Stoeger 20 Gauge Coach Gun For Hunting?

[marsofold]

Just got a Stoeger double barrel 20 gauge shotgun with 20" barrels. Purchased a case of Rio #1 buckshot shells for home defense and a couple boxes of Winchester #5 shot 1 1/4 oz 1000fps lead turkey load. There are lots of wild turkeys at my new place in West Virginia and I'd like to try it with the new shotgun. Is this practical with such a short barrel and what range should I limit myself to? If not practical, I'll just keep the turkey loads for copperheads and rattlers. Haven't fired the gun yet, so advice would be welcomed.

 

[George P]

With cylinder bore barrels, you're talking 25 yards. Are you sure those 1-1/4oz loads are only 1000fps? I'm betting not.

 

[beeenbag]

Best thing you can do is pattern it, pattern each barrel separately as they may differ, then see what your effective range will be for that gun/ammo combo. It’s not about “if it will work for turkey hunting” but more so “how far will you be able to use it humanely and effectively”.

Share your results here, I’d be interested to know myself.

 

[George P]

And remember to double the POI/POA because Stoegers are not noted for great barrel regulation.
Good luck!

 

[marsofold]

The left barrel's fixed choke is modified and the right barrel's is improved cylinder. The 1000fps is printed on the Winchester box, probably assuming a longer barrel. Will try it out in a few weeks when I go to WV.

 

[George P]

Barrel length doesn't matter as a shotgun builds to max pressure and velocity in the first +/- 12-14 inches. I have never seen factory turkey loads that were closer to 1000 rather than 1300, 1400, or even 1500 fps

 

[tactikel]

Your shotgun should be ideal for fast flying birds in cover, think Grouse, Woodcock, and Quail. You can hunt Pheasants over a good pointer, or Rabbits. As above, you must pattern with any load you hunt with.

 

[Ironhand54]

I hunted deer and small game with a Stoeger 12 gauge coach gun for years. Works great. The 20 gauge should be just as good with less kick.
For Turkey you will need to do some patterning and find your max range but it is very doable.

Ironhand