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Author Topic: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells  (Read 4317 times)

Offline brokentrail

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20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« on: September 24, 2025, 07:14:32 PM »
As most of us know, when you start trying to work on a new/different gun or choke, some shells just shoot better than others.  My oldest son has started hunting with me every year and I am going to let him continue using my turkey gun that he has become comfortable with, and has had success with, and start work on a different one for me.

If you are a turkey hunter that shoots a 20Ga, are somewhat close to me in Graham, and would allow me to buy one of your rounds to pattern with, that would be great and keep me from buying boxes that I won't end up using.  Feel free to post here or reach out via PM, whatever works best for you.


Offline ASHQUACK

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2025, 08:31:37 PM »
I'm in Shelton, have a couple boxes of different loade that I used to pattern my 20. Anything you're looking for in particular?

Offline brokentrail

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2025, 08:34:37 PM »
Not specifically, no, although I have had great luck with Winchester Longbeard XR in my 12 gauge and that is still what I shoot. Would you be willing to sell me an individual shell of each to see how they pattern?

Offline EnglishSetter

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2025, 09:17:53 PM »
1 shell isn’t gonna tell you much.

In today’s world I’d just buy a box of TSS and call it good. It’s not like you go through the ammo turkey hunting.

Offline brokentrail

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2025, 07:17:39 PM »
1 shell isn’t gonna tell you much.

In today’s world I’d just buy a box of TSS and call it good. It’s not like you go through the ammo turkey hunting.

Why do you say that?  Every turkey gun I have ever had I can sight in with standard loads and then pattern with a single turkey load.  I don't expect a pattern to change much between multiple of the same rounds if POI is the same.

Not all chokes and guns shoot TSS all that great tbh.  I have a Mossberg turkey gun that absolutely hates them.

Offline hughjorgan

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2025, 09:10:33 PM »
I run a 20 gauge for turkeys with TSS , use a kicks choke tube with .560 constriction and run 3” #9s from salt creek customs or verdict. I’ve ran federal TSS with good results as well. I found that the tighter  choke constriction of .555 didn’t pattern as well. They say TSS works best with a constriction between .555-.565

I’ll be in Puyallup around Christmas if you want to try a verdict #9s I could give you one just let me know.

Offline ASHQUACK

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2025, 09:20:21 PM »
I'll look at my shell stash, I think I only have tss loads maybe a few tss/lead federal shells. I know i have several boxes of hevi metal 20ga turkey loads.

Offline brokentrail

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2025, 10:33:48 AM »
I run a 20 gauge for turkeys with TSS , use a kicks choke tube with .560 constriction and run 3” #9s from salt creek customs or verdict. I’ve ran federal TSS with good results as well. I found that the tighter  choke constriction of .555 didn’t pattern as well. They say TSS works best with a constriction between .555-.565

I’ll be in Puyallup around Christmas if you want to try a verdict #9s I could give you one just let me know.

Absolutely.   Im not against using TSS if that gets me the pattern I am looking for.

Offline brokentrail

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2025, 10:34:17 AM »
I'll look at my shell stash, I think I only have tss loads maybe a few tss/lead federal shells. I know i have several boxes of hevi metal 20ga turkey loads.

Sounds great, thanks!

Offline hughjorgan

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #9 on: September 26, 2025, 02:49:28 PM »
I run a 20 gauge for turkeys with TSS , use a kicks choke tube with .560 constriction and run 3” #9s from salt creek customs or verdict. I’ve ran federal TSS with good results as well. I found that the tighter  choke constriction of .555 didn’t pattern as well. They say TSS works best with a constriction between .555-.565

I’ll be in Puyallup around Christmas if you want to try a verdict #9s I could give you one just let me know.

:tup:

Absolutely.   Im not against using TSS if that gets me the pattern I am looking for.




Offline brokentrail

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Re: 20Ga Load Testing - Need different shells
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2025, 03:34:56 PM »
bump in case anyone else has some loads I could test.

 


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