I had looked at Benelli™ Turkey Guns and others for almost a year and with the economy like it is I decide to forego this major purchase for a year or more then a light went off in my head, “Can I turn my old Mossberg 5500 MKII 12 GA into a Turkey gun?” The answer was yes! I started looking for a Replacement Barrel and was able to find one on-line at Closeout for $49.99 with Havlin Sales and Service www.havlinsales.com

The Barrel was a Mossberg Original Mossy Oak 24” Barrel and they exchanged the Full Choke for an Xtra Full Choke. I installed the Turkey Barrel and went over to the Lease after Stopping to pick up a Box of Winchester Supreme #5 in 3” Mag Turkey loads and some pin up Turkey targets.  I tried the gun out and she kicked like a mule which I was not expecting because I have not shot the gun in over 12 years . The first shot I had over 51 hits and out of those where 20 kill zone hits at 25 yards.  I was very happy other then my bruised shoulder. After a Weekend at the NWTF (National Wild Turkey Federation) Convention in Nashville I picked up a couple more items for my new life gun.  A Riecken's Shooter's Friend recoil Pad that claims to kill recoil up to 70% 

and a Hi Viz Shooting Systems Triviz® Turkey/Deer Combo Sight to make it easier to lock on to that Bird of a lifetime. I am very happy to say I have a new Turkey Gun and total amount spent was $78.00 (Beats $800 to $3,000 + for a Premium Turkey Gun). So if you have an Old Shotgun laying around do some research on sprucing it up to be a Turkey Gun. The only thing I am going to do after Turkey Season is have the whole shotgun dipped by Southern Draw www.southerndrawhydroprinting.com

By Dennis Parker

Dennis was introduced to Hunting, Fishing & Trapping at around the age of 6 by his father, not as a hobby but by need of survival because his Dad was often laid off as Steel worker. Dennis would help bait the traps and run them with his Dad. He learned to shoot with a 22 single shot rifle then moved up to a 16 gage Double Barrel Shotgun.

Dennis has been married for the last 35 Years and has one Daughter, age 30, and two wonderful grand children that he is bringing up to enjoy Hunting, Fishing and the outdoors. He says he often times has Deer in his yard and his 2 year old grandson will watch for the Deer outside the window with his toy gun aiming and shouting Boom at the Deer.

Dennis attended Jefferson State, University of Alabama, University Alabama Birmingham and Walker State (Now Bevill State) where he have a degree in Coal mine design/Technology.

He has worked in the IT Industries for the past 38 years 28 of those years are with his current employer ALTEC Industries, Inc (Maker of Utility Equipment like Bucket Trucks etc.) where he is a Network Analyst II/Senior IT Buyer.

When not working you will catch him at his Hunting Club, Shoal Creek Hunting Club, just outside of Montevallo Alabama in Shelby County, moving and Placing Hunting Blinds, Ladder stands and putting in Food Plots. You will also catch him hunting in Clio Alabama (South Alabama) where he will be throwing lead at hog’s or catching catfish.

Dennis is also a volunteer for Honor Flight Birmingham where they fly WWII Veterans to Washington DC to visit the WW II Memorial

Comments(4):

1. new life for a mossberg

   very nice article dennis. i have done the same with my dad's model 12 and made it my go to turkey gun. nice pattern it throws on your target.

   Sunday, March 06, 2011 brad

2. new life for a mossberg

   Good article Dennis! Gave me some good idea's!

   Tuesday, March 08, 2011 Anthony

3. 5500mkII

   I got one of theses babys new in 1989,got the turkey barral in 1990 and still hunt with it to this day.its the only gun out of all my shot guns I would rather go to the woods with for a good hunt. this is 2011, what took you so long dennis?

   Friday, July 01, 2011 garry

4. New Life

   well possum, just bring this new life shotgun North and we will give it a workout

   Tuesday, November 08, 2011 David