Should I get a 20 gauge?

[sman]

I understand the 20 bandwagon.   Heck I've got one ready to go.

However,  weight isn't a reason nor is pattern.  I shoot a Browning Maxus.  It weighs 7lbs.  200 plus counts every shot.

The only benefit I see is less recoil, smaller gun size wise, and not an expensive way to reduce weight.

The Maxus was my dream gun and cost a pretty penny.  You can get a 20 with the same weight for $300 or less.

[reynolds243]

walk 4miles up and down hills and let me know if that 1lb doesn't make a difference. I have done just that and it makes a very big difference at the end of the day


Proverbs 3:5
"Trust in the lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding"

Sent from my phone because I'm that cool

[houser52]

I think you will be amazed what that little 20 will do.

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,51321.0.html

Thanks for the link. That was very impressive patterns with any gun.

Also, from what I'm reading on here, the 20 is not that finicky with the choke that's used with HTL loads.

[magnumgray]

go for it! ..... I started carrying a 20 while fall hunting in Nebraska .... a Charles  Daley youth ( a little over 5#s) ..... last season I won a tri-star   O/U at a NWTF banquet ..... put a Primos Tight wad in the top barrel and a modified in the lower..... I shot 5 birds ..... 2 with magblends in the upper and three with lead 6"s from the modified lower barrel .... one bird was stone dead at 41 Yds. light weight .... quick pointing 20's are joy to have in the field

[houser52]

Alright, now that I have decided on a 870 Compact, I'll probably need a choke other than the supplied modified. I'll be shooting either the Hevi-13 #7 or the Fed HW #7. I've never tried the HW in my 12 gauge but the Hevi #7 shoots really well.

From what I've found searching, there's a lot of good different choices out there, Remington Super Full, Carlson's .575, Trulock, SSX, Sumtoy and others.

I know every gun is different but can you point me to a good choke to start with? Also, is there one choke that could be used with either load?

[SKFOOTER]

My Remmy 20 Compact loves the Sumtoy .562-5/Fed HW 7's combination.  The Truglo SSX would probably be the go to choke if you want to shoot both loads with the same choke.  But only a patterning session will tell you for sure.

[houser52]

My Remmy 20 Compact loves the Sumtoy .562-5/Fed HW 7's combination.  The Truglo SSX would probably be the go to choke if you want to shoot both loads with the same choke.  But only a patterning session will tell you for sure.

Yea, I've read a lot of good reviews on the SSX when using both loads. Have you tried the Rem turkey super full?

[g8rvet]

I think someone on here is trying the superfull with Fed HW#7.  With the Remington Full choke and Fed HW#7 in my daughter's 870 youth 21" bbl, it is a sure killer at 30.  I patterned 40 and it was not quite good enough.  I set it up like that because my daughter is a new shooter and I wanted a more open choke.

My strongest advice is to get a non-ported choke and try the Federal HW#7.  It hits like Hevi13 #6 or #5 lead according to some ballistics I have seen.  The load seems to do really well out of the 20 gauge.  I would get a Sumtoy or Trulock Fed HW choke and be done with it.  Others may work, but those WILL work.  Give William at Sumtoy or George at Trulock a call.  They will get you set up with the pattern and choke you want.  The only reason I went Trulock is because he is just over the border from me (in GA).  Sumtoy is also the awesome. 

[houser52]

After much deliberation I decided to go with the SSX choke, mainly because I wanted to be able to possibly use one choke with either Fed HW #7 or Hevi #7. Of course that just depends on how things work out.

Even though I haven't ordered the gun yet I went ahead and ordered the choke and Fed HW #7. The shells are supposed to ship from Midway on March 9th but not sure when the choke will ship from WebyShops. The gun is in stock and should only take a few days to get here after I place my order.

Hopefully everything will arrive within a few days of each other. If we ever get a break in the weather I hope to pattern the gun in plenty of time before opening day on April 11th . If things don't come together as planned with the 20 my 870 12 will be there waiting to go.

[g8rvet]

Cool!  Please post up your pattern pics!