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

First time I limited on geese it was with a 20 gauge double and 1,0 oz of #6 lead shot. The geese were flying quite low, well within range. All were 1-shot kills, save one that took two shots.

Lots of ducks dropped to 7/8, 1,0 oz or 1 1/8 oz of Pb or Bi in 20s, 16s and 12s over decoys and jump shooting. Mostly mallards. Who need 10 bores or 3,0 inch hulls?

Never shoot turkeys with shotgun, but, at 20-30 yards, only a few pellets have to hit the head/neck. 20 can do that as well as anything else, just need tight choke.

Niklas

Anyone remember the article in DGJ a few years back where a guy got a Grand Slam on turkeys by taking one with a Parker in each of the 6 standard gauges (10 to .410 bore) in one season? Smaller gauges can definitely be used, but it's not for the casual turkey hunter who primarily wants to kill a bird. I have hunted ol' Tom all my life, but only recently have switched from 3" magnum modern guns to damascus Parkers with 1-1/4 oz. low pressure loads. I've had good success but I limit my range with discipline, and let them walk if I can't call them in close. I figure I haven't done my part and don't deserve them (happens more than I'd like, too). I've killed enough turkeys in my time that now I'm more interested in HOW I kill one (i.e. the gun used) than adding more beards on the wall. I think the same philosophy would be appropriate for anyone contemplating using a small gauge gun (I have a 20 ga. Parker that I'll take along someday). Turkeys are much tougher and harder to put down than most people who've never shot one realize. NOTHING will make you feel worse than working hard for a bird and losing it with a bad (or ill-advised) shot - even worse than a nice buck in my opinion. They are too majestic to waste.

Spring turkey hunting is about calling, 20yards max with #6 in a tightly bored 20ga. should do the trick.
They're tough birds, the closer the better, which brings us back to calling skills.
Ducks over decoys will be fine - leave the geese to 12s and up.

I use the a 20 SxS for waterfowl hunting over decoys most of the time. I shoot both bismuth and Kent Matrix no. 5 shot for ducks and Kent Matrix no. 3 shot for geese. Turkeys with in 25 yds. with a properly choked 20 should not be a problem. By the way today is the first day of the 1st period (we have 6) and it is snowing pretty good. Already couple of inches on ground. I've got periods 4 and 6.

You're right, Cameron. Steel's bad enough coming out of a 12. Out of a 20 it's criminal. My 12ga buddies have centred ducks and geese with disappointing results. I've seen enough to say steel is permissable only with dogs.

I have hunted turkeys for 25 years, so here's my two cents: It's a matter of pattern density.
Given the extra full chokes normally used when turkey hunting and #4 lead shot, there is an adequate pattern for the turkey to receive the requisite number of pellets in a vital spot out to any range you would reasonably shoot a turkey at. A quick trip to the patterning board with a turkey sillouette target will yield the proof.
With the ducks, you will probably open up to ic or mod chokes, and switch to #2 steel. With this combination, the pattern should hold together enough to cleanly kill ducks out to a reasonable range of 30-35 yds.
The geese are the problem, because you will likely move up to steel BB shot. Now, you have a problem because even using 3" 20 ga. shells, you will not be getting that many BB-size pellets in the payload to begin with. As the pattern spreads, you will quickly run out of pattern density, forcing you to either take closer shots, or jump up to a shell that holds more shot, such as 12ga or 10ga.

Wasn't Francis Sell a proponent of the 3" 20 gauge for waterfowl, in the pre-lead ban days? I suppose I'm dating myself, but, I bought a Ruger Red label 20 based on his writings, trying to have the mythical "All Round" gun.

Hey, I was a teenager, and low on cash-it was used, and less than $400. Blued frame, and fixed chokes. Worst patterning gun I have ever owned, by a huge margin, when loaded with any type of 3" ammunition I could get my hands on. This gun was my introduction to regulation, or, more correctly, lack thereof. Don't start saying I ripped all Rugers, it was just the copy I owned that was a problem child, and why it was cheap and used-some lessons are learned the hard way.

Anyway, I bought a better, non 3" double, also in 20, and said the hell with ducks (shooting a canvasback or redhead was like shooting a bald eagle in MN, circa 1981) and went grouse hunting. I think much better quality tungsten matrix and heavy-shot loads exist today, which might make using a 20 a reality on turkeys, ducks and geese.

However, should I travel that path again, I'll have a better suited tool than the 20 for the work at hand. I don't need to try to make a 20 into a 12 these days. An additional lesson I've learned, I guess you could say.
Best,
Ted

John,
I used to shot lots of decoyed snows/blues with lead 3" 1 1/4 oz. #6 lead 20 ga.in the "old days", it was deadly. My brother currently uses 3" Kent tungsten matrix #3's on geese with great results. You didn't say what type of gun you were using, but if it can take new, modern loads your 20 will do the job.
I have no personal experience with turkey, but two friends, both avid turkey hunters, use 20's and 6's with great results.
The problem you will encounter with steel 20 ga. loads is most have fairly low velocity and small payloads, with steel speed kills! You'll be ok on short range decoying ducks but I wouldn't expect too much from steel 20's on big birds or anything much over 35 yards.

Steve

If you can't call them away from the hens, makes no difference what your shooting - you'll go home empty handed.
Fall turkey is pot luck, where and when you find them.

Thanks guys:
It is not I that will go afield and marsh. It is a young friend that is a very good and avid shot.
The gun is a W & C Scott that will be refurbished and have 20 gauge tubes in its 10 gauge bores.
We will attend to the pattern board and if all looks well,itis good to go.
Thanks for the feedback. Surely others will profit by your testaments.
Alex is a patient young man and fully understands good sportsman like conduct. He understands game conservation so his shots will be the result of good call-ins and in range.
We will keep you posted.
Best,
John