hey guys gotta question. I've shot many a 12 gauge and never had any complaints. But never shot to many 20 gauges, my Q is what are the pro's and con's of both. And can the 20 do the same performance wise as the 12???? Is the 20 gauge really worth having or should I stick with the 12???
Well, you will always have more performance with the 12 over the 20, but it is mostly how much performance do you need?
I have actually hunted doves with both 12 and 20 gauges over the last few years, and it seems like the 3" 20 loads and the 2 3/4 loads in the 12 are about the same on paper, but I am faster on target with my 20 gauge Remington than my old 12 gauge Westernfield. If I was after ducks of geese then the 12 would be the hands down choice, but I bet I could handle turkey just fine with a 20. Clay pigeons wouldn't know the difference... I think it comes down to the specific gun in your situation.
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You can tame a 12G down to 20G levels....Buuut you can never turn a 20G into a 31/2" 12G! LOL I always just buy another 12G, no matter how much I talk about maybe picking up a 20G or 16G, I always decide to stick with the 12G.
Because 20G shotties are lighter then 12Gs I feel they kick about the same really. (with light dove/skeet loads)
The local gunshop does have a beutiful hi-grade 20G Rem870 wingmaster I have been eying...it's a fixed choke though (IC) I prefer the options of screw-in choke tubes myself. 298$ is the sticker price. I could maybe get it down to 250-275$.
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Last edited by thrillbilly; 08-08-2009 at 01:04 AM.
Most of the American ammo manufactures have very souped up 12 and 20ga. shotgun loads now if you want to pay more for them.
I'll will be testing a 20ga pump against my 12ga pump come squirrel season and i will post the results.
I would'nt hesitate to use a 20ga turkey hunting either. I just remembered Dove season opens here soon so I'll get to try my new 20ga pump on them if I get to go.
The smaller the bore in shotguns,the more skill required.Mainly because you have less shot,but also because a 12ga having a larger bore has a shorter shot string.In other words,more shot is at the target/game at the same time because the 20ga being smaller in diammeter strings the shot out more.This doesn't show up in a pattern,but does on clays and game. ,,,sam.
smaller game and dove. A true 20 gauge shotgun is engineered around the cartridge thus is smaller and lighter. This is an aid to me in acquiring the target then getting into the swing/follow through on dove. It also helps when spending a lot of time walking with the gun.
One of my favorite guns is my 20 gauge rifled Rossi slug gun. It is accurate and the recoil is acceptable especially compared to a 12 gauge slug.
So, despite sometimes taking some ribbing from 12 gauge fans, I actually like the 20 gauge. I feel if you get a good 20 gauge then spend time getting good with it you will also like the gun.
Last edited by nathangdad; 08-08-2009 at 08:31 PM.
I'll throw this in...I grew up useing a 20ga. singleshot shotgun and used it until I was 21 years old.
With excellent success hunting squirrels and doves. It's interesting now, that back then to me it was just a shotgun that I killed game with.
I never even thought about a 16 ga. or a 12ga. maybe being better because my 20ga. got the job done like my friends and grown ups 12ga's did.
I'd still be useing it if it didn't break open when you fire it. So I'll guess and venture to say it's all in your head wether one is better than the other though the 12ga. is more potent.
If you do your part you'll get meat with either one...A.H
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Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 08-08-2009 at 12:00 PM.
By the way all guages from 10ga to .410,using the same class shell,(target,field,magnum.) fire the same approxmate fps and if the same size shot,travel through the air at the same speed and hit with the same power per individual shot.You can only increase energy by increasing the # of shot hitting game.Different load classes range from approximately 1100fps to 1600fps. ,,,sam.
The smaller the bore in shotguns,the more skill required.Mainly because you have less shot,but also because a 12ga having a larger bore has a shorter shot string.In other words,more shot is at the target/game at the same time because the 20ga being smaller in diammeter strings the shot out more.This doesn't show up in a pattern,but does on clays and game. ,,,sam.
we shoot 410 when trying to show off the skill shots. I got a marlin 1895 in 410 very fun to shoot. 12ga is what we shoot in our sporting clays league.
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I have a 20ga. 870 That has seen a decent amount of time on the trap range. I would always keep up with my two buddies and their 12ga.'s. I think alot of it has to do with the fact that I am very comfortable with it. It fits right it swings well and it does the job for me. I traded with a buddy for one round and he didn't like the recoil as it is light. He's a pretty big guy too.
It will boil down what works for you just like with any gun. Me personally I like my 20 ga.
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we shoot 410 when trying to show off the skill shots. I got a marlin 1895 in 410 very fun to shoot. 12ga is what we shoot in our sporting clays league.
speaking of the 1895 .410 which I have been searching for. I saw one listed on gunbroker with a starting bid at 2k last I checked they ran around 500-600 dollars.
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By the way all guages from 10ga to .410,using the same class shell,(target,field,magnum.) fire the same approxmate fps and if the same size shot,travel through the air at the same speed and hit with the same power per individual shot.You can only increase energy by increasing the # of shot hitting game.Different load classes range from approximately 1100fps to 1600fps. ,,,sam.
^That is true...unless you're talkin' slugs! Bigger slugs is better! LOL
__________________ ''Somebodies got to let ya down sooner or later.'' -JOE
I use a browning bps 20 gauge for everything ducks and smaller. When we pheasant hunt alot people use a 12 gauge which I dont like because at the end of the day I'm usually stuck with the job of cleaning pheasant and I can always tell when a bird is shot with a 12 gauge because there are alot more bb's in the birds and alot of time wasting a lot of good meat. I believe the 20 guage knocks birds down just as good as a 12 gauge.
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The only way to know is to use both and find out.At longer ranges with less shot and a longer shot string a 20ga isn't going to be as effective as a 12ga,but if you like one over the other and it is adequate to stop game/break clays with your hunting/target style,go for it.Thats what I do.I would use a .22rimfire shotshell if it worked. ,,,sam.
last I checked they ran around 500-600 dollars.
