thinking of getting a 20 gauge

[DirtNap647]

my dad is getting tired of the thump on his shoulder from his Mossberg 835 we have been looking at getting a 20 gauge we want to shoot the federal heavyweight 7 couple questions the 20 gauge is new to us...is there a particular gun choke that tends to shoot better than the rest, is the 20 capable at killing same distances as the 12, and maybe describe some gains or losses with the 20 any help would be greatly appreciated

[davisd9]

All I have hunted with this year has been a 20 ga and I have loved every moment of it. I am not using the fed HWs but I would not hesitate to do it and you will lose nothing. The 20 does all the 12 will do.

With the 20 I have killed my largest overall tom and my first Rio plus another tom.

You will not regret the jump to the 20 if you do it.


Sent from the Strut Zone

[DirtNap647]

The 835 are shooters is there a 20 gauge that's known  to be better

[Greg Massey]

Build your 20 ga. from the Remington 870 youth with the 21 in. barrel. look at the Trulock chokes i have a 565 in my 20 ga. and i really like the choke with the federal HW 7 also look at the sumtoy chokes.   I killed my first 20 ga. turkey Tuesday and i agree it will do everything a 12 ga. will do.. i will carry the 20 ga. from now on...

[mgm1955]

Go to allaboutshooting.com. The gentleman whose site it is, first name is Clark. He and his wife are competition shooters. He has done all kinds of evaluations of different chokes and loads in different gauges in most models of guns. He will promptly answer any questions you might have. I just purchased a 20 gauge Benelli M2 and contacted him about his recommendations. He responded the same night with his top 3 chokes for that gun and 3 loads as well ( one of which was Federal Heavyweight ). I think you will find him to be a wealth of info and a fine gentleman.

[DirtNap647]

ok thanks guys

[Greg Massey]

ok thanks guys

For the price of the M2 Benelli ...Dirt nap you can build 2 Remington 870 youths and still have 2 good shooting guns..I'm not cutting Benelli down because i own one myself..

[DirtNap647]

I doubt we go with benelli due to price but the 870 has our attention anyone hear of a stevens 320 pump action screw in chokes...? found one new for $165...?

[howl]

A lightweight 20 with turkey loads will kick harder that an 835 with standard 3 inch. If recoil really is the concern I would try the Federal Heavyweight low recoil for the 835. That load is adequate to 40 from my wife's OU with factory full.

[nyhunter]

My little 870 youth weights 6.12 lbs. And shoots as good as my 3" 870 12 gauge,  I added a pistol grip stock and red dot sight. I absolutely love carrying this gun.

[Greg Massey]

That 20 ga. will kick no were the same as a 3 in. 12 ga. load.. i've shot mine ways to much and it doesn't have half the kick of a 12 ga.

[Greg Massey]

I doubt we go with benelli due to price but the 870 has our attention anyone hear of a stevens 320 pump action screw in chokes...? found one new for $165...?

stay with the remington 870 or mossberg 500 it's a lot easier to fine after market stocks and stuff for these guns include a lot more information on chokes and shot patterns of these 2 guns on this forum..

[TauntoHawk]

once you get a 20 set up and rocking you will never want to go back, it didn't take much effort at all when I set up a weatherby 459, dropped a fast fire III on and screwed in a carlson choke and it went right to shooting 155-175 in 10" at 40yds right away with the HW#7.

[turkey buster]

I just officially went to the 20ga and I'm very impressed with the results. My first bird with it was 35 yards and it shattered his neck bone in multiple pieces. This is shooting 3in HW 7's.  My 870 12ga with 3in LB 5's kicked harder and the 20 performed as good or if not better.

[Sand Man]

Jump in feet first.  You'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner.  I can promise my 21" barrel 870 20ga with TSS will out pattern ANY 12ga with over the counter ammo.  I kill birds consistently at 40 yards.

That 20 ga. will kick no were the same as a 3 in. 12 ga. load.. i've shot mine ways to much and it doesn't have half the kick of a 12 ga.

Agree.