20 Ga. for turkeys?

Sea Buck · March 31, 2014, 11:45 AM

I gave up using my 12 ga. magnum last year after duck hunting and getting head aches after a day of banging away. I have been using the same gun for turkey,but do not need the wiplash. At 70 years old I think my system has had enough and will try my 20 ga. from now on. A few of my buddies are calling me wimpy for going to my bird gun!! Any comments would be appreciated.

Ruger480 · March 31, 2014, 12:35 PM

Do it. Especially if you can shoot 3 inch shells. Thanks to high end shotgun loads these days, I would say that the 20 gauge today is as efficient a killer as yesterdays 12s.

You can read an article about the 20 gauge shot shells here.

Panfisher · March 31, 2014, 12:41 PM

Call em in close and shoot them in the face and you will have no problems.

green_MTman · March 31, 2014, 12:52 PM

there getting harder to find,you may have to order the ammo online but i have a 16ga and i love it

ducks,turkey,pheasant,quail,grouse even deer
recoil is mild

Mike38 · March 31, 2014, 05:03 PM

If you are good enough to call in a Tom to with in 20 yards, I'd think a 20 gauge would work just fine.

jimbob86 · March 31, 2014, 05:12 PM

20 guage, #6 pheasant loads and a full choke worked just fine for my daughter when she was 12. Should be just as deadly for you.

Quote:

Call em in close and shoot them in the face and you will have no problems.

This.

mwal · March 31, 2014, 06:18 PM

Remember in shotguns it does not matter if it is a 10Ga or a .410 a #6 pellet at 1250 fps has the same energy no matter what launched it. The difference is how many pellets you are launching. I have switched to the 20ga myself as my Benelli patterns #6 lead or #6 hevi shot well enough at 30 yards to ensure a lethal pattern on the turkey patterning board. The gun is lighter for me to carry and I do not use 3 inch magnums. Your buddies have fallen prey to the false assumption that a 3 inch 12 ga is more powerful than a 20 ga. If your 20 ga shell launches the pellet at 1400 fps and their 3 inch howitzer at 1250 fps guess who has the more powerful load? If your 20ga is more comfortable to shoot and patterns at the range you expect to shoot a turkey at, do not hesitate to use it. It won't be any deader with a bigger shotgun and your shoulder may thank you.

Mwal

jmr40 · March 31, 2014, 07:55 PM

A 12 puts a lot more pellets in the air. There is no way around the fact that more pellets = denser patterns and improved probability of hits. Especially as range increases and shot sizes get larger. You will be working with a handicap with the 20, but as long as you know what it is capable of at various ranges and limit your shots to those ranges it will work. Where I might use 4's or 5's in a 12 I wouldn't use anything larger than 6's in a 20 to help get a few more pellets in the pattern.

Quote:

The gun is lighter for me to carry

This is the only justifiable reason to choose a 20 over a 12. Reduced recoil is not. The great thing about 12 ga shotguns is the wide range of shells available. If a shooter chooses his ammo carefully you can duplicate 20 ga recoil from a 12 while still getting slightly better performance.

If comparing 2 similar shotguns in 12 and 20 ga. the 12 is typically about 1 lb heavier. A 12 shooting 1 1/8 oz loads will actually recoil less than a 20 shooting 7/8 oz loads because of the weight difference. And still put up more pellets in a better pattern. For some reason folks buy 12's and think they have to shoot the biggest baddest ammo they can find.

I started my kids on 12's with the stock cut shorter and light loads at 10 years old. Recoil was lighter than the flyweight 20's sold as youth guns and they gained a lot of confidence early with open chokes, wide patterns and enough pellets to hit stuff.

green_MTman · March 31, 2014, 08:05 PM

i still think go 16 and split the difference.i thought 16's were stupid untill i got one.love it now

reynolds357 · March 31, 2014, 09:24 PM

The 20 is definitely not 12. You will be shooting a lot less shots at turkey than you will be doing other type hunting. If you have the barrel ported and get a good extended choke that also has a muzzle brake integrated, the 12 wont kick bad at all. If it does, put a mercury recoil reducer in it and it will be tame as a new born puppy.

Ruger480 · March 31, 2014, 09:40 PM

I still maintain that the 20 ga is a credible turkey weapon out to 40 yards with the proper shell/choke tube combo. As a matter of fact, I'm thinking about trading my Mossberg 12 (with slug barrel) for a 20 just because of what the 20 gauge is capable of nowadays.

Brotherbadger · April 1, 2014, 12:36 AM

Tons of toms have been taken with a 20 ga. Just make sure to learn your effective range and you will be fine.

Mobuck · April 1, 2014, 08:38 AM

My kids started turkey hunting with 20 gauge 1 ounce loads. It worked then and will work now BUT requires patience, good calling, and cooperative birds. I would use a 20 if physical/health issues demanded it but otherwise, I'll stick to using the 12. Keep in mind, you're not skyblasting a box of shells-just that one(maybe 2).

Panfisher · April 1, 2014, 01:33 PM

One caveat I will say, sometimes moving down to a lighter 20 ga and then loading it with a heavy turkey load it may well kick as much or even more depending on the gun/load combo.

NCummins · April 2, 2014, 09:37 PM

It's all about the pattern man. 20 no 6 pellets in the head/neck of a turkey is the same regardless of the bore of the gun.
I've got a friend that shoots a limit of gobblers every year with a .410, all the way out to 50 yards too. Of course it is a custom made barrel that patterns extremely well.
I never feel the recoil when I pull the trigger on an animal. Also its not like you will be shooting 30 shells in a day. Maybe 10 to pattern the gun/choke which can be done with a lead sled or similar and one when you shoot the bird.
I would absolutely carry a 20 in the the woods for turkey, but many birds have fallen to lighter loaded 2 3/4" 12 gauges as well.

eastbank · April 3, 2014, 05:07 AM

its a rare 20ga that will put 20 pellets into a turkeys head and neck at 40 yds. i,m not saying there are not 20ga,s that will, but not many. if i used a 20ga i would limit my self to 30yds. for me its all about pattern density at the distance i,m shooting. and #6 shot will not carry the energy that #4 or #5 shot will at 40yds.if you can call them in close just about any shotgun will do. eastbank.

NCummins · April 3, 2014, 08:33 AM

Maybe not with grandpas old full choke and lead shot. Turkey chokes and shot have made leaps and bounds in the last few years.

eastbank · April 3, 2014, 11:17 AM

i shoot and pattern alot of different shotguns and ga,s,and its a damn good 20ga that will put 20 pellets in a turkey,s kill zone at 40 yds regulary. even with 1-5/16 oz in a 3" shell. 30 yrds or closer is a better range to kill turkeys with a 20. eastbank.

jimbob86 · April 3, 2014, 03:01 PM

Quote:

its a rare 20ga that will put 20 pellets into a turkeys head and neck at 40 yds.

It doesn't take 20.

1 in the spine or skull is all it takes. If a gun and load can do that consistantly, then it works. To be sure, it's nice to have 2 or 3, but a single #6 pellet started @1300 f/sec will kill a turkey if it hits the skull or spine, out to 40 yards.....

Pattern your gun and load. At the range that they will pattern densely enough to consistantly (as in every time, 10 times out of 10) 2-3 pellets on a turkey's skull or cervical spine, then it works to that range. There are dozens of turkey patterning targets out there with the spinr drawn in .... many for free download.

I've never had a turkey get away when I ambushed them with a shot to the head/neck. When I was younger and did not know any better, I rolled several over with shots to the body that got away ......

SPEMack618 · April 3, 2014, 03:42 PM

My little sister hunts turkey with a 20 ga Remington 1100.

Remington makes a pretty good 20 ga turkey load, in both No. 4 and No. 5 and she's never had any problem with it, granting only fired at one tom, but he went down deader than a sack of hammers.

eastbank · April 3, 2014, 07:35 PM

he may have died of a heart attack,just kidding. eastbank.

reynolds357 · April 4, 2014, 09:06 PM

Choke is not really the important factor in grouping. Back bore and forcing cone are the real factors that effect group. I have a barrel for "turkey shoots" that will shoot basically the same group with a skeet choke or a block choke.

Sea Buck · April 5, 2014, 03:19 PM

I put the vernier on my 20ga. Rem Choke full and it comes in at .580". I looked up Rem Chokes on the Remington web site and they list a Super Turkey 20 ga. full choke at .572" .Based on that I'll save myself $30 and go with my full choke and some practice. It will be interesting to see what kind of a pattern I'll get out to 40 yds.

Ruger480 · April 5, 2014, 03:41 PM

Keep us posted!

Todd1700 · April 7, 2014, 01:55 AM

A lot of people have good luck with the Federal Heavyweight shells in their 20 gauges. In fact a lot of people claim the 20 gauge version is better than the 12gauge in that particular shell.

And the guys who hand load TSS shot would laugh at the notion that a 20 gauge can't be a 40 yard gun. Those guys are getting 40 yard patterns that are amazing.

March 31, 2014, 11:45 AM	#1
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	20 Ga. for turkeys? I gave up using my 12 ga. magnum last year after duck hunting and getting head aches after a day of banging away. I have been using the same gun for turkey,but do not need the wiplash. At 70 years old I think my system has had enough and will try my 20 ga. from now on. A few of my buddies are calling me wimpy for going to my bird gun!! Any comments would be appreciated.

March 31, 2014, 12:35 PM	#2
Ruger480 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 720	Do it. Especially if you can shoot 3 inch shells. Thanks to high end shotgun loads these days, I would say that the 20 gauge today is as efficient a killer as yesterdays 12s. You can read an article about the 20 gauge shot shells here. Last edited by Ruger480; March 31, 2014 at 12:49 PM.

April 1, 2014, 12:36 AM	#12
Brotherbadger Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2010 Posts: 1,149	Tons of toms have been taken with a 20 ga. Just make sure to learn your effective range and you will be fine. __________________ Once Fired Brass, Top quality, Fast shipping, Best prices. http://300AacBrass.com/ -10% Coupon use code " badger "

April 2, 2014, 09:37 PM	#15
NCummins Member Join Date: February 9, 2014 Posts: 92	It's all about the pattern man. 20 no 6 pellets in the head/neck of a turkey is the same regardless of the bore of the gun. I've got a friend that shoots a limit of gobblers every year with a .410, all the way out to 50 yards too. Of course it is a custom made barrel that patterns extremely well. I never feel the recoil when I pull the trigger on an animal. Also its not like you will be shooting 30 shells in a day. Maybe 10 to pattern the gun/choke which can be done with a lead sled or similar and one when you shoot the bird. I would absolutely carry a 20 in the the woods for turkey, but many birds have fallen to lighter loaded 2 3/4" 12 gauges as well. Last edited by NCummins; April 2, 2014 at 09:43 PM.

April 3, 2014, 03:42 PM	#20
SPEMack618 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 1,863	My little sister hunts turkey with a 20 ga Remington 1100. Remington makes a pretty good 20 ga turkey load, in both No. 4 and No. 5 and she's never had any problem with it, granting only fired at one tom, but he went down deader than a sack of hammers. __________________ NRA Life Member Read my blog! "The answer to any caliber debate is going to be .38 Super, 10mm, .357 Sig or .41 Magnum!"

March 31, 2014, 12:41 PM	#3
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	Call em in close and shoot them in the face and you will have no problems.

March 31, 2014, 12:52 PM	#4
green_MTman Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2014 Location: southeastern Vermont,USA Posts: 325	there getting harder to find,you may have to order the ammo online but i have a 16ga and i love it ducks,turkey,pheasant,quail,grouse even deer recoil is mild

March 31, 2014, 05:03 PM	#5
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	If you are good enough to call in a Tom to with in 20 yards, I'd think a 20 gauge would work just fine.

March 31, 2014, 06:18 PM	#7
mwal Member Join Date: February 24, 2009 Posts: 91	Remember in shotguns it does not matter if it is a 10Ga or a .410 a #6 pellet at 1250 fps has the same energy no matter what launched it. The difference is how many pellets you are launching. I have switched to the 20ga myself as my Benelli patterns #6 lead or #6 hevi shot well enough at 30 yards to ensure a lethal pattern on the turkey patterning board. The gun is lighter for me to carry and I do not use 3 inch magnums. Your buddies have fallen prey to the false assumption that a 3 inch 12 ga is more powerful than a 20 ga. If your 20 ga shell launches the pellet at 1400 fps and their 3 inch howitzer at 1250 fps guess who has the more powerful load? If your 20ga is more comfortable to shoot and patterns at the range you expect to shoot a turkey at, do not hesitate to use it. It won't be any deader with a bigger shotgun and your shoulder may thank you. Mwal

March 31, 2014, 08:05 PM	#9
green_MTman Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2014 Location: southeastern Vermont,USA Posts: 325	i still think go 16 and split the difference.i thought 16's were stupid untill i got one.love it now

March 31, 2014, 09:24 PM	#10
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	The 20 is definitely not 12. You will be shooting a lot less shots at turkey than you will be doing other type hunting. If you have the barrel ported and get a good extended choke that also has a muzzle brake integrated, the 12 wont kick bad at all. If it does, put a mercury recoil reducer in it and it will be tame as a new born puppy.

March 31, 2014, 09:40 PM	#11
Ruger480 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 720	I still maintain that the 20 ga is a credible turkey weapon out to 40 yards with the proper shell/choke tube combo. As a matter of fact, I'm thinking about trading my Mossberg 12 (with slug barrel) for a 20 just because of what the 20 gauge is capable of nowadays.

April 1, 2014, 08:38 AM	#13
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	My kids started turkey hunting with 20 gauge 1 ounce loads. It worked then and will work now BUT requires patience, good calling, and cooperative birds. I would use a 20 if physical/health issues demanded it but otherwise, I'll stick to using the 12. Keep in mind, you're not skyblasting a box of shells-just that one(maybe 2).

April 1, 2014, 01:33 PM	#14
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	One caveat I will say, sometimes moving down to a lighter 20 ga and then loading it with a heavy turkey load it may well kick as much or even more depending on the gun/load combo.

April 3, 2014, 05:07 AM	#16
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	its a rare 20ga that will put 20 pellets into a turkeys head and neck at 40 yds. i,m not saying there are not 20ga,s that will, but not many. if i used a 20ga i would limit my self to 30yds. for me its all about pattern density at the distance i,m shooting. and #6 shot will not carry the energy that #4 or #5 shot will at 40yds.if you can call them in close just about any shotgun will do. eastbank.

April 3, 2014, 08:33 AM	#17
NCummins Member Join Date: February 9, 2014 Posts: 92	Maybe not with grandpas old full choke and lead shot. Turkey chokes and shot have made leaps and bounds in the last few years.

April 3, 2014, 11:17 AM	#18
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	i shoot and pattern alot of different shotguns and ga,s,and its a damn good 20ga that will put 20 pellets in a turkey,s kill zone at 40 yds regulary. even with 1-5/16 oz in a 3" shell. 30 yrds or closer is a better range to kill turkeys with a 20. eastbank.

April 3, 2014, 07:35 PM	#21
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	he may have died of a heart attack,just kidding. eastbank.

April 4, 2014, 09:06 PM	#22
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Choke is not really the important factor in grouping. Back bore and forcing cone are the real factors that effect group. I have a barrel for "turkey shoots" that will shoot basically the same group with a skeet choke or a block choke.

April 5, 2014, 03:19 PM	#23
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	I put the vernier on my 20ga. Rem Choke full and it comes in at .580". I looked up Rem Chokes on the Remington web site and they list a Super Turkey 20 ga. full choke at .572" .Based on that I'll save myself $30 and go with my full choke and some practice. It will be interesting to see what kind of a pattern I'll get out to 40 yds.

April 5, 2014, 03:41 PM	#24
Ruger480 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 720	Keep us posted!

April 7, 2014, 01:55 AM	#25
Todd1700 Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2008 Posts: 192	A lot of people have good luck with the Federal Heavyweight shells in their 20 gauges. In fact a lot of people claim the 20 gauge version is better than the 12gauge in that particular shell. And the guys who hand load TSS shot would laugh at the notion that a 20 gauge can't be a 40 yard gun. Those guys are getting 40 yard patterns that are amazing.