Hey yall. The question is the title. I was just wondering. Personally, I have nothing bad to say about the 20 gauge. Its the only shotgun I've ver dealt with, I've never shot a 12 gauge, so I guess I'm a bit biased in a way. I was just wantin to get everyone's generl opinion on the 20 gauge. Is it just for women/small adults/kids to shoot, or is it a man's gun also? I mean sometimes I get to feelin pretty whimpy b/c I'm so partial to a 20 gauge. I dunno. Here:http://www.internetarmory.com/shotgun_ammo.htm it states that a 20 gauge has the ballistic force of 2 .44 magnum rounds in one shotshell. I dont know about everything, but if thats true, then its certainly nothing to mess with. I reckon what I'm getting at is that I like the 20 gauge, and wonder if by any chance am I weird because I like and use a smaller shotgun? Feel free to post, anyone is welcome.
Does anyone here prefer the 20 gauge?
- Thread starter Georgian
- Start date
I apologize. I didnt mean to post so many. Last night when I was posting the first one it would never go through. I clicked submit several times, and after about 10 minutes it finally went through and all the other times I clicked submit were also posted. For some reason the forum lagged for me or something. I apologize I aggravated you or anything else.
20 Gauge is great with a few limits
I've used several 20 gauges for hunting everything from squirrel to turkey to deer and from my experience they are a great deer round, a perfect squirrel round, and a limited turkey round. With #7 1/2 shot it is my preffered squirrel round when I'm not carrying a .22. I've killed approx. 12 deer shooting lightfield 20 gauge sabots, all one shot kills from 10-90yds with no issues. I witnessed my uncle drop a doe with a 20 gauge smoothbore shooting federal rifled slugs at 115 yds by holding high on her back with one shot. Now as for hunting turkeys I dont like the 20 gauge for any farther than 30 yds. I have attempted shots on turkeys between 30 to 40 yards and simply just knocked a few down to have them get up and fly away. So for turkey I lean towards a 12 or 10 gauge with no issues. When I was 13 I broke my arm just before turkey season so I practiced shooting a semi-auto 20 gauge by resting it on my cast, and I was able to get my first Tom turkey that way. The semi 20 had minimal recoil to fire in my modified shooting position and I practiced and kept my shot under 30 yds and all was well. So as a slug gun I believe it is everybit as equal to a 12 even a bit more accurate. For a bird gun I just keep my shots in 30 yds and its fine, with a 12 gauge you can almost double that.
I've used several 20 gauges for hunting everything from squirrel to turkey to deer and from my experience they are a great deer round, a perfect squirrel round, and a limited turkey round. With #7 1/2 shot it is my preffered squirrel round when I'm not carrying a .22. I've killed approx. 12 deer shooting lightfield 20 gauge sabots, all one shot kills from 10-90yds with no issues. I witnessed my uncle drop a doe with a 20 gauge smoothbore shooting federal rifled slugs at 115 yds by holding high on her back with one shot. Now as for hunting turkeys I dont like the 20 gauge for any farther than 30 yds. I have attempted shots on turkeys between 30 to 40 yards and simply just knocked a few down to have them get up and fly away. So for turkey I lean towards a 12 or 10 gauge with no issues. When I was 13 I broke my arm just before turkey season so I practiced shooting a semi-auto 20 gauge by resting it on my cast, and I was able to get my first Tom turkey that way. The semi 20 had minimal recoil to fire in my modified shooting position and I practiced and kept my shot under 30 yds and all was well. So as a slug gun I believe it is everybit as equal to a 12 even a bit more accurate. For a bird gun I just keep my shots in 30 yds and its fine, with a 12 gauge you can almost double that.
A 20 ga. is a man's gun. I am a large person and I really like the weight, feel and handling of a 20ga. Don't pay any attention to wannebe members of the testosterone crowd who try to brainwash you or whimpize you or look down on you because they are shooting 12 ga. and you are shooting a 20ga. That's stupid and just shows their low immature mentality. 
Also, keep in mind that if you want more from your 20 ga., there are new and improved loads fo give you extra.
Also, keep in mind that if you want more from your 20 ga., there are new and improved loads fo give you extra.
OneInTheChamber
New member
I shoot clays better with my 20 gauge. I've tried the same gun in 12, but didn't like it as much. The 20 is lighter (actually Rem. 870; not referring to shells), and I feel it is easier to swing and point.
My .02c
Chase
My .02c
Chase
trigger happy
New member
I would love to have a 20 gauge..just have the one 12 gauge 870 because it was too good a deal to pass up if I ever see a Browning Auto -5 "Sweet 16" I ain't going to pass it up
if I ever see a Browning Auto -5 "Sweet 16" I ain't going to pass it upNothing wrong with a 20.
I have had good luck with my Mossberg 500 20 gauge with Lightfield sabots. I think I've killed about 6 or 7 deer with it, and I haven't had to track a deer yet. I have also used it for pheasant hunting and done just as well as everyone else with a 12 gauge. My Grandpa told me once he prefers the 20 because it's lighter for carrying while hunting all day, and it will kill anything a 12 gauge will. From my experience, I'd say he's absolutely right.
I have had good luck with my Mossberg 500 20 gauge with Lightfield sabots. I think I've killed about 6 or 7 deer with it, and I haven't had to track a deer yet. I have also used it for pheasant hunting and done just as well as everyone else with a 12 gauge. My Grandpa told me once he prefers the 20 because it's lighter for carrying while hunting all day, and it will kill anything a 12 gauge will. From my experience, I'd say he's absolutely right.
HD/Hunting
Applications are much different.
I don't shoot clays, and, I don't hunt.
I'm simply interested in Man-stoppers.
I have no issues with the 20 gauge, and, I think it's a good gun.
My wife loves hers, and, she's got a tube full of #3 Buck for anyone that wants to try her. I've got no issues with that gun, or her, HOWEVER,
I think it's just....hilarious....That anyone would say a 20 g. can do what a 12 can.
I've heard some people comment on weight......I'd say the same thing one of my instructors said...."If you can't hold that weapon the right way, go to the damn gym!"
This is a no-win arguement....Many people are scared by the recoil of a 2 3/4 chambered 12G......This mystifies me.
If you are hunting, or skeet shooting, a 20G will do ya.
If you are stakeing the lives of you and, your family?
mmm...Gotta go with the 12.
Applications are much different.
I don't shoot clays, and, I don't hunt.
I'm simply interested in Man-stoppers.
I have no issues with the 20 gauge, and, I think it's a good gun.
My wife loves hers, and, she's got a tube full of #3 Buck for anyone that wants to try her. I've got no issues with that gun, or her, HOWEVER,
I think it's just....hilarious....That anyone would say a 20 g. can do what a 12 can.
I've heard some people comment on weight......I'd say the same thing one of my instructors said...."If you can't hold that weapon the right way, go to the damn gym!"
This is a no-win arguement....Many people are scared by the recoil of a 2 3/4 chambered 12G......This mystifies me.
If you are hunting, or skeet shooting, a 20G will do ya.
If you are stakeing the lives of you and, your family?
mmm...Gotta go with the 12.
Always used a 20
for hunting (although i have a 12 for HD)...You give up very little in "real world" situations, i.e. every thing I ever shot with it was plenty dead...I was (haven't practiced in a while) a very good shot with my mossberg 500 20 gauge...routinely shot 98-99% trap (used to shoot 100 every weekend)...And I found it be much nicer to carrying over hill and dale all day long...Yes there's maybe only 1 lb. difference between a 20 and a 12, but after a long day in the field that 1 lb. DOES make a difference.
for hunting (although i have a 12 for HD)...You give up very little in "real world" situations, i.e. every thing I ever shot with it was plenty dead...I was (haven't practiced in a while) a very good shot with my mossberg 500 20 gauge...routinely shot 98-99% trap (used to shoot 100 every weekend)...And I found it be much nicer to carrying over hill and dale all day long...Yes there's maybe only 1 lb. difference between a 20 and a 12, but after a long day in the field that 1 lb. DOES make a difference.
Well, I'm not saying the 20 is just a powerful as the 12, in no way shape or form. The 12 can do everything th 20 can and then some, but I am just saying I like the 20 gauge a little better. Theres just something about it that I like a lot. Also, do you really think, in a HD situation, 20 gauge with 3" #3 Magnum buckshot wont get the job done? I know I wouldnt want to get shot with one. No, it doesnt contain the stopping power a 12 does, but I sure wouldnt want to walk in on someone and hav'em unload a full load of 20 ga buck on me either....
Hey trigger happy is they Browning Auto-5 the shottie with the hump on the back of the reciever? We have a Browning auto 16 guage but I don't look at it much. However I sure do like my dads Browning.
12 guage does have a heavty recoil. However with a Knoxx compstock or any knoxx product the recoil is very light. Their products really work, great for HD guns, faster follow-up shots.
12 guage does have a heavty recoil. However with a Knoxx compstock or any knoxx product the recoil is very light. Their products really work, great for HD guns, faster follow-up shots.
I am just curious as to where folks get the idea that the 12 GA hits harder than the 20?
If you care to examine the ballistics and loadings for both gauges, you will see that the lead or steel from both gauges is launched at and maintains the same energy downrange.
The only advantage to the 12 over the 20 (or 28/410) is that it launches more pellets. A 7.5 pellet will have much the same energy launched from a 10 GA and a 410bore. The 10 ga just throws a lot more pellets and has denser patterns at greater distances.
I personally love the 28. And am surprised by how it breaks clay targets at distance. I do understand it's limitations. They have to do with pattern density and not with energy.
Besides, it is fun to shoot the smallbores.
If you care to examine the ballistics and loadings for both gauges, you will see that the lead or steel from both gauges is launched at and maintains the same energy downrange.
The only advantage to the 12 over the 20 (or 28/410) is that it launches more pellets. A 7.5 pellet will have much the same energy launched from a 10 GA and a 410bore. The 10 ga just throws a lot more pellets and has denser patterns at greater distances.
I personally love the 28. And am surprised by how it breaks clay targets at distance. I do understand it's limitations. They have to do with pattern density and not with energy.
Besides, it is fun to shoot the smallbores.
28 ga.
I accidently came to the same realization as K80..., not on clays but on pheasants. I went from a 20 ga. double to a 28 ga. o/u shooting over a dog (pointer). I'm still shooting 1 oz. loads of #6's and use skeet and modified chokes. It seems to be a denser pattern in the center. You just don't want to be off by much.
I accidently came to the same realization as K80..., not on clays but on pheasants. I went from a 20 ga. double to a 28 ga. o/u shooting over a dog (pointer). I'm still shooting 1 oz. loads of #6's and use skeet and modified chokes. It seems to be a denser pattern in the center. You just don't want to be off by much.