birdbrooks

Dudes, rain be dealt with and hunted in, no doubt, but that SNOW thing I was talking about in another thread--now that's a drag for spring turkey hunting! In Minnesota if it's snowing, I'd prefer to hunt diving ducks, geese, grouse or pheasants, and in the fall or winter! Turkey hunting finally is going good now after a late start here and WI an IA. Of course, some years it seems like we have two seasons- winter and road repair.

I do like to pheasant hunt in the snow but I have not taken a spring Tom in snow. The opportunity may present itself in the next few days. Wild turkeys have fared well in MN winters since being reintroduced in the late '60's... As you may know, Tucker, the MN turkeys that were transplanted into SE MN back then were received in a swap with the Missouri DNR for ruffed grouse! The year I got my first Tom in MN ('82) less than 150 birds were taken state wide. By '05 the harvest was up to 7800 birds with a statewide flock of over 60,000... pretty good! As for the northern states, WI is pretty hard to beat- their harvest numbers beat MN hands down but they have more prime turkey habitat. I bet that Tom coming in to your calls with the snow all around was one cool sight to see!

Hey Everybody, We have tremendous hunting opportunities in MN including for turkeys, but right now, if you live south of the MN border, count your blessings.... ...my turkey season starts tomorrow with a forecast for snow! Rainy, windy and low 40's now. I will hunt turkeys in snow, but not in windy rain, unless my season is running out! I guarantee if it's snowing, the birds will not have Love on their pea-brains! By the way my buddy got a bird last week in low 70's temps...lucky timing is half the battle:D Happy spring hunting everybody-

Sometimes the reports where a bird was not taken are just as memorable as the ones where a bird is bagged... sounds like a great morning! Good luck to you and your son- Happy hunting,

Thanks- this is great info. I am test patterning turkey chokes with Hevi 13 this weekend before our later northern seasons start and this will be helpful to know.

I agree 100%. Of the guns I've ever owned, and they've all been very good guns, my M1 has always been the most reliable, tough, easy to clean and maintain, straight shooting... well you get the idea!

To be sure, I don't claim to know what's right- just my preferences:) I won't use my factory mobilchokes tighter than Mod. with anything but lead because I've had them for 14 seasons now and want to know some more about the newer loads like Hevi before I use those chokes with 'em. They've served me good and I'm superstitious anyway. The Hevi shot loads use thicker wads and have coating on the pellets as you guys know. To my way of thinkin' those are both done to protect tubes and barrels.. so I'll use my after market chokes for now. That turkey choke you mention is within a few thousandths of the one I use with Hevi. My older Benelli turkey choke is super tight. Happy hunting, and may a long beard walk into your sight lines this spring!

The two guns are both super tough, great handling guns. I got ripped on another thread for mentioning that my 20 gauge M2 came with standard non-Crio chokes, which my older year model did indeed come with. As I was corrected after that thread, they are now all supplied with Crio chokes. If the Crio barrels and chokes are a big deal to you that could be the swing factor in deciding. All I know is I cannot discern a difference in knock down power or killing range between the older barrel on the M1 and the newer Crio barrel on my M2, with any choke. (Both are 24" barrels.) I'm not shy about taking wild pheasants out to 45-50 yards with either gun. This would be based on my very unscientific field studies over the last several years on a whole bunch of hunts for wild ducks, geese, pheasants, 3 species of grouse, quail, turkey etc. I've had my M1 since 1994. A bigger deal to you in deciding might be the carrier latch. On the M1's, you can release shells from the magazine easily with your finger to unload, without cycling each load through the chamber. It is a very similar set up to the old Ithaca #37s that were a snap to load and unload and switch loads in- anyone in law enforcement from back then will attest to that- and the M1 is just like that. There is high familiarity factor and minimal fussing with load/unload procedures with the M1, and that all adds up over the years. Ain't the case with the M2. You will not be able to release shells from the magazine by depressing the carrier latch! You will be cycling each load through your gun, each and every time you load up and do not fire all the loads. Check with a seasoned gunsmith in your area and get his views if you can. Good luck and happy hunting.

Hey all, I have a M1 that has been my workhorse gun and I plan to use Hevi 13 loads this turkey season. HOWEVER I will only use an after market turkey choke made specifically to handle Hevi loads-- The Rhino; it has a .673 opening. I would not be inclined to shot Hevi through the Benelli factory Mobilchokes that are IM or tighter. By the way, I have an older Benelli-branded turkey choke that would be WAY too tight for anything but lead shot.

Good point- I talked with some hard core Canada and snow goose fanatics who love their Patternmaster chokes, with the tight shot string it puts out. I was told by Patternmaster that their chokes are all constricted at .015. Maybe that means when it comes to patterning that with #5 or #6 shot this choke will not be ideal for turkey.

Thanks very much t, There is definitely a lot of good technical and practical info on this forum--appreciate the info! I also have been casing out the Rhino chokes- more dollars for sure but I'm willing to cover that spread if it gets me a tighter pattern! This old hunter better do my homework on Hevi and Nitro loads... looks like the retained energy and penetration down range is really better than even copper plated lead.

The Toms can clam up for different reasons (in my opinion the weather rules most behavior) but that does not mean you can't still interest them with calling even when conditions are crummy-- just try calling very sparingly and very quietly (unless it's real windy. On quiet days I call a few times and then shut up completely for at least 15 minutes-- check your watch. You may be surprised to find a Tom, or even more likely a jake or non-alpha Tom sneak in to see what's up. If you can stalk turkeys that you haven't already pinpointed by hearing them call first, (so that you can avoid bumping them) then you would be a very stealthy hunter! I know I never could pull that off myself-- much better to call, wait, and then wait some more. I always give any spot I'm set up on at least 45 minutes to an hour minimum before I move on a real quiet day, unless I get a call response from a Tom and decide to close the distance. Good luck this spring-

I asked this question within a SBE thread but I want to see what you guys using M1's and three inch loads have come up using Rhino chokes. I am looking at getting the .673 version made for the Hevi/Nitro loads. Thanks!

Hey all, Can anyone share what they know about Rhino Grand Slam chokes (.660) made for M1's? I would be shooting three inch shells and have no shell preference. I've usually gone with copper plated lead in the past. I'm interested in tracking one down and trying it out (looks like Rhino doesn't sell direct from their web site but I have an inquiry in to them). Any performance reviews would be much appreciated.

Thanks, tdaniel377. I saw on Patternmaster's web site they have what looks to be a pretty good return policy. Did you try sending yours back to them? Just curious... tough deciding what choke to get when so many of 'em are pricey. I see them for sale at Cabela's too- maybe there's some feedback on the Cabela's site- I'll go check. Thanks again and Good Hunting-

I'm looking for feedback from any and all who've patterned and/or used the Patternmaster chokes for Turkey Hunting. - I am considering the Patternmaster Benelli Long Range Ported choke for my M1. I'll be shooting 3" loads and would prefer to stick with #6 copper plated lead, but am also interested in knowing how any other loads work with this choke. I hear it's awesome for buckshot but we can't use that for deer in MN Any and all responses welcome- Happy Gobbler Hunting- Birdbrooks

You scored well, my man. I have several Benellis and my original M1 is still my favorite, at least sentimental-wise. And it's endured the most disrespectful treatment- I'll admit. Wet duck boats, ice, laying on the mud turkey hunting, you name it. It doesn't get fazed very easily. And I've never had a stovepipe hang-up in 14 seasons with it. Just don't overlook cleaning the recoil tube tube assembly in the butt stock once in a awhile- you'll have to get the recoil pad off to get at it and the nut holding it all in place is 13 MM. Keep those parts lubed as well will keep your M1 tickin' indefinitely. Happy hunting- Birdbrooks

It did take a few months for my Ultralight 12 gauge to get to my dealer. They are a tough gun for the dealers to get themselves. I imagine the new 20 gauge is going to be even tougher to get! I don't think your dealer can do much about the delay, I'm guessing...

I have or have had M1 and M2 in 12 and 20 gauge. Liked them all, for different reasons. Just comparing the 20 gauge between the M1 and M2, here are my opinions: M1: --more solid feel with more metal parts (trigger guard assembly, etc.) --Stock less likely to peel than the M2 (in the black synthetic), M1 shouldn't peel. --You can depress the carrier latch on the M1 to release shells from the magazine. You cannot do this with the M2 unless you have Terminator strong fingers-- it really isn't possible for 99% of us to do this-- and this is a big deal to anyone who wants to be able to unload the magazine without cycling each shell through the chamber. M2: --You can easily remove the butt pad to access the recoil spring tube assembly for cleaning. Not so easy with the M1. --Crio barrel on the M2 (but the Crio chokes not available in 20 gauge, at least in 2007). Not so sure it makes that much of a difference pattern wise- the pellets are contained in the shot cup all the way down the barrel with either type- but both guns shoot birds as well as any repeater. --Lighter feel and handling characteristics. Super balance point. It's quicker. Those are the big points- I think I'd grab a new 20 gauge M1 again if possible. It is such a solid reliable shooter. Just clean that rear assembly as well as the more accessible parts and you'll be good for a very long time. It's a tough gun. Happy hunting- Birdbrooks

Would love to hear reports from anyone who has shot the new Ultralight 20 gauge-- which has been sold in Europe as the Beccaccia 20 gauge. They just posted up the new 20 on the American web site... but I've seen them for sale or pre-sale out there on the Internet.

MN grouse: we're still #1 for ruffed grouse. We enjoy a lot of open state and federal land to hunt with aspen stands abounding, and some huge lumber tracts, but it is starting to get broken up through federal land sales and leases and access in the future will change. MN pheasant: came back big time in the last 10 years with CRP, conservation programs and mild winters. The future is less certain and depends on land management decisions. From MN it is not too far a drive to great pheasant hunting. MN ducks: Younger people would not believe how good the duck hunting was until the 80's here. "The Land of 10,000 Lakes" is actually more than 15,000, and big or small, including all the sloughs and wetlands now mostly drained and tiled were full of waterfowl. Hundreds of thousands of canvasbacks, bluebills, ringbills, red heads, mallards and other ducks flew the Mississippi flyway down past the huge northern lakes full of wild rice like Winnibegash, Leech Lake and countless others. Western Minnesota was loaded with sloughs--long ago. We would sometimes get 10-12 different species in the bag including the mallards, gadwalls, woodies and other puddlers on a hunt. Geese: Lac Quie Parle on the western border is still one of the biggest northern refuges allowing hunting and it was spectacular, with over 100,000 geese migrating through the flowage. Now a lot of those geese have shifted west or barrel through later in the season straight to refuges further south. But the hunting there can be still be awesome. I could go on about deer, turkey, etc., but suffice it say between the hunting and fishing, it is still pretty hard to beat MN as a sportsman's headquarters. That said, people like sports writer Dennis Anderson's coalition are working hard here to preserve and improve upon what we have, before it's too late and we lose that quality of life.

I had the M2 20 Ga and simply loved it. Problem was, I had about one more pea shooter than I could justify, so I sold it to a buddy who is now thrilled with it. If I was going to be dove and quail shooting as much as I do wild pheasant, I would not have ever let 'er go. I bet it's perfect for dove or quail; it's perfect for ruffed grouse too. The M2 20 GA handles and comes to the shoulder like a dream. You can carry it or shoot it all day. And it's built to take some real use. Well, I fibbed about too many shotguns... I wanted to get the Ultralight in 12 GA, because we hump a lot of miles out west for pheasant and sharp tails that like to flush long distance. That lighter gun will be appreciated long about sunset every day next season! Happy hunting to ya--

I haven't hunted there- just golf for recreation there so far. Been there at the wrong times of year for hunting...

Thanks BoJack- If I can get back to SC sometime, I want to get into the quail with that gun!

I'm more excited about my new 12 GA Ultralight w/ 24" barrel than any shotgun- bar one- I've ever owned and that's saying something, because like everyone here I've put a whole lot of use on my guns. I've been shotgunning for 38 seasons, starting in Minnesota in the '60's. I've used 6 shotguns throughout, owning two or more at a time for different types of hunting. They were all reliable irons. Some handled real well, some you had to get to know intimately to shoot right-- like my high ramped Ithaca #37. (The old A5's were that way too- remember anyone?!) But this Ultralight handles so sweet and quick it's gotta be illegal. It rates on a shoot-ability level above any auto (or pump) I've ever handled for quickness to the shoulder, natural point, ramp vision and flat out dexterity--in winter hunting clothing too. If I miss with this gun there's no way I can blame the gun. The UL cycles shells as smooth as my M1 (going strong since '94) and the latch carrier allows you to remove shells from the mag w/o cycling them through the chamber, just like the M1. It has met my expectations so far and I am a happy man. The crio barrel and chokes are showing awesome patterns and the pheasants fold the way you want them to-- I'm sold on the crio for long range patterns. The one gun that rates #1 in my bird shooting arsenal is for grouse and early season pheasant only- a Beretta Silverhawk. But that's another story. I would recommend this bird gun to anyone who appreciates a fine handling shotgun.