buyers question, the shotgun test drive.

[Fox Fire]

Say you've found a gun your interested in & want to see what kind of pattern it shoots, all you have to work with is factory loaded box ammo in we'll say a #4, 5, or 6 shot  to use for the test drive, what kind of pattern would it have to throw for you to consider it a shooter (or not ).

I've recently bought a old single Winchester 37A in .20ga (in near perfect shape by the way) and basicly just curious if it might make a gun to turkey hunt with, just for something different to try.

I guess what would you look for in such a prospect ?

[Tail Feathers]

Lead 6's.
If it's safe to shoot HTL in, Federal HW 7's.

Good luck, hope it will be more than a safe queen for you.

[allaboutshooting]

Say you've found a gun your interested in & want to see what kind of pattern it shoots, all you have to work with is factory loaded box ammo in we'll say a #4, 5, or 6 shot  to use for the test drive, what kind of pattern would it have to throw for you to consider it a shooter (or not ).

I've recently bought a old single Winchester 37A in .20ga (in near perfect shape by the way) and basicly just curious if it might make a gun to turkey hunt with, just for something different to try.

I guess what would you look for in such a prospect ?

The first thing I would look at is of course safety. I'd make sure it locks up tight and that everything is in good condition. If I had any doubt whatsoever, I'd take it to a qualified gunsmith.

The newest of those guns would be maybe 50 years old and some could be much, much older. Those barrels were made for lead shot only of course. The steel was much softer than any modern guns and any of the tungsten-based or steel shot would not be safe to shoot in it. It was probably originally choked full but if it's been shot a lot, it could be more open. Again, that's easily checked with a bore mic.

The chamber should be 2.75" so you'll need to confine your shells to those of that length. That will somewhat restrict the payload and I'd choose some #6 lead shot for that reason.

Having said all of that, folks were shooting turkeys many years ago before we had specialized turkey guns. It's all really a matter of taking that gun to the range and seeing what it will do.

I'd recommend some very reasonable expectations. I would guess that something like 20-25 yards would be a maximum range, all things considered. I'd be looking for a pattern with well placed shot and without large (2" or more) gaps or holes in it.

If you're willing to restrict your shots to those kinds of ranges, or whatever your range work indicates, you could certainly use that old gun for turkeys.

Good luck and it will be interesting to hear what you find out at the range.

Thanks,
Clark

[Fox Fire]

Thanks for the input gents, I wound up buying 2 of them, one is a youth model & the other is standard, they are the 37A which came after the beloved model 37, not really sure what year the 37a went into production, thinking these are in the late 60s maybe as late as mid 70s guns, very clean & tight, but do need a good bore polishing.

since I shake some much & shooting a rifle aint as easy as it was, I bought them to be my squirrel gun, just got to pondering on it & thought why not a turkey gun as well, depends on how they shoot , will be dedicated lead shooters tho, mainly for nostalgia reasons.

Will update as soon as I get to burning powder.

[owlhoot]

The 37A was made around 1973- 1980.?
I have the 20 with a 28" barrel it is full choke and in very good shape.
It is a 3" chamber.
Not sure about the Fed hwt hurting the barrel, but mine shoots over 100 in the 10" at 40
with the Hwt 7's