Well after humping the 12 gauge and up down ridges for far too long, I'm going to put together a dedicated 20 gauge turkey gun. Been leaning towards the SBE3, what's everyone's thoughts?
Me too. I just ordered a Winchester Sx4. Been wanting to try a 20 gauge. By some of the patterns I've been seeing they look great. I'm anxious to try it. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Can't beat the Benelli. I have the 12 original Super Black Eagle from day one when they first came out. It truly is a great gun. I imagine the 20 has the same quality and reliability. Wouldn't trade it for anything, and yes it is extremely lightweight....
Bought a Franchi affinity turkey in 20 last year and hunted all spring with it. I was very impressed.Rob Roberts Choke in it and leopould delta point pro on top.
I have a Weatherby Element 20ga. Indian Creek .555. It is well made and shoots great.
It is reasonably priced and I have really enjoyed it so far.
I would go with the M2
Papaw's old H&R Pardner single shot hammer w/ modified choke. Pheasant shot. That's what I'll be carrying this year.
My brother's Sx4 12ga was nice to carry some a couple of years ago, but it was made for duck hunting and weighed too much for the ground I like to cover. A 20 ga with shorter barrel may be better though. Good gun.
I love my CZ Bobwhite sxs 20, and think it would make a fine turkey gun, but I've never patterned the tighter chokes through it.
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Stevens 301 20gT. Light simple cheap effective. No need for a repeater unless you are going to dual purpose it and wingshoot. My 2 cents
You will love a 20 for turkey.
Can't ever see me using anything but a 20-ga for anything and everything; SX3 and a Fabarms o/u.
I love my M2 but I think they have made the SBE the upgrade!
So many awesome options right now. I have tried a lot of them... SA-20, Affinity, SX3, SX4, and currently use an M2. I don't see how one could be better, but there are several that are just as good. I think if I was starting all over again for a strictly turkey 20ga I would go with the 301T and use the extra money for ammo.
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Benelli M2 for me. I actually chose the compact model which has the shorter but stock. Looking through the red dot I already had to get down on the gun. Been running it 4 seasons strong! 24 inch barrel and a Indian Creek .562 and you're set!
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I got a killer deal on a Mossberg SA 20 Turkey. I carried it all deer season' took 5 deer with TSS and I love the 5 1/2 pound weight and 22" barrel. I like my SA 410 Turkey, but the 26" barrel is a bit long for my liking.
I have a Franchi Affinity Elite and a Benelli M2. Never got the opportunity to hunt with the Affinity yet but I love the M2.
There are many that will get the job done but in the end it comes down to what are you comfortable with, what you can afford and what do you have the most confidence in.
If you are a SBE guy you already have your answer, lol. If you are looking for an inexpensive alternative, look at a Stoeger or Mossberg. Lots of 20 gauge options out there. If money isnt an issue SBE3. Z
The M2 is a wonderful gun I have a 12 and 20. I originally got the Franchi 20, but sold it for the benelli and have never looked back. The youth 870 is also a great gun. It will shoot great with almost any choke you put in it. The M2 can be pretty picky after 4-5 chokes the IC .555 shot the best in the end.
I have a Benelli M2 in a 12g and just gave my son-in law my Black Eagle. But last year, I bought a Retay Masai Mara Turkey Model in 20g and really like the gun.. The case the gun came in weighs more than gun. Gun performed well when Turkey hunting.
Coming up on my 46th spring season, I've spent that amount of time arriving at what works for me. That being reliability and simplicity.......in everything I carry to the woods. I've become a pretty severe minimalist.
When it comes to my dedicated turkey gun, I've been through most of the angles. What I arrived at and cannot think of any reason to ever change is an NEF Pardner 20 gauge single. A barrel, a stock, a hammer, a trigger, a "Made in the USA" stamp....... very little more.
All 100% one guy's opinion. May not suit everyone.
Quote from: Yoder409 on January 17, 2024, 09:07:53 AM
Coming up on my 46th spring season, I've spent that amount of time arriving at what works for me. That being reliability and simplicity.......in everything I carry to the woods. I've become a pretty severe minimalist.
When it comes to my dedicated turkey gun, I've been through most of the angles. What I arrived at and cannot think of any reason to ever change is an NEF Pardner 20 gauge single. A barrel, a stock, a hammer, a trigger, a "Made in the USA" stamp....... very little more.
All 100% one guy's opinion. May not suit everyone.
Good to know. I just refurbished a family Pardner 20 for this season and looking forward to it being my turkey gun. It has a modified choke but at 20 yrs, it'll kill a turkey. Gonna have to work them close which I'm fine with.
What is yours choked in? Did you camo it in any way?
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If you're already thinking about the SBE3, you might as well pull the trigger and get on lined up. I have a few single shot 20's that I enjoy carrying and a Tristar semi 20. All serve their purpose well, but there is one I try and sneak out of the cabinet, if my son isn't looking. It's his Remington youth 870 20. It's just a good shooting, handling shotgun in the turkey woods.
getting close to 50 spring gobbler seasons for me and a 12ga was the only gun discussed BUT, with the new ammo offerings along with the choke offerings a 20ga is all I carry anymore. an 870 21" and a 301 22". put pro diamond scopes on both after last season and can't wait to try them.
Quote from: Kytomgetter on January 16, 2024, 03:42:13 PM
Me too. I just ordered a Winchester Sx4. Been wanting to try a 20 gauge. By some of the patterns I've been seeing they look great. I'm anxious to try it. Good luck with whatever you choose.
LOVE my SX4. Actually I own 2 20 gauge SX4's and a 20 gauge SX3 and I would not change a thing. I sold my Benelli's and use nothing but the SX line now.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52905750503_8a53cf264c_c.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/152976138@N06/ZxFS31Cw26)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52145689562_6a6900570e_c.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/152976138@N06/zE1Pr96003)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143965442_2d519271b8_c.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/gp/152976138@N06/MF831y57Ay)r
Quote from: Lone Star Eastern on January 17, 2024, 09:14:26 AM
Quote from: Yoder409 on January 17, 2024, 09:07:53 AM
Coming up on my 46th spring season, I've spent that amount of time arriving at what works for me. That being reliability and simplicity.......in everything I carry to the woods. I've become a pretty severe minimalist.
When it comes to my dedicated turkey gun, I've been through most of the angles. What I arrived at and cannot think of any reason to ever change is an NEF Pardner 20 gauge single. A barrel, a stock, a hammer, a trigger, a "Made in the USA" stamp....... very little more.
All 100% one guy's opinion. May not suit everyone.
Good to know. I just refurbished a family Pardner 20 for this season and looking forward to it being my turkey gun. It has a modified choke but at 20 yrs, it'll kill a turkey. Gonna have to work them close which I'm fine with.
What is yours choked in? Did you camo it in any way?
I sent my gun through William's rehabilitation program at SumToy Customs. ;D
It's threaded with Tru-Choke threads and sports one of SumToy's .562-5" tubes. I shoot the old skool Federal Hevay 7's (15 g/cc) and the gun is devastating. My daughter's gun is stocked differently than mine. But is.....metal-to-metal..... identical. Hers patterns 9% - 10% better than mine !!
Both my gun and hers are factory laminated stocks and matte-ish metal finish. Haven't altered that in any way. I've also got 3 other NEF and H&R singles set up. Another 20, a 12 and a .410 They are all 3 blued and walnut. I've no issues with that and, honestly........neither have the turkeys.
Mine:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4866/45462082275_c43ee92fd3_c.jpg)
And, then, the REAL deal !!!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46737884635_b36b434427_c.jpg)
My 12s have been retired for the past 4 years because of the tss market. I built a dedicated 870 20 gauge with all the bells and whistles and then switched to a Stevens O/U 555. Currently building another Tristar O/U. I like the best of both worlds that comes with an O/U but I wouldn't use a 20 unless using tss... that's me.
I would love to buy a Benelli but I like using the factory bead to aim. Benelli's are always off on point of aim/point of impact. I will not use an optic so the Benelli is not an option for me.
Quote from: WW on January 17, 2024, 12:08:00 PM
I would love to buy a Benelli but I like using the factory bead to aim. Benelli's are always off on point of aim/point of impact. I will not use an optic so the Benelli is not an option for me.
Was just discussing this very same thing (AND the "Benelli click") twice within the last 4 days with other groups of turkey-minded folks.
WHY do they (Benelli) have issues getting a $1500 - $2000 shotgun to shoot where it's pointed ??? Hatfield and Maverick can make their $150 guns shoot straight........
Quote from: WW on January 17, 2024, 12:08:00 PM
I would love to buy a Benelli but I like using the factory bead to aim. Benelli's are always off on point of aim/point of impact. I will not use an optic so the Benelli is not an option for me.
They aren't always off, my 20 shoots POA. The two 21" barreled 12 gauges did shoot very high. Sold one and bent the magazine tube on the other and now it shoots POA. The mag tube bending fixes the POA/POI issue and it is easy. A little stressful, but easy.
I wanted a Benelli M2, but got a Franchi Affinity 3 instead. I have hunted with it the last 3 seasons and love it.
I have a Stevens 301T in a 20 gauge and I have thoroughly enjoyed carrying it the last few years. Between me and one son of mine, we've killed about 15 gobblers with it and it has been deadly. I agree with some above that, for me, it was not going to be a dual purpose gun so I didn't spring for a semi auto. I like the simplicity and dependability of the single shot. Also, I like the light weight over a heavy 12 gauge.
OP, you'll love the 20 gauge. Coupled with TSS and a good choke, you're gaining a lot and losing nothing but a few pounds in gun weight. Enjoy!
The lightest one you like, some 20ga weigh as much as my SBE2, no reason to carry a 20ga over 6lbs.
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I don't hear many talk about these much, but I bought a Midland Backpack 20 ga and had it drilled and tapped for a red dot. For less than $200 in it sight and all, you can't beat it on performance or weight. It shoots as good as my Franchi and I take it 90+ % of my hunts now. Pattern pics are on the site from it and the Franchi from last year.
Quote from: bwhana on January 17, 2024, 04:57:07 PM
I don't hear many talk about these much, but I bought a Midland Backpack 20 ga and had it drilled and tapped for a red dot. For less than $200 in it sight and all, you can't beat it on performance or weight. It shoots as good as my Franchi and I take it 90+ % of my hunts now. Pattern pics are on the site from it and the Franchi from last year.
Is that the one that breaks down in half? If so, I think that's a cool idea, but don't know anyone that has one
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Quote from: Lone Star Eastern on January 17, 2024, 04:58:51 PM
Quote from: bwhana on January 17, 2024, 04:57:07 PM
I don't hear many talk about these much, but I bought a Midland Backpack 20 ga and had it drilled and tapped for a red dot. For less than $200 in it sight and all, you can't beat it on performance or weight. It shoots as good as my Franchi and I take it 90+ % of my hunts now. Pattern pics are on the site from it and the Franchi from last year.
Is that the one that breaks down in half? If so, I think that's a cool idea, but don't know anyone that has one
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Yes, folds in half and can even ride in a turkey vest easily. It is a copy of an older ?Beretta? design. Mine weighs 5lbs as shown. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240117/a07a839266811929f479c90bc0526403.jpg)
Here is a similar gun to the Midland at a low price. https://www.impactguns.com/single-shot-shotguns/ati-nomad-single-shot-20-ga-18-5-barrel-3-black-blued-1rd-819644021575-atig20nmd18
Quote from: bwhana on January 17, 2024, 05:05:35 PM
Quote from: Lone Star Eastern on January 17, 2024, 04:58:51 PM
Quote from: bwhana on January 17, 2024, 04:57:07 PM
I don't hear many talk about these much, but I bought a Midland Backpack 20 ga and had it drilled and tapped for a red dot. For less than $200 in it sight and all, you can't beat it on performance or weight. It shoots as good as my Franchi and I take it 90+ % of my hunts now. Pattern pics are on the site from it and the Franchi from last year.
Is that the one that breaks down in half? If so, I think that's a cool idea, but don't know anyone that has one
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Yes, folds in half and can even ride in a turkey vest easily. It is a copy of an older ?Beretta? design. Mine weighs 5lbs as shown. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240117/a07a839266811929f479c90bc0526403.jpg)
But that little toy won't kill a big turkey, John. LOL
All joking aside, that is an awesome setup - I'm thinking about getting me one to take on the mtn.
If I remember correctly, it accepts Beretta thread chokes and it also has an adjustable length of pull kit that comes included from the factory. Hard not to take a serious look at that gun if one is shopping for a 20 gauge turkey gun to carry if they walk a lot, especially in hilly terrain.
I have a large number of turkey hammers. But the last few years I have been hunting with an 870 20 gauge 18 inch barrel Indian Crecek 555 choke, added pistol grip stock and forearm!!! Magpul makes awesome stuff. Added a Burris FF3. It works great. -
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No wrong answers here peeps. If I could find a 28 single shot I would probably be using it in the turkey woods. I got the Benelli SBE 3 28 gauge because it was light, handled nice, I wanted a waterfowl/turkey combo, and I wanted it,,lol. The gun comes with a shim kit and adjustable stock to change your POI. Everybody is built different and mount the gun a different way. I had to adjust mine to any ammo over 1200 fps as it shot high. A little tweaking and it is perfect for me. Thats the key, that it fits you. Do your homework and do what feels right for you. Then kill all those gobbling menaces. Z :funnyturkey:
3-870 youth guns , all 3 have vortex strike fire 2's on top , 1 w/ Sumtoy .562 "my gun" , 1- w/IC 555 , 1 w/ truloc .580 for the youth hunters or grandkids when they get old enough.
Winchester SX4 waterfowl with 28" barrel here. Light, reliable, and even with a longer barrel it's very handy and easy to hold shouldered and hold for a long time.
I have a little Italian made 20 gauge over and under that folds up just like the Backpacker above. My Daddy traded for it a long time ago. Get this, he traded a guy a coon dog puppy for it. It's a great little gun. I normally shoot my little 870 20 gauge though.
Y'all have a good one and May God bless, Bo.
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Quote from: runngun on January 21, 2024, 02:20:32 PM
I have a little Italian made 20 gauge over and under that folds up just like the Backpacker above. My Daddy traded for it a long time ago. Get this, he traded a guy a coon dog puppy for it. It's a great little gun. I normally shoot my little 870 20 gauge though.
Y'all have a good one and May God bless, Bo.
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Sounds like you have one of the originals, certainly a keeper. Very cool!
I hunted with a 12ga Benelli SBE 2 for many years and loved everything about it except the weight. Two years ago i decided to go 20ga and bought a 20ga Benelli SBE3. Its a 26in barrel with a Rob Roberts 560 choke and a red dot. Great little gun that shoots lights out and is easy to carry all day.
After years of toting a Mossberg 835 I'm going to try hunting with a Mossberg super bantam 20 gauge this year. It's much lighter and patterns nice with the TSS.
My grandson ( 8 years old) is currently using a .410, but will be ready to move up to a 20 gauge in a couple of years and I'll have one set up and ready to go for him.
A lot of hunters are moving to the sub-gauge Turkey guns due to weight. There are a lot of options out there if you want to tote a lighter gun afield. My sub gauge choice is a Browning Sweet Sixteen with a 26 inch barrel. It is a new version of the Sweet Sixteen with an alloy receiver. It weighs 5 lbs 10 ounces. It has a Browning DS choke system, there are custom turkey chokes available. I also have no problem finding turkey loads for it. The gun has no kick, and with Apex TSS loads, it makes a real good sub-gauge alternative. Something to consider for sure....
Browning just announced a 20 guage A5 is now available. This was announced at the Shot Show. I'll bet it's a shooter.
Quote from: Will on January 22, 2024, 08:19:23 PM
Browning just announced a 20 guage A5 is now available. This was announced at the Shot Show. I'll bet it's a shooter.
Wow, good news. The Sweet Sixteen is built on the A5 Platform also, they shoulder real well......
I, like the OP, have probably shot my last turkey with a 12ga, and like OJR, I recently picked up a Weatherby Element Turkey in 20 GA. All of the guns you guys posted are sweet. The element was a more palatable price point for me than some of the others I was interested in, and I really love the rubberized gripping on the pistol grip and forend. Based on info from some of the posts on this forum, I paired it with an Indian Creek .570 and some Apex #9's. Looking forward to checking out the pattern and ultimately running around the woods with it.
Quote from: Tommy Strutsalot on January 24, 2024, 04:04:39 PM
I, like the OP, have probably shot my last turkey with a 12ga, and like OJR, I recently picked up a Weatherby Element Turkey in 20 GA. All of the guns you guys posted are sweet. The element was a more palatable price point for me than some of the others I was interested in, and I really love the rubberized gripping on the pistol grip and forend. Based on info from some of the posts on this forum, I paired it with an Indian Creek .570 and some Apex #9's. Looking forward to checking out the pattern and ultimately running around the woods with it.
That looks like a very good turkey gun at a great price from a reputable gun company.
https://shopdunns.com/product/beretta-a300-ultima-20-gauge-semi-auto-shotgun-28-barrel-mossy-oak-bottomland-j32tu28/
I got a winchester sxp longbeard in 20 gauge last year. I like pumps for my kids to start with. Feels like a cheap turkish pump, but it comes with Pistol grip, adjustable stock shims, drilled and tapped receiver, chrome lined barrel, at less than $500. I put a vortex venom with a Sumtoy mount, then the boys and I all shot birds with it.
The M2 20ga with the 24in barrel would be hard to beat
I bought an Affnity 3 last year. It shoots great patterns with a Carlson .575 but the fit and finish are terrrible and I have had a lot of issues with it. I'm keeping it for a backup for now. I just bought a Mossberg SA20 Turkey but have not shot it yet.
I won a Tristar Cobra 3 Youth 20g at an NWTF event. It was black synthetic. After playing around a little with it, I realized it was very light and actually shouldered pretty well. I painted an original bottomland pattern on it and installed an optic. Going to give it a whirl this season. If I don't like it, I hope to have a grandchild that will use it one day.
Love the SBE. I have an older 26" 12 gauge.
It's reliability, simplicity to take apart, easy to clean.
Mine's 10 plus years old and going strong.
Buy once, Cry once. You won't regret it.
Enjoy.
Retay Masai Mara turkey special. Best 20 gauge auto out there according to some.
Mossberg SA-20 Turkey with a Carlson's TSS choke. Shoots great with federal #9s.
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Actually the Gordion Turkey is the one I'd look at from Retay. The Gordian is about the same weight, a lot cheaper, and comes with a pistol grip option.
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Quote from: IhateMud on February 05, 2024, 01:10:44 PM
Mossberg SA-20 Turkey with a Carlson's TSS choke. Shoots great with federal #9s.
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What choke constriction are you using?
Quote from: BDeal on February 05, 2024, 02:26:59 PM
Quote from: IhateMud on February 05, 2024, 01:10:44 PM
Mossberg SA-20 Turkey with a Carlson's TSS choke. Shoots great with federal #9s.
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What choke constriction are you using?
. Carlsons .575 works well in mine. 250 in the 10" at 40. I tried an Indian Creek .555 and it did 200 with some noticeable gaps.
Nice paint job N.S.Y.T :icon_thumright:
Quote from: Tail Feathers on February 05, 2024, 02:45:30 PM
Quote from: BDeal on February 05, 2024, 02:26:59 PM
Quote from: IhateMud on February 05, 2024, 01:10:44 PM
Mossberg SA-20 Turkey with a Carlson's TSS choke. Shoots great with federal #9s.
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What choke constriction are you using?
. Carlsons .575 works well in mine. 250 in the 10" at 40. I tried an Indian Creek .555 and it did 200 with some noticeable gaps.
Nice! Did you try a Carlsons .565? Are you shooting Apex#9?
Quote from: BDeal on February 06, 2024, 08:20:12 AM
Quote from: Tail Feathers on February 05, 2024, 02:45:30 PM
Quote from: BDeal on February 05, 2024, 02:26:59 PM
Quote from: IhateMud on February 05, 2024, 01:10:44 PM
Mossberg SA-20 Turkey with a Carlson's TSS choke. Shoots great with federal #9s.
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What choke constriction are you using?
. Carlsons .575 works well in mine. 250 in the 10" at 40. I tried an Indian Creek .555 and it did 200 with some noticeable gaps.
Nice! Did you try a Carlsons .565? Are you shooting Apex#9?
I have not tried .565. I did try an Indian Creek .555 but my gun didn't like that. Yes, I shoot Apex 9
s.
Quote from: BDeal on February 05, 2024, 02:26:59 PM
Quote from: IhateMud on February 05, 2024, 01:10:44 PM
Mossberg SA-20 Turkey with a Carlson's TSS choke. Shoots great with federal #9s.
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What choke constriction are you using?
Using .575 on the choke. I've patterned the following TSS with this combo, Remington #9, Browning #9, federal #7s, federal 7&9s, and federal #9s. The federal #9s were by far the best pattern. I have not tried any apex ammunition.
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