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New Turkey Gun Build

Started by CALLM2U, January 11, 2020, 04:39:48 PM

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CALLM2U

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. 



Old Timer


Greg Massey

Nice build ... like the bottomland wrap ....

Big Pine

That's awesome! I hunt with the same setup minus the fast fire, and it has been great to me.

tracker#1

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......

Gobble!


SteelerFan


Stumpy225


turkeyhunter91

great job, i hope you have some luck with it this spring.

jerf


SOCOM304

Your project turned out great! You will love totin' a 20! Best hunting to ya.

longislandloco

Great work, very impressive! Happy shootin'!
"A man ought to have a good shotgun, needn't be an expensive shotgun, just a good shotgun".....Old Moe

dzsmith

nice gun. ive also heard of 870s running good on a dirty bore.....mine don't...
"For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great."

CALLM2U

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.

CALLM2U

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: