[Finn Anthony]

I have gotten my wife interested in the Spring gobbler season and the past two years she has used my 12 gauge when we go out . It is my only gun , so I call and she is the hunter . Now that I know she is hooked we are deciding on what gun. Am leaning towards a 20 gauge for two reasons ,less recoil for her plus a good starter for the grandkids if I can interest them someday. My question is that enough to hunt gobblers ? Thanks,Finn.

 

[Muppet]

I shot in my "wife's" gun this weekend and it worked out fine. Using a tight wad choke and a youth model winchester, at 20 yards I had 156 pellets in a 9 in circle. Considering the load of #5's I was using contained 213 total I thought this was pretty darn good. Just keep your shots to 30 or so unless you are going all our and creating a super exclusive turkey gun that you are going to shoot and patten a ton with a ton of loads. If you keep it close a 20 will be just fine.

 

[Borden811]

With the new HTL loads, many guys are trading in thier 12's for the lighter, easier to carry 20's. With a good choke, and some hevi 13 or federal heavyweight, the 20 can be an easy 40 yard killer. You've got to remeber, the 12 doesn't have more "power" per se, over the 20, it just has more pellets that make for better pattern density. One other thing to remeber though, is that in a lighter gun, shooting magnum turkey loads, the 20 might recoil just as much as the 12 she's currently shooting.

 

[Finn Anthony]

I have told her the effective range is 30 yards and in . That is the thrill of calling . Thanks for the input .

 

[PSA]

I grab my 14 year old son's 20 gauge 870 Remington, when he's in school. I love that gun. A true turkey killer with the right shell/choke combination. Great to carry. You will not be sorry. Pete

 

[nomad_archer]

You may want to consider a semi as well to help manage some of the recoil for her. My wife is recoil sensitive but manages to handle her 12ga benelli pretty well on the clay field. I would prefer a 20ga personally for heavy turkey loads.

 

[Born2Hunt]

I switch from a 12 to a 20 ga. about 4 years ago. Now I have (2) 3" 20 ga. turkey guns. No reason to go back. One must pattern their guns to be sure they are shooting at the POI and to determine the max range based on pattern density. I have experiences 25-30 yds with lead and 4o with heavier than lead.

But yes a patterned/sighted 20 ga. is very effective for turkey male or female...big or small frame individuals.

 

[Everyday Hunter]

A 20-gauge works great. Lots of hunters with long experience are switching to the 20 bore. You don't need a 12 with 3½" shells specially loaded for turkeys.

Steve.

 

[huntman]

My wife has a dozen spring birds under her belt. All with a youth model 500 mossberg 20 gauge. My 12 and 10 yr olds have taken two birds each in the spring seasons with the same gun and with 2 3/4" shells. I've even used it a few times on some longbeards. It's nice and light to carry.....I should be using it more.

A 20 is an ideal gauge for women....or kids........or anybody really.

 

[Finn Anthony]

Thanks very much for the good info ,folks. A friend is kind enough to loan one to her to use this season . We will pattern it and decide on a new one for next season . The way it sounds from most of you there is plenty of gun there to take turkeys . Much obliged....Finn

 

[Woods-N-Waters]

As a matter of fact, I just picked up a T/C Encore 20ga today. All camo, turkey barrel. Thought it would be good for girlfriend and neice and nephew to start with. Plus if they are not into it, BINGO! I can make it what ever I want if I want to stay with my 12ga turkey gun.

 

[DrakesOnly]

As a matter of fact, I just picked up a T/C Encore 20ga today. All camo, turkey barrel. Thought it would be good for girlfriend and neice and nephew to start with. Plus if they are not into it, BINGO! I can make it what ever I want if I want to stay with my 12ga turkey gun.

I was actually going to suggest that earlier this morning when I saw this post. For the same reasons too!!

Jimmy Primos is always shooting turkeys stone dead with his TC Encore 20 ga. I was looking for a clip from Truth 19 to post on this thread and then I realized I was getting carried away and needed to do work.

I don't have one, and never shot one, but if my girlfriend was going to get into turkey hunting, that's probably what I would get for her.

 

[great white hunter]

A 20-gauge works great. Lots of hunters with long experience are switching to the 20 bore. You don't need a 12 with 3½" shells specially loaded for turkeys.

Steve.

Exactly!

 

[DucknCover]

PSA,

What choke do you use in the 870? I have an 870 20 ga that my nephew might use this year if I can get a good pattern with it.

 

[Woods-N-Waters]

I have the Hevi-Shot Choke in my 870 and I run Magnum Blend through it. The pattern is outstanding.

 

[PSA]

"Runs" - the choke tubes is a Primos extra-full .570 "Jelly Head", model number 660. Have a good one. Pete

 

[slaptrigger]

As stated above, use caution if using a magnum 20 gauge shell in a light weight shotgun. My wife uses a Mossberg 500 youth model and i would rather shoot my 12 ga with 3.5" shells any day over her 20! The felt recoil from her 20 seems worse than my 12! However, the only time she shoots 3" shells out of her gun is if a turkey is standing in front of her and she has never commented on the recoil. She shoots the gun alot only with light game loads for practice and then i give her the old switch a roo and load the 3" shells when we hunt.

 

[BowMaster5687]

My girlfriend has an 1187 sportsman. She got it dipped and we threw a nikon turkey scope on it. Got some nitro 3" nitro loads. While it kicks her around a bit, she loves it. And so do I (because I steal it on occasion) lol

 

[buckhunter]

I won a gun and traded it at the store for a Mossberg 500 youth 20gauge for my son. It would also fit my wife real well and it takes 2 3/4-3" shells, you can get them in blue/wood or camo. they come with different recoil pads to shorten or lengthen the fit a little. Fun little gun that can do a lot (squirrels, bunny, pheasant, turkey) without a lot of pop. Good luck.

 

[6-DASHER]

NO NO NO...check out the mossberg 510 turkey thug...I love mine..my hubby made a great choice..please look at one and let her hold it and aim it..