20 Gage Help!

[Mr.Brown16]

Well i just got my first gun which is a 20 gage single shot.I cant wait to take it out, but while im waiting i was just wondering what elce could I use it for besides rabbits.

[Kimber1911_06238]

lots of options....upland game birds, hevi-shot works well for waterfowl, small game like squirrels, large hevi shot/slugs for coyotes, slugs for deer....i'm sure there are things i'm leaving out

[trueblue1776]

Look at the barrel, it should be stamped with what choke it has in the barrel. That will let you know what it's intended uses are. Look for a letter code like IMP, MOD, FC, or FULL etc.

[Mr.Brown16]

Yah i just looked at the barrel and it sead 20Ga.3'M
I dident see any of the lettering that you sead.

[Milkmaster]

20ga= 20 ga shotshells only
3" = up to 3" shells will fit in this gun
M = Most likely means a "modified" choke in the barrel. Modified chokes CAN be used for most everything with differing degrees of success. For a one barreled single shot gun I would say modified is as good as any to have.

You say it is your first gun. Well what has happened is that you have embarked upon a new hobby that is as vast as you want it to be! A lot of causal reading instead of T.V. has meant a lot helping me to answer questions about this hobby. THR is a good source as well as several books. Get a copy of "Shotgunning, The art and The Science" by Brister. It is easy reading and will get you a good idea about what different models are used for and why. You will probably want to read it again in a couple of years after you learn more what the different terms unfamiliar to you now all mean.

For everyone's sake including your own, learn the safety concerns and operation of firearms before you just "go shooting".

Enjoy your new found addiction!

[Dave McCracken]

Congrats and welcome,MrB. A couple things....

Use the lightest loads you can find starting out.

Get a lesson or two from a qualified instructor. You may have a range near you that offers classes for beginners.

If you live in central MD I'll be glad to take you through that first step.

[Mr.Brown16]

Well thanks for the help you guys have offered me and you dont have worry about me geting hurt I well get lessions from an instructor ASAP.
I can see me having alot of hours out in the bush.