20 Gauge double barrel at dicks?

[Gunman21]

I didn't have the privilege of being able to hunt growing up so I mostly just go to the range. But I'm getting more and more into the sport. I went bear hunting last month and had a blast so looking to get into waterfowl.

Looking to get a side by side to hunt with. I have a Benelli Sport 12 gauge auto for shooting clays but it just seems like more of a challenge to have less shots when hunting. I wanted a twenty because I already have another 12 in a home defense pistol grip shotgun and I have a boxes of 20 gauge shells laying around with nothing to put them in.

I also wanted to know if a twenty gauge will be fine for hunting ducks and geese or is it underpowered?

Saw a side by side 20 gauge at Dicks Sporting goods in S.C. I believe it was around $350. Has anyone had any experience with this gun? They also have a shorter version that they call a stagecoach. Would the stagecoach be a good choice or would the short barrel make the shots less accurate and projectiles lose velocity?

 

[MCgunner]

It's not that it's underpowered, but I haven't found a 3" 20 gauge that patterns worth a toot. I have a Spartan with choke tubes, patterns great with 2 3/4" 7.5 dove loads, what I bought it for, but it's less than great with number 4 steel in 3" loads. I haven't explored all the options in ammo, though, and the high speed stuff might be better at killin' and a larger shot might be better at patterning. I stick to my 12s for ducks and shoot 2 3/4" number 3 1550 fps 1 1/16 ounce loads. They knock 'em dead way out there.

For geese, totally forget the 20, not enough big shot. You could shoot hevi shot if you could find it in 20 with BB or perhaps number 2. Me, I shoot a 10 gauge with steel T shot. I'd recommend you look around for a 3.5" capable 12 gauge for ducks AND geese in one gun. My 10 is mission specific, a might heavy for ducks. Could be done, I'm just sayin'.

There is a reason the 12 gauge rules the marsh and is nearly universal. I have a couple of 12s, myself, sorta rely on my Mossberg 500 camo for ducks. My Winchester auto is wood/blue and is too pretty for marsh hunting. Or, at least, I really don't wanna mess it up, not when I have a mission specific alternative that works great. After all, that's why I bought the Mossberg. If I had to buy ONE waterfowl gun now, I'd consider an 835 or perhaps a 935 (auto) in camo finish (for the ruggedness and corrosion resistance). I shoot lefty and like the ergos. Another choice I like is the Browning BPS for a bit more. There are no side by sides on my list. I tore up a pretty Spanish side by side hunting marsh and bay for about 15 years with it. I ain't gonna repeat that mistake again. I liked the gun okay as a shooter and choice of choke was nice. But, the 500 makes a lot more sense in the marsh. I went to Mossberg when steel shot got mandated and my old SxS was no longer useful as it was not steel shot compatible. I still have it, never shoot the thing. It's still a shooter, beat up shooter, but a shooter. LOL

 

[bja5006]

i think they're Stoeger Uplanders. a decent brand, decent gun. i bought a Stoeger over-under 20gauge from Dicks.

the safety on mine, Stoeger 3000 stf, doesnt work. well, it will stop the firing pin from reseting AFTER the first shot is fired. so you can only accidentally shoot yourself of someone near you ONCE, which is better than twice i suppose.

basically, you get what you pay for. it will shoot, but some people have had troubles with safeties/resets/strikes/chokes on "inexpensive" (cheap) doubles.

the side-by-side, i dont know about. i have an easier time shooting an O/U more accurately than a SxS. however, it's the same brand in the same price range, just don't expect too much and you'll be happy.

stoeger uplander firing problems

 

[oneounceload]

just don't expect too much and you'll be happy.

THAT says it all, right there.........

 

[eastbank]

try and find a good used 311 savage/steven in 20ga,they are good shooters at a very good dollar verse use buy. eastbank.

 

[MCgunner]

try and find a good used 311 savage/steven in 20ga,they are good shooters at a very good dollar verse use buy. eastbank.

Just don't buy it for duck hunting unless you wanna ruin the barrels/chokes. They're not, to my knowledge, steel shot compatible. If you're waterfowling, you'll need something modern. Forget the antiques. Steel shot laws came along around 1980. Most shotguns built into the mid 80s were steel compatible. Best of the best IMHO for solid, affordable modern SxS shotguns are the Baikals/Remington Spartans. I don't have a lot of experience with Stoegers. A 12 gauge SxS Baikal would serve the purpose well, but then, so would a Mossberg.

Another thing about a repeater, much easier to get proper fit. With the SxSs, you get what you get. You can shim the stock on a repeater and fit it to you. That's a major advantage IMHO unless you just happen to find a SxS that fits right.

 

[oneounceload]

With the SxSs, you get what you get.

Actually, SxS stocks are typically adjusted to fit the customer; however, the cheap ones are not worth the expense.

If you are going to be shooting waterfowl, the best bet would be a 12 gauge. There are some SxS that can be used, but decent guns aren't cheap.

 

[tactikel]

For waterfowl you really need a 12 ga, when lead shot was still legal a 20ga 3" with #4 shot would take ducks easily, non-toxic shot means steel and to get enough shot into a shell you need the capacity of a 12 (3" or 3 1/2"). You can shoot hevi-shot from a 20 but it is $$$. I reserved my OUs for grouse and pheasant, and bought a Mossberg 835 for for geese/ducks (I got it really cheap).
Buy the 20ga if it fits you, and use it for upland game, if you get serious about waterfowl get 12 pump.

 

[oldwheelieguy]

If you are a good shot a 20 will kill what a 12 will.
however consider, 12 shells are more avalible in sizes and cost no more and have a wider pattern and just more pellets to do the job, espscielly on water fowl.
Hi flying geese??? don,t show up with a 20.
On the other hand your shoulder will like you at the end of the hunt with a 20 if you are shooting feild birds/squirl/rabbit/etc.
So, what do you want to go hunting for is the question.
I'm a Lousiana coon ass so I have a clue on this one!
I have both. The 20 is more fun but less effective. IMO.

 

[John Peddie]

Doubles for waterfowl

Waterfowling is often done from cramped spots (boat, blind, pit) and any break action gun is a PITA to load in tight spots.

Save a double for upland. Get a pump or semi for waterfowl.

 

[oneounceload]

have a wider pattern

Sorry, gauge has NOTHING to do with pattern size. Choke has everything to do with it.

 

[oldwheelieguy]

I agree. both guns with same choke the 12 will be wider and fill the gaps to boot.

 

[qwik]

Im looking, wanting sxs stagecoach shotgun double trigger for home protection. Any opinion or thoughts ? thanks