Switching to a 20 gauge

[Tom007]

I get why most people are switching to sub gauges. Lightweight is probably the main reason, along with better sub gauge Turkey shell offerings hitting the market. I'm not trying to sway you away from the mighty fine 20 gauge, but I wanted to let you know the move I made to find a lighter option. I have the new Browning Sweet 16. I topped it with a Burris FF3, put a Briley Custom .600 Turkey Choke in. I shoot Fox Trot TSS 1-7/8 oz loads. The 16 only shoots 2-3/4 shells so the recoil is minimal. Most of the TSS companies make real good 16 gauge loads. The Gun patterns unreal, and at around 5.5 pounds, it's a dream to tote through the woods. I don't feel like I'm sacrificing any fire power when I tote this Gun in the field. Again, the 20 gauge is a fantastic option, just wanted to let you know about the new Sweet 16. Handles like a charm... Good luck...

[Tail Feathers]

I have only carried 20 gauge for the past few seasons. I shoot TSS 9's and they haven't let me down and pattern great.  The advantages are lighter gun, easier carry, softer recoil.  The one disadvantage if you will, if TSS is expensive.  One could choose Longbeards in 20 gauge I'm sure, but I don't see them on the shelf often and have not tried them.
Check out the 29 gauge pattern photos on in that forum on this site.  Lots of good info on chokes there.  The .562-.575 range seems to be the sweet spot for most.
I've been quite pleased with my Mossberg SA 20.  Check 'em out.

[Greg Massey]

I was a 12 gauge guy for years and as TSS was coming on board with members sharing information and patterns on the forum, I switched to a 20 gauge with TSS and now I use a 28 ga. Have also carried a 410 with TSS on a few hunts. My overall choice is either the 20 or 28 ga with TSS

I have a 20 gauge setup with Long Beard XR number 6s and have killed turkeys with it also...

So you will enjoy the sub gauges.

12 gauge has its place and a lot of people still enjoy hunting with them. I may even still carry my old 12 gauges on a few hunts.

[Dtrkyman]

Make it under 6 lbs.  otherwise I do not see the point!  I had a part break on my 20ga this spring, carried my 12 for the last hunt and only two days, 1lb heavier is shockingly noticeable!

Me personally would buy a Benelli ultra light!

[land cruiser]

M2 (prior gen) since 2017.  Lots of birds to prove it works. 1 situation where 12 might have been the ticket. TSS ammo.

Good luck!

[deathfoot]

I've switched but still carry the 12 occasionally. I've got 2 20 gauge set ups for turkey.

Retay Gordion and Winchester SXP. I got the Winchester so when I go to liberal states I have a legal gun as the retay is semi auto and has a pistol grip.

[WV Flopper]

I made the switch several years ago from a Remington SP-10 (10-gauge) to a 20-gauge as my primary gun and very happy with it. The advantage for me is being lighter and more comfortable for those long sits and balancing on your knee. Experiment to find the right choke tube while shooting TSS #9 shot and it will make clean kills out to 40 yards. Easily.

I purposefully went with a Remington 11-87 because it's a gas gun and somewhat heavy. Some folks may assume a 20-gauge means a softer shooter, but not so if you buy a lightweight model, especially with a 'youth' stock.

Not that it has anything to do with the gauge itself, but I would also suggest mounting a red dot sight.

To me the only real reason to make the switch is weight and comfort. If your not buying a moderate weighted gun your wasting your money.

I agree the very light guns kick way too much. I had a 510 in 20 gauge and got rid of it. It kicked worse than a 12 gauge and the BPS 10g I typically have hunted with.

As far as performance, the 20 gauge will do well if you put your work in. You select the right tube and load for your style and situations. In no way will it out perform a 12g or 10g equally set up. Not going to happen!

So, if you are to the point that you want to shell out your money and you already own a reliable weapon do so for the right reasons.

I carried my sons M2 pretty much all season last year with the exception of a day or two in WV. I am almost ready to start shooting a Gordion I bought myself. 4#s of weight does make a difference.

Not to say I will never pack the BPS again, it is awesome.

[Upfold99]

I switched from a 3.5" 12ga. Best move I ever made turkey hunting.  20 is more than enough, weighs and kicks less.

You won't regret it. Find one you like.  With ammo and chokes, they can all be made to out shoot any 12 ga shooting 5 or 6s.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

[squidd]

Switched to a Winchester SX3 20-ga for anything that flies from big birds to little birds quite a few years ago.

TSS is a game changer along with the gun being way lighter!!

Some little birds a few weeks ago.

[Gooserbat]

Shoot a good load of tss 9s and you will never know the difference except it's lighter to pack around.

[zelmo1]

I was a 12/3.5" magnum lead guy for many years. A friend let me try his 20 with the old federal heavy 7's and my life changed. I bought a Stoeger 2000 and fit a Sumtoy .562 to it and life was good. I love the 28 gauge so I tried a SA28 with #9 TSS and that was it for me. I just bought myself a Benelli SBE3 last fall and used it for ducks, with bisbuth, and TSS for turkeys. This is my all around gun. Gun is 2.5 pounds lighter and I have never been " undergunned". Lots of good subgauge guns out there. The Stoeger is great for the $$, the Benelli M-2 is sweet as well. THe SBE is an awesome gun as well. But a good 870 or a Stevens 301 is just as good if it fits you and your set up throws a good pattern. Find a gun that fits you and set it up the way you want it. Have fun with the process and go kill some birds. You will be happy you went" small", lol. Z

[Gobbler428]

Bought a SBE3 20ga two years ago after carrying a 12ga forever. New TSS and lighter weight were the main reasons for the change. The 20ga is a pleasure to carry and works well for me out to 40 yards.

[macmcdaniel]

Switched to a 20 gauge Franchi Affinity youth stock last year. Burris FF3, kicks turkey choke, and apex tss 9's. Easier carrier and patterns better than my 12 ever did.