20 gauge same as 12 gauge?

I don't think either of his guns shot well at 40 yards sorry. I think under 25 yards any shotgun regardless if its a 12 gauge or 20 gauge will put down a turkey. What matters more in my eyes other then pattern is penetration at longer ranges. I would love to see a ballistic test done at 40 yards with those same guns and see if theres a difference. This year was the first year that I shot a turkey at a longer range. I never had to shoot a turkey more then 40 yards before. I did practice a lot but i always wondered how effective it would be on a live target above 40 yards. I did harvest that turkey lucky or not, but would I have with a 20 gauge? I don't know, not saying that it cant I just don't have any experience with the 20 gauges.

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Originally Posted by Jeff Kavanagh

To me the rush is having them right on top of me.

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My Turkey guns are; a) the 16 ga with Kent Ultimate load...great for a sure kill under 30 yds. The 16 ga is becoming a popular turkey gun in many circles.

But my preferred Turkey gun B) ; for the past 10 yrs or so is my 12 ga Black Powder shot gun. I've worked up load with #5 shot that gives me a tight pattern out to 30yds ...but I rarely have to shot beyond 20. In fact, a couple of years I had to wait till they moved away from my blind, I wanted them farther away to ensue I had a sufficient pattern to ensure a good hit HaHa...

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Originally Posted by MikePal

My Turkey guns are; a) the 16 ga with Kent Ultimate load...great for a sure kill under 30 yds. The 16 ga is becoming a popular turkey gun in many circles.


Too close is not good either lol I had one so close one time I felt what he was thinking LOL

But my preferred Turkey gun B) ; for the past 10 yrs or so is my 12 ga Black Powder shot gun. I've worked up load with #5 shot that gives me a tight pattern out to 30yds ...but I rarely have to shot beyond 20. In fact, a couple of years I had to wait till they moved away from my blind, I wanted them farther away to ensue I had a sufficient pattern to ensure a good hit HaHa...

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Too close is not good either, I had one so close one time I felt what he was thinking LOL Then when he stepped further out I know what he was thinking and that was oh sh!!!t

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Originally Posted by tom gobble

Too close is not good either, I had one so close one time I felt what he was thinking LOL Then when he stepped further out I know what he was thinking and that was oh sh!!!t

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I’ve missed a couple birds that were too close !

Killing penetration at extended distances is an issue but I don't see how the gauge factors into that. Speed and weight don't know gauge.

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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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I warm up with these then switch to Fed Mag turkey loads with 2-1/4 oz shot. Ouch haha. Tripple Beard is up there also.
I did my own testing with my daughter 20 with 2 different choke, it didn’t take long to park it. She can handle the 3 “ 12 gauge. We travel 14 hours (return) to Turkey hunt, we like to put all odds in our favour. I shot them from 20 to 47 yard which was my furthest. I don’t think I would go past that.
Love turkey hunting.

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Originally Posted by kickingfrog

Killing penetration at extended distances is an issue but I don't see how the gauge factors into that. Speed and weight don't know gauge.

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Yep, a 410 has the same energy as a 10ga per pellet given identical weight, the key is putting those pellets on target.

There are guys now using 410s with #9 heavier than lead shot for turkeys in the states, tight and hard hitting patterns at the same ranges as normal 12ga hunting.

With the proper gun/choke/load combo, 55+ yards is doable and ethical.

With my Derya MK12, Patternmaster and Longbeard 3" #6s, I'm more than happy to shoot out to 60 -- as a matter of fact, my wife shot a hung up bird at 62 yards this past Spring with my setup.

With all that said, 95% of my birds are shot at less than 20 yards. It's just nice to know you can take that poke if need be.



-Nick

I like them in close enough you can smell them. LoL ! Ideally 20 yards but have taken birds further out. Last bird was 35 yards. I put out sticks to mark my outer range as my decoys will be approx. 15 yards out. Btw; I shoot a 12 gauge 11-87 with a rifle sight barrel and Undertaker choke and found Kent shells to actually pattern better than my old Longbeards both are 3 inch #5's.

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Originally Posted by longpointer

I like them in close enough you can smell them. LoL ! Ideally 20 yards but have taken birds further out. Last bird was 35 yards. I put out sticks to mark my outer range as my decoys will be approx. 15 yards out. Btw; I shoot a 12 gauge 11-87 with a rifle sight barrel and Undertaker choke and found Kent shells to actually pattern better than my old Longbeards both are 3 inch #5's.

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At 15 yards you are overkill with your load :D, if you like them in tight try testing out some #6 game loads with that tight choke, it is amazing how well they can pattern.

The old Win 1897 with a factory full choke will walk a pop can down the pit out to about 75 yards with #6 1 1/8oz of shot.

The last turkey I got was a 20lb Tom with a 16ga 1 1/8oz load of #6 at about 20 yards, maybe a hair closer, was the barrel marked full choke but measures out to an extra full.