How many 12ga proponets have actually shot a 20ga? Blind Poll

[vicdotcom]

Hey all,

This is just a blind poll. Yes I have, No I have not. It is not meant to be a thread to argue 12ga vs 20 ga. (but it might wind up that way anyways).

I was shooting with my friend who is a huge 12ga for everything man. And I had my 20ga. He was harping on me about it and I asked if he even fired a 20ga before? Supprisingly he said no he had not.


It made me think how common is this. So here is a blind poll. Im thinking most people have shot both, but I can be suprised

 

[Birdmang]

I have one of each, both have their practical applications.

 

[JoeMal]

My first shottie was a 12, never had anything else. I've shot probably 2 rounds from a .410

 

[vicdotcom]

I have one of each, both have their practical applications.

Yea I do also. Each have very different characteristics even for the same model shotgun, especially when fully loaded.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have no need for the 12 gauge. I dont have one now and may never again unless I am looking to turn a profit. I have found the 20 to do everything equally well including skeet and waterfowl.

Its just the idiot behind the gun that matters.

 

[hillbillydelux]

As posted by others. I use both and both have served me well. I use the 20 for squirrels, birds, clay birds and such. I use the 12 for turkey.

 

[Cougfan2]

My first shotgun was an Ithaca M37 in 20ga. which I still have. Shot many a cottontail, squirrel, quail, pheasant, duck, etc........ growing up in Kansas. Got a Wichester 1400 as my first 12 ga when I was in High School and have had several 12 ga guns since and still have now, but the little 20ga. Ithaca is still my favorite. Hoping to pass it down to a Grandchild one of these days.

 

[buck460XVR]

Not only have shot one but own a couple. They have their place when it comes to upland bird hunting, but IMHO, a 12 is just more versatile. Just shooting them is not the answer, using them both in similar applications and then comparing is the right way.

BTW.....my "go to" SxS for most upland game(besides Turkey) is a 16 ga.

Its just the idiot behind the gun that matters.

takes one to know one, eh?

 

[earlthegoat2]

I was referring to myself.

 

[Hhrshooter]

I like the 20 gauge, but I prefer the 12. It just does it better for me
Dave

 

[rcmodel]

Have enough of both to say each has it's own place in the world of guns.

A little 20 quail gun is a far cry from a 3" 12 duck gun.

rc

 

[BHP FAN]

I've got two 12's and a sxs 16 ga.I've had 20's,but with all the loads available in 12...low noise , low recoil, various weights and sizes of shot,I probably won't be buying any 20's unless it's a really fine double for really cheap.Not that there's no great 20's out there-there are-I'm just already covered.

 

[Bud Tugly]

I'm strictly an upland hunter and my favorite gun is a 20 SxS. Never owned a 28 but I might like that even better for my needs. I've owned a 12 gauge and found it tends to put way too many pellets in the game for good eating, especially on close shots.

For extremely dense cover I prefer a .410 single shot since it's lightness helps in getting off quick shots, and it's all you need inside 25 yerds or so.

 

[Mags]

When I was 12 my old man gave me an 870 Wingmaster slug gun in 20 ga with a Redfield 3-9 scope. Shot it every week during hunting season for practice. Joined the AF and they issued me a Mossberg 500 in 12 ga. I fell in love with the simple takedown of the Mossy and bought one myself. The 870 is still back home but here in Abq where I am stationed I enjoy the 12 ga and havent looked back except for sentiment of the how I recieved the 20 ga.

 

[oneounceload]

You left off 16, 28 and 410......why??????

 

[MCgunner]

I've got a bird hunting friend who only owned 12s, quite a few of 'em, and snubs smaller gauges, though he did buy a 10 for geese. But, I went up there with my 20 last couple of years and out shot him on doves. 12 is fine, though, for anything from doves up, he has a point, but I like the little gun a lot. Steel shot is the reason I shoot 12 most 'cause waterfowl are my main targets and 20 ain't up to the 12 for that, being truthful. The 20 3" can do it, but the 12 does it better. I've gone to a 10 gauge for Ts and geese, too. I've fired .410, 20, 16, 12, and 10. Still lacking 28 gauge experience and they intrigue me a bit, but not enough to pay for the ammo. LOL 20 is a good 'nuf light gauge to suit me and it's very popular so the ammo is no more than 12s at Wallyworld. I still haven't gotten me some steel shot for that MEC reloader in 10 gauge I have. Need to do that soon. 25 bucks a box is a little high, though 12 3.5" runs $21 and don't toss the patterns, generally.

 

[nathan]

I only shot a 16 g many years ago. It was a light kicker. Now a 12 HD REmington 870 is my only shotgun. I hope i wont be able to use this in real life SD.

 

[wrs840]

I have one 20, one 16, and seven 12s.

12s don't have to shoot the heaviest loads you can find. 12ga rounds are more plentiful, more varied in type, and usually cheaper. It's one instance where "going with the flow", the popular standard, is often a good idea.

my .02

Les

 

[seanie!]

I've shot skeet with a 20 and 12 ga. I prefer the 20 for skeet, but as I only own one shotgun, I went for a 12 for a more diverse use of skeet, home defense, and hunting.

 

[MCgunner]

12s don't have to shoot the heaviest loads you can find. 12ga rounds are more plentiful, more varied in type, and usually cheaper. It's one instance where "going with the flow", the popular standard, is often a good idea.

There is merit, though, to a light, quick pointing shotgun on birds many upland birds, doves, even teal. 20 can kill 'em just as dead and get on 'em a little quicker in a lighter gun. It ain't all about the size of the hole or 8 gauge would be more popular.

New shotgunners and old shotgunners that don't know any better think 12 is all you need. The "popular standard" is okay for the conformist. Well, 12 may be all you "need", but it ain't all I want. I mean, yeah, you can putt with a driver.

 

[RyanM]

A 20 gauge can do everything a 12 gauge can, but a 12 gauge can do everything a 20 gauge can, cheaper.

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

Got a 28, 20 and 3 or 4 12s.

Prefer a 12.

 

[madwell]

i have both and a 16 gauge to boot, but when i hunt i always reach for a 12 gauge

 

[wrs840]

New shotgunners and old shotgunners that don't know any better think 12 is all you need. The "popular standard" is okay for the conformist. Well, 12 may be all you "need", but it ain't all I want. I mean, yeah, you can putt with a driver.

You make a good point, and I'm no expert, and yeah, I may putt with a driver. I'm also not much of a hunter. The 20ga is my wife's original HD shotgun, although she generally prefers a full-size hi-cap 9mm now. I might borrow her 20 as a bunny hunter. My 16 belonged to my grandfather, so that's it's value to me. I have leaned toward 12s because, well, I'm not a very good golfer...

Les

 

[vicdotcom]

You left off 16, 28 and 410......why??????

Only because most people get into the 12 or 20 argument the most. Never really many questions question about "12 vs .410" or "12 vs 28" The "12 vs 16" argument, maybe, but with ammo choices the 16 is started to get left out of many arugments.

I am glad to see that many more people have tried shooting the 12 and 20, then choosing after comparison.