Best turkey load for 20 gauge

[JohnnyAuto]

I’m glad I found this forum even though I live in Virginia.
I work on a military training and maneuver base. Lots of woods, tons of deer and turkey. I routinely have to stop to let deer and turkey cross the road while driving from the barracks to the office.
I have never hunted turkey before, and all I have is a 20 gauge Remington 870 and a full choke.
I’m so excited I feel like I’m about to piss myself like a little puppy.

 

[Dustinb80]

I’m glad I found this forum even though I live in Virginia.
I work on a military training and maneuver base. Lots of woods, tons of deer and turkey. I routinely have to stop to let deer and turkey cross the road while driving from the barracks to the office.
I have never hunted turkey before, and all I have is a 20 gauge Remington 870 and a full choke.
I’m so excited I fell like I’m about to piss myself like a little puppy.

Welcome aboard. Jump right in, you found the right place.

 

[JohnnyAuto]

Welcome aboard. Jump right in, you found the right place.

Thank you!
I didn’t know if a 20 gauge could get it done, but I am now confident it will if I do my part.

 

[giles]

Navy?

Welcome. Don't mind Dustin, he gets excited too. But it aint pee.

 

["J"]

I’m glad I found this forum even though I live in Virginia.
I work on a military training and maneuver base. Lots of woods, tons of deer and turkey. I routinely have to stop to let deer and turkey cross the road while driving from the barracks to the office.
I have never hunted turkey before, and all I have is a 20 gauge Remington 870 and a full choke.
I’m so excited I feel like I’m about to piss myself like a little puppy.

AP Hill?

 

[Hedgelj]

Thank you!
I didn’t know if a 20 gauge could get it done, but I am now confident it will if I do my part.

Welcome!

I don't own anything but a 20 gauge. It'll get it done.

Winchester XX turkey loads have killed 2 for me, my brother (using a 20) used a blended turkey load last year and my son used one of the TSS loads to take his Jake with my gun last spring.

My 870 has a (relatively) cheap jellyhead choke. The one for the TSS was a little pricier.

Good luck this spring and i look forward to seeing more of your posts.

 

[JohnnyAuto]

AP Hill?

Pickett

 

[Left field]

Welcome to this place ! Have a Remington 870 20 gauge , I’ll pm you some ammo choices

 

[Dustinb80]

Welcome to this place ! Have a Remington 870 20 gauge , I’ll pm you some ammo choices

Post it here so others know as well.

 

[Left field]

I have Winchester 20 gauge 3 inch 1 1/4 #5 and Remington Nitro 3 inch 1 1/4 #5 # I like #5 shot because it patterned well and has 170 pellets compared to#4 130 pellets

 

[JohnnyAuto]

Welcome to this place ! Have a Remington 870 20 gauge , I’ll pm you some ammo choices

Perfect, thank you!

I know much depends on pattern, but what would be a ballpark practical range?

 

[Fletch]

20 gauge is plenty.... Ammo wise if you can get Winchester Long Beard XR in number 5 shot is the way to go... Start looking now for ammo as it may be hard to get... Once you get ammo PATTERN YOUR GUN... Spring turkey hunting is all about calling the bird in, the closer the better... Nothing better than when YOU become the hunted... GOOD LUCK...

 

[Left field]

Perfect, thank you!

I know much depends on pattern, but what would be a ballpark practical Depends on area you hunt what brush trees ect. in the way , 40 yards is a good start keep going further 5 yard increments till you find your max range

 

[Sgt Fury]

Perfect, thank you!

I know much depends on pattern, but what would be a ballpark practical range?

40 yards max. You can stretch it a bit if using TSS loads and if your gun is patterning well. I’ve killed a few at 70 yards with a 12 gauge but that was wide open field and that gun was shooting an awesome pattern. Most of my kills with a 20 gauge have been 40 yards and under. Welcome aboard and good luck this spring.

 

[Big_Holla]

Definitely pattern each load you try before you hunt. You can have the most expensive and highly recommended load that patterns like shit out of your gun compared to a different brand/load.

 

[Hedgelj]

40 yards max. You can stretch it a bit if using TSS loads and if your gun is patterning well. I’ve killed a few at 70 yards with a 12 gauge but that was wide open field and that gun was shooting an awesome pattern. Most of my kills with a 20 gauge have been 40 yards and under. Welcome aboard and good luck this spring.

TSS allows you to stretch a good bit further than 40 yards. I've got more pellets in the head/neck at 65 yards with TSS than my 870 puts with the winchester xx turkey loads at 40. That's why you can easily use to 40+ with a .410 and TSS loads.

 

[Left field]

use a TruGlo choke for the 20gauge