Turkey hunting with a 20 gauge shotgun has become increasingly popular in recent years, Many hunters are making the switch from heavier 12 gauges to the lighter and handier 20 gauge But is a 20 gauge really powerful enough to take down a turkey? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of using a 20 gauge for turkey hunting
The Case for the 20 Gauge
There are several good reasons to choose a 20 gauge shotgun for turkey hunting:
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Lighter weight. 20 gauge shotguns are typically around 1-2 pounds lighter than 12 gauges. This makes them easier to carry and quicker to swing on a turkey. For hunters covering a lot of ground a lighter gun can make a big difference in comfort and maneuverability.
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Reduced recoil. The 20 gauge has noticeably less kick than a 12 gauge, especially when shooting heavy turkey loads. This makes it a great choice for smaller-framed hunters and youth getting started in the sport. Less recoil also helps improve accuracy for follow-up shots.
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Compact size. With their shorter barrels and smaller frames, 20 gauges are more compact overall than 12 gauges. This aids in handling in blinds and when moving through brush.
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Ammo cost. While not a huge difference, 20 gauge ammo does tend to cost a little less than 12 gauge loads. Over a full season of hunting, those few saved bucks per box can add up.
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Versatility. A 20 gauge loaded with the right turkey choke and ammunition is effective on turkeys while also being a handy all-around shotgun for small game, upland birds, and clays. One gun can do it all.
Concerns About Stopping Power
The main reservation hunters have about the 20 gauge for turkeys is stopping power. With their smaller payload, 20 gauge shells clearly don’t hit as hard as 12 gauge magnum loads at longer ranges. There’s no disputing that fact.
However, with the right ammo choice and keeping shots inside 30-35 yards, a 20 gauge can absolutely kill a turkey dead. Modern turkey loads like Hevi-Shot and Federal with densities of 1 1⁄4 oz or more put enough pellets on target to get the job done. Heavy payloads like tungsten Super Shot extend effective range even further in a 20 gauge.
As with any shotgun, the key is matching ammunition performance to the range you expect to shoot. Keep the turkey close and a 20 will kill just as stone dead as a 12 at the same distance.
Ideal 20 Gauge Setups for Turkeys
Here are a few excellent 20 gauge options specifically designed with the turkey hunter in mind:
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Mossberg SA-20 Turkey Thug: This semi-auto packs a lot of features into a compact 20 gauge built for turkey hunting. The specialized stock and pistol grip provide quick handling. It comes with a 22″ barrel and adjustable fiber optic sights tuned for taking turkeys.
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Benelli Super Black Eagle 20 Gauge: The 20 gauge version of Benelli’s acclaimed SBE autoloader is a sleek, hard-hitting turkey gun. It’s drilled and tapped for optics and handles fast with the ComforTech stock. The 24″ barrel has an extended turkey choke tube.
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Franchi Affinity 3: Built on Franchi’s smooth Inertia Driven action, the lightweight Affinity in 20 gauge swings beautifully on turkeys. It comes in several camo patterns suited for turkey hunting, with a 24″ barrel and choke tubes included.
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Browning BPS: The BPS pump shotgun has been a favorite of turkey hunters for decades. From its bottom ejection to superb handling, it’s an excellent foundation for a 20 gauge turkey gun. Add an extra-full turkey choke tube and you’re ready to hunt.
The 20 Gauge is Enough Gun for Turkeys
While the 12 gauge certainly has advantages in knockdown power, today’s 20 gauge turkey loads have closed the gap considerably. The 20 offers lighter carry weight, quicker handling, and reduced recoil that many hunters find makes it a better choice for chasing spring gobblers. With some care taken to limit shots to reasonable distances, a 20 gauge shotgun is clearly enough gun to get the job done on turkeys.
The 20-gauge is lighter to hunt turkeys
Turkey hunting can sometimes mean miles of boot leather. For many, the idea of running and gunning is much more exciting than sitting still in a blind for hours, myself included. From cutting the edges of fields to my more recent ventures of hunting turkeys in log landings and big woods, there is a lot of exploring to be had. The idea of lugging a 12-gauge shotgun around has certainly lost its luster the older I get. And the idea of working smarter, not harder, is appealing.
There are certainly light shotguns in all gauges these days, but at 5′ 5″ and 150 pounds, I will stick to that 20-gauge going forward.
Less recoil from a 20-gauge to hunt turkeys
The idea that lighter weight means less recoil is not always true. Keep in mind that the lighter in weight the gun actually is, the less it will absorb the recoil. I have some 20-gauges that are as light as a feather and kick like a mule. However, if you put a 20-gauge at an equal setup to a 12-gauge, they will always kick less. This can make not only for easier handling but, more importantly, for better accuracy.
Past culture has always painted the picture of bigger calibers, gauges, and other things that were tied to an of “being manly.” The Neanderthal in that mentality, however, dismissed how much more deadly accuracy is than overkill. Less recoil always correlates with more accuracy.
Turkey Hunting 12 Gauge vs 20 Gauge Shotgun!
FAQ
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