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AT Hiker

AT Hiker

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…20 gauge 870 "youth".

I've been flip flopping about purchasing a O/U for several years now, I just haven't fully committed.

Until that time, I need/want to build out this 870 I've had for over a decade. My daughter will be turkey hunting for the first time this spring so I want to keep the length of pull as short as possible. A red dot scope and new choke will also be added.

As for choke and loads, im probably joining the TSS cult. Mainly for recoil reduction, amongst other benefits.

What does Tndeer say? My main hang up at this point is the replacement stock. I really want a thumb hole or pistol grip while keeping my daughter (small petite girl) in mind.

Stock recommendations?
Do 12g 870 sticks fit 20g's?
Scope and mounting system?
Choke and loads?

Here are some pics.
IMG_7461.webp


Not until I took this 12g side by side pic to the youth 20g did I realize the 20 is a magnum receiver and the 12 is not.
IMG_7462.webp
 
The only thing I would change would be to add a scope and a choke for TSS. I/My daughter has had one since she was small (22 yrs old now). She hunted with it and now I hunt with it. I did put a TrueGlo red dot and a choke for TSS. Once your daughter doesnt use it anymore, you will enjoy carrying it around. These are the 2 shotguns I use during Turkey season. I like carrying the 870 because it is so light and deadly. But, I still like the 3-1/2 Browning just for old time sakes.
 

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😎
I just love the feel of a pistol and/or thumb hole stock. I'm just afraid it will increase the length of pull for her.
Worse case scenario I'll def mimic what you did, Coker. I like the idea of adding something to the butt stock to raise her cheek up to see through the scope.
 
AT Hiker said:
😎
Worse case scenario I'll def mimic what you did, Coker. I like the idea of adding something to the butt stock to raise her cheek up to see through the scope.
Click to expand...
Yes, she was little and couldn't get the concept/accuracy of using the iron sites. Therefore, I put the butt stock cheek pad and the red dot and it fit her perfectly. Also, it fits me as well.
 
AT Hiker said:
😎
I just love the feel of a pistol and/or thumb hole stock. I'm just afraid it will increase the length of pull for her.
Worse case scenario I'll def mimic what you did, Coker. I like the idea of adding something to the butt stock to raise her cheek up to see through the scope.
Click to expand...
I have a Knox spec ops stock (very rare for 20ga) on mine. It's adjustable. I paid way to much for it but If you can find one they're nice.
 
Contact William at Sumtoy Chokes in GA. You'll have to get a gunsmith put it on the receiver, but he makes a slick little mount designed for the bottom of a Burris Fast Fire or Vortex Venom. He also makes excellent turkey chokes. Just tell him what you'll be shooting (type of shot and shot size). I don't have a youth, but a 20 gauge 870 that I like.
 
As far as mounts go, there are rib mounted rails, drill and tap rails for the receiver, and mounts for the Burris ff that attach between the butt stock and the receiver. I opted for a shorter barrel and a rib rail with mine so 1) I could diy it and 2) I don't have to check the poi if hunted something else with it- the sight goes with the barrel and I put my longer one on for wing shooting.
 
Bucket said:
I went with an AR style adjustable stock with pistol grip for my youth 20 build. It quickly became my favorite too.
Click to expand...
Midway has this one, little more $ than I really want to spend but it says fully collapsed the stock is 10.75", I need to measure the factory one but so far this is the shortest one I can find.

IMG_7463.webp


Will 12g stock fit the 20's?
 
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Huntaholic said:
Indian Creek is the choke you want. I THINK its a .590 but @Shag to be sure. I gave it to him last year.
Click to expand...
Had to go look. Indian Creek #0012 .555

Shooting a Jeb's Headhunter .560 in the one I got from @bowhunterfanatic. Same ammo, it puts more pellets in the circle than the Indian creek in my gun. However, the gun @Huntaholic had the Indian creek on put more pellets in the circle than either of these. But just by 15-20 pellets. And, as expensive as the stuff is, I'm not nitpicking a couple dozen pellets!
 
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Unless I can find some factory chokes to experiment with, I'll def be upgrading to an after market choke. I only have the mod that came in the gun. I don't shot turks far and neither will my daughter (I raise her better than that 😛).

Optics will def be going on. The stock isn't a huge deal and until I can find one that has a shorter length of pull than the factory, I'll be holding out.

Maybe once I get the choke and optics mounted I can let my daughter test it. Will likely have to raise cheek some with a pad like Coker. Maybe a new stock will not be needed but I 100% shoot pistol/thumb holes better than the standard ones. So, it's worth it to me.
 
Shag said:
Had to go look. Indian Creek #0012 .555

Shooting a Jeb's Headhunter .560 in the one I got from @bowhunterfanatic. Same ammo, it puts more pellets in the circle than the Indian creek in my gun. However, the gun @Huntaholic had the Indian creek on put more pellets in the circle than either of these. But just by 15-20 pellets. And, as expensive as the stuff is, I'm not nitpicking a couple dozen pellets!
Click to expand...

Im shooting the .555 out of a franchi and honestly think it is too tight
 
I have the same 20 ga youth. My niece used it for many years.
Sumtoy choke. Shipped receiver to William and he drilled it and supplied a new choke.
12 ga remington stocks will not fit it. But an 7400 rifle stock will fit the 20 ga.
I will say that I think the tss has some pretty still recoil. But nothing like a 3.5 mag.
It is a turkey killer. I never thought I would replace it, but a .410 is something special and fun.
 

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