It's raining and I'm stuck inside, so I'm asking a lot of questions today. We've been using 3.5" 12 gauge shotguns for turkey this year, and we don't have any complaints other than the guns are a little heavy and the shells cost a good bit. I've been thinking about getting a 20 gauge to hunt with, as my son already has a camo 20 gauge Mossberg pump that he's killed most of his turkeys with. I see a lot of hunters are using TSS in the smaller gauges and I'm thinking of giving it a whirl. Besides the Mossberg 20 gauge pump we already have, what's another good little 20 gauge that folks like for turkey hunting? Certainly the Remington 870 comes to mind.
I really don't like the feel of Remington rifles and 870s made since 2005 for some reason. Something's always done halfway at best. I'm not saying it isn't a good weapon, but compare it to the quality of their own product at earlier times and it's nowhere close. Top-ticket items like the Versa might be another story.
If I were in the market for a 20ga turkey gun, I would take a close look at the Mossberg SA-20 and Winchester SX3.
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I picked up a Winchester sx-3 20ga longbeard this year, never going back to a 12ga. Gun is a dream to shoot. Took my first bird yesterday with it using fed tss 7 shot, absolutely hammered the bird@ 35 yards.
Mossberg SA-20, Rem 11-87, Benelli Nova, and Henry single shot are a couple that come to mind
I bit the bullet and bought a twenty gauge 870 and installed the Shurshot stock on it. Like it much...I had never even held a TSS shell in my hand, much less fired one before this year, but the Federal 3" 1 /2 ounce #9s threw well over 275 pellets in 10" at 40 yards and according to all I have read, the TSS #9s hit as hard as lead #5s. It's also nice carrying a 6 1/2 lb gun versus an 8 1/2 lb and the recoil is quite a bit less.
Brother bought the SX3. He loves it, sweet little rig. My daughter's 25 year old 870 youth is a stone killer. I have the Weatherby SA459 and it is a sweet little rig.
I have 4 870s and there's not much in this world I would consider trading them for. But if I were to buy a new 20g, it would be the Franchi Affinity 3.
Have you considered a Benelli Nova 20 ga.? I have a 24" barrel full camo model and really like it. The receivers are not factory drilled and tapped for optical sights though. I had mine drilled and tapped. Mounted a Bushnell TRS 25 and bought a Hevi-Shot brand .573 choke tube. I shoot Hevi-Shot Magnum Blends in it. Awesome combo! Nice and light to carry too. This is the only turkey gun that I use HTL.
Right now I currently have for turkey hunting.
-hatsan 20 gauge pump 26"-Gun is excellent.
-hatsan 20 gauge single shot-gun shot low poa-I got it tapped and put a cheap little red dot/reflex on it and it is lights out with a turkey choke.
-Tc 20 gauge Pro hunter turkey-This gun is fantastic,nothing bad to say about it.It is a fantastic gun.
-Rem 870 compact 21" w/shurshot 20 gauge-I like the gun,I really have only hunted with it 5-6 times in the few years I have had it.Great little beater shotgun.
-Winchester Longbeard sxp 20 gauge- I had issues with trigger being real heavy,had it worked on.This gun flat out patterns about anything I put in it or any choke.I am very happy with this gun after being a little irritated last year.
-Browning bps 20 gauge-I just purchased this gun,barely used and It is my favorite 20 gauge,I am a l Browning fan as I like the bottom ejection being a Left handed shooter.This gun is smooth and shoots poa with everything so far and patterns as well or better as the sxp,same...I am sending it to be dipped after this season.
I also purchased a rem 1187 for my father for Christmas this past year and I have shot it a little bit,I almost bought one for myself but I think I am a pump guy. I like all guns,I am not "brand" loyal,I am "me" loyal. there are so many other great 20 gauges out there,I would take a look for a Weatherby sa 459,I just bought one in 12 gauge and I will buy it in 20 gauge If I ever come upon one and am looking for a new gun.
Sx3 nwtf 24in .570 Sumtoy
870 youth .562 Sumtoy
They hunt hard, fun little guns to carry.
My first 20 I have set up....870 youth with Shurshot stock dipped in Epic camo, burnt bronze cerakote for the gun and a Vortex Venom....Going to be a joy to carry and with a .562 Sumtoy and TSS #9s, it's going to be hard on an ol gobbler....
I have two Winchester X3 long beards, two Weatherby sa459's and a Mossberg bantam 500. I love the sa459, light and shoots hand loaded TSS very very well. The X3 long beards are heavy in comparison to the other 20's. reminds me of carrying a 12ga. All my 20's produce 300+ in the 10@40 with Indian Creek .555's or the SumToy 562-5. Also the X3's are about twice the cost of the others.
Benelli M2 20 gauge 24" with speed bead and burris FF3 on it is sweet with Apex # 9's TSS.
If you can wait just a little while Retay is comin out with a dedicated 20 gauge turkey gun. Some 20s are already produced but not at dealers yet I'm guessing b/c of this virus. The ones that are out now are 26" & 28" barrel offerings.
Quote from: BINK McCARTY on May 31, 2020, 10:17:45 PM
If you can wait just a little while Retay is comin out with a dedicated 20 gauge turkey gun. Some 20s are already produced but not at dealers yet I'm guessing b/c of this virus. The ones that are out now are 26" & 28" barrel offerings.
that's what I keep hearing but I can't seem to find anything I wish I could see one already it's driving me nuts might sell my benelli M2 if it has a shorter barrel than 24
Quote from: DBuck90 on June 05, 2020, 01:33:04 AM
Quote from: BINK McCARTY on May 31, 2020, 10:17:45 PM
If you can wait just a little while Retay is comin out with a dedicated 20 gauge turkey gun. Some 20s are already produced but not at dealers yet I'm guessing b/c of this virus. The ones that are out now are 26" & 28" barrel offerings.
that's what I keep hearing but I can't seem to find anything I wish I could see one already it's driving me nuts might sell my benelli M2 if it has a shorter barrel than 24
I spoke with Chris Handy of Retay and he said it's up in the air as of now and is unsure whether there will be a 22" ,24" or both in the 20 gauge turkey model. It was supposed to be introduced around December but because of the covid19 it has been pushed back. But he did assure me of a 20 gauge turkey model similar to the small town model in 12 gauge. I can't wait to get my hands on one though, because the 12 feels & shoulders amazing!!!