12 ga lead vs 20 ga TSS- cost comparison

[tbowers]

I'm looking at getting a dedicated turkey shotgun. Been using my 12ga 870 w/ 28" barrel for years. Killed plenty with it, but its 4' long and weighs 8 lbs! I bust a lot of brush and that thing gets hung up on everything.

I'm looking at buying a mossberg 500 turkey- the cost of the 12ga or 20 ga is essentially the same. I want to look at overall cost of ownership, so given the cost of the gun is a wash regardless of the gauge, it would come down to shell cost. To me, if I did the 20 gauge I would do TSS for sure. If I do the 12 ga, I would lean towards LB XR's- I've been shooting those for years with no issues. If a 12ga performance with LB XR's is comparable to 20ga w/ TSS I would go with the 12ga and have my annual shell cost be around $13($2.50/rd,assume take 5 shots a year) vs 20 ga TSS annual cost would be $65-70 depending on the TSS load. Using my math above, my 5 year ammo cost is $62.50 w/ LB XR v $325 w 20ga TSS. Thats a large savings obviously.

I know there is the added benefit of the 20ga being lighter then the 12ga, but I'm not necessarily worried about saving 1lb. Anyway, I've watched plenty of YT patterning videos for both gauges- LB XR's out of a 12 w/ proper choke hold a pretty nice pattern to at least 50yds. Not the pellet count you would get from 20ga TSS, but some of that is due to there being less pellets in 5's vs 9's.

I know guys will say if you are worried about cost of shells, shouldnt be out there, save it somewhere else, etc, etc. What I know is if I can buy one box of shells every two years for $25, or a box every year for $65, I would prefer the former.

Is there anything I'm not considering-additional benefits to the 20ga? There is so much hype and talk about everyone seemingly moving to 20ga w/ TSS that its hard not to just jump on that train.

[mikejd]

If its just about money the 12 is definitely the way to go. The only advantage of the 20 is the weight and if that's not your issue then the 12 with LB's is the way to go.

[tbowers]

The weight savings for the 20gauge is only 4oz in the case of the Mossberg 500. 6lbs 12oz vs 7lbs for 12ga.

Its not solely about the money, I could be talked into the 20 and TSS if there are distinct advantages in kill effectiveness, however in my research so far I'm not seeing that it would make much difference inside of 60 yards. Now if I'm shooting LB XR's out of the 20gauge, that would be a disadvantage over the 12ga clearly. 

I guess if I want to add another gauge to the mix could consider a .410 w/ TSS. Those average closer to $8.60 a round, so around $215 for five years. The gun cost is still roughly the same however,it is a 12oz wt savings over the 12ga which IMO still isnt much.

[Ihuntoldschool]

I think you'd have a hard time beating your 870. I mean if 12 ounces weight isn't much how can 16 be that much?

That steel receiver is always going to balance the gun better than aluminum can.

My 870 with 28 inch bbl came in at 7 lbs 13 ounces

[Notsoyoungturk]

Two years ago, I switched from my Remington 870 Turkey Magnum to a Beretta A300 KO Turkey. Don't get me wrong, the 870 was and still is a flat out turkey killer.  I made the switch because we were hunting some very steep, hilly country where we would often walk about 8 miles a day.  Cutting back on vest contents, chair and gun weight all added up to make humping that distance more fun.  The 20g handles so much easier that I have never gone back to the 12.  With TSS, I cannot say I lost any distance on what I feel is a comfortable kill shot.  The kick is less but do you really feel it with that one shot.  You will notice it more sighting in your gun.  Choke and load availability is roughly equal.  Frankly, it is hard to put into words but the 20g is just a pleasure to carry and shoot compared to my 870 and I don't really see any downside.  I have never compared the 2 with any other type of shot so I can't help you there.

[FLSpurs]

I shoot an 870 until its time to leave the flat lands of Florida for more hilly country then I switch to my 20 gauge.

[tbowers]

I think you'd have a hard time beating your 870. I mean if 12 ounces weight isn't much how can 16 be that much?

That steel receiver is always going to balance the gun better than aluminum can.

My 870 with 28 inch bbl came in at 7 lbs 13 ounces

Ya my 870 express with 28" barrel is just under 8lbs on a scale w/ red dot. I dont mind the weight so much, its that its 50" long!!! The thing hangs up on everything when I'm going thru the thick stuff. I had to belly crawl for a ways the other day and you really need to pay attention to get that thing navigated thru the underbrush. That is my main reason for wanting a new gun- I'm getting something with a 20-22" barrel, just not sure on the gauge yet.

I dont worry about the kick with one versus the other, like someone said, only time you notice is sighting it in. I can handle that once a year.

[10th Legionaire]

Personally I'm not a Moosberg fan. I know there's been an absolute ton of critters killed with them. The best man in my wedding is an absolute deer killer with his 500 slug gun. Obviously they're good guns I'm just not a fan.

It seems as though overall ownership cost is a focal point for the OP. If that's what I was looking at I'd keep running the 870 (I have a 12 and a 20 turkey rigs FWIW) and either find a turkey barrel or send the 28" one to Steve Rose for a cut and rethread.

Just throwing that out there for consideration.

[Tail Feathers]

You can get a good pattern with either, especially with TSS.
I haven't shot a 12 gauge in several years now, turkey or duck guns.
The advantages include lighter gun (usually), less recoil, cheaper ammo (assuming same brand and shot size).

[tbowers]

Thats a interesting idea. I've looked everywhere for a 20" threaded barrel for the 870 that will take a turkey choke, I've never found one. Sending it in to get cut/threaded is also interesting....wonder how much that runs typically.

I dont have any brand alliance, I referenced the Mossberg 500 because they have so many turkey specific setups to choose from. I'd be open to any brand provided it has a short barrel. I am intrigued by the Maverick 88 bantam 20gauge that is 39" long and just over 5lbs(1lb savings isnt  that big of deal, 3lbs I might be able to tell). $225 at my Walmart too. But then I would want to go the TSS route

[CALLM2U]

I think you'd have a hard time beating your 870. I mean if 12 ounces weight isn't much how can 16 be that much?

That steel receiver is always going to balance the gun better than aluminum can.

My 870 with 28 inch bbl came in at 7 lbs 13 ounces

Ya my 870 express with 28" barrel is just under 8lbs on a scale w/ red dot. I dont mind the weight so much, its that its 50" long!!! The thing hangs up on everything when I'm going thru the thick stuff. I had to belly crawl for a ways the other day and you really need to pay attention to get that thing navigated thru the underbrush. That is my main reason for wanting a new gun- I'm getting something with a 20-22" barrel, just not sure on the gauge yet.

I dont worry about the kick with one versus the other, like someone said, only time you notice is sighting it in. I can handle that once a year.

You can always buy a shorter barrel for your 870. 

[tbowers]

I'm all ears if you know where I can get a 20" barrel for my 870. I've looked for years. I've found ones but they are improved cylinder barrels. maybe that is the only option and then have it threaded?

[tbowers]

I'm all ears if you know where I can get a 20" barrel for my 870. I've looked for years. I've found ones but they are improved cylinder barrels. maybe that is the only option and then have it threaded?

I guess I should state I would preferably want a ribbed barrel as that is where I prefer to mount my red dot w/ the meadow creek. There are a ton of 18.5" 870 barrels out there but none that are ribbed that I have seen.

[Old Timer]

If its just about money the 12 is definitely the way to go. The only advantage of the 20 is the weight and if that's not your issue then the 12 with LB's is the way to go.

Ihave both 12ga use lead. 20 ga  I use tss I can carry more comfortably but loads are more expensive. Also when the communist state of NY goes no lead I'm  ready.

[CALLM2U]

I'm all ears if you know where I can get a 20" barrel for my 870. I've looked for years. I've found ones but they are improved cylinder barrels. maybe that is the only option and then have it threaded?

They make a 21inch in vent rib.  I have one.