new turkey gun 20 or 12 gauge

[grundan]

Ive been searching armslist and other forums looking for a used gun the past few weeks, either out of my budget or sold before I get there. im about to drive over to our local academy sporting goods store (best prices in our area). They have a Mossberg 500 turkey thug 12ga. with the sights , 3" chamber, black synthetic. They also have 870 remington in 20 and 12 ga. for about the same price as the Mossberg. any advice before I head over there at lunch?

[FL-Boss]

Well, those are the 2 best pump guns ever made. There is a reason there are millions of them out there.  I personally favor the 870 a little bit.

As for gauge - all preference.. but you see more people moving from 12ga to 20ga.. than the opposite.  I love my 20ga for turkeys.

[Ky Gobbler]

I have always preferred the Remington 870. Both guns shoot very good. As far as which gauge, that's just preference.

[Tom Foolery]

I like the 870 over the 500, no real reason why I just do.  I really like my 20 gauge, got rid of my 835 after getting the 20, but if I was only going to shoot lead a 3" 870 12 gauge would be my choice. 


If you don't care to throw coins at hevi13 or federal HW's a 20 gauge stoked with them is bad news.  I figure ammo is the cheapest part of hunting so I will spring for the good stuff.  Dead is dead, it's overkill, etc but it's my money and projectiles are the only thing that you have that makes contact with what you are killing, so I figure why be cheap on that part. 

[grundan]

Just pulled in parking lot. About to go kick tires..stay tuned

[grundan]

 Well, wound up getting the 20ga 870 remington.
Wood/blue 26" barrel.
It only came with 1 choke, not sure what it is yet. About to
Use the search button here and find out which choke and shells it likes,
Or at least what will get me in the ballpark.

[surehuntsalot]

enjoy your new shotgun

[grundan]

it came with a MOD choke. just got home and took it out of box.
gonna take it apart and wipe it all down real good.