Quick Answer
When hunting turkey, choosing a 20-gauge over a 12-gauge can provide a more manageable recoil, increased accuracy, and better control, especially for smaller-framed hunters or those with limited physical strength.
Reduced Recoil and Increased Accuracy
A 20-gauge shotgun is ideal for hunting turkey due to its reduced recoil compared to a 12-gauge. This allows hunters to quickly follow up with a second shot, increasing their chances of making a clean kill. On average, a 20-gauge shotgun produces around 10-15 ft-lbs of recoil, whereas a 12-gauge can generate up to 30 ft-lbs of recoil. This reduction in recoil can be especially beneficial for smaller-framed hunters or those with limited physical strength.
Effective Range and Pattern Density
The reduced shot charge in a 20-gauge shotgun (typically 1 1/8 ounces of shot) results in a tighter pattern at longer ranges, making it more suitable for turkey hunting where shots can often exceed 40 yards. At 40 yards, a 20-gauge shotgun with a 1 1/8-ounce load will produce a pattern spread of around 20-25 inches, whereas a 12-gauge with a 1 1/4-ounce load will result in a pattern spread of around 35-40 inches. This tighter pattern ensures a higher probability of hitting the target, even at longer ranges.
Shot Selection and Load Choice
When choosing a 20-gauge shotgun for turkey hunting, it’s essential to select the right shot size and load. A 7-1/2 or 8-lead shot is ideal for turkey hunting, as it provides the necessary density to take down a bird at longer ranges. A 20-gauge shotgun paired with a 1 1/8-ounce load of 7-1/2 or 8-lead shot will provide the perfect combination of accuracy, range, and pattern density for effective turkey hunting.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.