Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

If you have experience on the 20 give me your thoughts please. I am considering picking up a dedicated turkey gun and thinking a 20 might be the way to go.  What kind of results could I expect in comparison to my SX3 12G? Slight drop off, drastic? None?

What is/are the best 20G models under that $1000 mark.  I have until the fall to make a decision really, no rush. If I can catch a end of season sale at a big box store that would be even better.

I have hunted with a 20 for the last 5 years and would not go back. Set it up properly and it will do all you need it to.

I almost went the 20 ga route, but in the end I figured why not just go 12.

20 guage is lighter for sure but thats the only pro I could find.

12 well you can built it light and short, Huge variety of ammo usually found on most retail stores, shoot 2-3/4s if you want or 3.5 if you want.

If I had equip set up to hand roll 20s that may have swayed the decision a bit more.

If you decide 20 that Weatherby PA 459 get good reviews. I do wish the 12 guage PA had a little more overbore but folks pattern well with it as is. The Franchi also catches my eye in the 20s.

Next year I will be running a 20ga exclusively. Have been using one on and off for years. It's lighter, doesn't recoil as much, my kids can shoot it when they go with me, and I don't give up any range.

If you hand load the 20 will out perform any factory 12ga load.

If you use the gun for waterfowl, I would suggest a 12. Sure you can use a 20 for waterfowl, but for that purpose the 12 is a clear advantage.  For a dedicated Turkey gun I like the sx3 universal hunter in 20 if you want to go that route.

Quote from: CrustyRusty on May 16, 2015, 01:27:31 PM
If you use the gun for waterfowl, I would suggest a 12. Sure you can use a 20 for waterfowl, but for that purpose the 12 is a clear advantage.  For a dedicated Turkey gun I like the sx3 universal hunter in 20 if you want to go that route.

I have the SX3 Waterfowl addition, just thinking of keeping it strictly a waterfowl gun.

Then picking up another for a dedicated turkey gun.  Looking at the SXP, SA-459, Stoeger M3020

I would love another SX3 but dont need to drop the $$$ on one plus chokes and new loads. I already have 6 boxes of 12G Longbeard XR #6 3" ready to go for next year. So 12G is still clearly in the picture. But the idea of a slightly smaller, lighter and easier to maneuver SG for the woods here is tempting. I spent a good bit of time this morning dodging tree branches and cleaning bark out of my Indian Creek choke.

My buddy has the sa459 turkey model.  I shot it at trap just for fun and it ran flawlessly. For a dedicated turkey gun that gun in 20 would be hard to beat

Quote from: CrustyRusty on May 16, 2015, 03:15:33 PM
My buddy has the sa459 turkey model.  I shot it at trap just for fun and it ran flawlessly. For a dedicated turkey gun that gun in 20 would be hard to beat

That is what I am thinking, I am having a hell of a time finding one locally to put my hands on though.

Kinda hard to answer appropriately, because I already have a 20ga I use and I don't believe in dedicated turkey guns. If I lost all my guns in a boating accident, and had to buy replacements, I would figure on a 20 for my main gun and a 12 for back-up and foul weather. I could do both of those under a thousand, easy. This would be to suit me, your preferences might make it otherwise.

If it was my only turkey gun I would go for a 12.  But seeing as you already have one, the 20 will be a good fit.  I'm partial to my 20 gauge Franchi Affinity. 

Thanks for the replies thus far.  I am on the look out for a SA-459 in my local area.  Talked to big box stores, they said I wont see any more coming into stock until next spring more than likely.  I just refuse to buy something without holding it first.

I can use the SX3 up until next spring no issue, but for trekking the woods next spring I want something with a shorter barrel for sure. One of those deals where plenty of research would have helped from the get go.  Either way I have a great waterfowl/dove/squirrel/rabbit gun no doubt. Should last me many years and I don't doubt all the reports on the quality of the SX3. I shot some target loads the other day, cycled great but best part, it barely recoils at all.

Go for the 20 , low recoil slim and light with fed heavyweight 7 it will whack some toms as far as we need to shoot. Plenty to chose well under a grand. A nice double with 2 choke choices would be neat?

I see everybody talk about shorter barrels and such. I have no problem with a longer barrel. My 870 has a 28" barrel. I am buying a new gun within the next few weeks. It too will have a 28" barrel. That is just my preference. I like a longer barrel. If I am going they the woods, the majority of the time I am carrying the gun in my hand and not over my shoulder. Unless I'm climbing a steep hill, and then it is strapped  across my body so I can use both hands to hold trees to help climb.

Patrick

The terrain here, although not rocky and super steep.... Requires me to use a sling and put the gun on my back so I have both hands free. I can see a 24" barrel being a world of difference for me.

I just worry about how that affects patterning at 40 yards. Never had a shorter barreled gun, but people here dont seem to be having any problems.

I have both the 20 and a 12 and both of them shoot great. I have an Sbeii that is my go to gun for almost everything and my old 870 is my backup. My wife has an 11-87 sportsman that handles great and once broken in it has been great. I would hunt with any of the three with no issues. The 12 gives you more options all around and in the right model isn't that heavy. I prefer the 12 just because it throws a more forgiving hunting pattern with about any load out to 40.if I was in the market I would be looking for an all black maxus, affinity, sbe, sx3 just see what feels right and have fun.

Not a fan of 20 gauge for all-purpose turkey hunting...

Really like my options with a 3.5" 12 gauge, especially since I travel, and can get caught up in some pretty bad weather...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: 357MAGNOLE on May 15, 2015, 08:41:54 PM
If you have experience on the 20 give me your thoughts please. I am considering picking up a dedicated turkey gun and thinking a 20 might be the way to go.  What kind of results could I expect in comparison to my SX3 12G? Slight drop off, drastic? None?

What is/are the best 20G models under that $1000 mark.  I have until the fall to make a decision really, no rush. If I can catch a end of season sale at a big box store that would be even better.

You might find this of interest http://allaboutshooting.com/article_info.php?articles_id=771

Thanks,
Clark

Quote from: allaboutshooting on May 18, 2015, 08:13:42 AM

Quote from: 357MAGNOLE on May 15, 2015, 08:41:54 PM
If you have experience on the 20 give me your thoughts please. I am considering picking up a dedicated turkey gun and thinking a 20 might be the way to go.  What kind of results could I expect in comparison to my SX3 12G? Slight drop off, drastic? None?

What is/are the best 20G models under that $1000 mark.  I have until the fall to make a decision really, no rush. If I can catch a end of season sale at a big box store that would be even better.

You might find this of interest http://allaboutshooting.com/article_info.php?articles_id=771

Thanks,
Clark

Right on. :icon_thumright: luvin' the 20

The 20's are nice.  If you hand load then like a guy said before you can stomp any factory 12 ga load.  You could always keep the choke and shell combo that works best with your 12 as a backup or to mix it up with.  With the right choke and Federal HWT #7 my 20 ga 870 will consecutively kill only 5-7 yards shorter than my 12 ga 870. Both of which will more than do the job if I misjudge by quite a bit.  I did this spring with the 20 and I thumped him good.  But I just have this urge to have one or more of every widely used gauge shotgun (410, 20, 12, and 10).  If I had to pick one all around gun for the rest of my life, it would be the 12 hands down.       

Ended up with the Stoeger M3000. Feels good, d/t receiver and I hate 3 1/2" loads. I'll leave those to you macho men lol. I was excited about the potential of a 20 but I only reload for pistol, and I already have 6 boxes of long beard XR in 12. Thanks for all the help I really dig this forum, we have awesome call makers and guys hunting bare .

My 12 turns in the 270's with 7's my 20 put up in the130's my 10 gauge beats the both with 330's. I usually carry the 12, sometimes carry the 20 and never use the 10. I carried the 20 for a season a few years ago and enjoyed it, but my confidence is higher in the 12, so that's what I use mostly.

A short barreled 870,Weatherby youth auto, or the Ithaca pump would be where I'd start my search.