Question for all you .20 guys

[csgrizz]

Here is my situation.  I acquired a rem 870 pump a few years back.  The original stock had been cut off for a youth and the guy cut it too short.  I ordered an unfinished walnut stock and put a sims slip on pad on it and camo'd the entire gun.  I had an older youth (adult size) that used it with a strut stopper ported choke that actually patterned very well in the ranges I allow my youth hunters to shoot...but I tend to stick with my field proven 12 gauge 870 turkey killer.  However the 20 gauge movement has me intrigued.

That being said, I have an 8 year old that is wanting to hunt, but even the stock that was cut off is too long for him at this time, and with the full length barrell it is a struggle with balance too.  He is taking it slow and will probably not hunt until next year (he has been by my side many many times and has been calling birds to the gun for a few years now, just not pulling the trigger)

The gun is 20 gauge 870,with wood stocks, with a 28" barrell and a cheapo strut stopper turkey choke.

My question is this, what would you 20 gauge guru's do to make this into a killer turkey combo for both my boy and myself? 

I do have a limited budget so I would like suggestions that don't involve the cost of a new gun.

Any thoughts?

later,

CS

[Tom Foolery]

Either trade the long barrel for a shorter 21" barrel or send it to a smith and have it shortened and rethreaded.  Buy some Federal Heavyweight #7's, then go forth and kill.


If he is still not big enough for the short stock try to find a 6 position adjustable for it, that way it would easily fit you both.

[cluck]

Your son has proven he's ready for his day with old tom turkey. I'd cut the twenty gauge stock to fit him and find the max range for the choke and shell's he will be using. He will thank you many times over! And it looks like dad might have to stick with the field proven 870 you talk about. Maybe later you can find one of the adjustable stocks and you both can share that twenty gauge or find a good single barrel and go to work on it. Lots of good information on old gobler about single barrels. Hope you and son kill some goblers togeather!      cluck

[wmd]

For this season, I would just hack the stock off and put a slip-on Sims pad on it; buy or make some shooting sticks, and go hunt. 

For next season, I would buy the ATI stock that is listed by SKFOOTER in this forum (If I was shooting an 870 that is what I would put on it), send the barrel to Sumtoy and have it cut/rethreaded, buy a Sumtoy choke, some HW 7s, and have a turkey killing machine that your son or you could tote.

[csgrizz]

Thanks for the info, I have had my eye on the ATI adjustable stock.  I actually ran into a buddy who is loaning me a youth guy for this year, so I can take my time on my gun and make it just what I want.  Should be a fun project.

CS

[BBD]

I went the same thing not to long ago. First thing I did was add a red dot scope to the 20. I also picked up a cheap used red dot at a local pawn shop and mounted it on a .22.  We practiced shooting with the red dot .22 a lot. I patterened the 20 with Fed HW 7's and found that anything within 40 yards was in serious trouble.   My son has killed 9 in 3 seasons with it. 

My wife thinks we are crazy but we will get in full camo, gloves, headnets and all then put Primos Truth video on the tv.  He has dry fired his 20 ga many times at the tv.   One more thing,  the second best move I made was get a Primos trigger stick to help hold the gun.   This year I have replaced the red dot with a Nikon Turkey Pro scope.   We are headed to Kansas for the youth hunt the 4th