20ga turkey hunting?

[stromdahlc]

Hello, I am a new hunter. I am taking it slow getting into it, not rushing the process. I am working on my safety course right now and plan to hunt turkey in the spring.

I have a 20ga that I inherited. I would like to use it for cost saving purposes and the sentimental value of it. What are your thoughts? It will take a 2 3/4-3" cartridge.

[HillHound]

That will work. Get some 3 inch turkey loads and should be good to go. Go out and practice and see what your pattern looks like at 10 yard increments so you can get a good idea of max yardage that it’s still keeping a tight enough group to drop a turkey

[stromdahlc]

That will work. Get some 3 inch turkey loads and should be good to go. Go out and practice and see what your pattern looks like at 10 yard increments so you can get a good idea of max yardage that it’s still keeping a tight enough group to drop a turkey

Thanks. With turkey loads, will I need to use a choke? One of my friends who is an experienced duck hunter uses a modified choke.

[HillHound]

You might need to but I think if it were me I would see what kind of a pattern I had at 30-40 yards and decide if I thought I needed to tighten up the grouping with a modified choke or not. If you think you need one it sounds like I would talk to your duck hunting friend and get his opinion on what would work best for your specific gun

[Limhangerslayer]

That will work. Get some 3 inch turkey loads and should be good to go. Go out and practice and see what your pattern looks like at 10 yard increments so you can get a good idea of max yardage that it’s still keeping a tight enough group to drop a turkey

Thanks. With turkey loads, will I need to use a choke? One of my friends who is an experienced duck hunter uses a modified choke.

number one, don’t put 3” in a 2 3/4” gun.  If your gun accepts chokes get a turkey choke and try any 2 3/4” load you can find for it and pattern it. 

[Ridgeratt]

That will work. Get some 3 inch turkey loads and should be good to go. Go out and practice and see what your pattern looks like at 10 yard increments so you can get a good idea of max yardage that it’s still keeping a tight enough group to drop a turkey

If I read this correctly it says he has a 2 3/4 inch chamber.  Do not load any 3 inch shells in to it.
Realize that before they had 3 inch guns many turkey were kilt with standard shells.  But the folks using them called the birds in close.  If you get a bird under 30 yards and aim where the ugly stops and the pretty starts you will be successful.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Triple Beard.
It is a 20 gauge load that has 3 different shot sizes.
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Put sights on weapon.
Shoot at a 20 yard target.
Shoot at a 25 yard target.
When pattern stars to become erratic, set your limit.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Shoot them in the head.

[Igor]

The initial post says 3" cartridge..............

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

No matter what you use, put sights on your weapon.
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Pattern your load.
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Shoot them in the head.
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[stromdahlc]

Perfect, yes it is 2 3/4" to 3". I first priority was verifying everyone's thoughts on even using a single shot 20ga for turkey. Now that I know it is OK for the prey, I will take the info here and also visit a couple gun shops to talk with folks there too. Thanks everyone!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

As far as choke....
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It's already built into the weapon.
It should say what it is on the barrel of the weapon.
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Unless you have threads on the muzzle.
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DO NOT FIRE WEAPON IF IT HAS THREADS ON MUZZLE, WITHOUT CHOKE INSTALLED.
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[jrebel]

My kids kill turkey with a single shot break 20 gauge.  It has a fixed modified choke and shoots 3 inch shells.  It has a simple bead front site.  It kills them as dead as any other shotgun we use.   Head or neck shot.  Pattern, no your max effective range and get after it!! 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I see you are new.
We like pictures..
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If you have an inherited piece..

Share some pictures...
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[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

It is not why a man uses a tool, but how.
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If what you have is what your going to use...
Make the best of it.
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You say you are new...
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Have not even finished the online course..
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Good luck on the turkeys....
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You are better off introducing yourself, looking through partner and huntswaps...
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Welcome to the site..
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Share a little about yourself.
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Learn your chosen weapon.
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If you make connections along the way..
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