20 Gage for Turkey's?

[DalesCarpentry]

I have never hunted Turkey before. I will be getting my long lost 20 gage back soon and was wondering how well it will work on Turkey. The gun is a 3" Mag with a 28" modified barrel. What shells should I use? What would be the max distance for such a set up? Thanks Dale

[FLNT4EVR]

Hi Dale. I use my 20 ga handi for turkeys in both the spring and fall seasons.Mine is a full choke and I use 3in #4s.They pattern well in my gun and would be effective to about 35 yds. Try different shot sizes and see which patterns best in your gun. Many a turkey has been taken with shot as small as 7 1/2 .Good luck and good hunting.

[1sourdough]

 I wouldn't have a problem with a 20ga on turkeys. I'd look into some of the premium waterfowl loads, like Remington 'HD' & maybe some Hevi-Shot. I would try #6 shot in these shells & keep the distance reasonable.

[RelicHound]

20ga makes a fine turkey gun...bit concerned about the mod choke tho as most prefer a full-extra full choke...I think a mod choke would be ok but like posted above keep the distance reasonable...just go get ya some variouse high brass rounds and give her a go at the range and see which holds the best pattern...lots of great turkey loads out there for you to experiment with..I like copper plated #5s but I shot a 12ga shooting 3.5" shells. good luck to ya!

[prairiedog555]

I have a 20 ga 3".  It is a Rem 870 youth model with a 20" barrel and a telescope stock and glow rifle sights.  (had to get a special insert to lower stock for better sight plane)  It is all I use for turkey hunting.  It is light (under 5lbs) and hits hard with 3" # 4's or 5's.  I have a turkey xtra full choke. 
I think it is the perfect turkey gun.   I have made some long shots and I think it hits as good as my 12 ga.
I have used 20 ga. 3" for years on all game after seeing my grandad have such great success with it on pheasants and ducks/geese.

[mcwoodduck]

Three years ago I took a tom at 80 paces with a 3" #4 Heavy shot turkey load out of a 12 ga. 
After that I am sold on the heavy shot shells.  The first round hit him with enough pellets in the neck to anchor him and a second shot from behind him took his head off.  I now carry a 1 OZ 7.5 shot trap load with me.  But the Heavy shot was worth it's weight in GOLD when we could not get the Tom to come any closer. 
Good luck.

[dukkillr]

I too am a believer in hevi-shot or the competition.  I'd shoot 3" hevi-shot 5s or 6s first shot, 4s second and third shot.  I'd figure your range at 35-40 yards.