Turkey with a 20ga?

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huntingfish

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Hi folks,
Yesterday was a full day of fun. Went hare hunting and tried my new 20ga semi (gas operated). Wow was it fun. Almost no felt recoil and the sound level isn't deafening either. Cleaning took a while...but I think it was worth it. I also patterned my 12ga for turkey...after less than 10 shots, I had to bail. The pain in my shoulder was too much. I could probably change the stock recoil pad (spending 1/3 the price of the gun on a new pad doesn't appeal to me though), but it also got me thinking about getting a turkey choke for the 20ga :p

Anyone uses those TSS shells to hunt turkey with a 20ga? How's it working out for you?

Last year was supposed to be my first turkey hunt, but COVID changed my plans a bit. Hoping to try it out this year!

David
 
me and my 2 turkey hunting pals switched to 20 guage for turkey a few years ago and never looked back. Pump or semi, the recoil is way less, they are lighter and turkey dies when shot in head. Win-Win-Win. We got one last year with the TSS shells. Work Fine. Truthfully, shoot a turkey in the head at 25m with any load and its dead. Most important is shot placement / hitting that head.
 
I am no help on the 20 ga but I have used my .410 with TSS. As said above anything to the head will take them cleanly. For me turkey hunting isn’t about how far I can reach out and take them with a shotgun but how close I can get them. I let my daughters reach out with the .17 hmr if they desire but it’s not as much fun. Only thing I don’t like about the TSS is the price, over $10/shot hurts.

SCG
 
How many shots do you think it will take with the 12 gauge?
Hint you only need 1....
Pattern the 20 with a tight choke and see how many pellets are in the zone or just use the 20 if it will make you feel better.
Being able to call them in is part of the thrill and the actual killing helps make eating them even more enjoyable.
Rob
 
I just did a round up of all my turkey targets shot yesterday with the 12ga and it would appear that Long Beard XR (2nd) and Federal 3rd degree (clear winner) out performed the other ammo brands I purchased. I figured if I could try these in 20ga as well, I might see if I have a chance of using my 20ga for turkey!

David
 
huntingfish said:
I just did a round up of all my turkey targets shot yesterday with the 12ga and it would appear that Long Beard XR (2nd) and Federal 3rd degree (clear winner) out performed the other ammo brands I purchased. I figured if I could try these in 20ga as well, I might see if I have a chance of using my 20ga for turkey!

David
Click to expand...

You can definitely use your 20 without any question. What you need to do, as you did with your 12, if find the range your pattern breaks apart enough to miss a turkeys head and/or neck. As I stated above I hunt them with a .410 which is a cheap Russian break barrel With what ever choke it’s got. With the shells I use my pattern is good enough to 25 yards and starts to fall apart after. So that’s my range. Find what works for you and at what range and your Golden, it only takes one pellet....

The smaller the gauge and/or your pattern the better you need to “point” your barrel and learn how it shoots.

SCG
 
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After 10 patterning shots you would probably hurt with the 20 as well. I use one but have thought of switching to a 12 for the shell selection.
 
I have used a 20 ga for turkey for about the last 5 years. 18" pump, mod choke, Hornaday Versatite Magnum Turkey, good to 40 yds.

20 ga bullpup full choke, #5 Federal 2 3/4" game loads do the deed as well.

Many years of toting a dedicated 26" Rem 870, shooing 3.5" #6 Supremes taught me the 20 ga is much more user friendly and just as deadly. That and I have only shot 1 turkey past 30 yds in 23 years.
 
Modern 20 gauge loads throw better patterns than traditional 12 gauge lead loads and people are using TSS in their little 410's to take turkeys at 30 yards or more.

Pricey stuff, but the performance is worth it.
 
I got 2 - 50 yard 20 ga turkey guns but shoot Hevi 13 #6 - I have a 410 turkey gun and have shot TSS with it and killed also at 50yds.
If you hunt a lot of Public land down south its a good idea to have good patterned guns.
 
I ordered a turkey choke for my 20ga. Carlsons TSS capable.

Not sure if I'll be able to use it this year (probably won't have time to pattern it, but who knows).
 
DTM5 said:
me and my 2 turkey hunting pals switched to 20 guage for turkey a few years ago and never looked back. Pump or semi, the recoil is way less, they are lighter and turkey dies when shot in head. Win-Win-Win. We got one last year with the TSS shells. Work Fine. Truthfully, shoot a turkey in the head at 25m with any load and its dead. Most important is shot placement / hitting that head.
Click to expand...

100 percent agree and I think you can stretch that to 35/40 yards if you get the right choke/shell set up.

I have a bunch of TSS and other high end 20 ga turkey loads and no plans on using them now.
 
Going tomorrow to finalize the patterning of my 12ga and 20ga. I'll see which one I use.

I did receive my 20ga turkey choke and my Kent TSS ammo (KT7). I also have some remmy nitro's and another one too. Should be fun!

Only thing I'll receive afterwards is going to be a replacement butpad for my 12ga. It would of been nice to get it before patterning lol, but oh well!

David
 
You only need one pellet in the head. Gauge has very little meaning on a standing target. 410, 28, 20, 12, 17HMR, 22LR, arrow. All equal. Turkeys are easy to kill.
 
I got one with a .410 1/2 once of #6 If I remember correct it was about 10-15 yards away and dropped on the spot with a few pellets in the head.
 
I was raised on 12 ga and have used it for decades since.

Any shotgun any reasonable ammo will take a turkey. All we are talking about is margin of error and comfort.

My dad has a beautiful 60s era ithaca feather light in 20 ga and that is a great bush gun. I can readily agree it would be more pleasant than any of my 12s to hunt turkey.

I just dont see the need to go out and get a 20 expressly from that purpose. Decades from now that ithaca will be mine and Im sure it will become my go to turkey gun.

As for ammo Ive always used a 2-3/4" #4 shot and never had any issues.
 
FLHTCUI said:
How many shots do you think it will take with the 12 gauge?
Hint you only need 1....
Pattern the 20 with a tight choke and see how many pellets are in the zone or just use the 20 if it will make you feel better.
Being able to call them in is part of the thrill and the actual killing helps make eating them even more enjoyable.
Rob
Click to expand...

Yup, and you feel recoil when shooting at paper. When shooting at an animal youve worked hard to get within range of, not so much.
 
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