Hello,
Retired here to northern New Mexico, a new found friend has introduced me to both turkey hunting and also dove hunting near a refuge. I used to own a 12 gauge Mossberg pump, that was finally set up for slug hunting in the Midwest. Now I think I may have come up witha solution; a Mossberg pump in 20 gauge chambered in 3 inch magnum, with choke tubes. I can see a camouflaged, short barreled weapon with sling being used with suitable choke tube and 3 inch turkey loads. I can see the same camouflaged weapon with camouflage and sling as having no disadvantage when used for dove hunting with suitable 2 3/4" loads anda modified choke.
I could use some insight as to the proper choke tube and 3 inch loads for turkey, and would appreciate your experienced opinion.
Thanks in advance
Gene so
I've wingshot my whole life and though I've never shot doves I'll say a real short barrel is not what you want in any wingshooting. It just doesn't swing through as well. I'd advise nothing shorter than 26".
You can do what you like though but I'd make a compromise on the barrel length. It really won't effect you turkey hunting but in wingshooting that short barrel will.
Now there's any variation of chokes, loads that might work but there's another issue. Many guns don't shoot exact poa. You need a sight w them n turkey loads.
My suggestion would be to forget the one gun for everything or get a Williams ghost ring site to put on the barrel rib. Hate to say this I'd just get 2 barrels. The advantage there would be your preferred length as well. The firesight's are awesome but taking them on n off for years w those tiny screws is guaranteed to be probs for ya.
Tell us your expected shot range so chokes and shells could be addressed better.
Excuse me I realized you're new welcome
Get a Remington youth with a 21" barrel, and then you can always get a 26" for doves. But personally I use a 26" for everything in my 20ga! Just use different chokes.
I'm sorry izzyjoe I don't want to discredit your advise but a gun needs to fit wingshooting. There's no way a very short length of pull would be optimum unless the op was a midget maybe.
Not saying to not consider what izzyjoe said but think about two dif sports.
A gun too short will def hinder you wingshooting. A gun that fits won't hinder you turkey hunting
An over under will be shorter and swing well while still maintaining maneuverability in the turkey woods.
Quote from: dirt road ninja on January 21, 2019, 11:39:32 AM
An over under will be shorter and swing well while still maintaining maneuverability in the turkey woods.
Good option as well
The youth model has a 13" lop, and it don't seem to short to me. But you could add a spacer, and get more lop. There is to many variables between the two styles of shooting, and you may be better served with a full size express 20 ga. with a 26" barrel.
When I retired 10 years ago, I bought a Browning Silver with a 28" barrel. I use it for everything from geese to turkeys. I use an extended choke tube when hunting, so that makes it at least 29 inches long. I've never had a problem with the barrel being too long for turkey hunting. That includes hunting in a very small ground blind. Maybe a longer barrel isn't really a bad thing.
JMHO.....Any reliable pump or auto, Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Winchester SXP, Winchester SX4, Browning Silver, etc., as for barrel, I've used a 28" for ALL my hunting for over 50 years and never had any issues. I would get a 26" or 28" first, then add a shorter barrel if you feel you really need it. Don't over think it!