Timbawolf98

First off, this is my first year turkey huntin. I've got a remington 870 20ga that shoots 3" magnums. Yesterday I went and bought a Primos Tightwad choke tube (.570 constriction) and Winchester Supreme 3" 4shot 1 1/4oz shells. Has anyone tried this combination? Also, what is normally the effective range of a 20ga (I know its a little different for each gun depending on pattern, but a round figure is what I'm looking for) Also, the front bead on my shotgun is a little loose and if you tighten it down all the way, it is cocked to the left some, what can I do to fix this? Are there any household items I could use since I dont happen to have any locktite laying around? I'm going to pattern my gun today and see how she shoots!

Mr. Longbeard

I would try and pattern some Hevi Shot in #5's or 6's and try and keep my shot under 35-40 yards. If I was shooting lead shot then definetly 35yards and under...

NYhunter80

I have the same gun and I used HS undertaker choke and hevi shot # 6. Only had one shot with it, droped him in his tracks at 35 yards and floped very little

dawei

I have a similar combination; Mossberg Mdl 500C with a Hastings® Extended Turkey Choke (.570). Every gun is different. My patterning experience has shown that 20Ga GENERALLY do better with smaller shot; i.e. #5 & 6. I would start @ 30 yds & work back from there. I've had the best results with Federal® Grand Slam 1&5/16oz, and Reminginton® Hevi•Shot® 1¼oz; both with #6 shot. IN MY GUN the Federal Copper-Plated lead shot actually patterned a little better than the Hevi-Shot (only about 5% or so). I'll go with with Hevi•Shot® however as it has greater energy (#6 has the energy of #5). I try to limit my shots to 35yds or so; 30 is better. Hope this helps.

Goose_Getter

I use same gun, same loads, and a primos jellyhead choke, patterns amazingly and i wil try to keep my shots at 30 yards but if necessary i will not hesitate to take on at 40. Good luck, Spence.

rob1

I have the same gun, but no turkey tube. With the factory " Full " tube I have a very good pattern out to 30 yards, and would feel comfortable taking a shot at a turkey at that range. You just need to pattern your gun with a few different loads and see what works well with your gun/tube combination, and what range you would feel comforable taking a shot and making a clean kill.

Jollyarcher

Don't recall the page... but I read online recently (not at a forum), where a 20 gauge competitor took top honors in his class for pellet count shooting a .566 choke constriction with #6 Hevi-shot. I'd have to agree with Dawei, in that more energy downrange by shooting the Hevi-shot "6's over the lead #5 's is what to do.

leftmehangin

First of all it anyone who says a 20 gauge shouldn't be used over 35 yards hasen't used them much. Most 20 gauges will hold a solid pattern out to 40 yards with quality 5 or 6 shot lead. If you get a better pattern with lead why would you use hevi shot. It may hit a little harder but #6 shot will completly penatrate a turkeys head and neck at 40 yards. Now if the hevi shot patterns better use it. You should do fine with what you have with the tight wad and the winchester #4 I have patterned a couple 20 gauges this year and both of them shot good with winchester supremes #5 and #6 shot I have shot #4 in the past and they do fine. If I was you I would get a box of #5 though just because they seem to get more in the head and neck.

Borch

My daughter shoots an 870 20 ga. with a .566 Hasting tube. She gets excellent results with 3" federal Grand slams in #6 shot. If the birds within 35 yard it doesn't have a prayer.

Energy wise the 20 gauge is pretty equivellant with the 12 gauge. Just doesn't have the pellet count to keep the pattern together in most cases.

Borch

hawglips

Lots of info on this thread.

http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=954563

Hal