12 gauge or 20 gauge?
- Thread starter Ruger .22
- Start date
hmmmm
Having them both solves the problem (if there is a problem). With a limited budget, though, the OP is not buying both.
I have both - as do many of y'all - but I shoot the 12s more.
About 20s and Trap. Yes, you and I may meet the fellow at the Trap range who can consistently outshoot us with his 20. (The other day, I had my 20 gauge O/U at Trap and shot it as well as my 12). One or two examples do not a proof make. The big money winners, as far as I know, shoot 12 gauge.
Pete
Having them both solves the problem (if there is a problem). With a limited budget, though, the OP is not buying both.
I have both - as do many of y'all - but I shoot the 12s more.
About 20s and Trap. Yes, you and I may meet the fellow at the Trap range who can consistently outshoot us with his 20. (The other day, I had my 20 gauge O/U at Trap and shot it as well as my 12). One or two examples do not a proof make. The big money winners, as far as I know, shoot 12 gauge.
Pete
Bubba in c.a.
New member
I have Mossberg HD guns in 12 and 20. The 20 with fullpower buckshot kicks significantly less than the 12 gauge with reduced recoil buckshot. This is a marginal issue for me, but a bigger one for the relatives. The 20 is the designated HD gun, with no. 2 buckshot available online. The 12 guage sits in the safe waiting for WWIV or whatever.
The American Rifleman website has an article on 20 gauge rounds recently, the drift being that the new stuff is really great for deer size animals.
The American Rifleman website has an article on 20 gauge rounds recently, the drift being that the new stuff is really great for deer size animals.
Everything from .410 to 10 gauge in my rack and the one I grab the most is a 20. It isn't any better than the other guns but it fits good, feel's right and is good enough that I use it for HD, yard varmints, deer and turkey with 2/34" shells. Doesn't matter what anybody else wants you choose what feels right for you. If you aren't happy without a 3 1/2" 12 gauge round in the chamber then you will not be happy with anything else. If you aren't fussy and you don't have a lot of heavy recoiling shooting experience then the best fitting gun with a good butt pad is for you no matter what gauge it is.
TheKlawMan
Moderator
Fit
And the reason is...as you said...the 20 fits you and the 12 did not. You simply should not extrapolate from the fact that a fitting 20 outshoots a non ftting 12 that all 20s are more and even as accurate as a 12.
And the reason is...as you said...the 20 fits you and the 12 did not. You simply should not extrapolate from the fact that a fitting 20 outshoots a non ftting 12 that all 20s are more and even as accurate as a 12.
TheKlawMan
Moderator
What Bubba in C.A. says about comparing 12 and 20 gauge guns for recoil didn't make a lot of sense until I looked at some specs and we he didn't say if they were the exact same model except for gauge.
From what I can see, the difference in weight of a Mossberg in 12 and 20 is only 1/4#, while an 870 12 is a full pound heavier than a 20. If the two weigh nearly the same their should be little difference in felt recoil in the Mossberg unlike the Remington. You also have to consider things such as whether one is in need of a newer or better butt pad. It may also be that the 20 fullpower buckshot Bubba is using still generates less recoil energy than the reduced recoil 12 gauge.
From what I can see, the difference in weight of a Mossberg in 12 and 20 is only 1/4#, while an 870 12 is a full pound heavier than a 20. If the two weigh nearly the same their should be little difference in felt recoil in the Mossberg unlike the Remington. You also have to consider things such as whether one is in need of a newer or better butt pad. It may also be that the 20 fullpower buckshot Bubba is using still generates less recoil energy than the reduced recoil 12 gauge.
