let me start off by saying "I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER TURKEY GUN" but, I sorta want another semi-auto. I'm looking at the Tri-Star Raptor youth camo and the LSI/Hatsen Escort youth camo. The prices are close and compared to other brands they are in about anyone's budget. I had an Escort several years ago but didn't keep it no time because a young fellow needed a rabbit gun. Anyway, who all has hands on experience with either of these? Which one would you choose and why? I only shoot LBXR #6's by the way.
thanks in advance
If I am not mistaken they are the same gun the only difference is the cosmetics that the brand wanted. If they shoot like the old weatherby sa08 put a Indian Creek.555 in it and you should be good to go!
My son has a Tristar raptor youth and it will flat out shoot! We shoot the Carlson longboard choke and Apex TSS #9's. It'll put 275 in a 10 inch circle at 40. Been a good dove gun for him too.
I think most of those guns come out of the same factory.
I had the Raptor in 12 gauge. It's a good gun if you can get past the intermittent cycling issues, occasional failure to fire, and trigger group pin popping out every few rounds. Also the sling swivel attachment breaks if you try using ..
Haven't had a Hatsen but they seem to be about the same quality based on reviews I've seen. They have trouble with fore end cracking.
I have a mint Franchi Affinity Elite cobalt/optifade camo with a 26" barrel I am selling if it's something you would be interested in.
I have a Retay turkey in 20 guage with a Sumtoy tube that is doing a phenomenal job this season.
I have my FFL and have ordered both of those guns idk where u are but I can usually get the escort quite a bit cheaper.I also would take it over the tri star just my opinion though haven't had any complaints on the tri stars I've got for people.
I looked at some nice Retay today and I really like them...
Stoeger m3020 light shoots great
I've never been a cheap gun fan but there are a few semi-autos at reasonable price points I'd strongly consider.
If I was considering another semi-auto I'd only be looking at the following: Winchester SX4, Benelli M2, Franchi Affinity.
The SX4 and the Affinity are a lot of shotguns for the money. M2 is my all time favorite shotgun.
Loved my Weatherby Element this spring. I shot the stock choke with some Federal Heavyweight #7's I had left over. I didn't count pellets but it was a nice, even hunting pattern. My wife killed her first ever turkey with it and it fit her well. I haven't ran many shells through it. But it seems like a solid gun and is fun to pack. I like the 22" barrel on it as well.
Lasy year after the season, I picked up a Mossberg Sa20 Tactical Turkey. Screwed a .555 Ic in and mounted a FF3. It patterns my hand loaded tss better than any of my other 20's. My go to was a sa459 or the x3 long beard. Love the new sa20
finally decided on a TriStar Raptor youth for my 20ga addition. It's matt black with camo stock and forend. Thinking Burris FastFire III and a Carlson's LB choke for starters. I will start with LBXR #6's and see what happens. I'll put up pics later.
thanks everyone for your opinions
My son shoots this exact gun and with the Carlson LB Choke and Apex number 9's it throws a fantastic pattern.
well, that was short lived. I thought I had a real keeper until one of my friend's youngest sons stopped by one day. just couldn't deny the look on his face when he held it so I let him shoot it and, it was obvious it was destined to be his new turkey shotgun. I'll stumble across another 20ga auto one day but for now a fine young man has a fine new gun.
I did the same thing for a young man at our church. I gave him a 12 gauge auto that I hadn't used in a few years. I was happy to give it to him and boy, was he overjoyed to git it. He hasn't taken a turkey with it yet, maybe in 2025 that will be his time.