Home Forums Birds & Dogs Turkey Hunting 20ga Turkey Guns

Looking to drop down to a 20ga for turkey hunting for several reasons. Lots of options out there. Just wondering what some of you might be using - gun, optics, choke, ammo? I'm leaning towards a semi-auto, likely the Win SX3 w/cantilever mount.

I just picked up a Stoeger M3020 Compact. It's a sweet little turkey gun if I say so myself. My son is going to give it a whirl in a few weeks on a WI tom if we're lucky enough.

I like it enough that I may set one up for myself.

His is a 26" barrel, which is fine because he's going to use it for pheasants and grouse too.

I use my 870 Express 20ga almost exclusively now. Every once in a while I'll break out the Benelli M2 12ga.

The Stoeger M3020 caught my eye for a minute. Kinda stepped away from it as it's not drilled and tapped for a scope mount. However according to the manual it came be. Not sure what the difference is in the receiver make-up between the M3020 and say a Rem 11-87 is, but I do know that it's not recommended to drill and tap the 11-87. Kinda wondered what makes one doable, and the other not so.

I'm not sure. It's pretty much Benelli M1 or Super90, with a bit less fine fit. It's a good, don't get me wrong, but it's not Benelli. Which is why you pay less than 1/2. I paid $400 for this one.

This topic has been on my mind a lot lately too. And none of us are getting any younger as time goes by, are we??..........

With the recent advances in turkey ammunition, the 20 GA turkey gun become more and more practical. And useful in almost all shooting situations.

So here is what I am considering along these lines:

Gun- I already have an 870 Express Magnum w/ 26" barrel. Parkerized barrel, receiver and hefty recoil pad. It will go to the grand kids one day.

Ammo: Federal 3" Heavy Weight #7 shot

Choke: Trulock turkey choke made specifically for the FED HW #7s

Scope: Put on a B Square saddle mount plus a low power scope, probably Leupold. Nothing fancy needed, or wanted.

Note: The bare gun weighs a scant six pounds. Should come in right around 7#s or so. Beats the heck out of my 12 GA 3 1/2" Benelli!

I have a pair of 20's, an 11-87 and a 870, both youth models. The 870 is scoped, the 11-87 did have a red dot on it, but I took it off so I could use fiber optic sights. I've killed turkey with both, and see nothing wrong with using a 20. I took a bird with the 11-87 earlier this season. But, if I absolutely had to kill a turkey or else, I'd take my old Winchester 1300 in 3 inch 12 guage. It will outdo the 20's.

870 youth
Colonial Arms .570 choke
Federal Heavyweight #7's
140-150 - 10" 235 - 250 16" circle @ 42yds
Williams Slugger Ghost Ring Fiber Optic sights

Solid 50yd gun

I used a Winchester 1300 pump for quite a few years then decided to go to a semi. I picked up an 11-87 turkey gun with tru-glow sights around 2004. It worked well till I decided I'd like to stick a red dot sight on it. I found out Remington doesn't advise drilling and tapping the receiver ( to thin)and I don't like the looks of the saddle mount. Last year I decided on a 20ga. Looked at a bunch and decided on a Benelli M2. Couldn't be happier, it weighs next to nothing and patterns great with a Sumtoy choke. They don't come drilled and tapped but that's my next adventure, lot of guys use the Burris fastfire sight, that's what will probably sitting on mine next year.

Good luck with your decision.

In semi auto 20's, I like the M2. The 3020 and Winchester are appealing too. Beretta has the A400 Lite as well. I'm having TarJac dip us 10 of those in Bottomland as soon as they ship.

I'm a red dot guy. I'm shooting an 870 Express youth I had drilled and tapped. Dipped it too. I shoot TSS and have shot the Federal HW7's in the past. Apex will have commercial TSS readily available soon. I like Indian Creek, Carlson, Jebs and Trulock. My 870 now wears a Precision Hunter .582", but the Indian Creek was in the barrel a couple weeks ago.

I'll be coming back to this thread in the future, thanks for all the good info/hints on chokes, dipping, etc.

Now, what is it with the 20g 870 Express youth models? I won one at a Friends of the NRA dinner a few years back and thought about selling it/trading it off as I own a nice 12g 870. Older bro told me to rethink that idea, he had put a youth buttstock on his 12 g 870 and it fit him better. So I kept it and tried it out and I now end up grabbing it over the 12 g most of the season for quail and pheasant.

You guys must feel the same way? Is there something "special" about it?

Geno

For me the handiness of the short youth 870 appeals to me while moving through the woods. The short LOP really shines when I get set up on a bird and he comes in where he's not supposed to, like they always do. It gives me the ability to turn and move better without getting all bound up with a longer LOP.

I book-marked this thread as well.

I've got several seasons ahead of me yet, or at least I hope, but all the birds I've ever killed in my life could've been taken with a 20ga and I'll take one on occasion.

Anyhow, what are your thoughts on tungsten shot for turkey out of a 20g? One of the gun writers recommended it to me in another thread.

It won't be unless they come up with a mount for Benelli 20ga.

Been using NEF single shot 20 ga. for about as many years Federal Flite Control has been out. Flite Control Heavyweight #7 ( tungsten ) . Factory Mossberg full choke. No problem whatsoever at toms at 40 yds. Seen one flop dead at 54 paces.

TSS #8s or #9s?

Mainly 9's, but I've shot a few 8.5x9 duplex loads as well.

I'll tell ya what. I carry the 12 sometimes just because I have it. But the 20 with the right patterning choke is a hammer. I carry the 870 20 far more. I shot one by accident at 49 yards. I didn't think it was that far away. My BIL checked it with his range finder after he came over to see what the commotion was about. But it was as dead as anything else.

I LOVE to play the game with them, so I'd much rather shoot them at 20 than 40.

I recently picked up a Stoger 3020 Compact for my son. It's the lightest shotgun in the safe. I handled it a bit more yesterday and I really like it. I may get one for myself.

Youth model to get the 21" barrel. You will get more velocity out of the 26" barrels, but the performance or pattern is 6 to 1 or half a dozen to the other. It's not worth the extra length or weight when carrying the gun in the woods. My .02!

My current gun started life as a Remington 870 Youth 20ga. I stripped the gun completely down, took the receiver to a smith to drill/tap/attach rail, polished/deep cleaned barrel, replaced forearm with a synthetic from Remington, installed an adjustable Knoxx stock with a Limbsaver, and a Burris FFII sits on top with a guard built by a member from another forum. I sanded it down, primed, and painted it with multiple stencils and lots of time. I hand load 1 5/8oz of TSS #9.5s and run it thru a Remington Super Full "lead only" choke. It will flat stomp turkeys. Killed a slam with it last year. I've lost count on the number of birds taken by this gun.

Going to the 20ga was simple for me. I love to run and gun, and if you've never chased a Rio they take "run" to a whole new level. Having a smaller, lighter, more compact gun has been a god send. I also hunt with a lot of newbies and kids. I wanted something I could adjust the stock on to fit them as well as not bruise on the other end when they shot. This gun does that in spades. I've currently built 11 guns just like this one for family in friends. I'm in process of building two more, but Knoxx stopped making the stocks so I'm using Remington's SureShot stock. When the kids get old enough they will use this gun, and I'll carry the SureShot.

I think it will be super cool for both my kids to kill a slam with it as well.

The 20ga weighs just under 6 pounds as pictured unloaded. Due to the performance of TSS, I've decided to start dabbling in the 28ga game. I want to kill a slam with my 28ga. It has a fixed modified barrel that I don't really want to sent off to get tapped for a choke, so I'll have to get the birds to around 30 yards. 40 is about the limit of this gun. The good news is the frame is the same as the 20ga, so all the 20ga parts fit the 28ga.



28ga with FFIII on top weights just under 5 pounds as pictured.

Sand Man,

How does eye line up with your Shur Shot stock and optics? My 11-87 12ga, sports a cantilever smooth-bore, Rem Choke barrel, and in order to proper eye alignment I had to add an AcuRiser cheek piece to the stock. Just wondering if the Shur Shot is any different from the factory stock in drop dimensions.

I use a Remington 870 Youth with factory super full choke and Federal Heavyweight #6's. All stock except for truglo sights and timney trigger. I have rolled them out to 50 paces. IMO, there is no need for a semi-auto in a 20 as there is no recoil and usually its one and done for the shooting!

SANDMAN: You've got a beauty of a shotgun there!

I think you have to put in the time at the pattern board to see if you have the right choke and load combo. The 20 dose just fine.

I have a Stoeger 3020 that I duded up for a 3 gun shotgun for the kids. I would not hesitate to turkey hunt with it. I also have an Escort 20 youth which is ready for the turkey hunt. It has a 3/8" grooved receiver if you decide to scope/red dot it.

Thanks to tzone's suggestion, I'm considering the Stoeger 3020 for a upland bird gun for my oldest son. Same inertia system as the Benelli, half the cost and light; what's not to like?

Can't really comment. I've never hunted with the 28ga yet. I've only shot it on the patterning board with the FFIII on top of the B-square mount. I will tell you I noticed no difference between the SureShot and the Knoxx on my 20ga when shooting or looking thru the FastFire. I have read of people needing to add risers when using Red Dots, but I don't. However, I'm not a small guy either (6'4"). I'm sure that doesn't help much, but that's my experience with the Fast Fires and different stocks.




Thank you much. I'm super happy with the way it turned out.

As I stated in the beginning, the SX3 has my eye, specifically the NWTF version with the cantilever. However, Winchester has no idea when they will begin to ship. Not that I intend to use it this year, but it would be nice to have it patterned before next season without having to do so in wintery temps.

The Stoeger M3020 that TZone mentioned also has me thiking. The hold-up is whether it is truly advisableto drill and tap the receiver.

All the banter about the 870/870 Youth has me thinking. Certainly a cheaper alternative, with lots of aftermarket options available to make it 'mine.'

Decisions, decisions, . . . .

The 20ga M2's are a fine, super light, do-all package. Very useful here on the farm...

Benelli Sales Rep told me at the Harrisburg Outdoor Show they recommend using a Weaver shotgun mount. Same one that will fit
Super Blk Eagle, S. Blk Eagle II.

Moved to an 870 Compact this year and love it. Have a couple of chokes but used the Primos TightWad for all kills and added gobblestopper fiber optic sites.

Do you have a link to the SX3 turkey?

I don't want all that crap hanging off my gun. It balances nearly perfect for me now. Part of why I'm reluctant to put the FF on it to begin with.

Here ya go . . . . http://www.winchesterguns.com/produ...-cantilever-turkey-break-up-country.html

Cool! Thank you. Not sure why I couldn't get that to come up the first time.

I do have a Winchester sxp turkey in 20 I bought for my daughter. She doesn't use it much. It is D&T for a mount. I could put a Burris FF on there. I haven't used the gun much though. Maybe I should start.

SXP 20ga turkey momentarily caught my attention. However, the safety being forward of the trigger ruled it out. Don't ask me why, but I just cannot get used to it. Every pump or semi-auto shotgun I own has the safety behind the trigger.

It's a bit different but it took about 30 seconds to get used to.

I'm an old dog a new 'tricks' don't come easy. I had a Browning Gold 10ga for almost 20yrs. It had the safety forward of the trigger. Never got used to it, and it subsequently found a new home (slow learner too!).

I'm with you, WiFowler. Doesn't matter how good the gun may fit or how flawlessly it functions; if the safety doesn't get disengaged without conscious thought, the bird gets away. Although I must say that it is less of a factor in turkey hunting than anything else you'd typically hunt with a shotgun.

This is a terrible picture of it but this is the 20 that I set up for my son to use. It is a Mossberg 500. It comes from the factory already drilled and tapped so there is no additional expense to get that done. The safety is on the tang so it is easily accessible. I replaced the stock with an ATI scorpion and installed a burris speed dot on it. I am currently using a Carlson's .575 and federal HW 7s. It will easily put 130-140 in a 10" circle at 40 yards. It carries like a dream, has very little recoil and I can adjust the stock for virtually anyone to use.

Please tell us the colors are yellow, black and brownish-purple. At least that's the way they sow up on my monitor(s).

It is actually painted like ASAT camo. The camera flash was causing everything to look weird. It is a tan base with dark brown and then black on top. Trust me it looks way better in person. Lol.

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It won't be unless they come up with a mount for Benelli 20ga. [/quote]




Benelli Sales Rep told me at the Harrisburg Outdoor Show they recommend using a Weaver shotgun mount. Same one that will fit
Super Blk Eagle, S. Blk Eagle II.

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I don't want all that crap hanging off my gun. It balances nearly perfect for me now. Part of why I'm reluctant to put the FF on it to begin with.
[/quote]


Not sure what adding 1.5 oz. to the receiver will affect the balance. With my older eyes I can see a red dot much better than the small bead on the other end of the barrel.

All well and good. But what makes drilling and tapping a M3020, or Benelli M2, SBE or SBE II, any different than drilling and tapping an 11-87, which most 'smiths seem to shy away from? Is the receiver that much thicker?

I have seen 11-87s D&T'ed. In some cases the holes were drill & tapped all the way into the barrel tang. Doing so provided enough 'meat' for the screws to have several threads of engagement and at the same time 'pinned' the barrel. But it makes for a Biatch removing the barrel. Anytime you want to clean from the breach, it means removing optics, the base, et al, then reinstalling everything and another trip to the range to re-sight. Far from an ideal circumstance.

To get a better perspective D&T the M3020, M2, SBE, et al, I've been trying to get a hold of the Benelli/Stoeger service folks for the last week. No joy so far.

Truth ^^^^

Is the Burris FF mount that fits in with the stock shim not an option?

The Burris FF is the sight itself. It can be mounted in a number of ways. The mount that fits between the stock and receiver, when combined with the FF, was called the Spead Bead, if IIRC.

I would be looking at the Franchi Affinity 20 Compact over the Stoeger. It's a better-finished gun all the way around if you can afford it.

My lill weatherby 20 and the ff3 is cleaning them up this year. Shooting both federal heviweights 7 and my hand loaded TSS 9 shot.


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Youth model 870 for the win!!! Can't beat the size and availability of different chokes and parts like stocks, etc. Put a saddle mount on it and a small red dot and GAME ON!

Which choke tube do you use for Turkey in the M2 20 guage. I have an M2 that I will try next season.

Shoot straight all

Bob