Is a 12 gauge or 20 gauge better for turkey hunting?
Plenty of Power. As mentioned above, there was a time when 40 yards was considered the far side of a turkey hunter’s effective range with a 12-gauge. However, with the introduction of TSS loads, 40 yards and beyond, is easily accomplished with the 20-gauge shotgun.
Is 20 gauge good enough for turkey?
Turkey hunting guru, Ray Eye, is confident the 20 gauge is enough to anchor a big gobbler.
What is the difference between 12 Ga and 20 Ga?
In a 12 gauge shell, it will take 12 spherical balls (or shot or pellets or projectiles) of equal size and weight, to equal one pound of shot. In a 20 gauge, it will take 20 balls of equal size and weight to equal one pound of shot.
Is a 20 gauge better than 12?
A 12 gauge shotgun load is heavier and delivers more power than 20 gauge ammo does. As a result, a 12 gauge is typically better equipped to take larger game. You do sacrifice some things for that power 12 gauge shotguns have more recoil than 20 gauge and the firearm itself is more of a burden to carry.
What is the best shotgun for turkeys?
8 of the Best Turkey Hunting Shotguns on the Market Right Now
- Remington 870 Express. Cabela’s.
- Mossberg 500. Cabela’s.
- Winchester SX4 Semi-Automatic. Cabela’s.
- Stoeger M3500. Cabela’s.
- Benelli Performance Shop M2 Turkey Edition. Cabela’s.
- Savage 212/220 Turkey Bolt-Action. Cabela’s.
- Savage 301 Single Shot. Cabela’s.
- Franchi Affinity.
What gauge shotgun do you need for turkey?
But if you were serious about killing turkeys, you were shooting a 12 gauge of some kind. Today, 12 gauges are still the most popular. However, recent advances in shotshells have enabled turkey gun manufacturers to cater to a growing crowd of hunters who favor smaller bores.
Is a 12 gauge shotgun good for turkey hunting?
Some folks even self-loaded hot 20-gauge homebrews that could tip over a gobbler with the best of ’em. But if you were serious about killing turkeys, you were shooting a 12 gauge of some kind. Today, 12 gauges are still the most popular.
What is a good 12 gauge turkey load?
Lead Turkey Loads A good compromise is #5 copper-plated lead pellets loaded in a 12-gauge 3-inch magnum shot shell. With this setup, you’ll be good out to 40 yards, and perhaps 50 if your gun is patterned tight. If you want better range and lethality, you’ll need to consider using tungsten shot.
Is a 12-gauge shotgun good for turkey hunting?
Can you hunt turkey with a 12-gauge?
Best Shotgun Gauge for Turkey Hunting The main thing to consider when choosing a shotgun for turkey hunting is confidence. You want to go with a shotgun you’re comfortable shooting with the right choke and load. A 12-gauge may shoot further than a 20-gauge, but the 20-gauge has less recoil.
What size shot is good for turkey?
Shooters might use shot as small as #9 for very small birds like quail, or as large as #2 for large birds like geese and swans. For comparison, there are 585 #9 lead pellets in an ounce versus only 90 #2 pellets in an ounce. For turkey hunting, shot sizes 4, 5 and 6 will all work.
What is a good 20-gauge turkey load?
A standard 2 ¾-inch or 3-inch magnum tungsten load is more than enough for killing turkeys out past 50 yards. Additionally, the advantages of tungsten shells make 20-gauge shotguns indisputably effective turkey killers.
What is the best turkey load to use?
Bagging Birds – The 5 Best Turkey Hunting Loads for Shotguns
- Remington Nitro Turkey. SALE. Affordable, Reliable, and Lethal.
- Hevi Shot Magnum Blend. SALE. Heavy Duty Knock Down Power.
- Winchester Long Beard XR Turkey. SALE. Long Range Lethality.
- Federal Premium 3rd Degree. SALE. One Load.
- Winchester Double X High-Velocity. SALE.
What kicks more 12-gauge or 20-gauge?
How Does the Recoil of a 12-Gauge Compare to that of a 20-Gauge Shotgun? An average 12-gauge shotgun load produces 40-60% more recoil than a 20-gauge shotgun if all else is equal. The recoil difference between a 12-gauge and a 20-gauge shotgun is minimal in target loads, but more pronounced in waterfowl loads.
Is Mossberg 500 a good turkey gun?
The Mossberg Model 500 pump shotgun, is, for the money, one of the best duck hunting shotguns you can buy. It’s also the best deer hunting shotguns. And one of the best turkey guns.
What is the difference between 12-gauge and 20-gauge turkeys?
Federal’s 3rd Degree turkey loads in 12-gauge and 20-gauge have similar results. The 12-gauge has a muzzle velocity of 1,250 feet per second, while the 20 has only 1,100 feet per second. Because the 12-gauge, in general, is faster in exit velocity than the 20-gauge, it will also have a better effective range.
Can you hunt turkeys with a 12 gauge?
Turkeys aren’t moving at speeds that dove and ducks are, so you can get away with a heavier shot. Several people will use 12-gauge loads for big-game hunting, as well. Your odds are certainly better at longer distances with a 12-gauge if you’re using buckshot loads.
What is the difference between a 12 gauge and a 20 gauge?
The 12-gauge has a muzzle velocity of 1,250 feet per second, while the 20 has only 1,100 feet per second. Velocity/Energy Winner: 12-gauge
Is a 12 gauge or 20 gauge better for duck hunting?
Because the 12-gauge, in general, is faster in exit velocity than the 20-gauge, it will also have a better effective range. Because of that increased range, hunters can place shots with confidence on geese and ducks that may be out of range for users of a 20-gauge shotgun.