Can you kill turkeys effectively with a 20 gauge?

[EricAichele]

Can you kill turkeys effectively with a 20 gauge?

[Smitty18]

i have killed 2 of my 3 with a 20 gauge. i would not reccomend shooting past 20 yards though. i graduated to 12 gauges for the extra range.

[the decoy hunter]

Eight to nine pellets are required for a clean effective harvest...probably why the turkey chokes and the 3 1/2 loads hve become so common

[mesarich]

Short answer, yes. Long answer, you need to get the turkeys closer and aim very carefully.

[the decoy hunter]

I would like to add that patterning your shotgun with your chosen load is always a good idea.... with a life size target of the "harvest zone" so a 10 ga -- 12 ga -- 20 ga will give you a idea of performance

[pineywoods]

Mesarich has it right. Use the twenty within its limitations (range, shot size, etc.) and it will kill turkeys for you. Personally, I don't see why someone would handicap themselves and/or take a chance on crippling a gobbler with a twenty when the twelve does so much better. Good luck.

[pineywoods]

Foot-in-mouth again. Of course you might use a twenty for a youngster or someone who is recoil sensitive.

[charlie elk]

Absolutely. A 20 gauge prepped for turkeys can cleanly take a gobbler out to about 30 yards. Use 3" shell #6 "heavy shot" type, a turkey choke (there are many good ones available) and spend some range time patterning with different shells to find the best for your chosen gun.
In my humble opinion some turkey hunters over-gun and are missing out on the finer points of the hunt.
Have fun out there.
later,
charlie

[ufc2196]

yeah you can kill em with the 20 guage if they aint to far off. Like Smitty18 said about 20 yards is about as far off as they can be for an effective shot. Ive seen alot of turkey during deer season in Va but I havent had any within 35 yards but i wasnt calling them in though>

[Ray Eye]

Yes,a twenty Gauge is more than adequate for Turkeys. My Brother killed turkeys for over twenty years with a 20 gauge. With today's new turkey chokes and modern "turkey Loads" ammo, a Twenty Gauge is very effective even out past 30 yards. Ive seen some 20 gauges out pattern a 12 gauge at 30 yards. Many of today's pro turkey hunters have switched and shoot 20 gauges for TV hunts all over America.

[ICDEDTURKES]

Here is a 20 gauge turkey pattern taken at a Tape Measure 40 yards.. It will best all but only the 12 gauges shooting the best Ammo..

Rem 870 20gauge
SSX 550 Choke Tube
Nitro Company 7s
238 in a ten Inch Circle

[ICDEDTURKES]

Ok how to post a pic

[Joshua Brian Southerland]

I use my 20 gauge all the time to kill turkeys with a super full choke and my red dot scope shooting 3 inch 6 shot out to 50 yards in the right conditions it's more better than any 12 gauge I own