Earlier than I ever bought severe about patterning turkey weapons, chokes, and masses, I believed the 12 gauge was the king of the turkey woods — and at all times could be. Like many turkey hunters, I killed my first birds with lead masses and easily figured that larger was higher. However then a number of years in the past I began taking pictures patterns and thoroughly evaluating the outcomes. I interviewed shotshell engineers about their knowledge on Tungsten Tremendous Shot.
By means of this I realized that the 12 gauge vs 20 gauge turkey gun debate is a little more sophisticated. In actual fact, in some circumstances a 20 gauge can out-perform a 12 gauge, ecspecially when each platforms are taking pictures TSS.
Should you actually wish to optimize your setup for lethality, the gauge you select is just a part of the equation. What issues most is discovering a gun/choke/load mixture that works properly collectively.
What follows is a take a look at what hunters have to find out about turkey weapons, gauges, and masses together with some patterning outcomes I’ve seen by the years. We’ll additionally handle a number of the previous turkey gun myths.
12 Gauge vs 20 Gauge Turkey Gun Fundamentals
Earlier than we dive into the small print, it’s greatest to determine the fundamentals. To start with, turkey searching is greatest when it’s a close-range recreation. Each 12 and 20 gauges plus 28 gauges and .410s are adequate for ethically killing turkeys at 30 yards and in. However at 40, 50, and 60 yards, there’s much more variation when it comes to lethality. The primary variations between 12 and 20 gauges come right down to bore diameter and chamber size.
- 12 Gauge Bore Diameter: .729 inches
- 20 Gauge Bore Diameter: .615 inches
- 12 Gauge Max Chamber Size: 3.5 inches
- 20 Gauge Max Chamber Size: 3 inches
Understanding Payloads
The specs above basically imply that 12 gauges can shoot bigger shells with heavier payloads. Bear in mind the payload is the load of the shot contained within the shell. A heavier payload theoretically means placing extra pellets on track (extra on this later). Right here’s a take a look at how that breaks down with the perfect lead turkey load we’ve examined, the Winchester Longbeard XR.
| Gauge | Chamber Size | Make/Mannequin | Payload | Shot Measurement | Approx Pellets Per Shell |
| 12 | 3.5 | Winchester Longbeard XR | 2 1/8 oz | No. 5 | 361 |
| 12 | 3 | Winchester Longbeard XR | 1 7/8 oz | No. 5 | 319 |
| 20 | 3 | Winchester Longbeard XR | 1 1/4 oz | No. 5 | 212 |
When taking pictures conventional lead turkey masses, the 12-gauge has a severe benefit. However this all will get rather more fascinating after we dive into the rising and various world of TSS turkey masses. Right here ammo makers are loading quite a lot of shot sizes (typically stacked in the identical shell) together with hefty payloads. In some circumstances, you may shoot a 12-gauge sized payload out of a 20-gauge sized shell.
Beneath is a pattern of in style TSS turkey masses, ranked by the approximate variety of pellets they maintain per shell.
In fact, all issues being equal, a 12-gauge (particularly with a 3.5-inch chamber) means that you can shoot a bigger payload and extra pellets per shell. However by tweaking shot sizes and choosing heavy TSS payloads, the 20-gauge will be aggressive.
Patterning Actuality Examine
In the end it’s not what number of pellets you could have within the shell, however what number of you may placed on goal. The usual for measuring turkey patterns is to rely what number of pellets strike inside a 10-inch diameter circle drawn across the core of the sample. Patterns are shot from 40 yards. As a result of there will be important variation in sample density from shot to shot, it’s essential to shoot a number of patterns and common them to get an actual understanding of how a gun/choke/load carry out.
In case your setup places a fair sample of 100 pellets inside a 10-inch circle constantly, you could have an appropriate, turkey-killing rig at that given vary. From our expertise testing turkey guns and turkey loads at Outside Life, just about all 12-gauge and 20-gauge turkey weapons paired with TSS masses will put greater than 100 pellets inside a 10-inch circle at 40 yards.
Nevertheless not all gun/load/choke combos sample tightly sufficient to ethically kill gobblers at 50 or 60 yards. And apparently, deciding on the proper choke/load combo for tight patterns is often extra essential than merely going with the larger gauge. Listed below are a pair examples the place 20 gauges shot simply as properly, and even considerably higher than 12 gauges utilizing the identical masses and shot sizes (and smaller payloads).
After a number of years of diligently patterning turkey weapons (and taking pictures as many turkeys as I’m legally allowed) I don’t suppose that both of the 12-gauge gun/load examples above could be appropriate for taking pictures turkeys a lot past 50 yards. On the flip facet, I’m very assured that the 20-gauge Retay/Federal combo could be succesful at 50-plus (after all we’d have to check to verify max vary).
The purpose right here is that simply because you could have a 12-gauge turkey gun and costly TSS masses doesn’t imply that your setup is routinely adequate for constantly or ethically killing gobblers at 50 yards and past.
The 20-gauge examples above aren’t even the perfect sub-gauge patterns we’ve shot. In my assessment of the best 20 gauge turkey loads I used to be in a position to common 301 pellets inside a 10-inch circle with Boss Tom No. 9 and 259 pellets with Apex Greenleaf. (All of those masses have been shot with the Retay Gordion Turkey at 40 yards).
Now to be honest, dense patterns of 250-plus pellets on track are most simply achieved with a 12 gauge. Should you search round boards and YouTube you’ll see all types of examples of loopy dense patterns. The very best sample we’ve shot just lately was from a Remington 870 with a Primos Jellyhead choke (.660) and Apex’s Greenleaf load (No. 9 and No. 10s).
This combo put 439 pellets in a 10-inch circle. That may be overkill in most traditional searching conditions, however if you happen to’re on the lookout for most sample density at vary, it’s exhausting to argue with these outcomes.
The 12-Gauge Knockdown Energy Fable
There’s a prevalent line of considering on the market that the 12 gauge has extra “knockdown energy” than sub-gauge shotguns. However that comes from a misunderstanding of how a shotgun sample kills birds. Shotgun lethality outcomes from sample density (which we’ve coated above) and pellet penetration.
In my interview with Federal Premium ammunition engineer Adam Moser final yr, he instructed turkey hunters to contemplate penetration power greater than kinetic power. Penetration power is the measure of pellet power per cross-sectional space, Moser says. In different phrases, it’s the kinetic power of the pellet divided by its floor space, additionally known as the 2D space of the pellet (Ke=1/2 mv²).
Right here’s a pattern of penetration power generated from 1200 FPS muzzle velocity at 40 yards.
- No. 7 TSS pellet: 535 ft-lb/in²
- No. 9 TSS pellet: 374 ft-lb/in²
- No. 5 lead pellet: 241 ft-lb/in²
- No. 6 lead pellet: 205 ft-lb/in²
When it comes to the 12 gauge vs 20 gauge turkey gun debate, the important thing right here is that it doesn’t matter which gauge a No. 9 pellet is fired from. It would have the identical quantity of penetration power as long as velocity is similar. And if you happen to examine 12 gauge vs 20 gauge turkey masses from any given producer, you’ll discover that they’ve very comparable (or the identical) muzzle velocities.
So don’t fall for the concept that as a result of 12 gauge shells are larger, their particular person pellets are by some means extra deadly.
Shotgun Weight and Recoil
One of many true advantages of the 20-gauge platform is that it weighs much less. Twenty gauges are usually nearly a pound lighter than their massive brothers. Lighter weapons are simpler to hold and maneuver within the woods. They’re additionally simpler to carry regular in a taking pictures place whilst you’re ready for that gobbler to lastly strut into vary. Listed below are some weight comparisons for in style turkey weapons.
- Mossberg 835 Turkey, 12 Gauge: 7.5 kilos
- Mossberg 500 Turkey, 20 Gauge: 6.75 kilos
- Benelli SBE 3 Turkey, 12 Gauge: 6.8 kilos
- Benelli M2 Turkey, 20 Gauge: 5.9 kilos
- Remington 870 Fieldmaster, 12 Gauge: 7.25 kilos
- Remington 870 Fieldmaster 20 Gauge: 6.25 kilos
Nevertheless, one of many half-myths about 20 gauge turkey weapons is that they’ve gentle recoil. Sure, it’s true they are often much less punishing than a 12 gauge gun and three.5-inch masses, which is able to recoil like a sledge hammer.
Nevertheless it’s additionally true that while you shoot payloads over 1 ½ ounces in a little bit, short-barreled 20 gauge you will discover that the recoil is something however gentle. I might not advocate giving a compact pump 20 gauge loaded up with 2 1/16-ounce Boss Tom masses to little Jimmy for his first turkey hunt.
To actually restrict recoil, think about taking pictures a .410 or 28 gauge (there are many good turkey masses for these weapons now) or look into Hevi Shot’s Reduced Recoil masses. And, hold pictures shut.
The Gun/Choke/Load Dynamic
The true takeaway right here is that each 20-gauge and 12-gauge turkey weapons will be efficient at longer ranges. But in addition, each gauges will be ineffective at lengthy vary. The secret’s to search out the proper mixture of gun/choke/load for the kind of turkey taking pictures you’re planning on doing.
Should you hunt within the woods and solely intend to shoot turkeys at 40 yards and in, then a 12 gauge paired with first rate lead masses or a 20 gauge with nearly any TSS load will probably be simply nice (assuming you’re utilizing turkey chokes). Should you plan on taking pictures at 50 and even 60 yards, then you definitely’ll want to perform a little research and a few patterning work (no matter which gauge you select).
You don’t wish to find yourself searching with a turkey rig and TSS load that’s filled with 700 pellets however will solely put 120 within the circle at 40 yards if you happen to plan to shoot turkeys at 50 yards.
Many TSS ammo producers make suggestions on the best choke measurement for his or her masses. That’s a superb place to start out. You too can take a look at our assessment of the best turkey chokes to see which masses are inclined to shoot the perfect by totally different aftermarket chokes. Should you’re on the lookout for some cheat codes, listed here are a number of take aways from my experiences:
- The 20-gauge Retay Gordion Turkey throws stellar TSS patterns with each its manufacturing unit full choke and aftermarket Jebs Headhunter choke (.565).
- Boss Tom is the final word 20 gauge load for max patterns. Beneficial choke measurement is .565 to .575.
- Tremendous-short 20-inch barreled turkey weapons are usually a little bit trickier to get nice patterns from at lengthy ranges.
- A Remington 870 with a Primos Jellyhead choke will sometimes outperform its (inexpensive) worth vary.
- Apex TSS and Indian Creek chokes are usually a wonderful mixture.
Should you’re a severe turkey hunter, it’s value experimenting with totally different chokes and masses. Sure, you’ll must burn some cash on a pair packing containers of very costly TSS masses and sure an aftermarket choke or two. However the finish end result will probably be a way more environment friendly and efficient turkey killing rig.
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