Advice on 12 vs 20 gauge

[kyjoe]

I have a pretty good idea on the auto-shotgun I plan on buying, but am debating between a 12 or 20 gauge.

I currently have an 870 Wingmaster in 12 gauge and use it for everything. I have enjoyed clays enough that I would like to step up to an auto. The new gun will be used primarily for: skeet, sporting clays, dove, rabbit, and maybe some squirrel. While I do not currently shoot or hunt the following it may be used for trap, duck, geese, and other upland game birds. I am keeping the 870 and still have it as my go to for turkey and deer.

Am I really giving anything up with a 20 gauge for this gun's primary uses? Are there any cost differences or shell offering limitations to consider? From what I have read I think the 20 would be equal if not better in most applications except duck/geese which I currently do not hunt and could always use my 870 for.

Appreciate any advice or info you guys can share.

 

[wgp]

I don't think you are, and you are getting a gun that should be lighter, slimmer and more pleasant to carry. I switched last year from usually shooting a Benelli 12ga to using mostly an SKB 20ga O/U for pheasant and quail, using 3" shells with #4 shot, and was completely satisfied with the results. The guys I hunt with, who were all using 12s, even commented that I was cerainly killing equally well with the 20.
It is possible that if you have to use steel shot, you may be able to throw more shot with the 12 and that is a consideration.

 

[Snarlingiron]

It is a common myth. A #7 1/2 shot moving at 1300 fps is the same whether it comes out of a 20 ga bore or a 12 ga bore, or for that matter, a .410. It's just that with the 12 you are putting more of them in the air. If you hit with the 20, the results will be the same as if you hit with a 12.

A friend of mine went to 20 gages a year or so ago after back surgery. He still beats me on the clays range. For that matter he takes just as many or more on the dove field too.

 

[oneounceload]

Typical 12 gauge target loads range from 7/8 to 1-1/8 oz loads, with many folks shooting 1oz. In 20, the typical load is 7/8.

There is a greater variety and availability of 12 gauge ammo - both target and hunting. It is easier to load a 12 down as it is to load a 20 upwards while maintaining a good pattern.

That said - there isn't a target or upland bird that a 20 can't kill that a 12 can. Waterfowl might have some - I stopped hunting waterfowl when steel became mandatory.

I shoot many 20s both at targets and birds - it's lots of fun. My target 20 is about a pound lighter than my 12, which allows me to swing quicker on fast crossers - but the recoil is about the same as my 12 with light loads.

About the only major drawback to a semi is the ejection of the hulls - if you reload. If you're going to be shooting a lot of targets, reloading helps. Something you might want to consider going forward.

 

[Al LaVodka]

You are generally at a sporting disadvantage using a 20 ga. I like them better for some moderate range hunting (i.e. an old bolt-action Mossberg believe it or not) but why have the gun limit you if it is intended for such broad use!?

No, 12 ga. is the versatile caliber to get IMHO.

Al

 

[Dave McCracken]

Lots of folks I know use 20s for casual clay competition. If that's what you want, go for it.

Since I shoot 7/8 oz loads(20 gauge country) in my 12s, I may be slightly handicapped compared to the Steely Eyed Target Sharks using White Rhinos but I don't care.

And, except for wild, spooky ringnecks,waterfowl and turkey, there's no birds in North America a 20 is bad on if the shooter does his/her part.

 

[45crittergitter]

I've used both, and for small game such as mentioned, I far prefer the 20. I kill about three times as many birds with it as I ever did with a 12. I think that's because I can hit with it better. (Duh!)

 

[Birdhunter1]

80% of my hunting or shooting is done with a shotgun, of that I haven't taken a 12 gauge afield in 3 or 4 years... and when I did it was only because I didn't have a slug gun set up in 20 gauge.

I mostly upland hunt and I do it all with a 20. One reason is so when dad and I go on a trip we only have to one gauge of shells (also helps in the field at times). He's been using a 20 for 50 years and isn't changing. I have taken pheasants just as far if not farther than anyone I have seen do with a 12 gauge and I don't have a problem missing anymore with a 20 than I did with a 12.

You can carry more shells as they weigh less.

I use to deer hunt with a 12 gauge, two years ago I switched to a 20 gauge H&R single shot Ultra Slug Hunter and I have put more deer on the ground at longer ranges than I ever did with a 12 gauge. To date the farthest one has run was 35 yards... and it looked like a sump pump shooting out both sides of her.

 

[ArmedBear]

For some odd reason, in the US, 12 Gauge is the default shotgun, with other gauges used only if there's "a good reason." There's also a stupid perception of the 20 Gauge as a "kid's gun", and pressure to move a kid up to 12 ASAP.

I think it would make more sense if the default shotgun everyone used were 20, with 12 being the more specialized choice when there's "a good reason". Looks like I'm not alone, here.

20 kills pheasants dead with #5 shot, same as 12 does, and most 20s point better in the field, and weigh less for all-day carry.

 

[DaleCooper51]

While I have no problem with the 20, I have to say that I prefer the 12ga. For clays, I shoot light 7/8 oz loads in a 9lb gun. Recoil is very minor with this set up. For the field, I have an old Benelli that weighs in just around 7lbs and just tailor the loads to the game. I really don't like a much lighter gun than that.

I've had a 20ga Franchi 48 with a 24" barrel and english stock that I sold after a box of shells due to stout recoil and it being really whippy. If I had to hike up steep mountains to hunt, then sure, but the terrain really isn't that bad in eastern PA. I also had a 20 ga wingmaster. It was a nice gun, but I sold when I simplified things by only shooting a 12.

 

[oneounceload]

One thing to consider is the new Beretta Xplor. Current production is a field grade 12 gauge that weighs 6.5 #. One of my shooting friends has one and I got a chance to shoot it this Sunday. As far as recoil, wow comes to mind - the reduction system they have does a remarkable job of making it feel very light in that regard. At 6.5#, you're close, real close, to 20 gauge weight with 12 gauge capability of you need it.

 

[ArmedBear]

I wonder if Beretta will come out with an ugly version of the A400 for less money.

For one thing, I hate paying as much for a semiauto as I would for a real shotgun, and for another, if I'm going to drop it anyway, it might as well start out ugly.

I understand there's supposed to be a 20 Gauge out soon, too. If it's significantly lighter, that sounds great to me.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Since you have the 12 get a 20 for the varity.

 

[bad_aim_billy]

From what I have read I think the 20 would be equal if not better in most applications except duck/geese which I currently do not hunt

I think you answered your own question. If waterfowl isn't in the future, get a 20.