doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 20 Guage for Turkey, Duck and Geese ?????

Please tell me your thoughts on using a 20 gauge gun for these larger birds.
Thanks and my best,
John

John,
I've not shot a turkey with a gun, but it seems that the guys on the boobtube all shoot them in the head. It would seem that a 20g with a tight pattern and any shot size capable of penetrating the skull of one should do fine. I took a 20g on a turkey hunt last year but used a bow instead. I'd like to hear from an experienced gun turkey hunter.

I wouldn't choose one for geese, but it's fine for ducks and turkeys. Many people overgun themselves for turkeys.

Of the two great published spoof stories I can remember, one involved a 20 gauge German spring action air shotgun where the guy used number 8 shot and shot only at the goose's throat from directly underneath the overflying bird. He used a set of tiny 6 inch long decoys designed to fool the geese into thinking they were higher than they were, to lure them down to about 20 yards off the deck so that the 8's would penetrate. Must have been about 25 years ago in Field and Stream or some such. Took me about 3/4 of the article before I figured out the guy was pulling legs. (The other was in Road and Track and involved an engine in a vintage Hispano-Suiza sportscar that had burled walnut exhaust valves, giving the car's exhaust a distinctly "nutty" aroma. I didn't fall for that one.). Personally, I need the ounce and 5/8ths of steel BB's my Spanish 10 gauge throws to get the job done. Turkeys may be another story. Have fun!

While I am far from an expert turkey hunter I have taken my share of birds. All were with a 12ga. using #4 shot. I would have to say that a 20 would likely be fine if you are not trying to reach out to far. That simply means you need to be more patient and a better caller to bring them in close enough for a clean kill with a 20. I'd guess that ducks and geese would be the same. You just need to shoot within the limits of the gun. But I'll stick to the 12.

Bill G.

I didn't know a Turkey could be killed with anything less than a 3 1/2 12 Ga. while camoflaged up like a Navy Seal ;^}

I have only killed a couple of turkeys, both with 2 3/4" 12ga, but I fully believe either could have been killed with a 20ga with proper loads. I killed one blue goose with a 3" 20ga using 1¼oz #4s (lead) in a Federal factory load. (close to 40 yrs ago). I recall "Reading" (not actual personally known to me facts) also many yrs ago, pre lead ban, about a Texas Game Warden who regularlly goose hunted with a standard 20ga shooting #7½s & used decoys & called in his geese & never shot beyond 35yds & held forward enough to insure hitting in the head & neck.

It takes one bad day in a blind to cure anyone of smaller gauges. I had one such day 30 years ago and with a dog it would not have been a bad day at all. All I know about turkeys is what I see on television. As Bill says, knows your limits. The 12 is best. But if you know your limits you're not handicapped with a 20, particularly three-inch.

I've seen plenty of ducks and geese fall to the 20 ga. I don't use one myself b/c I just don't have the right gun for it, but as the others have stated, if the bird is in range there's little reason to think a 20 will not be effectively lethal. Sure, pellet count may be less than in 12 ga., but same materials moving at the same speed do the same job when shot well. I personally use a 12 ga with 3/4 #5 1.25 oz. lead for turkey in an old tightly choked Ansley H. Fox for turkey. I'm not a world class caller, but insist on the bird being in close b/c that's what makes it fun. If I can't get the old boy in I let him do his thing and try again another day. If I had a 20 ga. choked down tight and new it shot a dense pattern, I don't think I'd hesitate to take it in the turkey woods. Just my 2 cents.

Best,
jmc

I've called turkeys in for a buddy that hunts almost exclusively with a 20 ga. He uses 1 1/4oz #4, and the few he's taken didn't know the difference between a 12 and 20. Of course the shots were within 30-35 yds, which I consider about max for a 20.

On the other hand, we used to hunt geese at Izembek Lagoon in AK using steel shot (pre-bismuth/heavy shot days) and I have to say, I suggested more than once he should go with a 12, due to the 20's lack of performance(he's a better wingshot than I, but it sure wasn't evident on those waterfowl hunts) Some of the shots taken were well within 35 yds, but he'd have to pump 2-3 shots into the birds with steel to bring them down. Fortunately, he took my advice, at least for waterfowl.

IMO, the 20 is not a good goose gauge unless used with shot resembling lead in performance!