20 gauge same as 12 gauge?

A long time hunting buddy of mine, Ian did some testing a while back on the effectiveness of a 20 gauge versus a 12 gauge for turkey hunting. He did a bunch of pattern tests with the guns from 20 yards out to 40 yards. I just thought some people might enjoy this. It starts about a third of the way into the video.
None of it surprised me at all as I've always been a proponent of smaller, lighter loads myself anyway. I just I like my shoulder to stay right where it is. Haha.
After all, wild turkeys were made extinct here in Ontario years ago with the 2 1/2" shell.
Just say'n.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=632Z...F5&index=6

I like chasing my hat, when my 3.5 Longbeard XRs are touched off !!!! Lol

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

I like chasing my hat, when my 3.5 Longbeard XRs are touched off !!!! Lol

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Hahahaha!

Watched the vid, I wouldn't consider either gun at 40yds a definite kill. I agree a 20 out to 30 yds with the proper choke out to 40 yds. I think a 12 with the proper choke can get much better hits on a target than they showed at 40yds out to 60yds. I have shot my 12 out to 60yds and have way more hits in the kill zone then they showed at 40. I have even tried at 70 and have more hits, but I don't consider that a good kill shot. I will stick with my 3" LB #6 with the proper choke.

All my Turkey kills (more than 20) were with 2 3/4 inch shells from a 12 ga. Furthest out was probably 35 yds. Only advantage I found with 3 inch magnums was hunting Geese with BBB. Saved my 20 for Grouse and Rabbits......................Daniel

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Originally Posted by sabmgb

Watched the vid, I wouldn't consider either gun at 40yds a definite kill. I agree a 20 out to 30 yds with the proper choke out to 40 yds. I think a 12 with the proper choke can get much better hits on a target than they showed at 40yds out to 60yds. I have shot my 12 out to 60yds and have way more hits in the kill zone then they showed at 40. I have even tried at 70 and have more hits, but I don't consider that a good kill shot. I will stick with my 3" LB #6 with the proper choke.

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So you feel that #6 shot at 70 yards have enough energy to kill a turkey?

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Originally Posted by Fox

So you feel that #6 shot at 70 yards have enough energy to kill a turkey?

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I’ve read that post 3 times and don’t see where sabmgb has said that at all !!

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

I’ve read that post 3 times and don’t see where sabmgb has said that at all !!

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I did read that he said he does not consider that a good kill shot. I do question though the chokes and wads that give people a much better pattern but neglect to consider the energy per pellet just to punch into the skull at that distance. I can see a neck shot not needing a lot but #6 does not hold a lot of energy when you move down range.

My last turkey was shot with a 16ga double, the full choke barrel and 1 1/8oz of #6 shot, it was a 20 yard shot. A 60-70 yard shot would feel really weird to me, but I cannot say how much penetration a pellet has at that range.

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Originally Posted by boogaloo

All my Turkey kills (more than 20) were with 2 3/4 inch shells from a 12 ga. Furthest out was probably 35 yds. Only advantage I found with 3 inch magnums was hunting Geese with BBB. Saved my 20 for Grouse and Rabbits......................Daniel

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Yeah, I'm the same here. If they're gonna come in, their gonna come in. If I'm in the woods then many times I'll have the decoys 5 to 10 yards out in front of me. I think the furthest I've ever shot a bird is around 18 yards and that was with my bow. If they don't wanna commit then there's always another day and many times there's a good reason and a lesson to have learned of why I've blown the hunt somehow. To me the rush is having them right on top of me.

Thanks Rick, I would not take a 70yd shot, I have at a target and that was enough to say too far. I do know guys that say they are comfortable with that, but not me. And I'd be pretty stupid if I didn't think of penetration when shooting a turkey or any animal. I let them come in if they are coming, but I will take them at 30yds, my personal preference.