best 20 gauge pb loads

[Luke95]

what are the best lead 20 gauge loads?

[Fastcat]

I have always had excellent luck with Winchester Supreme High Velocity #5's.  I use it in my 20gauge 870 express; 26" barrel.  This gun wears a hastings non ported choke tube and throws good killing patterns out to 35-40yards.  I have only killed one bird with this gun but it's my go to gun when I'm taking new hunters out into the woods with me.  My mom killed a fantastic gobbler on mothers day several years ago.  It was her first time hunting anything and at 30 yards the bird dropped without a flop.  25 pounds, 1.5 spurs and a 9.75 inch beard.  One of my all time best hunts even though I wasn't behind the gun.

[R AJ]

I have always had excellent luck with Winchester Supreme High Velocity #5's.  I use it in my 20gauge 870 express; 26" barrel.  This gun wears a hastings non ported choke tube and throws good killing patterns out to 35-40yards.  I have only killed one bird with this gun but it's my go to gun when I'm taking new hunters out into the woods with me.  My mom killed a fantastic gobbler on mothers day several years ago.  It was her first time hunting anything and at 30 yards the bird dropped without a flop.  25 pounds, 1.5 spurs and a 9.75 inch beard.  One of my all time best hunts even though I wasn't behind the gun.

What diameter choke is that?

[R AJ]

I would say that my best shells are in general Winchester and Federal and #5 or #6 shot . There are few who have very excellent patterns using #4 lead shot but I am not one of them.

Fiochhi, Kent, Estate patterns have not been desireable for me beyond 30 yards.

Using lead in a 20 gauge has been limited to 30-35 yards . I may have some info later to extend that somewhat . 20s are much more finicky than 12s about shot size, chokes constriction, velocity and patterning.

[dawei]

what are the best lead 20 gauge loads?

Conventional wisdom states using smaller shot in a 20ga so as to increase pattern density due to lighter payloads. It thus makes the most sense to begin your patterning tests with #6. After that try some loads in #5. I have one 20ga gun however that prefers #4 shot. While I have less shot in the pattern than I would with #5/6 shot; the #4's for some reason produce the most even distribution of pellets. I must admit however, this is true in only one of my three 20ga guns. My other 20ga gun(s) produce the most useful pattern with #5. For Pb shooters, of any gauge, I believe that #5 is the best all around size to use; but that is just me. Having said all this it's all about what patterns the best in your individual gun & choke. For me these Pb loads are proven performers in my gun(s)....................

• Federal® Flitecontrol® Mag-Shok® 3" Mag 1185fps 1 5/16oz #5 ( PFC258F 5)
• Remington® Nitro-Turkey® 3" 1185fps 1¼oz #5 (NT20M5)
• Winchester® Supreme® High Velocity 3" Mag 1200fps 1 5/16oz #4 (STH2034)

[Fastcat]

My Hastings 20 gauge choke is a .566 lead shot only.  I don't know if they are made anymore?

[surehuntsalot]

I love the Federal FC 1-5/15oz #5's when I shoot Pb in my 20ga's

[dawei]

I love the Federal FC 1-5/15oz #5's when I shoot Pb in my 20ga's

Typo? 1 5/16oz right?

[Luke95]

IDK if the fc will pattern well through my sumtoy

[jakesdad]

Ive had good results using the remington premier 3" 1 1/4oz #6 loads using a jellyhead choke.I have some winchester supreme 5's that pattern decent also.would like to experiment with some different chokes this summer and see what i can get.

[surehuntsalot]

I love the Federal FC 1-5/15oz #5's when I shoot Pb in my 20ga's

Typo? 1 5/16oz right?

yep   a typo

I guess I can't see or spell to well tonight

[goblr77]

IDK if the fc will pattern well through my sumtoy

The Fed Hvy FCW will.

[IowaNate]

 I have only tested two loads in my standard full choked 20, the Federal 3" Mag-Shok #5's (pre flight-control wad) and the Remington 3" NitroMag #4's. The Remington's put the same amount of pellets on target (sometimes more) than the Federals at 30 yards, even though the Federals contained approximately 50 more pellets.

[dawei]

I have only tested two loads in my standard full choked 20, the Federal 3" Mag-Shok #5's (pre flight-control wad) and the Remington 3" NitroMag #4's. The Remington's put the same amount of pellets on target (sometimes more) than the Federals at 30 yards, even though the Federals contained approximately 50 more pellets.

I'm telling you for a few select 20ga guns #4Pb is the bomb! I know this for a fact as I have one of those guns. I smacked the living daylights out of a Merriams Gobbler at 42yds earlier this month. Those large #4Pb pellets really do the job AFAIAC.

[dawei]

My Hastings 20 gauge choke is a .566 lead shot only.  I don't know if they are made anymore?

Hastings® went bankrupt in 2009. I have one diameter .570". There are a lot of Hastings® chokes however out there with various distributors/retailers. Just search w/Google®.