Title: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: CALLM2U on January 11, 2020, 04:39:48 PM
Post by: CALLM2U on January 11, 2020, 04:39:48 PM
I decided to jump on the 20 gauge train this year, so I thought I'd share with you all my build. I still have the 20g that my dad bought me in 1990 or '91. It is still in great shape and has been extremely reliable. I figured with the history behind this gun, that might add a little something extra to the project.
First step was to add a Fastfire II. I used a 336 mount and drilled and tapped it myself. I'm a hobby woodworker so I am used to many tools and have a good drill press. But even so, that was really nerve wracking drilling holes into a receiver.
I did a bunch of research and finally settled on a Carlson 575 for a choke. Most of my shots are less than 30 yards so I didn't want a really tight pattern. By no means am I chasing numbers but at the same time, I wanted something a little tighter than a factory full.
The gun never had sling swivels because dad always felt like using a sling was "being lazy" so I added those and a Claw sling. That's the first Claw sling I've owned, and I can say, I'm really impressed with it.
Next, the barrel got a thorough cleaning and polish. I've heard of many different methods to cleaning and polish but kinda did my own thing. I made 100 passes with Scotchbright and Hoppes, followed by 100 passes of Scotchbright and J.B. Bore Polish. Then swabbed it out clean. I read the day after that the folks from Apex believe that 870s pattern better with a dirty bore. Oh well, too late now I suppose. We'll see...
Lastly, I used Mossy Oak graphics wrap to coat it in Bottomland. It was a lot easier process than what I had in my mind but of course it's nothing like a dip. We'll see how long it holds up.
Here's a before and after picture. I haven't shot it yet, but hoping the weather will break tomorrow to get out the pattern board. I'm planning to shoot Federal TSS in 9's. Overall, it was a fun build and I'm looking forward to chasing turkeys with it again after it's been sitting in the cabinet for 20+ years.
First step was to add a Fastfire II. I used a 336 mount and drilled and tapped it myself. I'm a hobby woodworker so I am used to many tools and have a good drill press. But even so, that was really nerve wracking drilling holes into a receiver.
I did a bunch of research and finally settled on a Carlson 575 for a choke. Most of my shots are less than 30 yards so I didn't want a really tight pattern. By no means am I chasing numbers but at the same time, I wanted something a little tighter than a factory full.
The gun never had sling swivels because dad always felt like using a sling was "being lazy" so I added those and a Claw sling. That's the first Claw sling I've owned, and I can say, I'm really impressed with it.
Next, the barrel got a thorough cleaning and polish. I've heard of many different methods to cleaning and polish but kinda did my own thing. I made 100 passes with Scotchbright and Hoppes, followed by 100 passes of Scotchbright and J.B. Bore Polish. Then swabbed it out clean. I read the day after that the folks from Apex believe that 870s pattern better with a dirty bore. Oh well, too late now I suppose. We'll see...
Lastly, I used Mossy Oak graphics wrap to coat it in Bottomland. It was a lot easier process than what I had in my mind but of course it's nothing like a dip. We'll see how long it holds up.
Here's a before and after picture. I haven't shot it yet, but hoping the weather will break tomorrow to get out the pattern board. I'm planning to shoot Federal TSS in 9's. Overall, it was a fun build and I'm looking forward to chasing turkeys with it again after it's been sitting in the cabinet for 20+ years.
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: Old Timer on January 11, 2020, 08:00:05 PM
Post by: Old Timer on January 11, 2020, 08:00:05 PM
Nice work! Enjoy
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: Greg Massey on January 11, 2020, 11:49:47 PM
Post by: Greg Massey on January 11, 2020, 11:49:47 PM
Nice build ... like the bottomland wrap ....
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: Big Pine on January 13, 2020, 12:08:29 PM
Post by: Big Pine on January 13, 2020, 12:08:29 PM
That's awesome! I hunt with the same setup minus the fast fire, and it has been great to me.
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: tracker#1 on January 14, 2020, 10:23:47 AM
Post by: tracker#1 on January 14, 2020, 10:23:47 AM
Nice job...I have same gun, running a Sumtoy .562 on the 26'' barrel and a I.C .555 on 21" barrel. Using Apex GT-20 #8's and Hal's recipe hand loads, great gun, you'll love it......
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: Gobble! on January 19, 2020, 01:04:45 PM
Post by: Gobble! on January 19, 2020, 01:04:45 PM
Looks sharp!
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: SteelerFan on January 19, 2020, 05:43:29 PM
Post by: SteelerFan on January 19, 2020, 05:43:29 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: Stumpy225 on February 24, 2020, 07:17:49 PM
Post by: Stumpy225 on February 24, 2020, 07:17:49 PM
Sweet lil setup
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: turkeyhunter91 on February 24, 2020, 09:23:20 PM
Post by: turkeyhunter91 on February 24, 2020, 09:23:20 PM
great job, i hope you have some luck with it this spring.
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: jerf on February 25, 2020, 06:16:10 PM
Post by: jerf on February 25, 2020, 06:16:10 PM
Nice job.
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: SOCOM304 on February 28, 2020, 10:02:12 AM
Post by: SOCOM304 on February 28, 2020, 10:02:12 AM
Your project turned out great! You will love totin' a 20! Best hunting to ya.
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: longislandloco on February 29, 2020, 04:18:31 PM
Post by: longislandloco on February 29, 2020, 04:18:31 PM
Great work, very impressive! Happy shootin'!
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: dzsmith on March 01, 2020, 02:41:05 AM
Post by: dzsmith on March 01, 2020, 02:41:05 AM
nice gun. ive also heard of 870s running good on a dirty bore.....mine don't...
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: CALLM2U on March 01, 2020, 08:14:18 AM
Post by: CALLM2U on March 01, 2020, 08:14:18 AM
Quote from: dzsmith on March 01, 2020, 02:41:05 AM
nice gun. ive also heard of 870s running good on a dirty bore.....mine don't...
That's good to hear. I haven't determined for sure if mine is the same. I do kinda lean that way as during my sight in session, it did seem to tighten up a bit and become more even. Maybe in the off season, I'll test it out. Right now, it's shooting plenty good for me and my purposes.
Title: Re: New Turkey Gun Build
Post by: CALLM2U on March 01, 2020, 08:32:08 AM
Post by: CALLM2U on March 01, 2020, 08:32:08 AM
Circling back on this post. I finally got a break in the weather to go line it up and put some TSS through it. For the hunting style that I do, this is about perfect. As you'll see below, the 20 is pretty tight and I'm not sure I'd want it any tighter for the average distances I tend to shoot.
All shot with Carlson 575 and 1.5oz of Federal TSS #9
40 yard pattern.
10 - 240
20 - 184
20 yard pattern:
If you prefer the look of a turkey target:
All shot with Carlson 575 and 1.5oz of Federal TSS #9
40 yard pattern.
10 - 240
20 - 184
20 yard pattern:
If you prefer the look of a turkey target: