I’ve been a 12-gauge man since I bought my first Remington 870 Wingmaster back in 1972. I’ve killed almost every game species with that gun in the Mississippi outdoors. After 40 years of hunting with the 12-gauge, a trip to the dove field or quail hunt left me pretty worn out and bruised. During turkey hunts I usually walk several miles during a hunt and experience long periods sitting with the gun on my shoulder and across my knee.
It had become much heavier than I remembered. After hearing about the fantastic ballistics’ turkey hunters were getting using the much lighter turkey gun at ranges from 40 to 70 yards, I had to try it myself. However it seemed like they were about as common as hen’s teeth when I wanted to try one out last year. I finally got hold of a 20-gauge Mossberg SA-20 turkey gun one week before the end of last year’s spring season. I was determined to take it to the woods and try it out and that’s just what I did.
The right fit
I conducted an unscientific ballistic test and after three shots with #7 Tungsten Federal shells it was obvious, I was ready. I shot a cola can at 10 yards and obliterated it. Followed that up with a second shot at a cola can at 20 yards and then took one shot at 40 yards. I didn’t count the pellets as some diehards would but at 40 yards I had a 15-inch uniform pattern that didn’t have any “holes” in it, which was just what I wanted. Any tighter than that and I might miss at distances up to 40 yards.
I went to the woods the next couple of days and couldn’t believe the difference the lighter weight made in carrying the 20-gauge on my 3-to 4-mile morning jaunts in search of a gobbler.
On the final Thursday of the spring season I left my ATV key at home and had to walk a mile back through a pine cutover until arriving at the corner of my lease. I got there just as it was breaking day and sent out an owl hoot and was answered by a thunderous gobble.
I quickly set up on a ridge on a power line and locked horns with the old gobbler for over 2 hours before he showed up. I finally coaxed him across the hollow and as he walked into the clear I had the bead of my shotgun on his head. I let him strut about 10 yards closer and squeezed the trigger. As the shotgun roared, the gobbler collapsed instantly.
Easy to carry
The Mossberg 20-gauge semi-auto was deadly accurate at 40 yards and the Ghost Ring sights were just the ticket for my aging eyes. After taking a few selfies, I made the mile and a half trip back to the truck with the gobbler in my vest and the shotgun slung on my shoulder. The lightweight shotgun was just the ticket for my trek through the steep terrain back to the truck.
I saved my third tag to try out the Mossberg 20-gauge and I wasn’t disappointed as I had an exciting and successful hunt while trying out a new style of turkey hunting shotguns. The 20-gauge Mossberg had a 22-inch barrel, weighed 5.5 pounds and came with Ghost Ring Sights as well as a bar for mounting scopes or special sights.
If you’re looking for a lighter turkey gun to take to the woods, then look no further than the new generation of 20-gauge turkey guns. They are lighter, shoot killing patterns further and don’t knock you down with 3-inch magnum turkey shells. While I tested a Mossberg, there is a wide range of new 20-gauge turkey guns to be found on the market today. Try one and you just might find out that you like them.
.410 is even better. I don’t even realize I’m toting a gun anymore.