Gobbler Getter - Winchester Super X2 NWTF

Well gang after pinching my pennies for some time, I've finally got a good deal on an older, used, but in near mint condition Winchester Super X2 NWTF 12 ga. 3.5 inch magnum.

I got this for about $200 cheaper than a new model.  It does require a few additions.  This older model isn't drilled and tapped for a scope like the new ones so that is the first line of business.  Why a scope you ask?  Well, after studying up on the subject of turkey guns, one fellow I read about recommends a scope because the super tight patterns that turkey guns can produce misses at close range if you're not dead on.  So, I agree and was thinking a low variable powered Leupold VXII or VXIII might be the ticket.  Maybe something in the 1.5-5 or 1-4 X range.  Once I get the scope setup ready, I've gotta get a turkey choke.  I was leaning towards the Winchester brand Super Full Turkey as its cheaper than other after-market tubes.  I've already purchased two boxes of #5 shot 3 1/2 inch magnum shells to try out - Winchester and Federal - and will probably buy a few more before I'm settled with the best load.  A good camo sling and that should do it. 

My impressions of this gun superficially are pretty good.  It points well for me.  On most shotguns, I tend to bring the sights up above the target when I throw the shotgun up to my shoulder.  However when I throw this one up, the sights are really close to being on target or perhaps just a little low.  For me, I find it easier to bring the sights up to the target than dropping them down, with a shotgun at least, but that's just me.  I tend to think you're covering the field of view if you have the sights above the target and thus make it harder to pick up on the target.  Again, that's just me.  The camo finish is durable and totally dull.  Interestingly, the stampings on the barrel were whited in.  I don't know if that was done at the factory or with white paint but regardless it was professionally done.  The fiberoptic sights are bright.  The rear is two-dot red and the front is a single dot green.  I honestly would rather have seen all three dots the same color as the lighter green is tougher to pick up on a light background.  The finish is also less slick than traditional synthetic stocks.  I suppose it is strictly because of the paint but handling the gun is sure with no slippage due to a slick surface.  The forearm and pistol grip are "checkered" which further helps.  It is hefty, but the weight combined with the semi-automatic action should tame recoil from the hard hitting 3.5 inch magnum loads.  The recoil pad is about an inch thick and should further help with recoil.  The safety is clean and sure.  The trigger seems a little stiff and that's going to be something else I've gotta have worked on.  I don't own a trigger gauge but I'd say it's somewhere around 7 lbs if I had to guess comparing it to the 3 lb pulls on my rifles.  Again, just a guess.  My biggest complaint and really only complaint at this point is the assembly and cleaning of the gun.  The barrel wasn't attached when shipped.  After fiddling around trying to figure out how to attach it, I got smart and read the directions  The bolt carrier has a long "spur" on the back of it that often falls out of place during shipping and aligns the bolt carrier on a recoil spring plunger.  To get to this, easily, you have to take the cross bolt pins out of the receiver and remove the trigger assembly and put the bolt back together.  This was a bit of a pain but once you done it for the first time it is a lot easier the second time around.  Supposedly, you can replace this spur in the recoil spring plunger without removing the receiver cross bolts and dropping the trigger group out, but I believe it would take a bit of practice.  Of course once the barrel is on, you shouldn't need to remove it out in the field unless something is plugged.  I wouldn't recommend trying it out in the field, though it is possible.  This older version came with a full, modified and improved choke tube.  I thought this was kind of strange since this is a turkey gun and the improved choke was pretty useless.  I'd rather have seen them include a Super Full Turkey choke instead.  Additionally, it is not recommended that light field loads be used in this gun.  Another reason why the improved cylinder choke shouldn't have been included!  Finally, the bolt carrier release button on the side was low profile and fairly smooth.  I think I prefer the bottom carrier release like those on the Remington 11-87 and others simply because it is bigger and easier to touch off with a gloved hand under hunting conditions.  I'm also not too fond of the bolt release being so close and forward of the port but I can live with it. 

Overall, I'm fairly happy with this rig.  Still gotta shoot it of course but initial impressions are good.  Hope I didn't bore anybody with all this blabber but hey turkey season is around the corner and I think my first dedicated turkey gun is gonna be a blast.  Perhaps a blast at both ends of the gun but a blast nonetheless 

UPDATE

Well, this gun has since been sitting at my gunsmith's shop waiting for a trigger job and getting drilled and tapped for a scope.  The trigger is done but the drill and tapping of the scope isn't and it's gonna be a pain in the butt

Sit down and fix you a cold drink this might take a while.

Well, I took it over to the 'smith and told him to drill and tap for a scope and to lighten the trigger.

Not hearing back from him in some time, I decided to give him a call after work yesterday.  He said that he has been quite unable to find scope mounts to base the hole spacing off of.  NOBODY carries them.  So, I've been scrambling to find mounts for the NEW models that are already drilled and tapped, that way I'm sure my 'smith would be able to use the mounts I'd located specifically for this gun.

Well, I looked on the internet, mail order catalogs and spoke with customer service people at Cabela's, Bass Pro, Midway, Brownell's, and I even walked into Gander Mountain.  NOBODY HAS THE MOUNTS.  Sure they had the B-Square clamp on the receiver crap jobs but that's NOT what I wanted at $60 for a receiver mount and cheap rings made of aluminum.

So I finally gave up and checked Winchester's site.  Nowhere in their shotgun description, FAQ's, or anywhere in their catalog did they mention scope mounts.  So, I finally called their toll free number and getting through I was able to order a set for $29.00 that are a one-piece base of steel.  Still gotta order the rings but that'll be easy, already got some that I think will fit.

I purposely made it a point to contact ALL the retailers I spoke with about the lack of offering this mount.  Midway was the first on the list and I gave them preference for good service and prices. 

Brownell's Gun-Tech Dept. I e-mailed and got one of those lovely "auto-response" messages which "would be answered within 72 hours.........doubtful!  So we'll see.

Got shells, got targets and hope to get the time but danged if things aren't being an obstacle every turn in the road.

O.k.  just wanted to rant.  The shotgun itself is fine but danged if the scope mounts aren't a pain to find!!!

I'll keep you guys posted on how it shoots.

Mountaineer,

I'm surprised that you didn't just call some of the mount manufacturers, Weaver, Leupold, Burris, etc.  I'd bet they have them in stock.  Most shotguns just use a flat base one piece mount.  I stock the Weaver al mounts for the Mossberg pump, and it fits 95% of the shotguns I drill and tap.  I'd think your smith could have drilled it to those holes????

Sounds like this easy project is getting close to the turkey season?

BEAR

I'd never use a Gander Mountain 'smith, for anything complicated.  Most are just thru a gunsmith program and have little practical experience.  I talked to one about his lathe one day.  It was apparent that he didn't know sh*t.  After a while I asked if he would rebarrel a lever rifle.  He admitted that the 'company' would only let him use the drill press, so he was limited to mounting pre-drilled scopes, and an ocasional drill and tap.  I looked at all the nice machine tools and thought of it as a loss.  He said the tools were for window dressing, but they would not chamber anything.

There may be other Gander Mountain shops that have better 'smiths.  But I was not impressed with the quality control of the parent GM or at that oneplace.  So I'd not trust any of the GM shops.

If you are coming north, only a few miles further  (about 30) on I-79 at exit 73, west on route 910, you could go to Economy Gunsmithing.  They are good, and I use them.  Call first 724 266-0232  they are open 6 days a week and on some nights are open till 8pm.  They are target and PD shooters.  I would also consider using Kinpin who is on this board, but I feel a desire to support the local the two guys at Economy as they are good and local.  By the way they are not a cheap place, the Economy is the old name of the township they are located in.  They are reasonable though.

BEAR

call first for

UPDATE

Well, it finally all came together for me.  I got the mounts, the scope a Leupold VXII 1-4X and sling for the thing.  My smith had drilled and tapped it using the base as a pattern and I put it in Leupold Rings.  He also tuned the trigger pull down to 4 lbs. since this is a "precision shotgun" if there is such a thing.  I then took it out and patterned it.  Seems like it liked the Winchester Supreme 3 1/2 inch #5's the best.  I'll post a pattern sometime when I bring my logbook back.  I was beginning to sweat it and I hate doing last minute stuff but all worked out well and guess what?  I killed a turkey with it to boot!!!  I'll post all the details on the birds forum.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help folks, it's been a journey!