DanTheFarmer
Member
Good Evening All,
I'm new to shotgunning. I picked up a 20 gauge Mossberg 500 in August. I've enjoyed learning about it and used it for the fall turkey hunt (I didn't see a thing...oh well).
What are the differences between 12 gauge and 20 gauge if they use the same weight of shot? I shot my 20 gauge with the common 7/8 oz. load and found it to be very easy to handle. I've read that the clay sports guys will often load down their 12 gauges to 7/8 or even 3/4 oz. because it gets the job done on the target but is very easy on the shoulder. Some of the turkey loads I bought were 1 1/4 or 1 5/16 oz. Some 12 gauge loads are similar (I do know the 12 gauge can go substantially heavier).
I really enjoy reloading so I checked out load data for shotguns and discovered that often the 12 gauge has a slightly higher velocity for similar weight of shot. Does that mean much in the field?
So is there any practical difference between 3/4 or 7/8 oz out of a 20 gauge vs the same out of a 12 gauge? 1 1/4 oz. out of 20 gauge vs. the same out of a 12 gauge?
Thanks.
Dan
I'm new to shotgunning. I picked up a 20 gauge Mossberg 500 in August. I've enjoyed learning about it and used it for the fall turkey hunt (I didn't see a thing...oh well).
What are the differences between 12 gauge and 20 gauge if they use the same weight of shot? I shot my 20 gauge with the common 7/8 oz. load and found it to be very easy to handle. I've read that the clay sports guys will often load down their 12 gauges to 7/8 or even 3/4 oz. because it gets the job done on the target but is very easy on the shoulder. Some of the turkey loads I bought were 1 1/4 or 1 5/16 oz. Some 12 gauge loads are similar (I do know the 12 gauge can go substantially heavier).
I really enjoy reloading so I checked out load data for shotguns and discovered that often the 12 gauge has a slightly higher velocity for similar weight of shot. Does that mean much in the field?
So is there any practical difference between 3/4 or 7/8 oz out of a 20 gauge vs the same out of a 12 gauge? 1 1/4 oz. out of 20 gauge vs. the same out of a 12 gauge?
Thanks.
Dan