I'm wanting to add a 20ga to my turkey line up I'd like a semi auto but I am open to pumps as well. Trying to keep it budget friendly I've been looking at the tristar raptor and some of the escort guns but haven't seen or heard alot about them.
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Can't go wrong with a Remington 870 especially if you can get an older one like from the 90s.
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I just bought a Benelli Nova Youth with the 24"bbl (paid $375.00 brand new). It throws a wicked pattern of TSS 9's with a Sumtoy .562. It wasn't too shabby with Rem Nitro 5's either. It seems a lot of guys don't really care for them, but mine is POA/POI and just plain works.
I purchased a Tristar Raptor for my daughter two years abhor. I have a Carlson's choke tube in it shooting Federal Heavyweight #7's. I also mounted a Vortex Venom on it for her. Great little gun and couldn't beat the price. $299 at Wallyworld.
Stoeger m3020 gets my vote. About $500 shoots great with the factory turkey choke and is as light as can be
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870 20ga with a 21" barrel would be top of the list.
I know you said pump or semi, but the Stevens 301 is super budget friendly and would be really nice to tote. They are $180 new. Without the action, the 26" barrel is still very handy. Could add a really nice Holosun for $300 and a mount from Sumtoy for $50 or so and have a sweet/simple rig. I have my boy running the 21" 870 youth. When he's hunting I can't carry cause he's only 11....and use his rig it's so nice and light and with TSS does more than my 12 ever did. Since I'm setup to load 20 gauge tss, next year when he's 12 and we both can carry a gun, that's the route I'm planning to go.
One other consideration in single shot 20 ga is the Henry. They run $470, but definitely have the old school quality vibe. I know some hate a safety on a single shot hammer, but I like the idea if I pull the hammer back and don't get a shot, can throw the safety on rather than having to let the hammer down right away. The Henry does not have a safety.
If you happen to find an 870 20 gauge and don't have to pay through the nose, the Sumtoy mount and a pistol dot is a sweet setup (see pic). The older 870s with their steel receivers do have that quality feel that very few newer shotguns have. My boy is 4 for 4 with the setup....it's been deadly.
I have a Stevens 301, Stoeger M3020, and a new 870 Fieldmaster. They are all awesome 20 gauges, but right now the 870 is winning me over out of the bunch and will likely be heading to the woods with me on my opening day here in Michigan.
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Mossberg SA-20 turkey model. If I didn't already have that one I'd have the Steven's 301.
My wife has the tristar raptor youth 20ga. I paid 299.00 for it. I have the mossberg sa 20ga turkey.
I bought a Tristar Raptor 20 gauge 4 years ago and have carried that gun turkey hunting ever since. I am 74 now and the lightness of this gun has helped me do more hunting on days that are not so good for me anymore. I shoot Winchchester LB # 6's thur a Carlson .568 or Carlson .555 with the .568 being a little more open. This Tristar has preformed flawlessly over the four years, no hang-ups, no jams or failed to fire. I paid right at $500.00 four years ago, (don't know the price now).I could not ask for a better gun. This is the only TriStar that I own, but it is the best 20 gauge that I have.......great little gun.