20 Gauge Youth 870 Turkey Gun Build

[cougforester]

Found my old shotgun I started hunting ducks with, and want to build it into a turkey gun for my girlfriend this spring. Currently it's got a full choke in it already.

Looking for suggestions on turkey chokes and loads, especially if someone has built a tom killer from this platform already.

[EWUeagles]

What kind of gun? Are you cheap?

The second question has to do with shell cost. TSS stuff is legit and if you're only shooting a couple not really that bad. Depending on what shotgun you have will depend on what you can do. Some people use a scope but unless it's already tapped you can't put one on. I think a mid bead and a good bright front bead area nice. I just use a snap on magnetic one from primos. I also use a full choke from primos. I think I got it for like 20 bucks but it patterns well to 40 yards. The choke you have might already be fine. I think the best thing you can put on your gun is a sling.

[Karl Blanchard]

I've mentored youth Turkey hunters for over a decade. I use the same gun with a hevi shot choke tube and heavy shot magnum blend. I've actually hung up my 12 gauge and now I just pack that little youth shotty for myself  its light, handy. Patterns as good as any 12 gauge I've owned. There's no downside.

[Karl Blanchard]

What kind of gun? Are you cheap?

The second question has to do with shell cost. TSS stuff is legit and if you're only shooting a couple not really that bad. Depending on what shotgun you have will depend on what you can do. Some people use a scope but unless it's already tapped you can't put one on. I think a mid bead and a good bright front bead area nice. I just use a snap on magnetic one from primos. I also use a full choke from primos. I think I got it for like 20 bucks but it patterns well to 40 yards. The choke you have might already be fine. I think the best thing you can put on your gun is a sling.

good advice here but not accurate about the scope thing. Multiple different saddle mounts available.  As simple as it gets to install and you're off to the races.

[MHWASH]

If my boys are not using our youth 870 20ga for turkeys, then it's the one I choose. My 12ga feels at least a pound heavier, and don't feel it kills any deader.

[cougforester]

Meh not cheap. I’m interested in the Indian Creek choke tubes paired with Winchester Long Beard at the moment but just wanted to get some other input!

[MtnMuley]

For a youth turkey gun, I personally wouldn't recommend anything other than the full choke you already have in. Bo sense making the pattern any tighter for a young hunter.  I've seen a lot of birds die with 3" high base #6 shot from kidd and women.

As for your Indian Ck. choke tune and Longbeard XR's, I'd personally just stick with the Carlson Longbeard XR choke tube when paired with then Longbeard XR ammo. I bought and tested a couple Indian Ck. choke tubes and a couple others with several 3.5" loads out of my 2 Turkey 12 gauges, and the Carlson Longbeard XR paired with the Longbeard X #6 consistantly had the best groupings of pellets in the circle.

If you want to get fancy with that 20 gauge, get a box of TSS #9s. Unbeatable down range performance, but really spendy.

[cougforester]

For a youth turkey gun, I personally wouldn't recommend anything other than the full choke you already have in. Bo sense making the pattern any tighter for a young hunter.  I've seen a lot of birds die with 3" high base #6 shot from kidd and women.

As for your Indian Ck. choke tune and Longbeard XR's, I'd personally just stick with the Carlson Longbeard XR choke tube when paired with then Longbeard XR ammo. I bought and tested a couple Indian Ck. choke tubes and a couple others with several 3.5" loads out of my 2 Turkey 12 gauges, and the Carlson Longbeard XR paired with the Longbeard X #6 consistantly had the best groupings of pellets in the circle.

If you want to get fancy with that 20 gauge, get a box of TSS #9s. Unbeatable down range performance, but really spendy.

Good stuff. Thanks.

[EWUeagles]

What kind of gun? Are you cheap?

The second question has to do with shell cost. TSS stuff is legit and if you're only shooting a couple not really that bad. Depending on what shotgun you have will depend on what you can do. Some people use a scope but unless it's already tapped you can't put one on. I think a mid bead and a good bright front bead area nice. I just use a snap on magnetic one from primos. I also use a full choke from primos. I think I got it for like 20 bucks but it patterns well to 40 yards. The choke you have might already be fine. I think the best thing you can put on your gun is a sling.

good advice here but not accurate about the scope thing. Multiple different saddle mounts available.  As simple as it gets to install and you're off to the races.

I bought one for my 870 after the season. When I got it I realized it was made of plastic and felt junky to me. The reviews on them are fine but not sure I'll find it back on my shotgun. I'll either stick with the bead or get my gun tapped.

[kevinlisa06]

Indian Creek choke tube .555 or .562
Burris FF3 optic or something comparable
Apex or Fox Trot ammo 2.75 or 3” tss 9’s


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[birddogdad]

Indian Creek choke tube .555 or .562
Burris FF3 optic or something comparable
Apex or Fox Trot ammo 2.75 or 3” tss 9’s


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"20 is the new 12"   1 5/8 oz of 9's that shoot like lead 5's...(this is apex advertising saying now) allows shagging a 5# shotgun around hills...

[Karl Blanchard]

I finally got my hands on some TSS for my daughters .410 and man am I impressed! It's a little break action POS I got at a yard sale years ago. Short barreled youth model and then a bit more taken off the stock.  Wasn't really wanting to buy another .410 if I could bridge the short window until she grows into the 20ga. It's a fixed full choke but man talk about impressive little shells. When I pattern I start long in an effort to conserve shells so I set my target at 40 yards. I think we will be good to 40 

This stuff would just be nasty in a 20ga and an optimal choke. At $5 a shell it's not cheap but worth every penny if it results in a dead bird.

[h20hunter]

Dead bird right there sir.

[Karl Blanchard]

Dead bird right there sir.

Addison was sick during youth season last year so she is ready to rip this season.

[cougforester]

Update on my gun, set her up with that 870 in full choke and Winchester Longbeards 3” 6’s. At 30 yards we had something like 35-40 pellets in the head/neck area of a turkey target. I think that’ll work.

[Karl Blanchard]

Update on my gun, set her up with that 870 in full choke and Winchester Longbeards 3” 6’s. At 30 yards we had something like 35-40 pellets in the head/neck area of a turkey target. I think that’ll work.

sounds like birds are in trouble 

[kevinlisa06]

Indian Creek choke tube .555 or .562
Burris FF3 optic or something comparable
Apex or Fox Trot ammo 2.75 or 3” tss 9’s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

"20 is the new 12"   1 5/8 oz of 9's that shoot like lead 5's...(this is apex advertising saying now) allows shagging a 5# shotgun around hills...

LOL I shoot Apex but I shoot the Z20 series.


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[TheStovePipeKid]

I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes. Sounds like you have it set up to rock and roll. Make sure to let her know that you don't feel any kick when you blast a bird. I know the 20 doesn't kick as much as the 12, but I've found it helps new hunters to know it's not as bad when you have some adrenalin in your system.

[cougforester]

I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes. Sounds like you have it set up to rock and roll. Make sure to let her know that you don't feel any kick when you blast a bird. I know the 20 doesn't kick as much as the 12, but I've found it helps new hunters to know it's not as bad when you have some adrenalin in your system.

Yeah I've gone over that, but she doesn't really understand how big of an impact that has yet. Hasn't done any hunting before so I'm excited to see the adrenaline hit when we get a gobbler coming in.