still go that route.

 

You could buy one of these and make it a dedicated turkey gun...My hunting partner uses an H&R 10 ga. single shot turkey special he bought for around $150.00...All he did was mount a red dot scope on it and it was ready to roll.

[2012_taco]

You could buy one of these and make it a dedicated turkey gun...My hunting partner uses an H&R 10 ga. single shot turkey special he bought for around $150.00...All he did was mount a red dot scope on it and it was ready to roll.

a 10 ga single shot, Oh my aching shoulder!

[landtracdeerhunter]

Maverick make some fair guns for under $200. They are made in Mexico.

[ants]

I think buying a single shot is you best bet. You can get a new one for less than $200 and a lot less than that if you can find a used one.

[Fantail]

Whatever you decide on, even if you wind up borrowing a bird gun, season is right around the corner. Try and get somewhere/range to pattern it so your comfortable with it's sights.

[TurkeyHuntPA_NY]

Best Turkey gun out there is the 870 with a short barrel 24" give or take. Thats all I have ever used. Small and light for when you're running and gunning. They are pretty inexpensive too. Def look into one of those