20Ga or 12 ga for turkey and Hevi- shot??

[Ol BW]

I have thought about picking up a Topper shotgun for turkey.  I am debating on a 20 ga or a 12ga full choke. 
 
Anybody got any suggestions?
 
I thougth if I got a 20 ga. that I could shoot Heavi-shot to preform well enough to match a 12 ga.  Has anyone tried this? 
 
I also figured a 20 ga. would not kick as bad as a 12 ga. in such a light gun.  Is that a big concern or is it just in my head?
 
Thanks
 
 

[spikehorn]

I've killed turkey with both 12ga and 20ga. I've been using 20ga the last two years. I killed a tom last year with the 20ga at 36 paces using rem 3" turkey loads. Mine is a topper deluxe classic with the vent rib and screw in chokes. So I would suggest that what ever way you go get one with screw in chokes. I use and undertaker turkey choke in mine.

[Doublebass73]

The 12's definitely kick more than the 20's. The 12 does have a range advantage so if you need to have 40 yards or more get a 12. If you don't mind settling on a max range of 30-35 yards get a 20, your shoulder will thank you for it. I personally settled for a mod choked 16, with standard game loads it's good out to 30 yards. I killed a bird with it a year ago at 27 yards and it worked fine.

These shotguns are perfect carrying in the woods all day so either one will treat you well.

[gcrank1]

It will depend on the density of the pattern you can get at the distance you can get a turkey to come in. It doesnt take too many pellets in the head to kill one, and the bird doesnt know what gauge the given size of pellets at a given velo comes out of, the terminal ballistics of the pellets is the same.

[Ol BW]

Thanks guys.  That is why I was thinking about Heavi-Shot, for denser patterns and more energy because of the weight of each pellet, (from what stories I hear. . . )  Has anyone used Heavi Shot?

[quickdtoo]

20ga Federal Heavyweight Flitecontrol #7, I used to shoot 3½" Hevi-shot in my 12ga 835, got tired of the recoil and weight of the gun, switched to a 20ga TDC, what a joy to shoot and carry!   Be sure to note the choke tube used with the Flitecontrol ammo. 

Tim

http://allaboutshooting.com/article_info.php?articles_id=298

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,142452.msg1098569267.html#msg1098569267

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,173474.msg1098816320.html#msg1098816320

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,205548.msg1099077146.html#msg1099077146

[gotchamel]

Took 2 this past spring with a 20 pardner.Using Federal heavyweight 7's and a non-ported screw-in choke.Choke measures .570, like mentioned the flight control type shells are not designed to go through a ported choke.Carried a 12 ga 870 the past 16 springs,the 20 was a nice change and feel I left very little "on the table".Good Luck!

[ipyrek]

20ga. full choke with Fed.Flitecontrol works everytime, thats all you need.