What’s the best shotgun for turkey hunting? There was a time when the answer was clear and simple. There was a time when anything less than a 12-gauge over your shoulder left you feeling ill equipped and under-gunned. A few decades ago, turkey hunters wanted their bird at 40 yards or less to make a clean kill with their 12-gauge shotgun. But times are changing fast. Thanks to the ability to load a sub-gauge shotgun with TSS ammunition, the game has changed. So nowadays, when the question is asked, “What’s the best shotgun for turkey hunting?” the answer isn’t so clear and simple. The opinions are changing. The question now seems to be, “Is the 20-gauge the perfect turkey gun?”
Read on for a look at why the 20-gauge shotgun has grown to be a new favorite among turkey hunters across the country each spring.
Turkey hunting is a beloved tradition for many hunters across the United States. The challenge of calling in a wary old tom and getting him within range is exhilarating. However, successfully harvesting a turkey requires the right gear, including choosing the best shotgun. The 12 gauge has long been the go-to turkey gun, but the 20 gauge is gaining popularity. Here is a comprehensive guide on whether a 20 gauge is a good choice for turkey hunting.
The Rise of the 20 Gauge for Turkeys
The 12 gauge shotgun has ruled supreme for turkey hunting for decades. The heavy hitting 3-inch magnum loads provide enough power to kill a turkey out to 60 yards or more. However, the 12 gauge is heavy, kicking, and often overkill for today’s shots at 20-40 yards.
The 20 gauge offers many advantages over the 12 gauge while still packing plenty of turkey stopping power. 20 gauge shotguns are lighter quicker handling have less recoil, and are more comfortable for smaller-framed hunters. Plus, modern 20 gauge turkey loads like those with TSS shot provide devastating patterns that rival the 12 gauge.
According to many experienced turkey hunters, the 20 gauge loaded properly is plenty gun for turkeys inside 50 yards. The consensus is that the 20 is easier to carry and shoot, especially for long days of run-and-gun hunting, making it an excellent choice as a turkey shotgun.
Benefits of Using a 20 Gauge for Turkeys
Here are some of the biggest benefits of using a 20 gauge shotgun for turkey hunting:
Lighter Weight
A 20 gauge shotgun weighs around a pound less than a similar 12 gauge. For hunters covering a lot of ground, this can make a meaningful difference in fatigue over the course of a morning hunt or entire season. The lighter gun is simply easier to carry.
Lower Recoil
The 20 gauge has significantly less felt recoil than the 12 gauge, even when using the same relative power of turkey loads. Less recoil makes the gun more comfortable to shoot for smaller-framed hunters, women, and youth. After a full day of hunting, shoulders appreciate the softer shooting 20 gauge.
Faster Handling
With typical barrel lengths around 24 inches and lighter overall weight, 20 gauge shotguns are lively and fast handling in the tight confines of turkey hunting. Getting on target quickly for close range shooting is easier with the compact 20.
Versatility
The 20 gauge works great for hunters of all sizes, from kids to women to older hunters. It also performs well with everything from light target loads to heavy payload turkey magnums. The 20 is at home both in turkey woods and on the clay target range.
Matching the 20 Gauge Load to the Task
While a 20 gauge may be lighter and quicker handling than a 12 gauge, it does have less payload capacity. However, modern ammunition with dense tungsten-based shot has dramatically improved 20 gauge performance, especially for turkeys.
Here are some top 20 gauge turkey loads that allow the 20 to rival the 12:
- Winchester Longbeard XR – Proven blend of shot and specialized wad provides excellent 40-yard patterns
- Federal Power-Shok Copperplate – Copper-plated lead shot in #4, #5, #6 for 40-50 yard effectiveness
- Remington Nitro Turkey – Dense buffered shotcols provide 50 yard patterns with #4, #5, #6 shot options
- Apex TSS – Revolutionary tungsten “TSS” shot excels at 40-60 yard patterns in #7, #9 sizes
With the right shells, hunters can feel fully confident in the 20 gauge as a turkey gun across normal ranges. Be sure to pattern your chosen load in your individual gun to confirm performance before hunting. Overall, the modern 20 gauge is highly effective medicine for turkeys inside 50 steps.
Recommended 20 Gauge Shotguns for Turkeys
Any modern pump action, semi-auto, or double barrel 20 gauge can work for turkeys. That said, here are some purpose-built 20 gauge turkey guns to consider:
- Mossberg 500/535 Turkey Thug – Built for 3″ loads, optimized ergonomics, Mossy Oak camo
- Benelli Super Black Eagle 2 – Reliable inertia action, 26″ barrel, stock shim kit
- Franchi Instinct SL – Light 5.8 lb weight, adjustable stock, 24″ barrel for youth/women
- CZ Redhead Premier – Classic look with silver receiver, quality craftsmanship, affordable
- Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen – Revered humpback semi-auto design, iconic good looks
There are also outstanding 20 gauge options from Weatherby, Remington, Savage, Winchester, and more. Go with a trusted brand matched to your budget and preferences.
Final Thoughts on the 20 Gauge Turkey Gun
The 20 gauge is lighter, quicker, and more comfortable to carry and shoot than the traditional 12 gauge turkey standard. Match modern loads like Longbeard XR, Nitro Turkey, or Apex TSS to give your 20 all the power it needs for turkeys past 40 yards. With the right ammo, the 20 gauge is certainly lethal medicine for toms inside normal ranges. For hunters of all ages and sizes up for the challenge, the 20 can make an excellent turkey shotgun.
A Lighter Gun
Regardless of the gear we carry to the woods on opening day, we’ll typically find ways to trim the fat as the season wears on. When the weather warms up, and the days grow long, we typically do our best to shave the weight from our turkey vest when grinding it out for a hard-headed longbeard. We cover a lot of ground each spring, so it only makes sense to lighten the load on our back. One way to do this is with a lighter gun. That’s just one area where the 20-gauge can shine. It’s easy on the back and a pleasure to carry on all-day hunts.
What’s the difference? The hunter willing to pack a 20-gauge can shave anywhere from 1-2 pounds of weight, depending on which model gun they tote to the woods. It may not seem like a lot, but you’ll certainly notice the difference on those long days when you’re putting lots of miles on your turkey boots.
There’s a variety of lighter shotshell loads available for the 20-gauge these days that make the gun a pleasure to shoot for youngsters and older turkey hunters alike. You’ll find versatility like never before when it comes to the options available for the 20-gauge turkey gun. Sure, you can load up the heavy loads and punish your shoulder with the recoil for a little extra reach, but in most cases, the lighter, super-efficient 20-gauge loads are more than enough to get the job done on your bird. Hunters across the country are trading in their 3 ½” turkey loads for lighter 20-gauge options that still pack plenty of punch.
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FAQ
Can I hunt turkey with 20-gauge?
The two most common gauges used for turkey hunting, in order, are a 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotgun. A 12-gauge has a larger, wider barrel than a 20-gauge.May 6, 2022
What is the effective range of a 20-gauge turkey gun?
However, with the advancements in today’s turkey loads, 40 and 50-yard shots on turkeys with the . 20 gauge are the norm, and 60 yard+ shots are not uncommon. It’s amazing to see the power the little . 20 gauge can punch these days with the right load combination.
Is 20 or 12 better for turkey hunting?
There are several advantages to hunting turkeys with a 20 gauge versus a 12. First of all, most 20 gauges are a pound or two lighter than 12s, and as a result offer faster handling. Twenty-gauge shotguns are also more compact than 12s and usually have shorter barrels.
What can you hunt with a 20-gauge?
20 gauge is upland birds like quail and grouse. Can be used for deer at closer ranges, but better suited to coyote and fox.
Should you buy a 20 gauge turkey gun?
When it comes to the options for a 20-gauge turkey gun, you’ll find versatility. Although you can use heavy loads for a little extra reach and shoulder recoil, in most cases, the lighter, super-efficient 20-gauge loads are more than enough to get the job done on your bird.
Is a 20 gauge Turkey a good size?
Just for the record, I shoot 3-inch, Hevi-Shot, ounce-and-a-quarter, size 6 turkey loads from my 20 gauge, and have found it to be a devastating shell, especially coupled with an extra-full choke. As with kids, some smaller women—and senior turkey hunters—would benefit from a 20-gauge.
Is a 20-gauge suitable for turkey hunting?
The 20-gauge is a well-rounded option with ample versatility to meet the needs of shooters; it is suitable for turkey hunting. There was a time when 40 yards was considered the far side of a turkey hunter’s effective range with a 12-gauge.
Should you buy a 20 gauge gun?
As with kids, some smaller women—and senior turkey hunters—would benefit from a 20-gauge. These people, and I’m including myself in the senior category, simply don’t have the upper body strength required to hold a heavy 12-gauge in the shooting position for the extended time it takes some reluctant gobblers to finally stroll within gun range.
What are the pros and cons of a 20 gauge Turkey?
Pros: Cons: The 20-gauge is the second-most popular turkey gauge in America. The 28-gauge might be foreign to some. This .550-inch gauge isn’t very popular. For the most part, it’s used by clay killers and upland bird hunters. Very few turkey hunters carry it. Still, for those fortunate enough to have a custom outfit, it offers some advantages.
Is a 16 gauge shotgun good for turkey hunting?
It’s also a great general purpose and small game shotgun. Squirrel and rabbit hunters especially benefit from the decreased weight and recoil that comes with 12- and 10-gauge blasters. Still, from a turkey hunting perspective, it presents major issues. “The 16-gauge has the same problem as the 28-gauge—gun and ammo availability,” Reich said.