20 gauge same as 12 gauge?

[Jeff Kavanagh]

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.

[rick_iles]

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

[Jeff Kavanagh]

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

Hahahaha!

[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.

[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

[Fox]

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.

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

[rick_iles]

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

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

[Fox]

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

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.

[Jeff Kavanagh]

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

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.

[sabmgb]

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.