baggin turkeys with the 20 gauge

[mitchfiling]

so i am planning on pursuing turkey in the western washington spring season...i got a box of #2 3inch steelshot, a 20 gauge 870 with a full choke tube turkey ghost ring sight and im planning on getting a call closer to april is their anything else i need? how much range do i have on my gun? i will post pictures if i bag one but am trying to get some much needed tips.

-Mitch

[ellensburgpo]

You need to check the turkey regs again. You can't use size two shot. I would also get some lead or hevi shot type load instead of steel.

I would get your calls as soon as possible so you can practice.

[Big game archer]

  Definitely get lead shot.

[Fishnfowler]

I'd go for hevi-shot in #6 for pattern density.  Whatever you get, pattern it first to find your effective range.  My kids all use 20 gauges and get their turkeys every year.  Unless you have to use steel shot, you will always be ahead with a denser projectile. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I shot one turkey with a 3in #4 steel shot once ..out of my 12 ga and it up ended it but I do not know about using a 20 ga ...patterns are tighter with steel So I guess until someone tries it we will not know how it performed ...If you do try it I would definately use a 3in shell with # 4 shot ... again it is a gamble  and I would not shoot past 25 - 30 yrds that I know !

[packmule]

pm Dawei, he has a lot of good info on chokes and loads for the 20 gauge.

[threedwizard]

My son has hunted with his 20 gauge 870 for 5 years and works great out to 35-40 yards max. it has a JellyHead choke and we use #4 or#5 nitro turkey and I've patterned it with Hevi-Shot, but have never killed anyhing with it yet.

My 2 cents

[Karl Blanchard]

Just ran some new shells through a new choke in my youth 870.  Primos tightwad choke and winchester double x 3" #5's.  Patterned very well out to 40 yds!  That is about max for range I would shoot a bird with #5's moving at that velocity.

[Karl Blanchard]

Also do not shoot a turkey with steel shot!  They are tough critters and steel shot lacks the ft lbs of energy to penetrate sufficiently.  If you are dead set on it you need to limit yourself to 20yds and under.

[Wacenturion]

Good advice here.  Pattern your gun, know what it shoots best and how far, and most importantly, resist the temptation to go beyond an ethical distance when you do shoot at a bird.     

[Karl Blanchard]

Good advice here.  Pattern your gun, know what it shoots best and how far, and most importantly, resist the temptation to go beyond an ethical distance when you do shoot at a bird.     

    My max range is 40yds.  That being said I am confident in my setup out to 50yds.  How I determine this is I find the max range my gun patterns dense enough to make a slam dunk shot and then subtract 10 yards. 
   
      Why do I subtract ten yards?  Because I am not the best at judging distance.  By subtracting from my max effective distance it gives me a ten yard cushion for misjudging the birds range.  If I guess 40yds and the bird is really 48 it is still a dead bird. 

    Now If I pushed my gun and guessed the bird at 50 and it was really 58, well that bird would probably run off wounded and most likely die eventually.  Besides, coaxing them in that last ten yards is the fun part anyway.  Once you pull the trigger the fun ends and you are left with a stinkin nasty turkey.

[ianwood76]

I shot my bird last year at 65 yards with a 20 gauge. I just turned 17 but have shot 11 birds, half of them being over 50 yards. Put your bead right on their head and it will punch em hard in the base of the neck, right where you want it! I'm gunna try to shoot my bird with my bow this year, we'll see how it goes!

[RadSav]

I'm almost 100% 20 gauge regardless of what birds.  I have never been able to get steel to pattern well with tighter than a Modified (steel)choke.  Though I have had excellent luck with full (steel) using the Remington HD #6 and Remington Heavy Shot #6 when they offered it.  Been a little disappointed with Heavy Shot since they private labeled it - couldn't tell you why unless it's a different buffer or wad.

Best luck I have had getting tight patterns has been with nickle plated #5's loaded around 1,300 fps. Kent Fast Lead and Diamond shot in #5 and #6 has patterned extremely nice too at about the same speed.

I like my turkeys up close. All but one has been inside of 30 yards.  So not a lot of experience shooting long range turkeys with the stuff.  The one other I'd say was 45 yards - Eastern out of Pe Ell and I had to track him about 10 yards.  No tracking necessary on any of the others.

[dawei]

I've been hunting turkeys with a 20ga for the last 13 years. I use Winchester® Supreme™ and Remington® Nitro-Turkey Pb (lead) ammunition..........

[ChadH]

Also do not shoot a turkey with steel shot!  They are tough critters and steel shot lacks the ft lbs of energy to penetrate sufficiently.  If you are dead set on it you need to limit yourself to 20yds and under.

I wouldn't recommend using stell if you don't HAVE to.... but that being said, there are many places in other parts of the country where "non-toxic" shot has been required for ALL hunting for 20+ years now. I've killed lots of turkeys with steel shot (before there were lots of other alternatives like Hevi Shot, etc.) Just realize you are more limited in range.... I guess.... I mean, I never really shoot at all these "long distances" any way. Under 35 yards or so and you are fine. I don't really think a turkey is any harder to kill than a Giant Canada Goose back home in MO, so call 'em in and drop the hammer. Just pattern your gun.

On the other hand, a 10 pack of turkey loads will last you 5 years killing your 2 birds per year, so the expense a box of Hevi shot isn't really that big of a deal. If the cost is prohibative, go with Winchester Supremes in 5 shot or sometihng and call it good.