Thinking about new gun or new loads.

[ChiefBubba]

Looking for a little advice. Was at the range today doing a little patterning of different shells and gun's. I got a Versa Max and haven't patterned for turkeys yet so thought I'd try a few shell's. The 3 1/2 Turkey Thugs shot pretty good at 25 yards.
My normal set up is an 870 SM with 3 1/2 #7 Hevi 13's out of a Pure Gold choke. Was noticing I'm beginning to feel the 3 1/2 punishment a little more now that I'm getting older. I know in the heat of the moment I hardly feel any kick at all but would really like to shoot more at the range. This got me thinking about dropping down in shells or maybe a smaller bore gun. I'd really like to try 20's or 28 gauge gun's in the future.
I was thinking about keeping the 12 and just shooting 3" or even 2 3/4 and just limit myself to 20 or 25 yards.  So what thought's on this. Chief.

[FL-Boss]

my thoughts .... once you get a 20ga you will never go back to a 12ga.  So plan on selling your 12 if you buy a 20ga.  They are a joy to carry and shoot. With HEVI 13 or FED HEVI #7 you can get numbers are more than enough to do the job.

[allaboutshooting]

Since you have such a fine gun in the Versa Max, I would consider trying some standard velocity 3" Hevi-13 shells with 2 oz. of either #6 or #7 shot. I would also suggest using a Shooter's Friend slip on recoil pad at least while you're at the range. It only add 1/4" to the length of pull and cuts felt recoil, conservatively, by 50% or more. It makes a normal 12 gauge feel more like a 20 gauge.

That's a very inexpensive "fix" ($17.95 on my site) and one that will really lessen the punishment that any 12 gauge gun can deliver.

Thanks,
Clark

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

my thoughts .... once you get a 20ga you will never go back to a 12ga.  So plan on selling your 12 if you buy a 20ga.  They are a joy to carry and shoot. With HEVI 13 or FED HEVI #7 you can get numbers are more than enough to do the job.

I'm about ready to go there myself. 

But I'm not getting rid of my 12GA guns. 

[WV TURKEY THUG]

Ohh how I love the recoil of 3 1/2 inch shells. One time I missed a turkey twice but got him on third shot. My face was all swelled and bruised on the right side for aweek. Everyone thought I got into a fight I was like yep but u should of saw the other guys face lol. I've been thinking about switching to 3 inch after my box is empty. But heck that could be years but hopefully not.

[BandedSpur]

No need to limit yourself to 20-25 yds with 3" 12 ga loads. Even if shooting lead, the right shell and choke will easily kill to 40. The same applies in spades if shooting HTL. You may run out of pattern around 35 yds with 2.75" lead. Only way to know for sure is to pattern some.

If I moved to a 20, I would definitely shoot HTL and still feel confident to 40 (H13 7s or Fed HW 7s).

[chatterbox]

Do yourself a favor, and drop down to a 3" shell. I developed an awful flinch because I thought  had to shoot those shoulder pounders.
I now shoot the 3-2-7 Hevi-13's, and won't ever look back. More than enough pellets in the 10" circle at 40 yards to kill any bird walking.

[hunter-b]

 Lead Sleds are nice .

[RAY]

I'm not familiar with the VersaMax.  No one I know owns one.  I am thinking it is a gas operated gun?  Is the recoil really lousy?  I own a Winchester SX2 and it doesn't thump a 3.5" bad.  My Benelli SBE bucks a turkey load pretty good.  I would think a VersaMax would be similar to an 11-87?  Or am I really far off on this?

[mossyoakpro]

I hear the Browning Maxus is pretty tame with 3.5's but I don't know that for fact.....I have never nor will I ever shoot 3.5's for turkey hunting. I have always shot a 3" gun and have since gone to a 20 ga.  I will continue to use my 12 but the 20 has really got me excited so I will most likely take it the most in the future.

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

I hear the Browning Maxus is pretty tame with 3.5's but I don't know that for fact.....I have never nor will I ever shoot 3.5's for turkey hunting. I have always shot a 3" gun and have since gone to a 20 ga.  I will continue to use my 12 but the 20 has really got me excited so I will most likely take it the most in the future.

What 20GA did you end up with?  I'm debating on a 870, but I don't like the wood on them.  Done had one for my boy and sold since he grew out of it and no longer turkey hunts right now due to being a college student.  So if I got another 870 it would have to be a sythetic model which cost more since it's camo.  I also woudn't mind having a Win 1300 20GA.  Wood or synthetic on them don't really matter much to me. 

[mossyoakpro]

I have a synthetic model 870....it is getting a ceracote bath as we speak. Mossberg makes a good 20 ga as well.

Good luck!


Sent from my 8 point bonus bird picture taking device

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Thanks.

And I don't want to sidetrack this thread, but do you know if they made this in a 20GA?  I think they did.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=342275707

That's what I would like to have. 

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

I found my answer.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/WINCHESTER-1300-SYNTHETIC.cfm?gun_id=100333921

[ChiefBubba]

Since you have such a fine gun in the Versa Max, I would consider trying some standard velocity 3" Hevi-13 shells with 2 oz. of either #6 or #7 shot. I would also suggest using a Shooter's Friend slip on recoil pad at least while you're at the range. It only add 1/4" to the length of pull and cuts felt recoil, conservatively, by 50% or more. It makes a normal 12 gauge feel more like a 20 gauge.

That's a very inexpensive "fix" ($17.95 on my site) and one that will really lessen the punishment that any 12 gauge gun can deliver.

Thanks,
Clark

Thank you for all the replies and everyone's been helpful.
The Versa Max is a great gun and I like absoluty everything about it. I also own a 11-87 and a Maxus. I really like both those gun's too. The Maxus I couldn't quite get to fit me right even with the shims but it's a great gun and I use it for a spare gun.

I will try the 3" shells and see how they work out. Clark I'm going to order your Shooters friend and try that with my 3 1/2's and see how that doe's. I'm probably going to keep a look out for a 20 to pick up also. Thank's again, Chief.