New Turkey Gun Build

[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]

Nice work! Enjoy

[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!]

Looks sharp!

[SteelerFan]

Nice!

[Stumpy225]

Sweet lil setup

[turkeyhunter91]

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

[jerf]

Nice job.

[SOCOM304]

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

[longislandloco]

Great work, very impressive! Happy shootin'!

[dzsmith]

nice gun. ive also heard of 870s running good on a dirty bore.....mine don't...

[CALLM2U]

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: