[Visor1]

What are the reasons that 20 guage ammunition is manufactured with a narrower range of shot size ? The largest commerical (major manufacturer) ammo I could find with birdshot is #4, and the largest buckshot is #2 (although I did find a specialty manufacturer who has 00).

From reading this board and elsewhere I see the size of the buckshot and stacking in the shell may explain why the buckshot loads are limited, but is the same thing true of the larger birdshot sizes?

Speculation is welcome!

Thanks!

[ArmedBear]

Two reasons:

1. Big shot in a small bore means a more broken-up pattern. Besides, #4 is plenty for the largest birds commonly hunted with a 20 and lead shot (pheasant).

2. Your pellet count gets low fast as shot size goes up. You only get 135 pellets of #4 in an ounce, vs. 347 pellets of #7.5. In 7/8 oz., that count is down to 118 vs. 303. #2 shot only has 88 pellets in an ounce, or 77 in 7/8 oz.

At some point, you'd have to use a Full choke to get any kind of pattern density at any distance. #4 seems to be about the practical limit, and since lead is illegal for hunting geese, there's no reason to push it farther.:)

[ArmedBear]

Oh yeah, see this chart for a whole lot more numbers than you want.:)

http://www.duckhuntingchat.com/shotgun-shell-sizing-chart.php

[oneounceload]

I still have a box of 20 gauge in #2's that I used when lead was still legal for waterfowl. However, these are 3" cartridges, not 2-3/4. (I still remember how much they thumped me out of my Savage/Fox double too!)

[rcmodel]

Pattern density with larger birdshot.

Stacking pattern in the shell with larger buckshot.

rc

[Visor1]

Thanks, and Thaks ArmedBear for the link!

[MCgunner]

Well, people hunt with the 20 for it's light weight and quickness. It's great on upland game. There's the 10 gauge for geese and the 12 for anything else. Hey, you don't drive nails with a screw driver.

[ArmedBear]

Hey, you don't drive nails with a screw driver.


Speak for yourself.:D

[Nicodemus38]

most of the industry assumes that billy bob bought a 20 gauge so his little neice or nephew can shoot slug at a deer, or use it for dove/pheasant or skeet.

[45crittergitter]

I also have some #2 birdshot. However, the REAL reason there aren't more choices is that there's not enough demand to justify their manufacture and marketing. That's pretty much always the reason something is discontinued or not offered. Of course, the reason there isn't enough demand may be that they don't work all that well, or at least no better than the offered loads.

[oneounceload]

I have a box of #2's - granted they're 3" shells, but they exist.

As mentioned, demand has everything to do with it. If you're getting into needing large shot in big amounts, get a 12 or a 10 - better suited to deliver a better pattern with bigger shot in heavier loads.