Well guys I have focused on the Franchi Affinity, as mentioned in an earlier posting. Now I need to decide on a 12 ga or 20 ga.
I would not have even considered a 20 ga for my primary turkey gun several years ago, but I must admit, I have been influenced by many of you posting very positive comments supporting the 20 gauges as reliable turkey guns.
I am 63 and there are advantages for us ol' gray geezers when it comes to reduced recoil and lighter weights.....but I hesitate walking away from the 12 gauge.
I would appreciate feedback on pros and cons from you all that have downsized to the 20 gauges.
Thanking you in advance,
GunRunner
Lighter to carry. Easier on the ears and shoulder. Same 40 yard killer patterns as your 12 gauge of a few years ago. Which is to say very good 40 yard patterns.
Not sure what shell you are shooting but I would take the 20 over a 12 any day, with that being said I shoot TSS in a Benelli M2 20 ga. and I will tell you it will cleanly take a bird Wayyyy farther than anybody should be shooting. I use to hunt with a Rem. 11-87 Super Mag and after shooting TSS I have went to a 20 and haven't looked back, as a matter of fact I bought a 28 ga. and that is what I will be carrying next spring. With TSS most 410's are legitimate 40 to 50 yard guns and I have heard of 60 yard 410's. If you are thinking about a Affinity there is a dealer on gunbroker.com that has a very good price on them, the auction number is 662991923 I have no affiliation with them just happen to see them the other day on there.
the only thing your leaving behind with a 12 gauge is weight and recoil . a 20 will do everything a 12 will do inside 40 yds.
Either are good inside of 40 with factory ammo. The 12 might be heavier and have more recoil, but it has a much larger margin for error. I have both and handroll TSS for both gauges. That said I pack my 12 85% of the time.
If you can afford TSS then 20 is good.
I look at it this way l can buy a 12 and l can shoot 2 3\4" out of it if l choose. What l can't do is buy a 20 and shoot 3 1\2".
One reason I have been thinking about a 20 is the weight and it seems you can get shorter barrels with most 20 gauges if you get a youth model. I wish the gun companies would realize not everyone likes a 26 inch or longer barrel.That is the reason I bought the CZ utility and got rid of my 1187
I've been shooting a Franchi Affinity 20 gauge for 2 years now and I'll never go back to the 12. :turkey2: