I read of some magic 20 ga shells last year, I am remembering Federal #7's. A new version of heavy shot I think. Several guys were swearing by them.

Can anyone recall exactly was this and is it 3" only or are 2 3/4" available.

thanks

Charlie

Federal Heavyweight comes in 2 3/4" though I've never used it

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/45152 ... t-box-of-5

The Hevi #13 comes in 3"

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/57426 ... c-box-of-5

The Federal Heavyweight 3" #7's are absolutely devastating!!!!! I shoot them out of a 870 with 21" barrel with a TRUGLO SSX choke

thanks. For the grandson, he'll be 13 this year. I have several 20's in 2 3/4 that he will likely use. I got a 3" 20ga, but its a lightweight O/U and kicks like a mule with 3 inch anything.

Charlie

I was never a believer in pixie dust for turkey's. But after seeing what a friend of mine did on a Jake on the 26th of Jan last month after Patch broke up a mixed flock. After the break about 1.5 hours I had 2 long beards come down by me (no shot) and a few minutes later my friend shot. When I got to him and the bird the top half of the birds head was missing and the rest of the head and neck was jelly. The distance was 35. some yards. He had a range finder we measured from the blind to bird. The bird did not flop but went right down.

He was shooting a 20 ga. 870 using the FHW 3" #7 through a Truelock choke designed for the FHW 7.

I am now of a modern 20 ga. side by side and using that load.


Earl

That is exactly what I have setup form my son's youth 20 except it is a mossberg .. Trulock Choke and FHW #7 .. I have shot both the 2 3/4 and 3" through it.. and the 3 " pattern better and I my son pays no attention to the difference in Kick when a bird is in range..

I should also note that I carry either it or my other 20 with an adult pull on it more than I do my 12 ga anymore.. my other 20 is a Charles Daly (basically a remington 870) pump setup with a Primos Jellyhead choke and I shoot Nitro #7 hevishot out of it.. but I will most likely go to the Federal HW shells when I run out of the Nitro because I think they shoot just as good and cost a lot less..

If you want to go the route of loading your own, you got lots of load options from 9/16 oz on up with TSS in 20 ga, not to mention bonafide 40 yd .410 loads.

Heavyweight's in 20 gauge are the real deal. Used them on two birds last year at about 30-35 yards and they were splattered. I'm running a Benelli Nova and using a Sumtoy choke in .570 constriction. Average over 100 hits in a 10" circle at 40 yards. Only problem is they might shoot too tight. I'm shooting the 3" version.

PS. For whatever reason they are hard to find this year. I ended up buying some at Midway.

Earl,
I was considering the same thing only because I like sxs's so much. Was thinking a Fox BST 20 gauge with 3" chambers and full/mod chokes would make a neat little 35 yard gun with the Heavyweights.

The Federal 3rd Degree in 20 gauge has produced great results on paper and on birds for me. However, they are only offered in 3" loads. I've got to the point where the 20 gauge is my go-to spring gun, lighter to carry, less recoil and the turkeys don't know the difference when it hits them.

Ive been shooting a 12 gauge using the Winchester Longbeard XR number sixes with great success. I am setting up my over/under 686 Onyx 20 gauge to carry this season and now I see the long beards come in a 20 gauge. I think I'm going to give those a try.

http://www.winchester.com/products/shot ... fault.aspx

This is my 30 yard pattern with a 21" 870 shooting 3" Federal Heavyweight #7's……….and a couple victims from last year
https://youtu.be/GTy26btrts4
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Man I will never forget that hunt of your nephew from the base, that was a monster bird. Good video of the birds coming in. Just need to fire the camera man when the kill shot happened. But the reaction of the young hunter was priceless.

Earl

I'll let the cameraman slide this time, it was a flash hunt and we had to hurry to set up. But it will be a SHORT LEASH!!!

I would highly recommend the Hevishot Magnum Blend
shells for your 20 gauge