Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:39:25 AM

Title: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:39:25 AM: I have a basically H&R single shot. What ammo would you use? I'm having trouble finding turkey specific ammo. And also my shotgun doesn't have a choke tube.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:40:56 AM: I did find TSS ammo but at $59 for 5. I'm not gonna buy it for a weekend of hunting.
Only other 20g ammo I have seen is waterfowl loads 7/8 ounce #2 steel shot.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: MtnMuley on March 19, 2022, 11:46:13 AM: I wouldn't buy the TSS in your shoes. I'd just keep checking local stores to you. Is this for the youth season or the general starting the 15th?
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: Platensek-po on March 19, 2022, 11:55:27 AM: Use ammoseek.com. It’s kind of late but there are definitely some options out there for less. I bought some for my son and want him to be able to practice and not worry about cost of ammo. When he is older if he really gets into turkey I’ll look into other options.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:59:41 AM: Quote from: MtnMuley on March 19, 2022, 11:46:13 AM
I wouldn't buy the TSS in your shoes. I'd just keep checking local stores to you. Is this for the youth season or the general starting the 15th?

For the general season.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: CP on March 19, 2022, 11:59:53 AM: Quote from: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:39:25 AM
I have a basically H&R single shot. What ammo would you use? I'm having trouble finding turkey specific ammo. And also my shotgun doesn't have a choke tube.

1 to 1.25oz of #6 lead shot has killed plenty of turkeys.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: MtnMuley on March 19, 2022, 12:11:59 PM: Quote from: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:59:41 AM
Quote from: MtnMuley on March 19, 2022, 11:46:13 AM
I wouldn't buy the TSS in your shoes. I'd just keep checking local stores to you. Is this for the youth season or the general starting the 15th?

For the general season.

I don't know where you're located, but if you haven't found any by then let me know and I'll get you a few.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: metlhead on March 19, 2022, 12:46:40 PM: I got some heavy lead 6 pheasant loads if you want. They'll work just fine.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 01:56:29 PM: Appreciate the offers. I'll definitely take you guys up on that if I can't find anything by then.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: lza206 on March 20, 2022, 10:21:52 AM: bankwalker,

Pre-pandemic times, I've found Federal turkey loads in 20 gauge. I've also found HEVI-shot magnum blend in 20 gauge.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: Russ McDonald on March 20, 2022, 10:43:24 AM: Quote from: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:40:56 AM
I did find TSS ammo but at $59 for 5. I'm not gonna buy it for a weekend of hunting.
Only other 20g ammo I have seen is waterfowl loads 7/8 ounce #2 steel shot.
#2 shot is illegal anyway. Nothing bigger than 4 shot. Do you have a fixed choke? If so #5 turkey loads would be fine. If you have a turkey choke same ammo would be fine to. Think I saw some federal 3rd degree at Sportmen's in Puyallup yesterday.

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Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: follow maggie on March 20, 2022, 12:12:57 PM: Like others, I’d use whatever 6, 5, or 4 shot you can get. I like the smaller *censored* myself because I get a fuller pattern with it.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: bankwalker on March 21, 2022, 12:25:33 PM: Quote from: Russ McDonald on March 20, 2022, 10:43:24 AM
Quote from: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:40:56 AM
I did find TSS ammo but at $59 for 5. I'm not gonna buy it for a weekend of hunting.
Only other 20g ammo I have seen is waterfowl loads 7/8 ounce #2 steel shot.
#2 shot is illegal anyway. Nothing bigger than 4 shot. Do you have a fixed choke? If so #5 turkey loads would be fine. If you have a turkey choke same ammo would be fine to. Think I saw some federal 3rd degree at Sportmen's in Puyallup yesterday.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't look at the shot size. Sure glad I didn't waste my money 🙂
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: bearpaw on March 21, 2022, 01:29:59 PM: Quote from: bankwalker on March 21, 2022, 12:25:33 PM
Quote from: Russ McDonald on March 20, 2022, 10:43:24 AM
Quote from: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:40:56 AM
I did find TSS ammo but at $59 for 5. I'm not gonna buy it for a weekend of hunting.
Only other 20g ammo I have seen is waterfowl loads 7/8 ounce #2 steel shot.
#2 shot is illegal anyway. Nothing bigger than 4 shot. Do you have a fixed choke? If so #5 turkey loads would be fine. If you have a turkey choke same ammo would be fine to. Think I saw some federal 3rd degree at Sportmen's in Puyallup yesterday.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't look at the shot size. Sure glad I didn't waste my money 🙂

Regular lead turkey loads are almost impossible to find. If you don't want to buy TSS you might consider getting some high brass #6 lead pheasant loads, then pattern them in your gun to figure out how far you might shoot. I've seen some high brass pheasant loads online.

If you are close enough 7.5 target loads would work, but you're going to need close shots for those to have the needed penetration.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: Platensek-po on March 21, 2022, 01:37:43 PM: Quote from: bankwalker on March 21, 2022, 12:25:33 PM
Quote from: Russ McDonald on March 20, 2022, 10:43:24 AM
Quote from: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:40:56 AM
I did find TSS ammo but at $59 for 5. I'm not gonna buy it for a weekend of hunting.
Only other 20g ammo I have seen is waterfowl loads 7/8 ounce #2 steel shot.
#2 shot is illegal anyway. Nothing bigger than 4 shot. Do you have a fixed choke? If so #5 turkey loads would be fine. If you have a turkey choke same ammo would be fine to. Think I saw some federal 3rd degree at Sportmen's in Puyallup yesterday.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't look at the shot size. Sure glad I didn't waste my money 🙂

Are you in matlock?? If so I’m in Shelton and I have a shells you could have if you can’t find anything
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: bankwalker on March 21, 2022, 02:45:03 PM: Quote from: Platensek-po on March 21, 2022, 01:37:43 PM
Quote from: bankwalker on March 21, 2022, 12:25:33 PM
Quote from: Russ McDonald on March 20, 2022, 10:43:24 AM
Quote from: bankwalker on March 19, 2022, 11:40:56 AM
I did find TSS ammo but at $59 for 5. I'm not gonna buy it for a weekend of hunting.
Only other 20g ammo I have seen is waterfowl loads 7/8 ounce #2 steel shot.
#2 shot is illegal anyway. Nothing bigger than 4 shot. Do you have a fixed choke? If so #5 turkey loads would be fine. If you have a turkey choke same ammo would be fine to. Think I saw some federal 3rd degree at Sportmen's in Puyallup yesterday.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't look at the shot size. Sure glad I didn't waste my money 🙂

Are you in matlock?? If so I’m in Shelton and I have a shells you could have if you can’t find anything

Yup sure am. I'd gladly take a few.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: Badhabit on March 21, 2022, 03:11:21 PM: I have a case of the old Hevi Shot 20 ga. 3" 6 shot 1 7/8 oz. 10 boxes of 10 shells I'll sell for $300.00. I had them posted for sale in the ammo classifieds.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: jrebel on March 21, 2022, 03:57:56 PM: I've got some in that we use in my kids break action 20 ga if you ever make it to the Wenatchee area. Could possibly meet you on your way to the hunting grounds as well. It is Remington 4 or 5 shot lead and works amazingly well on those dirty birds.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: wadu1 on March 21, 2022, 04:27:41 PM: If you can get up towards Tacoma area, I just got some 20ga pheasant loads in a trade. They are all high base hunting loads in #4 and #6. I'll make you a heck of a deal.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: MtnMuley on March 21, 2022, 05:29:11 PM: 20 gauge turkey ammo is starting to pop up more often. Within the last couple weeks, I've picked up a dozen boxes besides TSS. From Kent Ultimate to Remington Nitro to Winchester Longbeard XR. From up and down the wetside to CdA. You just have to be diligent and keep swinging by stores that carry ammo every chance you can get. :twocents:
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: bankwalker on March 21, 2022, 09:37:27 PM: Lots of very generous offers! I really appreciate it. I'll will see what my availability is next weekend and see who's schedule will workout 😎
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: PA BEN on March 28, 2022, 08:20:13 AM: Just regular 3" #5's or #6's will kill turkeys all day long. Just pattern your gun.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: Keith494 on March 30, 2022, 04:07:04 AM: I just got some 3rd degree for my sister off of federals website. I've had good luck with that. It's not as expensive as the TSS but it's still not the cheapest, $30 for a box of 5.

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Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: ASHQUACK on March 30, 2022, 04:15:19 AM: I have a case of hevi shot/hevi metal turkey loads for a 20 and I'm in Shelton as well.
Title: Re: One more 20 gauge question
Post by: h2ofowlr on March 30, 2022, 07:50:28 AM: I have used lead to kill turkeys for 30 years and haven't lost one I have shot at yet. #5 or #6 work good when you get them into the decoys.