My nephew went on his first rabbit hunt and fell in love with hunting. He wants to go turkey hunting now. I shoot a 12 gauge and would never let him near it with a turkey load. Any suggestions on a 20 gauge? Would a .410 kill a gobbler? Looking for ideas/ excuse to buy a 20 gauge auto.
Best turkey gun for 11 y/o
- Thread starter wetley49
- Start date
- Status
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
If he can hold up a 12 ga?
Use light target loads.
I am of the opinion that a full choke gun with 1 1/8 oz #7 1/2 or #8 trap loads would kill a turkey just as dead as a 3 1/2" Mangle'm.
All you got to do is put a tight pattern of shot in the head / neck and they fall over DRT.
Been there, done that, and got the T-Shirt.
If a light kicking trap load will powder a blue rock at 30 -40 yards?
It will powder a turkeys head at 30-40 yards just as well.
As for 20's?
They are lighter guns, and kick just about as hard as 12's with Magnum Turkey loads.
Although if you need an excuse to buy one, buy a gas operated semi-auto for the lightest recoil possible.
.410's?
See above about the 12 trap loads.
rc
Use light target loads.
I am of the opinion that a full choke gun with 1 1/8 oz #7 1/2 or #8 trap loads would kill a turkey just as dead as a 3 1/2" Mangle'm.
All you got to do is put a tight pattern of shot in the head / neck and they fall over DRT.
Been there, done that, and got the T-Shirt.
If a light kicking trap load will powder a blue rock at 30 -40 yards?
It will powder a turkeys head at 30-40 yards just as well.
As for 20's?
They are lighter guns, and kick just about as hard as 12's with Magnum Turkey loads.
Although if you need an excuse to buy one, buy a gas operated semi-auto for the lightest recoil possible.
.410's?
See above about the 12 trap loads.
rc
Superdave70_02
Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2011
- Messages
- 28
They make an 870 in a 20 ga youth model. A pump is more reliable IMHO. Slap in a full choke and let the feathers fly!
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
So far, I haven't been able to short-stroke my Browning A-5 like you can easily do with a pump.
And it has never ever failed to work.
But I have only had it for 40+ years.
And a Later Benelli M1 Field I just didn't like was 110% reliable.
I doubt you could make a pumpgun as reliable as those two guns.
rc
Superdave70_02
Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2011
- Messages
- 28
Short stroking is not a reliability issue, it's a training issue. 11 year olds tend to get stuff dirty which auto loaders do not like.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yep!
11 year olds also tend to have short arms too, which pumps do not like.
rc
11 year olds also tend to have short arms too, which pumps do not like.
rc
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No, but I will trade you my wifes sewing machine for your Benelli pump!
She never used it anyway.
rc
She never used it anyway.
rc
The obvious overlooked question is 'How big is the 11 yo?'
If he is small(ish) a youth model gun would be in order. If he is anywhere near adult heights (5'6" or above) a more appropriate size would be in order.
The next question will be recoil tolerance. I have watched men substantially larger than me ( I stand 5'4") wimp out under the recoil of my Mossy 835 loaded with 3" shells; they wouldn't even try the 3 1/2".
Yes a 12 gauge semi auto with reduced recoil shells will have less free recoil than a pump 20 gauge with 3" shells, but it will also more likely than not have cycling problems too. Will the gun only be used for turkey or will it also be used for grouse / pheasant / dove/ what ever else? If other uses, you must look for the overall balance of size and barrel length appropriate to the multiple tasks he will use it for.
I can use my 835 for quail but it is not really a good choice. OTOH, turkey, duck, or goose it fits the bill just fine.
If he is small(ish) a youth model gun would be in order. If he is anywhere near adult heights (5'6" or above) a more appropriate size would be in order.
The next question will be recoil tolerance. I have watched men substantially larger than me ( I stand 5'4") wimp out under the recoil of my Mossy 835 loaded with 3" shells; they wouldn't even try the 3 1/2".
Yes a 12 gauge semi auto with reduced recoil shells will have less free recoil than a pump 20 gauge with 3" shells, but it will also more likely than not have cycling problems too. Will the gun only be used for turkey or will it also be used for grouse / pheasant / dove/ what ever else? If other uses, you must look for the overall balance of size and barrel length appropriate to the multiple tasks he will use it for.
I can use my 835 for quail but it is not really a good choice. OTOH, turkey, duck, or goose it fits the bill just fine.
tactikel
Member
A 20 ga will easily kill a turkey with an ethical shot, my last turkey was killed at 20 yards. Key is patterning the gun, getting the youngster to shot it well, and figuring ranges. If he can put 100 pellets of #6 lead (or #7 hevishot) into a 10" paper plate he is good to go at that range. Have him practice, have fun, and you will have a turkey hunter for life.
Nickelplate
Member
Tells us what you found at the show.
krankieone
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2011
- Messages
- 35
I'd buy a 12g double cut the stock & put the biggest recoil pad you can find on it .let him put a box of shells through it before you put the pad on it then then fit it with the pad worked for my 12 year old at 14 he's more than happy to shoot 5 or 6 boxes with a gun with no recoil pad.
35Rem
Member
Some Automatic stocks can't be cut, or shortened, very far, due to the action spring that extends into the butt. Be careful here.
bob9125
Member
How about a 28 gauge NEF Pardner? I believe they come with modified choke. I remember using a single shot 16 gauge when I was not much older and I did okay with it. 28 should have substantially less recoil while still doing the job.
PoserHoser
Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2011
- Messages
- 207
A .410 would do the trick but i would recommend a remington 870 20 gauge with a full choke easier to hit with and with proper loads less kick than a 12. A semi auto shotgun might not be the best beginner gun but it all depends on the kid.
Flyrodder
Member
Look for a Remington 20 ga. 11-87 Youth model. It has a shorter stock and a shorter barrel. Maybe 21" with a vent rib and Rem choke. It has a 3" chamber. Get some Federal Heavyweight in #7 and a Jelleyhead choke tube.
He'll have a turkey killing setup.
Some states have a 20 ga. minimum for turkey hunting
Flyrodder
He'll have a turkey killing setup.
Some states have a 20 ga. minimum for turkey hunting
Flyrodder
beatledog7
Member
SHR 970 has it right.
I also invite you to consider that a child's age is not the main factor in determining what he or she can do, regarding firearms or anything else.
There are 11-yr-olds who stand nearly 6' and weigh over 160 lbs. And then there are 11-yr-olds who stand under 5' and can't break 90 lbs. The range of their ability to act responsibly varies even more widely.
Manage each 11-yr-old accordingly.
I also invite you to consider that a child's age is not the main factor in determining what he or she can do, regarding firearms or anything else.
There are 11-yr-olds who stand nearly 6' and weigh over 160 lbs. And then there are 11-yr-olds who stand under 5' and can't break 90 lbs. The range of their ability to act responsibly varies even more widely.
Manage each 11-yr-old accordingly.
BeerSleeper
Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2010
- Messages
- 688
^^what he said^^
Ten to eleven years of age is about the point where, if you take a class of children, you will find the greatest range of physical and mental maturity.
Ten to eleven years of age is about the point where, if you take a class of children, you will find the greatest range of physical and mental maturity.
- Status
Similar threads
