I'm trying to decide if I should get a 20 gauge turkey gun or stick with my 12. I have an 870 super mag with a 30 inch barrel. I walk a lot and would like to think that a 20 gauge with a 26 inch barrel would be a little nicer to tote. What are you fellas toting as your dedicated turkey guns?
Mossberg SA-20. 22" barrel it's super easy to carry patterns well and reasonably priced.
I 2nd the SA-20 with #7 TSS, but also the Mossberg 835 w/ #5 LB. Both are killing machines IMO.
Mossberg 835 with 24" barrel and Indian Creek .675 choke. Using #8 or 9 TSS.
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Steven's 555 20ga 26" 6 lbs loaded with sling ready to hit the woods
Quote from: hunter85 on May 26, 2021, 10:56:03 AM
Steven's 555 20ga 26" 6 lbs loaded with sling ready to hit the woods
Really hard to beat something like this. A 28ga version would be pretty sweet, too. You'll have to see what it will do to believe it.
Mossberg SA-20 Turkey model - 22in barrel, under 5.5lbs. With the weight difference, you won't carry that smoke pole 12GA ever again, especially if you walk a lot.
Left the 12 gauge behind two years ago. Carrying a 20 gauge Mossberg 500 with a 22" barrel shooting 2.75" TSS 8s or 9s through an IC .555 choke.
My 12 gauge was a single shot too and its the back up gun. Rather carry and shoot the 20 gauge.
I'm a Mossy guy as well. I shoot the 835 with a .670 Pure Gold choke and 3 1/2 Hevi 7's with devastating results. If I would go to a 20, the SA-20 #75790 would be my first choice.
I went from an 835 to an SX3 20 gauge. No more punishment for shooting a turkey load!
I went with a Franchi Affinity 3 in 20 gauge three years ago. About 6 pounds. No plans to go back to a 12.
I own one 20 ga. turkey gun. It's a Benelli Nova full camo 24 " barrel. I had it drilled and tapped and mounted a Leupold VX I 1x4 Shotgun scope on it. Loaded with Hevi-Shot Mag. Blends and I installed a Hevi-Shot choke tube. It's biggest advantage is it's lightweight compared to my two 12 ga. guns and one 10 ga. Browning. I use then all however. Variety is the spice of life!
I bought a 20 gauge franchi last winter and hunted with it this spring. Won't ever carry a 12 gauge again
The new Sweet 16 gauge Browning. 26 inch barrel. I shoot Apex 2 3/4 inch number 7 TSS 1 5/8 oz. load. Gun is light, no kick, and patterns well. The load is 1175 FPS. Devastating. Good alternative to 12 gauge....
Mossberg 835 12 gauge, Indian Creek .675 choke shooting Apex #9 TSS.
Mossberg 535 12 gauge, Indian Creek .665 choke shooting #9 TSS also.
But may also buy a 20 gauge before nest season rolls around
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http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=65273.0;attach=37557;image
Quote from: Tom007 on May 26, 2021, 02:44:11 PM
The new Sweet 16 gauge Browning. 26 inch barrel. I shoot Apex 2 3/4 inch number 7 TSS 1 5/8 oz. load. Gun is light, no kick, and patterns well. The load is 1175 FPS. Devastating. Good alternative to 12 gauge....
I've always LOVED the look of the Humpback. Happy medium between the 12 and 20, just wish they made more 16 gauge ammo. When I was a kid, there were Plenty!
Quote from: Tom007 on May 26, 2021, 02:44:11 PM
The new Sweet 16 gauge Browning. 26 inch barrel. I shoot Apex 2 3/4 inch number 7 TSS 1 5/8 oz. load. Gun is light, no kick, and patterns well. The load is 1175 FPS. Devastating. Good alternative to 12 gauge....
Man that looks sharp!
Quote from: nitro on May 26, 2021, 03:35:37 PM
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=65273.0;attach=37557;image
What gun do you have there?
1958 Savage 220 B . 20 gauge. FF 3. Customized by Sumtoy. Wicked gun.
Franchi Affinity 3 20ga and TSS #9's
Right at 5lbs, savage single barrel, 12ga, 21" barrel, forcing cone lengthened, threaded for remchokes, red dot optic, all work done by Sumtoy. Killing machine, easy to maneuver in a blind or thru the woods. Under 400.oo$. Shoots lead extremely well... :camohat:
Quote from: WW on May 26, 2021, 03:54:40 PM
Quote from: Tom007 on May 26, 2021, 02:44:11 PM
The new Sweet 16 gauge Browning. 26 inch barrel. I shoot Apex 2 3/4 inch number 7 TSS 1 5/8 oz. load. Gun is light, no kick, and patterns well. The load is 1175 FPS. Devastating. Good alternative to 12 gauge....
Man that looks sharp!
Quote from: bbcoach on May 26, 2021, 03:45:01 PM
Quote from: Tom007 on May 26, 2021, 02:44:11 PM
The new Sweet 16 gauge Browning. 26 inch barrel. I shoot Apex 2 3/4 inch number 7 TSS 1 5/8 oz. load. Gun is light, no kick, and patterns well. The load is 1175 FPS. Devastating. Good alternative to 12 gauge....
I've always LOVED the look of the Humpback. Happy medium between the 12 and 20, just wish they made more 16 gauge ammo. When I was a kid, there were Plenty!
Thanks, the Apex ammo is real good and readily available. This 16 is super lite, zero kick....be safe..
I'll be switching to 20 ga this off season. But I also want short, really short, barrel.
This was my first season carrying a 20 and I don't see myself going back to a 12. I use a Winchester sx3 and sx4 and would highly recommend them.
Quote from: lunghit on May 26, 2021, 06:32:34 PM
This was my first season carrying a 20 and I don't see myself going back to a 12. I use a Winchester sx3 and sx4 and would highly recommend them.
And they still hit like tanks.....
Benelli M2,20 gauge, 26 inch barrel sumtoy mount with a FF3 and a sumtoy 565 with TSS 9's..
I made the switch from a Benelli super black Eagle 12 going into this year. I went with an Franchi Affinity 3 in 20 gauge shooting TSS. I limited out and will never go back to the 12.
I sold my SBE3 12 and went to 20. Won't go back
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I still have my other turkey guns, but i just bought the new Fanchi Affinity 3 Elite 20 ga. it's fine gun.
Quote from: Greg Massey on May 27, 2021, 09:45:18 AM
I still have my other turkey guns, but i just bought the new Fanchi Affinity 3 Elite 20 ga. it's fine gun.
Not that it would matter, being a 20, but I heard that they have quite a kick to them for a 20 gauge. Is that true?
I've been thinking about switching to a 20ga turkey gun for a few years now. I have a Montefeltro that I use for quail and pheasant that's lighter than a feather, and I really like it. However, my dedicated turkey gun, which is 12ga M2, is actually fairly light also, and I have a crazy stockpile of 12ga ammo to use up, so I'm sticking with it for now.
Purchased a Weatherby SA 459 last year, added a Sumtoy choke and Holosun green dot sight
Quote from: Greg Massey on May 27, 2021, 09:45:18 AM
I still have my other turkey guns, but i just bought the new Fanchi Affinity 3 Elite 20 ga. it's fine gun.
They look mighty fine. Good luck with it........
Quote from: WW on May 27, 2021, 10:11:48 AM
Quote from: Greg Massey on May 27, 2021, 09:45:18 AM
I still have my other turkey guns, but i just bought the new Fanchi Affinity 3 Elite 20 ga. it's fine gun.
Not that it would matter, being a 20, but I heard that they have quite a kick to them for a 20 gauge. Is that true?
It can't kick any worst than Steven 301 T in 20 ga.. people are shooting the crap out of those. It's the inertia driven system, so you can take it at that for what it will kick.. for turkey hunting, i never feel the kick of any gun killing that gobbler.. lol.. and no way it can kick as hard as my old 12 ga. 870 Remington turkey gun..
All I can add is do not buy a 20ga that is as heavy as a 12, when I bought mine I was amazed at the weight of some of them!
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My 26" Winchester SX3 weighs 6 lbs 10 oz. Not the lightest but it carries well and a good sling keeps it from being a real burden. It's a sweet shooter. I just try to lose a few pounds before every spring season to offset that extra 10 oz of gun and 10 lbs of vest and gear!
I have a CVA single shot that weighs almost as much. But that 24" barrel and no action make it about 36" long and super easy to handle in cover. I really should put a better red dot on it and carry it more.
Quote from: Dtrkyman on May 28, 2021, 04:43:18 PM
All I can add is do not buy a 20ga that is as heavy as a 12, when I bought mine I was amazed at the weight of some of them!
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This is true but too light and they will kick like a 12 gauge with some heavy rounds. I was going to turn my 20 Montefeltro into a turkey gun but the thought of the kick with that light gun made me change my mind. I went with 20 gauge gas loading guns of average weight and they are very nice to shoot.
I don't know I guess I'm lucky in the aspect of I am in no way recoil sensitive and for a gun that will only be shot a handful of times a year if I could find a synthetic stocked, alloy receiver, thin barreled 3" chambers with chokes tube 20 ga that's sub or to 4lbs and a chair like the alps mc turkey chair around 3lbs and drop 20-30 lbs around my waist I think I would have the ultimate turkey getting platform!
Does anyone have any comments regarding the Weatherby SA-459 in 20 GA or the Weatherby PA-459 in 12 GA?
I'll be shooting Apex TSS or Federal, with Carlson TSS choked.
Thanks.
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Quote from: ConoverCustomCalls on May 29, 2021, 01:34:02 PM
Does anyone have any comments regarding the Weatherby SA-459 in 20 GA or the Weatherby PA-459 in 12 GA?
I'll be shooting Apex TSS or Federal, with Carlson TSS choked.
Thanks.
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I bought a SA-459 20 last year. I installed an Indian Creek .562 choke and a Holosun green reticle reflex sight and am shooting Apex 1 5/8 oz 9's.
I really like the gun. Almost 2 1/2 lbs lighter than my old 11-87. That's a lot of difference when you are 70 and having back problems. I was only able to get a shot at two gobblers this season, but the 20 did the job in both cases. I will keep my 12 because I always want to have a spare gun, but unless for the sake of nostalgia, I doubt I will ever take it to the field again.
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Quote from: Neill_Prater on May 29, 2021, 05:16:11 PM
Quote from: ConoverCustomCalls on May 29, 2021, 01:34:02 PM
Does anyone have any comments regarding the Weatherby SA-459 in 20 GA or the Weatherby PA-459 in 12 GA?
I'll be shooting Apex TSS or Federal, with Carlson TSS choked.
Thanks.
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I bought a SA-459 20 last year. I installed an Indian Creek .562 choke and a Holosun green reticle reflex sight and am shooting Apex 1 5/8 oz 9's.
I really like the gun. Almost 2 1/2 lbs lighter than my old 11-87. That's a lot of difference when you are 70 and having back problems. I was only able to get a shot at two gobblers this season, but the 20 did the job in both cases. I will keep my 12 because I always want to have a spare gun, but unless for the sake of nostalgia, I doubt I will ever take it to the field again.
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I'm shooting the same setup as Neal except I'm shooting Foxtrot ammo. Zero complaints.
My boys gun is a M2, 20g. I changed the factory recoil spring to a heavy recoil Wolfe spring, changed out the factory stock for a steady grip, drilled and tapped with a FF3, and choked with a Summit .562. It's a nice gun, will kill a turkey all day long at 50 yards and is light. It has a 26" barrel, if it were 24" I think it would be the ultimate rig.
Maybe I will retire mine and get one of the M2's myself. It's about 3.5#'s lighter than what I carry now.
What's an FF3?
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Fast Fire 3, a red dot that i kinda like mine a lot..
Quote from: ConoverCustomCalls on May 29, 2021, 01:34:02 PM
Does anyone have any comments regarding the Weatherby SA-459 in 20 GA or the Weatherby PA-459 in 12 GA?
I'll be shooting Apex TSS or Federal, with Carlson TSS choked.
Thanks.
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As mentioned above I have the SA 459 in 20 gauge topped with a Holosun green dot, Sumtoy choke, shooting Federal TSS. I like the gun and would buy it again. I did have a problem at first with the Carrier release button, talked with Weatherby and was advised to return the gun for inspection. Turns out it was operator error by both me and the Weatherby guy I spoke with. I have the gun back and it functions flawlessly. Only shot some light loads to to zero the green dot so really can not comment on recoil but it is a light gun. With that said I usually do mot feel recoil when I am hunting.
I reach past the M2, Affinity 3, 870, etc to get my SA459. IMO the best factory set up turkey gun you could buy.... unfortunately no longer in production. The good news is that the Mossberg SA08 and Tristar Viper? are basically same gun. I love my SA-459 with JEBS 560 and fastfire 2.
I have a 12 and a 20. The 12 is an 870 Supermag. I shoot TSS through an Indian Creek choke, and it throws a good pattern at 60 yards. The 20 is a H&R Topper, with a 22" barrel and an AR style stock, and weighs in at 4 lbs 12 ozs. I also shoot TSS through an Indian Creek choke, and it throws a good pattern out to 50 yards.
I use both on a regular basis. When I have to walk a long way, or am hunting in mountainous terrain, I tote the lightweight 20.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.