[MikePGS]

For some reason I have a particular fondness for the 20 gauge, probably due to my first gun being a Remington 870 youth express chambered in 20. Unfortunately I no longer own that gun and am considering buying another shotgun. I'd like it mostly for HD purposes, but possibly going to use it for deer hunting as well (will be getting an extra barrel for it so I can shoot sabots). That being said, aside from availability of ammunition is there any reason I should get a 12 instead of a 20? Looking at federal's website a virtually identical round (barnes expander) showed a 12 having 3-400 more ft-lbs of force at 25 yards, yet the 12 was classified as being able to take medium and large game, whereas the 20 was only able to take medium game, according to this site. Like I said i want to hunt deer, but possibly in the future black bear as well (need to wait a few years to build up points). Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[Birdhunter1]

A 12 gauge hull will hold more shot, in some loads you can gain more velocity and in other loads you may have more energy downrange on animals.

For slugs a 12 has more energy simply due to the fact of a larger rock being hurled through the air, in most game load shotshells same vel, difference in amount of shot and the same range. Maybe a bit more range in a 12 only because there is more shot in the pattern.

For what it's worth I use a 20 gauge on everything anymore, quail, doves, rabbits, deer and pheasants. I hit about everything I shoot at. If I duck hunted I'd probably use my 12 gauge for no other reason than I have alot of 3" mag steel shot.

[TAB]

basicly what it comes down to is more shot.

[obiwankabaldi]

Witht he new slugs today a 20 gauge can be plenty adequite. The sabot slugs are awesome. However, and especially if you plan to hunt bear I would opt for the 12 gauge. Not a lot heavier but capable of really stretching the power band, you can get 2 3/4", 3" or now even 3.5" in some loads. Also you mentioned the availabilityof ammo, even many hardware stores carry 12 gauge ammo. That 20 gauge is sweet, but I think the 12 gauge is IMHO better. The last thing. Just as there is tons of controversy about .45cal versus 9mm for self defense. Whatever you buy, practice is the most critical element. Good luck

[barnetmill]

basicly what it comes down to is more shot.
The 12 ga also accepts larger diameter buckshot if that is important to you as well bigger slugs.

[redneck2]

A 12 gauge with a 385 grain sabot @2,000 fps approximates an elephant rifle. You really don't need 4,000 ft-lbs to whack a 140# deer.

I have a 12 gauge rifled barrel 870. I'm seriously considering getting a 20 gauge auto. That 12 gauge with slugs gets old quick and is way overkill IMO.

Advantage of a 12 is variety and low cost of ammo.

[MCgunner]

20 don't have enough capacity to produce a decent pattern with T steel. You won't find many 20s in the goose hunting fields nor the duck marsh for that matter, though I've taken mine duck hunting occasionally.

[TAB]

20 don't have enough capacity to produce a decent pattern with T steel. You won't find many 20s in the goose hunting fields nor the duck marsh for that matter, though I've taken mine duck hunting occasionally.

I know of dozens of ducks and a few geese that will disagree with you... all from my 1100 20 ga youth model.

[MCgunner]

I prefer the 10 gauge for geese. I've killed a lot of ducks with a 20. I don't shoot hevi shot and loads are real limited in 20 that are effective on geese. Oh, get 'em inside 25 yards and I can kill 'em with 7.5s in a .410, but many times, late season, you're lookin' at 40 yards if you're lucky. Even 12 gauge 3" with STEEL is pretty weak at 40 yards. 10 gauge T shot will gitterdun.

If the ducks are working okay, especially for teal, 20 will work. I took a lot of ducks in the day with 2 3/4" number five lead shot. I use 2 or 4 steel in 3" when I use the 20, now. The fast steel stuff in 20 is available, now. I've been wanting to try some for ducks. It's fantastic in a 2 3/4" 12 gauge number 3 shot.

[ArmedBear]

I tend to like 20 Gauge guns, but the answer is "yes.":)

Yeah, 12 Gauge is favored by meatheads who shoot bats and think they're doves, but it's also favored by live pigeon shooters, both kinds of Trap competitors, etc.:)

But what do you care, if a 20 works for what you want it to?

[mnrivrat]

I have been shooting nothing but a 20ga. for years now and I am sort of annoyed at what I consider a surge in its popularity.

I used to be able to go to gun shows and buy up 20ga. ammo for next to nothing. That has all changed in recent times. There is a need to bring enough gun to the task, but no need to bring a 12ga. to do what a 20ga. will do .

For HD I have used the 20ga. and it presents better handling for me, with enough energy to get the job done well (IMO). The real advantage of the 12ga. has been mentioned in that it carries more shot. That is advantages in waterfowl hunting as well as in clay games.

I've shot deer with my 20ga. and standard slugs with no more problem than 12ga. Shot placement is mainly the key to quick kills on deer, and I would not hesitate to use the 20ga. for black bear. I've hunted them with .357 Magnum which has 1/2 the energy of the 20ga. slug.

[mio]

your biggest difference will be range. stay within the limitations of your gun and it will be fine for deer or black bear here in michigan.

[Pete409]

The 20 gauge should probably serve your stated purposes well. If you decide to get serious about shooting trap and/or sporting clays, then you would probably want a 12 gauge, but for informal shooting, a 20 will do fine.

[machinisttx]

I'm sorta "meh" on the 20 gauge. If it weren't for the lack of variety in loadings and decent hulls for reloading, I'd use a 16 gauge almost exclusively.

The 20 gives up some pattern density to the 12, and possibly some range because of that.

[JImbothefiveth]

Isn't it possible to get 12 gauge ammunition that duplicate 20 gauge? For instance, a 20 gauge may push 7/8 0Z of shot at a certain speed, but couldn't you duplicate that in 12 gauge, by just buying target loads?

[Pete409]

Isn't it possible to get 12 gauge ammunition that duplicate 20 gauge? For instance, a 20 gauge may push 7/8 0Z of shot at a certain speed, but couldn't you duplicate that in 12 gauge, by just buying target loads?

I don't know where to buy 7/8 ounce target loads for the 12 gauge anymore since Winchester stopped making the 7/8 ounce Super Speed shells. Those were good, inexpensive shells. Of course, you could reload some 7/8 ounce loads in 12 gauge.

[MCgunner]

The 20 gives up some pattern density to the 12, and possibly some range because of that.

With larger shot sizes I agree, but it seems to work pretty danged well on doves with 7 1/2 shot. I was knockin' 'em down these last two years at 35-40 yards if I did my part. I like my little 20 on doves, just don't care much for the patterns it throws with 3" and steel. 12 is better. It's a pretty good gun on teal, though, that are in close over the deeks dodging and darting worse than a dove. :D It's a light little double that swings and points quick. I think the shotgun, not particularly the gauge, is what I like. And, in 20 gauge, the recoil isn't as bad as a 12 in the same weight gun. It shoots sweet, but it does have a little shoulder punch with 3" steel loads, not much different than 12s. Fortunately, on ducks, you only have a five bird limit, so you ain't doin' that much shooting.

[TAB]

Any int'l target load will be 7/8th.

I know federal still makes it.

[JohnBT]

"I have been shooting nothing but a 20ga. for years now and I am sort of annoyed at what I consider a surge in its popularity."

Come on over to 28. :cool:

[sm]

"I have been shooting nothing but a 20ga. for years now and I am sort of annoyed at what I consider a surge in its popularity."

Come on over to 28.

*GRIN*

mnrivrat,
Oh come on my friend, snag a 28 ga, heck I know you will grin ear to ear , and after you are finished cursing John BT, Will Fennell, PJR, Plummeroy , myself and others around here....

You will post stuff like we do. *neener*

[earlthegoat2]

I am getting away from the 12 gauge. As a reloader I get more shots per dollar and to answer your original question there really isnt anything a 12 can do that a 20 wont.

You just have to be a little bit better of a shot to get those ducks, geese and turkeys. More challenge i suppose. I just like it better. There are way too many 12 gauges out there and a 20 will be easier to sell if the time comes because everyone seems to want them but no one wants to buy a new one.

[icebones]

12 gauge=more pellets. period.
also 12 gauge shells seem to be a bit cheaper, at least thats the case in my local area (kentucky, not S. korea)

[Pete409]

Any int'l target load will be 7/8th.

I know federal still makes it.

TAB,

You're right. I had forgotten about the Federal Gold Medal International loads. I guess I didn't consider them mainly for 2 reasons.

First, they are rather expensive shells. I don't know the exact cost today, but I'd guess they cost at least $3 MORE per box than what I normally shoot.

Second is the velocity of 1325 ft/sec which equates to more recoil. In fact, (if I remember correctly) a 7/8 ounce load at 1325 ft/sec has more recoil than a 1 ounce load at 1180 ft/sec.

What I'd really like to find is a factory load of 7/8 ounce at about 1225 ft/sec that is priced like the promotional loads at Wal Mart.

[Onmilo]

Reach out and kill ducks and geese at 65 yards with steel shot loads.
Especially in the 3.5" chamber.

12 guage is also a much better defense gun load unless you are a very slightly built female or recoil sensitive and in both cases you would be better served with another type of firearm.

[22lr]

Honestly, it has more power, a lot more kick and that's about it. Id like a 20 but I dont want to add another gauge to my collection just yet.

[RetiredLawman]

I have used a variety of guns and gauges during my lifetime. As I grow older, the 20 gauge just feels better for me. A Franchi AL-48 in 20 gauge is the ultimate sexy hunting/shooting gun. It feels good and it does what I want it to do. It has been quite some time since I've used a 12 gauge.

I shoot and hunt for fun. I don't need the meat. I don't need to kill everything I shoot at. Nor break ever clay that's tossed. I shoot for fun. If I score, that's OK. If I don't, well, that's OK too.

A box of 20 gauge shells is lighter and less bulky than 12s. You can carry a days shooting in the uplands in your shell pouch without being weighted down. I think I'll stick to the 20.

[Dave McCracken]

A 12 shines where the large capacity can be used.

Waterfowl, turkey and some defensive ammo comes to mind.

Most of my clay loads are 7/8 oz at around 1225. That's 20 gauge country.

And for the record, the 20 gauge Rottweil Brenekke slug kills deer just as fast and humanely as any 12 gauge slug I know.

The ammo spectrum for the 12 is vast. Not quite so much for the 20.

It's up to you. I like them both, but there's 7 12 gauges here at the moment and one 20.

[MCgunner]

There's absolutely NO reason to restrict myself to one shotgun OR one gauge. I own more'n one rifle, too. I own more'n one handgun, too.

I have jobs where I prefer my 20 to my 12 and I have jobs that the 20 will just not do. You can't get 20 gauge 3" in steel T shot to my knowledge. When they passed non-toxic shot laws, that severely restricted the use of the 20 gauge on large waterfowl and that's what I've hunted the most over the years, waterfowl. That's why I own more 12s than anything else. But, I ain't sellin' my 20 and I ain't sellin' my 10. They all have uses.

I like guns....shotguns, rifles, handguns. I own over 40 firearms of one sort or another, 6 of 'em being shotguns. I will probably buy more in the future and they ain't all going to be pumps or autos or doubles and they ain't all going to be 12 gauges. I like the variety. :D