It’s been more years than I can count since I’ve hunted spring turkey. This year however with the new TriStar Upland Hunter, a 20-gauge over and under in hand I decided it was time to give spring gobblers a try once again.
TriStar designed this new Thumbhole Stock with turkey hunting in mind. First, its weight at around six pounds combined with the thumbhole stock gives this 20-gauge over and under an solid platform for fast target acquisition in the field.
The barrels can be outfitted with a choice of five different chokes; skeet, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, and full allowing for the hunter to quickly select between barrels and chokes in the field based on changing conditions and distances — I found this useful during my recent hunt for spring gobblers in West Texas.
The bronze finished receiver paired with Mossy Oak Greenleaf furniture offers plenty of eye appeal with a classic hunting look. Additionally, TriStar shotguns are backed by a 5-year warranty from the date of purchase, covering defects in materials and workmanship. This includes free parts and labor for the first year.
TriStar Upland Hunter Key Features and Specifications:
- Action: Over/Under, Break-Open
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Gauge: 20-gauge
- Chambers: 3-inch, Chrome-lined
- Barrel Length: 26 inches, Chrome-lined
- Length of Pull: 14.25 inches
- Stock: Thumbhole Pistol Grip/ Vented black rubber recoil pad
- Finish: Bronze/Mossy Oak Green Leaf
- Extractors
- Vent Top and Mid Rib
- Fiber Optic Front Sight
- Single Selective Trigger with Tang Safety
- 5 Beretta/Benelli Mobil Style Choke Tubes (SK, IC, M, IM, F)
Finding the Best 20 Gauge Turkey Ammo
Loads Tested
The Winchester Long Beard XR (copper plated) incorporates Shot-Lok Technology giving tighter patterns and deeper penetration. This allows for 2x as many pellets in a 10″ circle at 60 yards. According to Winchester, the Long Beard XR gives an impressive 10% greater penetration over standard lead loads beyond 50 yards and has devastating terminal on-target performance. I found this round to provide the best overall pattern out of the TriStar using modified and improved modified chokes.
Fiocchi Golden Turkey is loaded with premium nickel-plated lead shot, clean-burning powder, and enhanced wads. This shot will punch through feathers and muscle providing excellent terminal performance. Built for serious turkey hunting this 20-gauge round offers 1200 fps muzzle velocity making it a viable option for longer shots in the field. I utilized this round for my second barrel in the field for turkey.
Federal Hi-Brass Game Loads feature high-quality, round lead shot that is formulated for optimum hardness to improve pattern efficiency and a one-piece wad for maximum shot patterns. A high, brass-plated steel head, select high-quality propellants, and non-corrosive primers deliver efficient, reliable ignition. This 20-gauge ammo is viable for everything from pheasant to turkey and everything between.
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1 1/4 oz, 6-shot |
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1 1/4 oz, 5-shot |
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1 1/4 oz, 5-shot |
All of these rounds performed well during initial pattern testing at the range. At 20 yards I found the Winchester Long Beard XR to provide the most consistent patterns utilizing both modified and improved modified chokes in the TriStar Upland Hunter. However, as you will soon read, I elected to utilize two different brands of the above listed ammo in the field while turkey hunting. I felt the two plated loads, Winchester copper plated, and Fiocchi nickel plated would be most ideal for turkey especially in the event of longer shots.
In the Field
Although I have hunted Merriam’s turkey in New Mexico on and off over the years it was probably in the early 1990’s since my last excursion for these birds. Add to that the fact that I have never hunted Rio Grande turkey and was looking for an excuse to give the TriStar Upland Hunter a tryout, the timing was right this year to head to West Texas for spring turkey.
West Texas with its good population of Rio Grande turkey is only a four-to-five-hour drive from my home in Southeastern New Mexico. So late March of this year found me headed southeast to a ranch south of Sonora, Texas to give these birds a run for their money.
Having been somewhat accomplished (in the past at least) at using a mouth call to mimic the yelps of a hen turkey I figured I was sure to have Rio Grande gobblers racing to see who could get to my hen yelps first. Think again. Knowing that spring turkey are certainly not to be taken as a sure thing, I made sure I was well concealed in a ground blind near water on a ranch where I have seen my quarry several times in the past.
Early Start
Getting in the blind no less than two hours before sunset one evening I figured it wouldn’t be long before I called a gobbler right up to my gun barrel. Ironically, before I was really even settled into the blind, a lone gobbler exited the brush line opposite my hide about 75 yards away. Too far for an ethical shot. Thinking he would approach the ground water in no time I waited. He stayed in his comfort zone, away from my location of course.
No problem, all I need do is make a few hen yelps and he will be right over. Nope. All that gobbler did was raise his head and look my direction. Maybe my calling skills were a bit rusty. I tried subtle yelps on and off over the next few minutes but the gobbler was having none of it. He slowly drifted back into the thick brush towards a creek bottom. What’s worse I could hear another gobbler making himself known by gobbling off in the distance. That gobbler is sure to be here anytime hearing my yelps I thought. Nope. Apparently, I had made myself known to the whole turkey community and no one was coming. Smart birds or unskilled turkey hunter, both most likely.
Where Are More Toms?
The daylight hours quickly passed and although a few deer came by, no turkeys. Thinking I must have really screwed things up I was just about to get up and move down along the creek bottom when a lone hen showed up. And then another hen a minute later. Hoping the hens would serve as live decoys, I sat tight. It was not long until I could hear movement from somewhere behind me and out stepped a gobbler in full strut. First problem, he was to my right and partially shielded by a low brush line. In no time he was working towards the hens almost directly in front of me. Second problem, he was no less than 50 yards in distance. A bit further than I had hoped for, although he was now clear of brush.
As I alluded to earlier, I elected to use two different loads of the 20ga ammo tested. In the top barrel with modified choke, I had selected the Winchester Long Beard ammo hoping for a 20-to-30-yard shot. In the bottom barrel with modified improved choke, I went with the Fiocchi nickel plated ammo and its higher velocity.
Lure Him In
Thinking I could coax the gobbler just a bit closer, I gave two soft yelps and he turned my direction and got to within about 40 yards. Realizing he would not likely get any closer with the hens out past him I decided now or never. The TriStar barrel was already pointed his direction, I pulled the 20 gauge into my shoulder, placed the front bead on the gobblers’ head and pulled the trigger on the top barrel. Feathers flew, hens disappeared, and the gobbler was down but not out. I quickly covered him again with the front bead and fired the bottom barrel. He was down for good at that point and what a handsome bird he was. I was one happy turkey hunter and convinced myself that my two yelps made the difference.
Conclusion
The one-two punch of both the modified and improved modified barrels and the combination of two different loads did the trick. I have no doubt had the gobbler been at 20 or 30 yards my first shot would have anchored him. Maybe not a text book turkey hunting example, but never the less a successful one.
The TriStar Upland Hunter, choke system and thumbhole stock performed wonderfully for its intended purpose. Likewise, the two different 20ga turkey loads proved to be an excellent combination for what turned out to be an exciting spring turkey hunt.
Despite my lackluster calling ability, I had my first Rio Grande turkey, and yes it was exciting!
