I prefer a pump.With the right load/choke you'll rarely need a second shot on turkeys and cycling the action brings the barrel back down on target quicker if you do.

 

Semi, for the recoil reduction...but why shoot 3 1/2" for a target the size of a squirrel?

Turkey hunting has really lost it's focus. :roll:

 

Good point!My 835 can shoot 3 1/2" but I've never tried them since there's no reason to eat the added recoil or cost.I have tried some of the 3" turkey loads but even they aren't needed 90% of the time.I've killed most of mine using plain lead 2 3/4" 4 shot 1 1/4oz loads.

 

I prefer a pump.

 

I have the stouger p350 turkey its the best pump in the market!

There's a place for all God creatures...............right next to mashed potatoes and gravy!

 

I have hunted turkeys using either a Mossberg 535 pump or a Browning BPS pump for the past five years, but this season I am going to hunt with my Benelli M-2; after a few days hunting I will have an idea of how I like it. You just have to get out with one and try it out to determine what you will really like, either will work.

 

I own both of the guns you mention. I use the Nova on turkeys because it tends to pattern better than the SBE2 in my case. Typically you only need one shot...go with the 3.5 heavy shot. Dead bird.

 

The debate is still on and will stay ON for some time...do ya really need 3.5s? This is something that the hunter has to decide. Kinda like whether a 300WinMag kills a deer deader than a 243.
Me, I've shot them and don't feel or see the need to do so again.

For your needs, I'd find a couple of buddies who have one of these guns and talk them into letting you try them out. Have some shells handy to try also. For the try stage, buy just 1 box of shells. You'll need to buy more when you get your gun to see which kind your shotgun prefers. Heck you may find that neither of them fit ya and you have to move in a different direction entirely!

HWD

 

Very few circumstances will require 3 1/2 loads especially since 2 3/4 and/or 3" is more then enough, with that note. That is the only difference between the M2 & SBEII (semi), if you enjoy dogging the bush/stalking down turkeys, 20ga. is another option as well especially since its lighter then the 12ga. which will make a difference hunting all day long and a great bird/small game gun
My $0.02

 

stick with 3 " if you want to get more range put the money into the ammo and choke. shot a bird at 57yds with 3" #4 hevi-goose load last year and bird fell like a stone 18lbs and did not move. As for the range my other 3 birds were within 20yds. the long one was in the ozark mountains and the birds dont have strutting zone run and gun shooting where the longer range comes in handy.

 

I have a Beretta Xtrema 2 that will take 3.5" shells. I have only shot about 12 of the 50 3.5" shells I bought.

I can see using 3.5" steel loads for pass shooting waterfowl but I cannot see it for wild turkeys. Save your money and your shoulder and go with a 3" chambered shotgun. I have Browning BPS and I like it very much. I used it for waterfowl and turkeys and then got a Beretta 390 that is now my primary hunting shotgun. The xtrema2 and the BPS are my back up shotguns.

If you decide to take up sporting clays both of the guns that you are considering are less than ideal for the target games due to recoil. If it is just for turkeys and you are sure of that I would go for a pump and I would compare the Benelli and the BPS. Get a good after market turkey choke and check out several loads to see what gives the best patterns.

 

If you choose the pump, take some video of yourself patterning the 3 1/2 inch loads and post it.

Seriously, I would take the auto for turkeys. The recoil is horrible on a 3 inch turkey load, I could not imagine it with a pump.

 

If you choose the pump, take some video of yourself patterning the 3 1/2 inch loads and post it.

Seriously, I would take the auto for turkeys. The recoil is horrible on a 3 inch turkey load, I could not imagine it with a pump.[/quote
+1!I hate heavy recoil.I put a Kick-Eez pad on mine.Makes a huge difference in felt recoil.

 

I use a 20 gauge Nova for turkey. For the first time ever, I will try 3" loads this year with #5 shot. I bought some 3" Winchester Turkey Loads that I am going to try. In the past, I used 2 3/4' #6s of various brands. The president of our local branch of NWTF uses a 20 gauge pump and 3" loads.

My son uses 3" 12 gauge loads and a semi-auto. Both of us usually bring home a bird. Sometimes, I have used a 20 gauge Franchi 48 but with turkey loads, it is a bruiser. Same punishment at both ends. Though it is a perfect uplands gun, it doesn't take kindly to the type loads necessary to bring home a turkey.

Ever since I bought my Nova 5 years ago, I have really enjoyed using a pump. I like doubles and semi-autos and have a few of each type of action.

 

I have a camo Benelli SBE with SteadyGrip, 24" barrel, and Burris FF II red dot sight, so I recommend the SBE II with SteadyGrip.

I use a factory flush mount extra full with 3 1/2" shells. I do loose a little bit of hit percentage over most 3" turkey loads. I still get a bunch more hits with the 3 1/2" though because it starts out with more pellets. I can also use #4 instead or #5 with a similar pellet count since their velocities are the same.

Turkey load pattern work is no fun. Even with a good fitting auto loader. When you shoot at a real turkey, you more than likely won't notice the recoil. I know I don't.

 

Of the two, an auto would be my pick.

 

I'm going to go outside the box - I've only ever gotten turkeys with a break action gun. They're just more fun for me. The first was a single shot "Long Tom" - not fun to pattern with 1-1/2 oz. loads Now I just use quality 2-3/4" 1-1/4 oz loads in a SxS choked M/F. If the turkey comes in close or far, I've got my bases covered.

Whatever you do, save $$ and your shoulder - buy good 2-3/4" or 3" shells, there are lots to choose from.

MD

 

I agree with most that 3.5" shells aren't needed, but they are the shells I prefer to shoot. I don't mind the recoil of them in my 935 or my 870. I killed 2 birds a couple of years ago that required a second shot to finish, that was with 3" Winchester loads. Of course this probably had a lot to do with shot placement considering nobody shoots perfectly every time. When I switched to 3.5" loads, it only took one shot per bird. I think I stick with them now only because of the confidence I have gained while using them. The higher pellet count helps a little too.

 

all I use is a 20ga 870 pump