20 or 12 gauge?
 

The past few years I have been rewarded with 2 nice turkeys with my 20 gauge I got for christmas the first year I could hunt. I know own a 12 gauge and a 20. Both are very good gun. Remington 870 expresses. Both pumps. I am very comfortable with both guns but like my 20 gauge better, probably because it was my first gun. What gun would you use or what gun do you use? Thanks, - Buckhunter14

RE: 20 or 12 gauge?
 

I use a 12, but if you like hunting with a 20, do it.

RE: 20 or 12 gauge?
 

You've proven yourself effective with the 20g. and you have confidence in it. I'd use the 20g. It'll get the job done and has proven itself.

Slice

RE: 20 or 12 gauge?
 

i would use the 12 over the 20 because it throws more lead at them, but it sounds like you do fine with the 20, so its up to you

RE: 20 or 12 gauge?
 

The more lead the better, all else being equal.

But a 20 gauge will do the job fine as long as you operate within its limitations.

Hal

RE: 20 or 12 gauge?
 

Hi buckhunter14,

My first shotgun, bought in 1928 by my father, was a Winchester Mod 12--20ga--20in barrel--Mod choke.
I used it for Turkey,Hogs,Deer,Quil,Rabbits and other critters. Used it for years,and still
have it.
Then bought Rem 1100----still have it.
A few years back bought Moss 835 with 2 barrel combo.
Still have it.
I have all kinds of shotguns,but your shotgun will take game also!
What ever you choose, try to be the best you can!
12 or 20, will take game. Just know how to pick your loads.

Go get u'm and be safe out there!

RE: 20 or 12 gauge?
 

I started turkey hunting with a 20ga, and used it for 3 years, in which time i shot at 3 birds and killed ONE of them, only one shot was further than 30yds, it was a miss at about 30-35, the one kill was at about 15yds, and the bird wasnt dead til i beat the thing in the head to finish him, not fun. The other missed bird was the closest of all three, and it was a head-on shot at him so i know i didnt miss, but he ran/flew off:eek:

After that, i wouldnt use the 20 any more for turkey, im now toting an 870 supermag, 12 ga, 3 1/2 Hevi Shot loads:D
I WONT be missing shots this year.

Mat

RE: 20 or 12 gauge?
 

Mossberg® Mdl 500C; Hastings® Super Full Extended Choke Tube (.570); Remington® 1¼ oz #6 Hev-Shot®. Puts 50+ pellets in the kill zone at 40 yds.

RE: 20 or 12 gauge?
 

In the last three years, my boys have taken the following shots at turkeys with 20 gauge guns:

20 gauge, Nova,Undertaker choke, 3" #6 Remington turkey loads:
6 shots taken
5 birds killed; 15, 20, 22, 30, and 35 yds.
1 miss; 15 yds -- the video shows the pattern cleanly missing over his head

20 gauge, Nova, Carlson choke, 3" #5 HeviShot:
3 shots taken
1 bird killed; 55 yds.
2 misses; one miss at 60 yds., one miss at 20 yds (the bird flew just as he was pulling the trigger)

20 gauge, Browning auto5, 28" full choke barrel, 2 3/4" #6 Federal magnums:
1 shot taken
1 bird killed; 27 yds.
0 misses

20 gauges make fine turkey guns if you work within their limitations. With the exception of the bird killed at 55 yards, all the above birds were killed stone dead.

We'll be taking 5 guns to FL next month, and 4 of them will be 20s.

Hal

RE: 20 or 12 gauge?
 

I have a 13 yr daughter that wants to hunt turkeys this year but she does not want to hunt with a 12 gauge,would her 20 gag Rem 870 wingmaster with a mod choke do the job? with the right load? chambered for 2 3/4 ?