20 Ga Pump
- Thread starter dak0ta
- Start date
- Status
bob9125
Member
I highly recommend the Browning BPS. Depending on what you are looking for, you can get it with a 26" or 28" in the Hunter model or with a 22" barrel in their Upland Special model. I enjoy mine very much.
oneounceload
member
Depends on the use - upland hunting, something very light like the Ithaca comes to mind; for clays or similar, a heavier gun like the BPS will do
If you want a "nice" gun, look at a BPS, 870 Wingmaster, or Ithaca. If you are just looking for a workhorse, Mossberg 500. All of those are good guns, and are very different, check out a few and see what you like. I myself can't stand the safety and bolt release on the 870's, but some guys won't shoot anything else.
bob9125
Member
BPS is designed to be smaller.
oneounceload
member
20 gauge guns are typically designed on the smaller frame. The two magical gauges, 16 and 28 tend to be made on the wrong sized frames most of the time - which has hurt them in sales. The 20 is a great gauge for just about everything in upland and clays
Maple_City_Woodsman
Member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2011
- Messages
- 430
The BPS is still quite big, and usually the heaviest thanks to its steel reciever (both the 870 & 500 use aluminum, IIRC).
In 20 guage all three are functionally equivelant. Each has some small advantage that may lend it better to an individual, or to some small niche' use, but to be honest none of them do anything the other two cant do well. This is chiefly because all three manufacturors have at least two reciever sizes.
The difference would be much more drastic if you wanted a 410 or 28. To my knowledge, Mossberg is the only one of the three that has a pump action reciever smaller than 20 gauge.
Thus the Mossberg 500E (.410 bore field) is built on a reciever that is both low weight aluminum AND gauge scaled. The 870 is aluminum, but not scaled. The BPS 410 is NEITHER aluminum nor scaled to gauge.
Thus the difference between the 500 and BPS is pretty extreem in the sub-bore catagory, but the field is essentially level in 20 gauge, as they all use the same size.
IMO:
* The BPS is heavier (not necessarily bad, depending on application) and more nicely finished
* The 870 is the best ballanced, and easiest to field strip
* The 500 is cheap and reliable ... but is a pain in the butt to clean (uncaptured disrupter arms) and the barrel swap issue is annoying.
Thus, i would only recommend the 500 when seeking a 410 bore, as that is the only time its specifications are 'better' enough to offset the issues inherant in that platform.
For the 20 gauge you are seeking, I would choose between the Browning and the Remington based on your weight preference, provided neither feel too objectionable when shouldered.
In 20 guage all three are functionally equivelant. Each has some small advantage that may lend it better to an individual, or to some small niche' use, but to be honest none of them do anything the other two cant do well. This is chiefly because all three manufacturors have at least two reciever sizes.
The difference would be much more drastic if you wanted a 410 or 28. To my knowledge, Mossberg is the only one of the three that has a pump action reciever smaller than 20 gauge.
Thus the Mossberg 500E (.410 bore field) is built on a reciever that is both low weight aluminum AND gauge scaled. The 870 is aluminum, but not scaled. The BPS 410 is NEITHER aluminum nor scaled to gauge.
Thus the difference between the 500 and BPS is pretty extreem in the sub-bore catagory, but the field is essentially level in 20 gauge, as they all use the same size.
IMO:
* The BPS is heavier (not necessarily bad, depending on application) and more nicely finished
* The 870 is the best ballanced, and easiest to field strip
* The 500 is cheap and reliable ... but is a pain in the butt to clean (uncaptured disrupter arms) and the barrel swap issue is annoying.
Thus, i would only recommend the 500 when seeking a 410 bore, as that is the only time its specifications are 'better' enough to offset the issues inherant in that platform.
For the 20 gauge you are seeking, I would choose between the Browning and the Remington based on your weight preference, provided neither feel too objectionable when shouldered.
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,308
dak0ta
I have an older Winchester Model 1300 that has been a very reliable performer for me for many years. Just recently picked up a 24" vent rib barrel for upland hunting, and an 18" barrel for home defense purposes.
I have an older Winchester Model 1300 that has been a very reliable performer for me for many years. Just recently picked up a 24" vent rib barrel for upland hunting, and an 18" barrel for home defense purposes.
armsmaster270
Member
I bought my wife the 20ga Browning BPS Upland Youth model and she loves it
Maple_City_Woodsman
Member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2011
- Messages
- 430
You are correct. I was confused - the 870 is also a steel reciever.
I think the Ithaca is a good all around gun - the design is similar to the BPS, but the guns themselves tend to be lighter and handle a bit a bit quicker compared to the Browning.
As for bantams - the gun is the same as the adult size. The stock is just stubbyer, and the barrel about 2" shorter. That actually makes the gun lighter, and thus kick harder. A bantam is all about fitting a smaller shooter; it doesn't really effect performance.
The gun doesn't really matter. As long as you are a decent shot with shotguns, and the fit to your shoulder is reasonable, then you will do well. The only reason to pick one over the other is if one has some kind of special feature that you want or need for some niche' purpose.
Since you are looking for a general 'do all' gun, then just pick the one that tickles your fancy.
I think the Ithaca is a good all around gun - the design is similar to the BPS, but the guns themselves tend to be lighter and handle a bit a bit quicker compared to the Browning.
As for bantams - the gun is the same as the adult size. The stock is just stubbyer, and the barrel about 2" shorter. That actually makes the gun lighter, and thus kick harder. A bantam is all about fitting a smaller shooter; it doesn't really effect performance.
The gun doesn't really matter. As long as you are a decent shot with shotguns, and the fit to your shoulder is reasonable, then you will do well. The only reason to pick one over the other is if one has some kind of special feature that you want or need for some niche' purpose.
Since you are looking for a general 'do all' gun, then just pick the one that tickles your fancy.
Last edited:
Maple_City_Woodsman
Member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2011
- Messages
- 430
That depends.
Remington lists their 'buckhammer' slug at 1oz in both gauges, with the 20gauge only being 60fps slower - from a slightly lower weight gun.
The online recoil calculator shows both of those loas producing identical numbers in 12 & 20 gauge Rem 870's.
Remington also offers a reduced recoil load for the 20ga - that load produces only 1/2 of the free recoil energy, and about 25% less recoil velocity.
So basically whether your new 20 kicks just like a 12, or pushes like a pussycat depends entirely on what you stoke it with - High brass slug and buck will likely not be very distinguishable. Light field loads may be a different story.
Remington lists their 'buckhammer' slug at 1oz in both gauges, with the 20gauge only being 60fps slower - from a slightly lower weight gun.
The online recoil calculator shows both of those loas producing identical numbers in 12 & 20 gauge Rem 870's.
Remington also offers a reduced recoil load for the 20ga - that load produces only 1/2 of the free recoil energy, and about 25% less recoil velocity.
So basically whether your new 20 kicks just like a 12, or pushes like a pussycat depends entirely on what you stoke it with - High brass slug and buck will likely not be very distinguishable. Light field loads may be a different story.
Last edited:
Bud Tugly
Member
A lightweight 20 gauge is just about the perfect tool for upland hunting where you'll do lots more walking than shooting. If you plan on using the same gun for waterfowl, clay games, turkey, etc. where you'll be either shooting high volumes or very heavy loads then that same light gun will beat you up.
Since you already have a 12 for waterfowl and turkey, why not make the 20 your dedicated upland gun and go for lightness and let the 12 gauge do the rest?
Since you already have a 12 for waterfowl and turkey, why not make the 20 your dedicated upland gun and go for lightness and let the 12 gauge do the rest?
50caliber123
Member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2005
- Messages
- 640
Finding a 20 ga pump
The best kept secret in SE MI is the 20 ga pump. Shop around on the3 gun forums local to you, should have np problem finding one under $150, probably closer to $125. If you can find a pardner pump youth model in 20 ga, its basically an 870, although in 20 ga, none of the parts interchange. $200 new, a lot less used. I seen a cheap used one throw some insanely tight patterns with just the modified choke tube it came with. 20 #3 buck pellets into a 12" circle at 25yds. Like a swarm of bees...
The best kept secret in SE MI is the 20 ga pump. Shop around on the3 gun forums local to you, should have np problem finding one under $150, probably closer to $125. If you can find a pardner pump youth model in 20 ga, its basically an 870, although in 20 ga, none of the parts interchange. $200 new, a lot less used. I seen a cheap used one throw some insanely tight patterns with just the modified choke tube it came with. 20 #3 buck pellets into a 12" circle at 25yds. Like a swarm of bees...
IdahoSkies
Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2009
- Messages
- 549
I have a binelli nova in 20ga. It was the first gun I purchased and I love it. It has about three moving parts is extremely easy to clean and take care of and handles like a dream. I am not a fan of binelli's autoloader (flame on) but that 20 ga. pump is a dream. Seriously try one, ask the gun shop to let you break it apart, and it is a beauty.
Gunnerboy
Member
Buy an 870 and your great grandkids will hunt with it, they are the ak47 of shotguns ive got mine full of sand,mud,ice,saltwater,swampgrass,unburnt gunpowder,and little rocks somehow and it never once stopped working or had a issue.
oneounceload
member
That can't happen - if the velocity is different AND the gun weight is different, they cannot, by the laws of physics, be equal
Andrew Wyatt
Member
The 870 receiver is not aluminum, and it is scaled.
IMO:
* The 870 is the best ballanced, and easiest to field strip And the Ithica isn't bad either. I'm a Wingmaster fan myself
* The 500 is cheap and reliable ... but is a pain in the butt to clean (uncaptured disrupter arms) and the barrel swap issue is annoying. I'd stay away from the Brownings and Mosbergs for service reasons. I've had more than one bad encounter with both of these guns and jammed shells & other problems
I'm not familiar at all with the Nova's
* The 870 is the best ballanced, and easiest to field strip And the Ithica isn't bad either. I'm a Wingmaster fan myself
* The 500 is cheap and reliable ... but is a pain in the butt to clean (uncaptured disrupter arms) and the barrel swap issue is annoying. I'd stay away from the Brownings and Mosbergs for service reasons. I've had more than one bad encounter with both of these guns and jammed shells & other problems
I'm not familiar at all with the Nova's
- Status