Should I trade in my 20 Ga for a 12 Ga

N

nsf003

New member
I was thinking about the versatility of the 2 Gauges, and I was thinking about moving up to a 12 Ga. Is this a good idea?



nsf003
 
I'm probably a bigot here, but my opinion is, unless you want a really small, light shotgun, you should get the 12 ga.

You can buy (or make) 12 ga loads that have the same recoil as a 20. Plus you have the option of going to heavier loads if you ever decide to hunt waterfowl, etc.

A 20 ga is a good lightweight alternative to a 12 for smaller learners, but if you only have one, it should be a 12.
 
You might want to provide a little more information as in what type of gun you have and what you are doing with it. The 12 is a more versatile and common gauge for clay targets although the 20 is very popular in skeet. I own both a 12 and a 20 and the scores at sporting aren't all that different on most courses between the two.

If upland gunning is the sole game then stay with the 20. But for waterfowl I'd go with the 12.

Deer hunting can be done quite effectively with a 20 gauge slug as can HD although 20 gauge buckshot isn't as readily available as 12.

I don't feel undergunned with my 20 unless I'm shooting trap, waterfowl or late season pheasants.

Paul
 
I started with a 20ga and it is still my favorite hunting gun. A 12 ga is like carrying a cannon around when you don't need to. I do shoot a 12 for trap and ducks but anything else I grab my "little" gun:)
 
Except for waterfowl and turkey, there's little that can't be done with a 20 as well as a 12. I'd rather have both,and that's not too difficult.
 
To correct your English here, you'd have to "move DOWN" to a 12 gauge.

Solution: Keep the 20 and buy a second gun in 12 gauge.;)
 
nsf003, I would keep the 20, you will not get a lot for if, and if money is a issue look for a good used 12 a lot of them out there. Rocco
 
I use to have a Winchester 1300 Defender in 12GA., but now I'm 46 and a Diabetic. I'm no WUSSE by any means, but I now have a 1300 Defender in 20GA. Believe me I really like my 20, when on the trap or skeet range I can hold my own against my buddies with their Twelve's. Plus my shoulder doesn't need a rub down afterwards.
 
Now, Stinger..........

To correct your correction of my correction

The comment was a tongue-in-cheek comment on the desirability of the 20 vs the 12, not a size comparison.;)

I will stand by the original statement. To move from a 20 to a 12 would be a digression in every good thing known to the shooting community and an affront to mankind in general.

Or not, depending on your point of view.

Clemson
 
I sold my 20 ga and got a 12 ga...haven't regretted it since and I don't miss my 20ga Remmy 1100. Loves my Benelli!

I don't feel much recoil difference (OK I get off on it, and I like the smell, too), and the 12ga platforms are much more versatile.
 
Don't

You may regret having traded of the 20 gauge. It is a neat little shooter (can you tell I've a sentimental attachment to mine). Someday you may have somebody you would like to go hunting with, or would like to teach shotgunning to. They may be on the smallish side such as a kid of ten or twelve or a smallish woman. The 20 gauge would fit the purpose nicely. Go back and search the forums for "What shotgun for a beginner?" and you will find a preponderance of recommendations for the 20 gauge.
 
Keep your 20, and IF you find the need (waterfowl & turkey are decent reasons), add a 12 to the stable. & even for turkeys, all you'll be "giving up" is a few yards, if that. Patterning a load-to-gun/choke can wring out a goodly amount of "inefficiency" of a gauge. Steel (non-toxic shot) seems to be the only deficiency of the 20 right now.

Sorta goes with the "I can kill it better with a Magnum" train of thought. Everything you can do with the 12, you can do with the 20 - only at a tad closer range - & sometimes that doesn't even come into play.
 
I wind up grabbing my 20 ga. far more often than the 12 ga. for small game hunting and the like. On the rarest of occasions when I provide free amusement to those on the skeet course I also grab the 20. It really is my favorite gauge.

If only the 16 ga. decided whether it was staging a comeback or not...
 
There's always a need....

Hi All-

Add my vote to the "do not sell, just add a 12-gauge" column.

One of my buddies lives in a spread-out, suburban neighborhood. Anyway, he was having problems with some squirrels burrowing into his house.

Well, he saw the squirrels in his wooded backyard and loaded-up his Mossberg 12-gauge with a light dove/quail type load.

Suffice it to say, it was LOUD and probably not the best way to win the affections of neighbors in a very liberal, gun-grabby location. His pellet gun wasn't available. :cool:

Now a 20-gauge would have been just what the doctor ordered.

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Squirrel problems are easily handled with a slingshot without disturbing the neighbors (or bringing out the swat team!). I use mostly plain rocks. Knock em off the tree branch and step on their, uh, grill em for the dog. They're pretty good with bbq sauce. :p

Rule four still applies with slingshots...'Be sure of your target, and what is beyond.'
 
Keep the 20. Get a 12ga. Browning Gold Hunter. Between the two, you should be able to hunt any bird save a Canadian Goose on a crystal clear day.

You will find that if you shoot upland dove and quail, you will crave a light swinging IC 20. But, if you are shooting anything else, you will usually take your 12.

Personally, I am glad to see the 16ga beginning to make a comeback. It is my favorite gauge of them all.

Skilter
 
Keep the 20. Get a 12ga. Browning Gold Hunter. Between the two, you should be able to hunt any bird save a Canadian Goose on a crystal clear day.

You will find that if you shoot upland dove and quail, you will crave a light swinging IC 20. But, if you are shooting anything else, you will usually take your 12.

Personally, I am glad to see the 16ga beginning to make a comeback. It is my favorite gauge of them all and with the advent of Bismuth ammo, it will really be able to shine in the future.

Skilter
 
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