12 vs 20 gauge single vs double barrel
- Thread starter Renny
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A 12ga is more versatile than a 20ga and you can load a 12ga down to a 20ga level so I'd go with a 12ga.
single barrel, like a pump, vs an over-under is personal preference but in most hunting situations you can have 3 shells in a pump gun vs 2 in an over-under so for a first gun I'd probably recommend a pump or semi-auto single barrel.
single barrel, like a pump, vs an over-under is personal preference but in most hunting situations you can have 3 shells in a pump gun vs 2 in an over-under so for a first gun I'd probably recommend a pump or semi-auto single barrel.
Shotgun Rifle combos
dos anyone has experience with the Baikal Shotgun/Rifle combos like the 12gauge/223 em or the 20 gauge/22wmr, that could be a more versatile field gun. thanks for any input, i am not in to pump or semiautomatic shotguns so it s a single or a double or a combo
dos anyone has experience with the Baikal Shotgun/Rifle combos like the 12gauge/223 em or the 20 gauge/22wmr, that could be a more versatile field gun. thanks for any input, i am not in to pump or semiautomatic shotguns so it s a single or a double or a combo
A lot of it is preference but I think you can't go wrong with a 20 gauge double. If you do a lot of walking while hunting a 12 gauge pump can't get pretty heavy. What you should really do is try to borrow one of each and shoot them to see what your preference is. For hunting deer or pig I would recommend a good used .30-30 instead of one of the rifle/shotgun combos. Rossi and NEF both make single shots with interchangeable barrels so you can use it as either a shotgun or rifle. The NEF Handi Rifle seems to have amuch better reputation for accuracy.
It all depends.
A lightweight 20 gauge can kick as much if not more than a heavier 12 gauge, especially if it fits you poorly.
12 gauge can potentially be more versatile than a 20 gauge.
A double barrel would probably be better since you would have that second shot availible, but they tend to cost more.
Can you give us some idea of your budget?
Also, the thing about combination guns is that they aren't the best for all purposes. You know, the whole "jack of all trades, but master of none" sort of thing. They tend to be heavy and bulky, and generally speaking, a single firearm in each caliber would be more effective.
Also, the thing about H&R/NEF (currently, they are exactly the same) and shotguns is that a rifle reciever can have rifle, shotgun, and black powder barrels fitted to it while shotgun recievers can only have shotgun and black powder barrels fitted to it.
So, if you wanted to use shotgun and rifle barrels on an H&R/NEF reciever, first you'd have to buy an H&R/NEF rifle and then send it to the factory to have the shotgun barrel fitted.
If you are going to be hunting something dangerous like gators (or potentially pigs), a pump or semiauto might be a better choice since they generally hold more rounds (if state law permits).
A lightweight 20 gauge can kick as much if not more than a heavier 12 gauge, especially if it fits you poorly.
12 gauge can potentially be more versatile than a 20 gauge.
A double barrel would probably be better since you would have that second shot availible, but they tend to cost more.
Can you give us some idea of your budget?
Also, the thing about combination guns is that they aren't the best for all purposes. You know, the whole "jack of all trades, but master of none" sort of thing. They tend to be heavy and bulky, and generally speaking, a single firearm in each caliber would be more effective.
Also, the thing about H&R/NEF (currently, they are exactly the same) and shotguns is that a rifle reciever can have rifle, shotgun, and black powder barrels fitted to it while shotgun recievers can only have shotgun and black powder barrels fitted to it.
So, if you wanted to use shotgun and rifle barrels on an H&R/NEF reciever, first you'd have to buy an H&R/NEF rifle and then send it to the factory to have the shotgun barrel fitted.
If you are going to be hunting something dangerous like gators (or potentially pigs), a pump or semiauto might be a better choice since they generally hold more rounds (if state law permits).
Versatility?
If you count big game applications, the 12 gauge is certainly more versatile then the 20. But I claim that for most general bird hunting the gap is much closer.
You can have 20 gauge loads down to the equivalent of 28 gauge rounds. For dove and quail that is adequate enough. High end 20 gauge loads approach 12 gauge standard field loads. With these pheasants and ducks are viable targets.
Yes, the 12 is more versatile in some ways. In some ways the 20 is just as flexible.
I have hunted with fellows that use the smaller gauges. One friend of mine uses a 28 for most bird hunting. He hits better then many I have seen using 12 gauges.
If you count big game applications, the 12 gauge is certainly more versatile then the 20. But I claim that for most general bird hunting the gap is much closer.
You can have 20 gauge loads down to the equivalent of 28 gauge rounds. For dove and quail that is adequate enough. High end 20 gauge loads approach 12 gauge standard field loads. With these pheasants and ducks are viable targets.
Yes, the 12 is more versatile in some ways. In some ways the 20 is just as flexible.
I have hunted with fellows that use the smaller gauges. One friend of mine uses a 28 for most bird hunting. He hits better then many I have seen using 12 gauges.
light wighted
I already have a scoped 22 mag so i guess ill go with a light singel barrel 20 gauge for less wight and recoil. I had my wife shoot ones with my dad's 12 gauge and she wus not happy about the heavy recoil, so if she decides to shoot my shotgun, i guess, the 20 gauge will be not so hard on her that way we can hunt togheter
I already have a scoped 22 mag so i guess ill go with a light singel barrel 20 gauge for less wight and recoil. I had my wife shoot ones with my dad's 12 gauge and she wus not happy about the heavy recoil, so if she decides to shoot my shotgun, i guess, the 20 gauge will be not so hard on her that way we can hunt togheter
chris in va
New member
If I'm not mistaken (and verify with the other guys) if you buy an NEF single shot rifle, it can be sent in to NEF to have a shotgun barrel fitted for about $90 or less. That way you can have the best of both worlds. Just swap out barrels.
I've got pair of SKB SxS doubles, both in 12-gauge. One for game hunting, and one for the trap range. Aesthetically, I'm just drawn to SxS doubles more than anything else. I was told SxSs weren't suitable for trapshooting, but with practice I was able to post some 25-straights at the range, much to the disdain of the guys with the Perrazi O/U doubles.
Whichever works and fits you best and pleases your eye is what you should use.
Having said that, buying a nice SxS double is quite a financial commitment on your part. A nice one is going to set you back quite a big chunk of change. A single bbl will probably be quite a bit less expensive, but also less versatile. The finer field-grade doubles are surprising light. I think mine is about 6lbs, while the trapgun is about 7.5lbs.
As far as 12-gauge vs. 20-gauge, either one will work equally well. I've shot everything from 1oz to 1.5oz loads out of the 12, but you can do the same out of a 20. Far more important to find the one that fits you best than to worry about which gauge it is. My two cents.
Whichever works and fits you best and pleases your eye is what you should use.
Having said that, buying a nice SxS double is quite a financial commitment on your part. A nice one is going to set you back quite a big chunk of change. A single bbl will probably be quite a bit less expensive, but also less versatile. The finer field-grade doubles are surprising light. I think mine is about 6lbs, while the trapgun is about 7.5lbs.
As far as 12-gauge vs. 20-gauge, either one will work equally well. I've shot everything from 1oz to 1.5oz loads out of the 12, but you can do the same out of a 20. Far more important to find the one that fits you best than to worry about which gauge it is. My two cents.
20 vs 12 / single vs double
I'd start out by saying that I think that you should always use the right tool for the job. I understand you may want to try to accomplish many things with that hammer, but in the end, its only a hammer, and it was made to hit nails, not screw things in or weld things together...you should get the tools to do all the jobs needed.
That being said - I've been hunting doves and upland game for years, and until just a couple of years ago thought that the 12ga was the answer to all my wingshooting needs. But i've come to understand the value of having a lite-handling, quick and easy to carry 20ga for the doves, quail and smaller birds. I've found that my shoulder usually appreciates the gesture as well, with less visible bruising and such.
I keep several shotguns for the different types of hunting that I do, Ducks get to see my dirty 12ga FabArms Auto in black (or mostly mud and rust color). Pheasants deserve a more stylish gun, so they get to see my Rizzini's over/unders - usually in 20ga, but depending on conditions, they may see my 12ga's as well.
As for The gentle doves, (internationally known as the symbol of peace), depending on the conditions, and the amount of shooting, and the daily bag limits...and just how sporting i'm feeling, will usually see a Rizzini 20ga - nice and light, with the added benefit (answer to part 2 of your questions) of having an additional barrel which will also have a different choke.
The significance of the additional choke is that i've hardly ever seen 2 birds present the exact same shot at the same time - they are usually going to be moving (unless it's a really slow day in a duck blind), and so to be able to shoot 2 separate patterns at your different target presentations can be very helpful. Example - close target moving away - shoot your more open choke first, followed by your second tube which will provide a tighter pattern for the further hit (unless you're like me and don't need any follow up shots
) of course the scenario can be reversed as well...
So the only time i use a single barrel is if I need the additional round (3rd) in my autos that won't seem to squeeze into my o/u's - Ducks for example usually get all three shots plus an empty click or 2 from me, but that's because I hunt in California, and we just don't get to see enough of them.
If you really only can have 1 gun, then make it a 12 ga Remington 870 pump, and get an extra slug barrel for larger game hunting uses.
Hope that's useful.
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I'd start out by saying that I think that you should always use the right tool for the job. I understand you may want to try to accomplish many things with that hammer, but in the end, its only a hammer, and it was made to hit nails, not screw things in or weld things together...you should get the tools to do all the jobs needed.
That being said - I've been hunting doves and upland game for years, and until just a couple of years ago thought that the 12ga was the answer to all my wingshooting needs. But i've come to understand the value of having a lite-handling, quick and easy to carry 20ga for the doves, quail and smaller birds. I've found that my shoulder usually appreciates the gesture as well, with less visible bruising and such.
I keep several shotguns for the different types of hunting that I do, Ducks get to see my dirty 12ga FabArms Auto in black (or mostly mud and rust color). Pheasants deserve a more stylish gun, so they get to see my Rizzini's over/unders - usually in 20ga, but depending on conditions, they may see my 12ga's as well.
As for The gentle doves, (internationally known as the symbol of peace), depending on the conditions, and the amount of shooting, and the daily bag limits...and just how sporting i'm feeling, will usually see a Rizzini 20ga - nice and light, with the added benefit (answer to part 2 of your questions) of having an additional barrel which will also have a different choke.
The significance of the additional choke is that i've hardly ever seen 2 birds present the exact same shot at the same time - they are usually going to be moving (unless it's a really slow day in a duck blind), and so to be able to shoot 2 separate patterns at your different target presentations can be very helpful. Example - close target moving away - shoot your more open choke first, followed by your second tube which will provide a tighter pattern for the further hit (unless you're like me and don't need any follow up shots
) of course the scenario can be reversed as well...So the only time i use a single barrel is if I need the additional round (3rd) in my autos that won't seem to squeeze into my o/u's - Ducks for example usually get all three shots plus an empty click or 2 from me, but that's because I hunt in California, and we just don't get to see enough of them.
If you really only can have 1 gun, then make it a 12 ga Remington 870 pump, and get an extra slug barrel for larger game hunting uses.
Hope that's useful.
Popndrop