This year I switched to a 20 gauge and just got a new Carlson’s choke for my gun. I’m gonna be shooting Longbeard XRs in it, can’t swallow the TSS prices, and was wondering if anyone used a 20 gauge with Longbeards, and if so, what your experience with the combo has been? I hunt in the woods, so most shots are less then 40 yards, and I was sick of lugging around a 10 pound 12 gauge with w 28” barrel.
I use Winchester Longboard XR and have had success with it. It’s good ammo that reaches out there beyond the distance of standard turkey ammo.
My experience is with a 12 gauge in 3.5 inch rounds, and have taken a turkey at 61 and 50 yards with it.
TSS is too steep for my wallet too. I think you would find that 40 yards with a 20 gauge, the choke, and ammo you intend to use would be sufficient. If you have a way of conducting a field test in advance, that would confirm it. Try a couple shots and vary the distance.
Yup. It’s raining down here in Iowa today but I’m gonna pattern it this week. I got both Longbeard 5 and 6 shot I’m gonna pattern, see which one the gun likes.
The pellets are the same size and travel at the same speed, there are just fewer of them with a 20 gauge. Absolutely no reason that a 20 wouldn’t work, like any weapon, you have to know its limitations.
I watched once as my dad whacked a fox with his 20 gauge #5 at 35 yards and it was with a 2.75 inch shell to boot. The old adage still applies, it doesn’t matter what you hit them with, but you still gotta hit them.
I have been using those rounds for the last 6 or so years for my 20 gauge. Great for my choke tube and gun. Turned my first duck gun into my Turkey gun. I”m picking up a 410 CVA scout single shot which I cannot wait to have in the woods.You will like that ammo and should not disappoint.
can’t swallow the TSS prices
At over 10.00 a round I would agree with you.
My daughter killed a turkey at about 30 yards many years ago with a 20 Gauge youth gun, and I have also killed a few with the same gun since. Unlike with a 12 Gauge with 3.5″ shells I think the maximum range I’d stretch it to would be in the 30-35 Yard range. Unless your pattern test still shows decent results past that range.
Usually I can smell the turkey’s breath when I pull the trigger, they’re so close. I used to run a Vinci with 3” #6 Longbeards, and they killed a pile of turkeys, a couple to 50 yards ranged, but those were in fields with decoys and I just don’t hunt that way anymore. I like calling to my tree and see their pretty smile before I knock their beak off. Spent too much time researching turkey chokes and went with the Carlson’s extend turkey, .575 constriction. We shall see how she does. I also got a box of Federal Grand Slams in 5 shot to test as well. If I need to go TSS, I might load them myself, I got all the powder and primers to do it, just need some 20 gauge empties and some shot. I have been looking and some of the #9 TSS loads leave a pretty amazing pattern at 50. But I don’t care. I don’t ever get 50 yard shots in the woods. Kinda like having a 60 yard pin on your bow and hunting in the woods, you’ll never use it. 20-30 yards is where they mostly get crumpled, and sometimes 10-20 feet.
There’s lots of guys on you tube that use 20ga. A few of the Hunting public guys use plain ol 870’s in 20ga.
I bought some shells last spring but didn’t get around to experimenting and ended up getting my bird with the 12.
I can’t imagine there’s any noticeable difference inside of 30 yards, other than an improvement in weight and recoil.
some are even using 410’s now too..
Contrary to what many will tell you, a 20 gauge is plenty adequate to kill a turkey, pheasant, and deer to name a few. More pellets aren’t going to help a bad shot.
I only inquired because everybody on every forum are talking about TSS. I’m a good shot, I don’t use a 12 gauge because I can’t shoot. I use a 12 gauge because most people do who turkey hunt. I don’t think using a sub gauge for vanity is appropriate so I was just wondering if lead and 20 gauge do well on turkeys. The loads are substantially slower and pack a lot less load, so it got me wondering. Pheasant and rabbit are a lot smaller than turkey. I also used a 12 gauge deer hunting too, because that was what I used. I now use a 45/70, but I think using appropriate calibers and gauges for the game you pursue is important.
I bought a pack of TSS a few years ago in a pinch because it was all the gun shop had left. They come in 5 packs.
I shot one round ahead of the season at 40 yards and was satisfied. I have shot 2 toms the past 2 seasons with it, but they were both within 30 yards and I’m quite positive any turkey ammo would work at that range. I’ve got 2 rounds left. I will not be buying more when these are gone. I’m going back to Longbeard XR.
I only inquired because everybody on every forum are talking about TSS. I’m a good shot, I don’t use a 12 gauge because I can’t shoot. I use a 12 gauge because most people do who turkey hunt. I don’t think using a sub gauge for vanity is appropriate so I was just wondering if lead and 20 gauge do well on turkeys. The loads are substantially slower and pack a lot less load, so it got me wondering. Pheasant and rabbit are a lot smaller than turkey. I also used a 12 gauge deer hunting too, because that was what I used. I now use a 45/70, but I think using appropriate calibers and gauges for the game you pursue is important.
You will like that show for Turkey’s , just pattern and away you go. I have no problems with them and will have my 20 gauge on MN opener.
A few months ago listening to the pheasants forever podcast they had on a guy from Federal talking about all the newer shotshell offerings. There was a fair amount of talk on TSS and using it in 410 and 28ga for turkeys. The price is crazy, but once you pattern it like gim mentioned, you likely will use one round per bird. Still not cheap, but maybe a little easier to stomach. I bought my first 20ga last fall and loved it for pheasants. My son and I will be using it on turkeys this spring. Haven’t decided on what we’re going to shoot through it but haven’t ruled out TSS.
Here’s a link to that podcast. Pretty good listen.
PF podcast
I feel like “turkey” ammo may be one of the most over hyped products there is. Maybe it’s because I’m not a turkey purist but I’ve never hesitated to just throw in whatever 2 3/4″ lead shell I had lying around. Granted I’ve never taken a long shot on a turkey but that’s because the entire thrill of turkey hunting for me is having a tom just go absolutely stupid over a decoy. If I gotta shoot a turkey at 50 yards I’d rather be fishing!
I feel like “turkey” ammo may be one of the most over hyped products there is
You’re not wrong! Right up there with all the latest and greatest fishing tackle. Shot a lot of pheasants with 2 3/4 #6 game loads back in the day.
There’s another way to look at it. You generally only take 1 shot per year. It doesn’t really break the bank to spend $10 for an entire years worth if shells (1). I agree I don’t think it matters much between shells and I was also forced one year to buy the most expensive hevi shot they had left on the shelf, but that box has lasted me 5 years. If it gives you confidence, don’t over think it. It’s probably the least expensive part of your hunt.
Whay kind of 12 gauge weighs 10lbs? I use a 10 gauge and thought thats a boat anchor at 11lbs
Vinci weighs 6.9 pounds by itself per Benelli’s website. Plus optic and turkey loads. Perhaps I guessed and didn’t weigh it out, but it’s a helluva lot heavier then my 20” barreled 20 gauge.
I haven’t shot a 12 gauge in 10-15 yrs. I’d even shoot clays with a 20. The only place I’d use a 12 is for geese. The handling of a 20 gun is way different than a 12. Not only the weight but the balance. You guys worried about shooting one $10 shell per season better not take up bow hunting, it’s $30-$40 every time you send an arrow. You may recover the arrow but the broad head is wrecked, that’s $15-$20.
I bow hunt but those arrows always cost 30 bucks. Shotgun shells didn’t always cost $10 a piece. And you are correct, the 12 gauge felt some cumbersome. When hunting in the woods the 28” barrel would always get caught in stuff. My 20 gauges is so light, I’m just gonna carry it by hand. I also have a red dot mounted on the vent rib with a Warren mount, which allows me to get my cheek right on the stock, unlike my 12 gauge, plus I can carry it around the center of the gun. I’m digging it. If I need to go TSS, I might, but if I can get my Longbeards to pattern fine at 30 yards, and perhaps 40, I’m sticking with them.
There’s another way to look at it. You generally only take 1 shot per year. It doesn’t really break the bank to spend $10 for an entire years worth if shells (1). I agree I don’t think it matters much between shells and I was also forced one year to buy the most expensive hevi shot they had left on the shelf, but that box has lasted me 5 years. If it gives you confidence, don’t over think it. It’s probably the least expensive part of your hunt.
I agree. One shot per season (if I’m lucky) is a shot that needs to count. I’m willing to stomach more cost when I only take one shot.
Compare that to waterfowl or upland hunting, then the cost becomes quite apparent.
I haven’t shot a 12 gauge in 10-15 yrs. I’d even shoot clays with a 20. The only place I’d use a 12 is for geese. The handling of a 20 gun is way different than a 12. Not only the weight but the balance. You guys worried about shooting one $10 shell per season better not take up bow hunting, it’s $30-$40 every time you send an arrow. You may recover the arrow but the broad head is wrecked, that’s $15-$20.
I wrecked 2 arrows at leagues shooting trick shots. Blew up 2 arrows on a steel plate at 33 yards. That hurts when its 65 to 70 bucks for a couple rip tkos and the components to build them
I agree. One shot per season (if I’m lucky) is a shot that needs to count. I’m willing to stomach more cost when I only take one shot.
I can tell you missing is possible. I missed twice last year about 20 minutes apart. Dont know what my problem was. I couldnt remember ever missing a turkey before. Worked out for me I guess gotta way bigger one the next day.
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