New 1187

[VaBoy]

You guys have convinced me to join the 20 gauge ranks. I just bought an 1187 with a 24" barrel and am looking for everyone's help in trying to get it set up in a hurry for this year. Any advice in what works as far as choke and shell combo's would be much appreciated. Plan on putting a saddle mount and red dot on it for this year as I already have those from my sons gun ( he doesn't use it anymore as he hijacked one of my 12 gauges) and maybe getting it B & T next year when I have more time. Just looking for some combo's that may or may not have worked for some of you guys. Thanks for your help.

[jordanz7935]

I shoot an 870 with the Remington superfull turkey choke .572 in mine with Federal HW #7s.Id definitely recommend those HW #7s there the best 20 ga load on the market.I get 130-140s in the 10" with my current setup.I do have a Sumtoy .562-5 on the way to see if i can do better.For chokes with Hw #7s Ive seen people have good results with,listed from cheapest to most expensive,Primos Tightwad .570, RSF.572,Carlsons .575,Trulock choke for HW #7s,Sumtoy .562-5,and Rob Roberts Chokes. IMO, id start with the Carlsons .575 and go from there. Nice thing is with the popularity of 20 ga. on here if a certain choke doesn't work out for you you can sell them quickly here in the classifieds.

[remmy1187]

Just my opinion here, but there is only two really good options when it comes to the twenty gauges and factory loaded ammo.  As Jordan said the Federal HWT 7's are one and the other would be Hevi-Shot 7's.  The 7's in both loads are gonna have higher pellet counts and tend to pattern better with tight constriction turkey chokes.  As far as chokes go there are a lot of good options.  Everything that Jordan said with chokes is spot on.  I have had good success with the Indian Creek .555.

[darron]

I have an 1187. ..here are chokes I would try

Ssx
Carlson .575
Sumtoy 562-5

One of those will work. I shoot a carlson for now but will get a sumtoy soon

[Greg Massey]

Federal HW 7 or the best..but..the problem is finding anyone with these in stock. Are these just a seasonal run shell?  Welcome to the 20 ga. Club. One suggestion buy you a box of number 6 frderal or parrie storm to get you gun on paper good.. get these shells in the upland bird load with buffer. This will save you some money getting it sighted in. Also look at the trulock chokes in the 565 non-ported.

[VaBoy]

Thanks for everyone's help. Currently shooting a Carlson .575 and found some Federal HW 7's and getting good results. Killed a 21 lb 1.25" spurs and 11.5 " beard this morning at 30 yards, hardly a flop. As a side note , Ableammo had Federal HW 7's in stock yesterday . Hardest part of this whole setup has been trying to find the shells. Thanks again for the help...

[jordanz7935]

Good deal man congrats on the bird sounds like a great bird.Glad the carlsons choke worked out for ya they're usually a safe bet. What kind of numbers did you get @ 40yds with your setup?

[VaBoy]

Haven't done the 10 and 40 thing yet. Bought the gun last Tuesday , season came in on Saturday. Got a red dot on it , sighted it in and that's all I have had time for ( got the carlson on Saturday) Put up a 12" x 12" turkey head target at a measured 40 and put 23 in the head and neck and decided it was time to go hunting. Closest I have done to real patterning was I shot some Hevi 13 #6's thru it and at measured 25 yards had 197 in a 10" circle and that was thru an old Primos jellyhead I had on hand. Plenty satisfied at this point. Only problems I see is my old eyes need a red dot because it's a rifle under 15 yards.

[albrubacker]

Congrats on the bird!

[jordanz7935]

Try to find you a Rem SF hevishot model in .570, and pair it with 1.5 oz Federal HWT #7s, and you should have a legit 40 yd gun with some fudge room.

I think he is happy with his current setup... at least thats what i read... and i highly doubt that long discontinued, very hard to find choke would do any better than the carlsons choke he has.

[jordanz7935]

Well i do know for a fact that the Hevishot SF. 570 wont hold a candle to the rsf .572 in my gun,my buddies guns,and %95 of the people that ive talked to who have shot them in rem choke 20 ga .That is with Fed HW 7s.And while ive never shot a carlsons .575, they seem to be right on par numbers wise,with Fed Hw #7s, if not a little better patterning than the rsf .572.And why would you reccomend anything to the guy after reading these posts?I know your the new self proclaimed expert on chokes here on OG, i was wondering what your credentials are other than 26 posts on here?

[jordanz7935]

You may think you know more than me and everyone else here and thats just fine ill agree to disagree on that. Ive read your posts on here. .Seems to me anyone with any common sense wouldnt chime in on a post with a suggested choke and load after the OP has set his gun up,killed turkeys, and said hes happy with it and thanked other members for the help setting up his gun.Good for you if you get 170 in the 10 @ 40 with that choke.Now your trying to play the your 170 is better than my 130-140s game. Thats cute and it shows your ignorance.

[VaBoy]

With all due respect to both Jordan and Vanilla, if you will read my post you will see that my biggest concern is the TIGHTNESS of my pattern at closer ranges.While I truly appreciate all the help in getting my gun set up quickly , numbers don't impress me , I want a useable gun. While it is nice to know the gun is capable at longer ranges , my goal is not to get the most numbers as possible. I have been at this game a long time , turkey hunting , not pattern boards, and to me the joy is seeing how close I can get one in and interact with them , not how far away I can kill him. Just my two cents. Let's all try to be friends . Safe hunting to all...

[jordanz7935]

Thanks for the laugh vanilla. You really are full of yourself huh?Where have you been all these years its a wonder our 20 ga's could even kill a bird @ 30yds before you came on here 9 days ago. Yea i hear ya Vaboy sorry to hijack this thread but Mr. Vanilla came on this forum last week trying to teach a still target champion and guys who have vast knowledge of turkey guns and patterning who have been on here for years, about choke tubes.Yea i hear ya about too tight of a pattern vaboy,thats what its all about for me too just how close i can get em.Ive gotten rid of chokes because they patterned too tight for me to be comfortable takin a close shot with. Some people want as many in the 10" circle @ 40 and im not one of them.Some people also like to shoot birds @ 50 yds,not me.

[longislandloco]

Sounds like Shotgunworld


PS to the OP........Happy for your success!