Choke + Shell Recommendation for Girlfriend's first hunt this year? 20 gauge

[jtoliver43]

Hey friends,

I am hoping to get my GF on her first bird this year. She joined me last season and really took a liking to this turkey hunting mess. Not to mention, she was my good luck charm because I got a gobbler each of the two times she joined me.

She liked it so much that she bought a 26" 870 20 GA to hunt with this year.

My question is what choke and shell combo would you suggest I set her up with to offer her a more forgiving, yet still reliable pattern say out to 30 yards?

Thanks,

-Trey

[agent eight seven O]

Good choice on the 870. I don't know about the 26" barrel as I have the 21", but Federal 3rd Degree and Carlsons .575 is a killer combo.

[wvnut3]

I like my 20 ga with federal heavyweight 7 and either a trulock or sumtoy. I also have a carlson extended .575 and it is more forgiving closer in, just does not put up the numbers as the others do at 40 yds.Lee

[cluck]

Jt,  the super full remington or even the regular full rem choke will be good to 30 or 35 yards and not cost much. Try the winchester double x or federal thugs shells. Winchester longbeards when they finally come out will or should give you more range. The federal heavy weight number 7 shot is at the present time the big dog for the twenty gauge. Just let her pattern some shells and it won't be hard to see what's best for her.   Cluck

[The Woodsman]

Where is the pattern pictures?

[jtoliver43]

Im with The Woodsman, wouldn't mind seeing some pattern pictures of the combos you guys mentioned.

but I certainly wasn't asking that much of anyone. Just looking to get some feedback from anyone who has setup a similar combo for a hunter/huntress that could use a little wiggle room with shot placement. Thank you everyone for taking the time to make suggestions.

I personally shoot the Carlsons 575 out of 21" 870 20 GA with Fed HVY 7 and like it for myself.

[SKFOOTER]

Then that's the combination that  I'd start out patterning her gun with.

[wvnut3]

here is my 20 ga with fed heavyweight 7 and a trulock choke.Lee

[Happy]

I will second the federal heviweight.

Sent from my SM-G800R4 using Tapatalk

[nyhunter]

I have both the 26" and 21" barrels for my 870 20ga. I can tell you from lots of range time with both,  the 26" is a much more finicky barrel to get consistent patterns out of. with that being said i would go with  something in the .575 or more open for choke. At the 30-35 yard range you want to be able to shoot I'd go with Federal #6 lead, Hevi13 #6 or #7 , or Federal Heavyweight #7. My pic is either the Hevi13 #6,#7 or Federal Heavyweight #7, that way when she's ready for 40yd shots you can change chokes and you'll have a 40yd gun 


I havent mentioned the new Winchester longbeard 20ga shells because no one knows anything about them yet so i'm giving you what i know will pattern good outta your gun. my guess is these new Winchesters are gonna shoot awesome . 

Make sure you check POA/POI my 26" barrel was off so i added a red dot to it.
good Luck hunting

[nyhunter]

FYI:... there's some really good turkey chokes that were just posted on the 20ga choke classified page

[Bowguy]

I will second the federal heviweight.

Sent from my SM-G800R4 using Tapatalk

I'll make it 3. My youngest daughter had a fixed choke gun that I figured she'd only shoot fairly close with. I tried the heavy 7s n was way impressed.
I'd use the gun n it had no fancy choke

[sevetts]

If my wife had never turkey hunted behind the gun , I was focused on a 30 yard pattern, and I was working with a 26" 870 I would shoot hevi 13 7s. They are an awesome starter turkey load. There low recoil and shoot more than good enough in almost any choke. I'd prolly start with something cheap like Carlson or tightwad. If she's gonna spend some time with her gun before season and wants the best possible 20ga she can have with factory ammo then buy federal heavyweights and figure out what choke the gun likes. In my experience the 26" is picky with federals. Congrats on a gf that wants to be in the woods with ya, my wife is my best friend and best hunting partner and it's a great part of our relationship.

[Philippe]

Remington Super Full and heavyweight 7's or 6's, or a Hastings 562 if you can find one. If the Longbeards come out before spring season, give those a try as well.

[Lucky_Strutter]

My sons 20ga 870 averages 145 in the 10" @ 40 with a 26" barrel & Hastings .562 choke using the h13 mag blend & does a little better with the HW 7's.