12 Modified or 20 With Turkey Choke?
 

I'm new to Turkey Hunting. Last year, my first, I used a borrowed 12 gauge with a turkey choke.

This year it'll be my own equipment. My choices are:

1) The old 870 12 which was a Full but was bored out to Modified to shoot steel.

2) A 870 Express 20 with interchangeable chokes. I'd buy a turkey choke.

3) Buy a new 12 with interchangeable chokes.

Most of my hunting will be from ground blinds. After reading the 12 vs 20 thread I'm thinking I just use the 20 and get a good choke and some Heavishot. Any advice on my options?

That's exactly what I would do with the choices you presented!!!

+1 Good choice.

Go with the 20 and a good turkey load. Several of the regulars on this forum shoot 20ga for spring turkey. A tight pattern from a 20 will do better than a poor pattern from a 12.

There's only one degree of dead.

Go with the 20

Yeah but a tight pattern from a 12 would be the best of everything.

12 Ga. for me. I've used both and killed with both and there have never thought that using a smaller shot would be the better idea.

Take the best weapon you can and go to work.

You could upgrade your current 12 Ga 870 by purchasing a new barrel that will have the screw in choke tube option.

Take it to a gunsmith and ask if that is possible as I bet it is. Then Google and find a low cost source for a factory made barrel.

That is what I did for my 1187.

Is another option for you.

JW

Thanks for the feedback guys.

A new barrel for my 870 12 ga. will cost $120 - $150 for the Express version and $200+ for the Wingmaster.

I can buy a new 12 ga 870 Express at Cabelas right now for $300. That would be my new gun option. I have the 20 sitting in the closet so it just depends if I want to part with $300 and have another gun around the house.

My first turkey was shot with a 20 gauge modified choke at 15 yards.
I bet with a full choke or turkey choke with that 20 gauge you could shoot 30+ yards
The 12 gauge would be fine for closer ranges (10-20 yards)
but i would go with the 20 gauge and a full or turkey choke.

you don't need to be able to shoot 50 yards to kill a turkey,just call them and be patient,the longest shot I've ever got was 30 yards, but i waited and it came in to my decoys (about 15 yards away).

Another option is a USED 12 ga barrel in fixed full choke, or a used one that takes choke tubes.