I am going turkey hunting here in a couple of weeks. I have a 20 gauge. I went to Cabelas, and they recommended a full choke with some Winchester 3" shells size two shot. Is this going to be efficient to get a turkey, and what is the maximum range?
20 Gauge for turkey
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lloveless
Member
Does your gun chamber 3 inch shells? Yes, a full choke or more is needed. I wouldn't shoot at a turkey past 30 yds. #2 or #4 copper plated.
good luck,
ll
good luck,
ll
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
#2 for turkey??
What are you, shooting them on the wing?
It is customary to use smaller shot for turkey hunting, and shoot them in the head / neck while they are walking into a call / decoy set.
#2 shot would not give a dense enough pattern for that.
Most 20 ga 3" Mag Turkey loads sold by the major ammo companies contain #5 or #6 shot.
rc
What are you, shooting them on the wing?
It is customary to use smaller shot for turkey hunting, and shoot them in the head / neck while they are walking into a call / decoy set.
#2 shot would not give a dense enough pattern for that.
Most 20 ga 3" Mag Turkey loads sold by the major ammo companies contain #5 or #6 shot.
rc
You will do fine with a 20 gauge. I'd keep the shot at 40 yards or under. If you get an extra full choke you can add maybe another 10 yards on to your distance if you are using 3". Another thing I would use #4 or #5 shot. #2 shot out of your 20 gauge might not pattern that well. #4 or #5 will do just fine on any turkey. You will however want to go out and pattern that gun, to see which options work the best for you and also so you can find your max effective range. Trust me the time you put in before the hunt won't be wasted when you come time to put it to the test in the field.
Ron Go
Member
50 yards with a 20 ga is not a great idea regardless of choke. To be sure - go to a range and fire some at a true 50 yards to see if the pattern is to your satisfaction. Remember that little #4 or 5 ball is going 50 yards and will not have a lot of power to break a turkey's neck. If you've ever tried cutting a turkey neck you know how tough it is.
In any event, it is a good excuse to get to the range
In any event, it is a good excuse to get to the range
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Bigger number is smaller shot.
You can get more smaller shot in a shell then bigger shot.
As already explained, the turkeys neck & head is the killing shot in turkey hunting.
Not enough larger number #2 shot in a shell to give a killing pattern on a turkeys neck & head.
rc
You can get more smaller shot in a shell then bigger shot.
As already explained, the turkeys neck & head is the killing shot in turkey hunting.
Not enough larger number #2 shot in a shell to give a killing pattern on a turkeys neck & head.
rc
scratcherky
Member
My 20 gauge patterns #6 shot better. That is very effective on turkey but 40 yards is my max.
Captcurt
Member
The main thing with turkeys is knowing how and where your gun patterns and the max range for that choke/load combo. Then don't shoot at a bird farther than your guns limit is. Start at 20 yards and shoot at a turkey head target and then again at 25, 30 so on and so forth. When you can only put 7 or 8 shot in the head and neck you are nearing the effectiveness of your gun. Shot size is debatable. #4 penetrate better but you have less of them than 5's or 6's. My gun shoots 6's great but I have to cut my max range to under 35 yards. If I shoot 5's I'm good to 40.
The main thing is to get them in close. If a bird is inside 25, you can kill it with a 410.
The main thing is to get them in close. If a bird is inside 25, you can kill it with a 410.
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