Sure, any old shotgun that holds a respectable pattern at 30 yards will suffice to kill turkeys all day. Gobbler gun performance has increased dramatically thanks to new loads and chokes designed specifically for turkey hunting, but where’s the fun in that? Therefore, I wanted to build a turkey-killing machine out of a basic scattergun as a winter project. To start, I went to my local gun store and bought a used Remington 870. Here’s what I did to modify it.
I selected the 870 Express due to its great dependability, accessibility, and, above all, its ease of modification. Since I’m not a gunsmith, I wanted to work on a shotgun with straightforward features and few moving parts that would also be simple to disassemble and reassemble. The 870 is exactly that.
I started by replacing the stock with a Knoxx SpecOps Gen III stock made by Blackhawk instead of the standard stock. The pistol grip on the Knoxx SpecOps improves maneuverability and makes it easier to maintain the gun on target for extended periods of time. The gun also looks cool. It also has six adjustable length-of-pull positions, from 12. 5 to 15. 2 inches. But the main benefit of the new stock is that it eats up felt recoil. Its two primary components, a thick, cellular butt pad and an inbuilt spring system, are meant to work in tandem to absorb the shotgun’s recoil and return it to the shooter. Blackhawk claims it reduces felt recoil by 80 percent. After blowing through a couple of boxes of turkey loads, both my shoulder and cheek felt just fine. ($160; blackhawk. com).
The install: Installing a new stock on an 870 is very simple. First remove the two Phillips head screws that hold the butt pad in place. When the butt pad is removed, you’ll discover a hole in the middle of the stock that is secured to the receiver by a screw at the bottom. With an extra-long-shank screwdriver, undo this screw and the stock will come off. The necessary Allen wrenches are included with the Knoxx SpecOps; all you need to do is tighten one bolt to secure the stock base to the receiver after removing the old one. After that, just slide the remaining stock onto the base and tighten one more bolt to get going.
Most 870s have a trigger pull weight of somewhere between 4 and 6 pounds. This is not bad at all for shotgunning. But there was so much creep in my 870’s trigger that I knew I could do better. I thus purchased the Timney Triggers 870 Fix Kit, which includes a sear spring and three distinct color-coded sear springs. The kit is exactly what I was looking for—it’s a package to enhance the existing trigger rather than an actual trigger group. Each spring offers a different pull weight: red/heavy/4 lb. , white/medium/3 lb. , and blue/light/2 lb. I opted for the medium white spring and now have a very crisp 3-pound trigger. ($98; timneytriggers. com).
The Install: Installing the new spring and sear was the most complicated job in this project. You’ve got to remove the trigger group, which is easy enough. However, you also need to take out the carrier dog follower, carrier assembly, and carrier pivot tube from the trigger group. Then, of course, you must put it all back together properly with the new spring and sear. Although Timney provides fairly clear instructions for doing this, I would suggest watching an hour’s worth of YouTube tutorials before you even remove the trigger group. Then, keep the best video running as you get started.
I love red-dot (or reflex) sights on a turkey gun. A seasoned turkey hunter will tell you that the majority of misses happen when the shooter removes his head from the gun as he is pulling the trigger. A sight compels you to scan the sight picture rather than arriving early and glancing over the bead. Additionally, it enables you to shoot accurately from awkward positions where your cheek weld and gun mount may not be perfect, such as when a gobbler sneaks up on you from the right and you have to twist to get the gun on him.
Because Trijicon’s reflex MRO (Miniature Rifle Optic) was made especially for quick target acquisition from “non-standard shooting positions,” I chose it with that in mind. ” Trijicon promises five years of battery life if you leave the sight on continuously. The lithium battery might last you the whole time you go turkey hunting if you remember to turn it off. It’s made of aluminum, so it’s light (4. 1 ounces) and compact. It has eight brightness settings (two are night-vision settings), and is waterproof down to 30 meters. Is this overkill for a turkey-hunting sight? Hell yes. ($579; trijicon. com).
The install: I had a local gunsmith drill and tap the 870’s receiver for a Picatinny rail. I got the gun back a week later, and it cost me $40.
I covered the gun with a wrap to help weatherproof it and cover up the dents and scratches from the previous owner. Mossy Oak’s Gun Skin is cast vinyl, waterproof, and guaranteed not to fade for at least seven years. But most important, it looks cool. I just had to go with the original Mossy Oak Bottomlands pattern. So long, laminated hardwood. ($30; [mossy oakgraphics. com](https://www. mossy/ oakgraphics. com)).
The Install: Wrapping the gun isn’t that bad, but it takes time and patience. You’ll need an X-Acto knife and a blow-dryer. The kit comes with individual pieces for the barrel, forend, receiver, and stock. Stick a wrap on its designated gun part, being careful to avoid wrinkles and bubbles. Trim away excess material with your knife. Then, use the blow-dryer to heat the wrap and pull it tight. As you heat the vinyl, it becomes more flexible and works into groves and around bends. Press out any wrinkles or air pockets (there will be some) with your fingers while applying heat.
The final touch was adding a Primos Jelly Head . 660 choke ($71; primos. com). I used a range of loads at ranges from 10 to 60 yards, and Winchester’s Longbeard XR (3-inch, No. 6s). At 40 yards, my best target was 153 pellets in a 10-inch circle. I got 97 pellets in the ring at 50 yards, and my best pattern at 60 yards was 88.
I can kill gobblers ethically up to fifty yards away with this kind of performance, and that’s the furthest I’d ever want to shoot a turkey. The gun fits me nicely and its looks will turn some heads at turkey camp. Shooting through the reflex sight is flat-out fun. Because the stock lessens felt recoil, it will be easier to practice before the season starts and become proficient. It’s still a used 870 Express—the modifications haven’t added elegance—but that’s even more reason to like it. Gobblers beware.
Hey there, fellow turkey enthusiasts!
Are you ready to dominate the turkey shoot and leave your competition in the dust? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a journey to build the ultimate turkey shoot gun, a weapon that will make those gobblers tremble in fear.
Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just starting out, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to create a turkey-slaying machine. So, grab your tools, gather your supplies, and let’s get started!
The Foundation: Choosing the Right Shotgun
The foundation of any great turkey shoot gun is a reliable and accurate shotgun. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, the Remington 870 stands out as a popular choice for its versatility, affordability, and ease of customization.
This trusty shotgun serves as a blank canvas for our turkey-slaying masterpiece. But don’t worry if you have another shotgun in mind; the principles and techniques we’ll discuss can be applied to a variety of models.
Enhancing Comfort and Performance: Upgrading the Stock
The first step to building the ultimate turkey shoot gun is to upgrade the stock The stock plays a crucial role in comfort, handling, and overall shooting experience.
For our build we’ll opt for the Knoxx SpecOps Gen III stock from Blackhawk. This bad boy not only looks sleek but also provides a comfortable pistol grip for enhanced maneuverability.
Additionally, its six adjustable length-of-pull positions allow you to customize the fit to your specific needs. But the real game-changer is its recoil-absorbing technology.
The Knoxx SpecOps features a spring system and a thick, cellular butt pad that work together to significantly reduce felt recoil This means you can blast through boxes of turkey loads without feeling like your shoulder is being pummeled
Taming the Trigger: Installing a Crisp Trigger
Let’s face it, most factory triggers on shotguns leave much to be desired. That’s why we’ll be upgrading the trigger with the Timney 870 Trigger Fix. This kit isn’t your typical trigger group; it’s a package designed to enhance the existing trigger, making it smoother and more responsive.
The kit comes with three different color-coded sear springs, each offering a distinct pull weight: red (heavy/4 lb.), white (medium/3 lb.), and blue (light/2 lb.). For our build, we’ll go with the white spring, giving us a crisp 3-pound trigger pull.
Say goodbye to mushy triggers and hello to precise shot placement!
Enhancing Accuracy: Adding a Red-Dot Sight
Red-dot sights are a game-changer for turkey hunting, especially in fast-paced situations. They force you to focus on the sight picture, eliminating the tendency to pull your head off the gun just as you’re pulling the trigger.
This translates to more accurate shots and fewer missed opportunities. For our build, we’ll be using the Trijicon MRO (Miniature Rifle Optic), a reflex sight specifically designed for rapid target acquisition.
The MRO boasts a compact design, long battery life, and eight brightness settings, making it adaptable to various lighting conditions. It’s a bit of an investment, but the accuracy and speed it provides are invaluable.
Protecting Your Investment: Wrapping the Gun
Now that we’ve upgraded the internals, it’s time to protect our investment with a stylish and durable wrap. We’ll be using Mossy Oak’s Gun Skin, a cast vinyl that’s waterproof, fade-resistant, and guaranteed to last for years.
Not only does it protect the gun from scratches and dents, but it also adds a touch of personalized style. We’ll go with the classic Mossy Oak Bottomlands pattern for that authentic turkey-hunting vibe.
The Final Touches: Adding a Choke and Patterning the Gun
To complete our turkey-slaying masterpiece, we’ll add a Primos Jelly Head .660 choke. This choke consistently produces tight patterns, ensuring we make the most of every shot.
Once everything is assembled, it’s time for the most crucial step: patterning the gun. This involves shooting at a target from a specific distance (usually 40 yards) and analyzing the shot pattern.
The goal is to find a load that produces a dense, even pattern within the 10-inch circle. This ensures you have a high probability of hitting your target, even at longer distances.
With the right upgrades and a little bit of effort, you can transform your ordinary shotgun into a turkey-slaying machine. Remember, the key is to focus on comfort, accuracy, and reliability.
So, grab your tools, follow these steps, and get ready to dominate the turkey shoot! And don’t forget to share your success stories with us!