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20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
#7354656
11/21/18 06:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 486
Hunter Daddy
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 486 |
My 15 year old daughter will be hunting Spring time gobblers this coming spring. She will be shooting a pump 20 gauge shotgun. What is a good size shot to use and what brand shotgun shells will bring down a gobbler? How close to you recommend the turkey needs to be for a quick kill?
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7355059
11/22/18 03:25 AM
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 618
nate33
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 618 |
No longer than 20 yd shots. Of course use full choke if your gun has one. 3" #4 lead, but you already knew that.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7355087
11/22/18 04:32 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 19,929
TurkeyHunter
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 19,929 |
Do you have a semi auto 12 gauge?
The pump 20 gauges tend to kick like a little mule.
To be determined
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7355194
11/22/18 01:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236
Gamblinman
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,236 |
Any high brass 20 gauge with #6 shot and full choke should get the job done inside 30 yards.
With a good turkey choke and some Federal TSS shot, you're getting very close to 12 gauge performance from a 20 gauge.
Be sure and practice with her. Start with some light loads and build up to heavier loads. Biggest issue I've had with kids is not getting their head down and firm cheek weld on the stock.
" I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to."
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7355685
11/23/18 02:24 AM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,245
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,245 |
First off congrats on hunting with your daughter. I use the same 3" 1 1/4 ounce copper plated lead #5 Federal WingShok @ 1300fps I use for pheasant out of my 20. You will need to pattern a few different shells to see what her pump likes best. The patterns her 20 throws will dictate what the effective range is. That is the only way to know. Harder shot usually patterns better as does buffered shot. In my back bored Citori it patterns best with a Mod choke and is good to 45 yards. What her shotgun prefers and how It patterns will likely vary. Depending on her skill level, if she needs to practice, after you find the load, let her practice with low brass dove loads. Save the magnums for turkeys. More than likely, on a bird, she will barely notice the recoil. Best wishes to you and your daughter.
Last edited by Smokey Bear; 11/23/18 02:34 AM.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7355703
11/23/18 02:45 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,551
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,551 |
Heavy shot sells a turkey load lower recoil that patterns well from my 20s and is deadly from them to 40 yards or a little more.
They are even more expensive but the Federal TSS loads will recoil a bit more but the #9 shot is good to 50 yards or more and usually patterns very well. With this stuff would have her shoot before the turkey is inside 25 yards becausethe pattern can be real small
Last edited by kmon1; 11/23/18 02:49 AM.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7357249
11/25/18 04:03 AM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,718
duckhunter175
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,718 |
3" federal heavyweight #6s
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7359454
11/27/18 02:49 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,120
BarneyWho
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,120 |
pattern the gun and let it tell you the distance. I killed my slam with my 20ga, and now I hunt with a 28ga. My 20ga 870 with TSS hand loads will kill further than you need to be shooting at one with a shotgun. I would start with either TSS or Hevi shot in the gun.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: duckhunter175]
#7360461
11/28/18 12:13 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236
Gamblinman
Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,236 |
3" federal heavyweight #6s Good luck finding them. Heavyweight was replaced with TSS last year.
" I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to."
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Gamblinman]
#7361440
11/29/18 01:34 AM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,718
duckhunter175
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,718 |
3" federal heavyweight #6s Good luck finding them. Heavyweight was replaced with TSS last year. Google is your friend! Still a fair amount out there on the internet and in stores. I stocked up with about 10 boxes!
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: duckhunter175]
#7362756
11/30/18 12:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236
Gamblinman
Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,236 |
3" federal heavyweight #6s Good luck finding them. Heavyweight was replaced with TSS last year. Google is your friend! Still a fair amount out there on the internet and in stores. I stocked up with about 10 boxes! Cool. I sold all mine last year when I started rolling my own TSS shells. I can remember quite a few having trouble finding it still in stores on another forum. Still a very good shell. Hits like Thor's hammer.
" I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to."
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7407520
01/17/19 10:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,078
TKandMike
Veteran Tracker
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Posts: 2,078 |
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Gamblinman]
#7429295
02/09/19 09:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 40
BGHB
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 40 |
Is this what you guys are referring to? https://www.luckygunner.com/20-gauge-3-1-1-2-oz-9-shot-federal-heavyweight-tss-5-rounds3" federal heavyweight #6s Good luck finding them. Heavyweight was replaced with TSS last year. Google is your friend! Still a fair amount out there on the internet and in stores. I stocked up with about 10 boxes! Cool. I sold all mine last year when I started rolling my own TSS shells. I can remember quite a few having trouble finding it still in stores on another forum. Still a very good shell. Hits like Thor's hammer.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7429363
02/09/19 11:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236
Gamblinman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,236 |
" I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to."
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7432115
02/12/19 06:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,110
Booner1
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Can anyone tell me, is it worth it ???
Born to hunt and fish.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Booner1]
#7432479
02/12/19 11:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236
Gamblinman
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Can anyone tell me, is it worth it ???
I think it is for the pattern density alone.
" I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to."
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7432489
02/12/19 11:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,023
unclebubba
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,023 |
My turkey gun is an el cheapo Stevens break open 20 guage with full choke. I use Remington Nitro Turkey no 5 shot. within 30 yards, usually DRT.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Gamblinman]
#7434151
02/14/19 07:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,110
Booner1
Veteran Tracker
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Can anyone tell me, is it worth it ???
I think it is for the pattern density alone. What shot size would you recommend ????
Born to hunt and fish.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Booner1]
#7434155
02/14/19 07:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236
Gamblinman
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Can anyone tell me, is it worth it ???
I think it is for the pattern density alone. What shot size would you recommend ???? 9's. They have the same energy as lead 6's. They also retain there energy longer being more dense and won't deform like lead. Most will pass right through.
" I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to."
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7439588
02/20/19 06:07 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,842
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,842 |
I like a duplex load if you can find one and copper plated , hevi shot or tungsten. Don't let her lean that shooting shoulder against the tree trunk when she takes the shot.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7439590
02/20/19 06:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
I reload my own TSS 1 5/8oz of #9 Shot. The pattern I get out of my gun is ridiculous. It is far superior to most 12 gauge lead loads. I will never go back to toting a 12 gauge again. In a 10in circle with reloads I average 310-340 in the ten with over 220-240 in the 20. Not too shabby for a little 20 gauge.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Gamblinman]
#7439591
02/20/19 06:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
Can anyone tell me, is it worth it ???
I think it is for the pattern density alone. What shot size would you recommend ???? 9's. They have the same energy as lead 6's. They also retain there energy longer being more dense and won't deform like lead. Most will pass right through. The 9s actually have the same energy at 40 yds as #5 lead.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: unclebubba]
#7439594
02/20/19 06:16 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
I don't advocate shooting turkeys any longer than 40 yds, but with reloading TSS your 20 gauge is a no $hit 60+ yd gun if need be. A buddy of mine killed one last year in nebraska at a ranged 75 yds with the load I mentioned earlier. Bird was farther than he originally thought due to rolling hills. He and I both thought the bird was around 50 yds.
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7445897
02/27/19 08:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 38
WHTAGS
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 38 |
20 is my go to for turkeys. Hevi Shot #6. Shooting those out of my 870 with a comp-n-choke, have killed several birds at 60+
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Re: 20 Gauge Shotgun shells for Turkeys
[Re: Hunter Daddy]
#7445987
02/27/19 09:59 PM
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Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343
Clark8907
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 343 |
If it were me and I wasn't reloading I would get loads from APEX or either the Federal Heavweight Magnum #9 TSS.
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