Build me a gun

[Skeeter41]

I am planning on building a dedicated 20 ga turkey gun for next season.  Right now I have around $750 to $1000 to spend on a gun, red dot scope, and choke tube.  I plan on either shooting Fed Premium Heavyshot #7's or getting the stuff to roll my own TSS #9's.

I believe i have it narrowed down to the following two guns. 

11/87 Compact w/21 inch barrel ($500 out the door) or a Stoeger 3020 w/26 inch barrel ($525 out the door.)  I am leaning heavily towards the 11/87 due to the amount of aftermarket accessories readily available, but the Stoeger is is about a pound lighter which is a big plus in my book.  Thoughts on these two guns or should I be looking at something else?

Scope - No ideas here, so I am open to all recommendations.  I don't believe there are any of the 20's that have drilled and tapped receivers, so I was possibly looking at the Burris Speed Bead, but again, I am open for all discussions.

Choke tubes - That will come after I make a decision on a gun.

I am looking for brutally honest opinions here.

[DTGobble]

I can't speak for the Stoeger, but I bought a 20 ga. 11-87 for my daughter a while back and I really like the gun.  I currently shoot a 835, and have for years, but carrying that little black gun would be a lot easier.  I can't get her out of bed in the mornings, so I may carry it some next year myself.  I stuck a gobble stopper choke in it, and it shoots the heck out of the heavyweight #7s.  I have a red dot sight on it (also truglo).  I don't like it not being drilled and tapped, so I'd put rifle type sights on it for myself. 

I say go for it.  One things for sure, it kicks a lot less than the Mossberg!  LOL

[Skeeter41]

Thanks DT.  I am also currently carrying an 835.  28 inch barrel plus extended choke.  My 835 kills everything it shoots at which will make it extremely hard to not pull out of the gunsafe next spring.  Unfortunately it kills at both ends and after carrying it this year, I realized I am not as young as I once was (That is the reason for the switch to a 20).

I was just about to purchase the 11/87 until I shouldered the 3020 and realized the difference the pound makes.

[batsonbe]

I'm a Remington fan. I don't see the need to pay for the semi auto so I opted for the 870. Speaking about your daughter I will add the pump has a more noticeable recoil, even with a 20ga. The 870 20ga are around 400 maybe $300. Used $250. I'd go with the tss 9 shot and a sumtoy .570, thinking about your daughter. I would go with a sumtoy base ($50)  drilled and tapped ($50 for 2 holes) vortex venom $200ish.

If you were going to use the gun I'd do .562 or .555

[CB on the run]

  Federal stopped making their Heavyweight #7's and went to TSS.

[TauntoHawk]

You gotta do yourself a favor and look at the Weatherby sa-459 it's only purpose in life is stomping turkey

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[BrowningGuy88]

You gotta do yourself a favor and look at the Weatherby sa-459 it's only purpose in life is stomping turkey

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I've got a youth 870 that shoots like it's on fire, but if I were buying a new 20 gauge today for turkeys only it would be the SA-459!

[wvnut3]

You gotta do yourself a favor and look at the Weatherby sa-459 it's only purpose in life is stomping turkey

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x2 .Lee

[surehuntsalot]

I got the Stoeger 3020, the 5.6lbs. is a dream to tote around and I like the way the gun handles

[Fullfan]

You gotta do yourself a favor and look at the Weatherby sa-459 it's only purpose in life is stomping turkey

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x2 .Lee


X3  I love mine and just might buy another one just to have.  I have a life time supply of Fed #7 but started rolling TSS 4 years ago.  Both do very very well through a SumToy choke.

[Turkeyfever]

You may have already bought but let me suggest the Mossberg SA 20 Turkey. The gun is 5.5 pounds comes with tru glo sights and is already drilled and tapped . The gun also comes with the rail. Get you a Carlson's 575 and you are ready to go! I would shoot federal Tss #9 ,the pattern is off the charts! Any number of red dots will work you can spend 50 dollars or 250 that's up to you!

[DeWayne Knight]

This little 11-87 with a 21" barrel was 2 for 2 on longbeards this  season.  Running a Hevi Shot 13 choke tube @.573"  I have a ShurShot buttstock for it now that will be installed as soon as it's coated.

[kwild835]

In 20 gauge I have shot SX3, M2, and Affinity.  I just got an SA20 Turkey, and it blows them away.  Light, compact, and shoots straight.  Threw a .575 Carlson's in her and with TSS 9's it throws a mean pattern.

[DrDirtNap]

Weatherby SA459, EoTech XPS2 Holographic site, Indian Creek 562 choke, Slogan Outdoors rubber sling, Goda-Grip comb riser,  3 inch TSS 1 5/8 oz loads.   Deadly.   Used it the last two seasons.   Very pleased with this set- up.


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[BHMTitan]

Weatherby SA-08 with Indian Creek 0.555 choke.