20 or 12 gauge?

johnwayn · #1 10-08-2012, 09:39 PM

Im looking at buying a shotgun that I will be using for everything from grouse to duck. Very seldom will I be goose hunting. Ive narrowed it down to the 12 or 20 gauge. Any recommendations?
The 12 seams too big for grouse but the 20 seams like it may not have the range for wing shooting.

catnthehat · #2 10-08-2012, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwayn

Im looking at buying a shotgun that I will be using for everything from grouse to duck. Very seldom will I be goose hunting. Ive narrowed it down to the 12 or 20 gauge. Any recommendations?
The 12 seams too big for grouse but the 20 seams like it may not have the range for wing shooting.

I like a 20, most guys want a 12 however.
Cat

elkhunter11 · #3 10-08-2012, 09:45 PM

I prefer a 20 gauge myself, as an all around gun. I shoot mostly upland birds, and any waterfowl hunting that I do will be over decoys. That being said, the 12 gauge is likely a better choice for the average person.

bsmitty27 · #4 10-08-2012, 11:22 PM

12 seems the norm. But the norm isn't alway the best. I was talking to my father in-law about this last night. Neither one of us new why we bought 12g. Much perfer the 20g, I got a few 12g when I was a kid and have been slowly selling them off, still have one but use mainly my 20g and my little 410.

score · #5 10-08-2012, 11:31 PM

I'd go with a 20g. for what you plan. It will do all you need for everything, including geese with the right loads, a good set up and ethical shooting.

Atex · #6 10-09-2012, 12:02 AM

The 12ga is like the 30-06 for rifles. There is a plethora of choices to shoot, from the heaviest slugs to the lightest target loads. Just go to a store and see the selection of 12ga vs. other shotgun gauges...then you decide.

rugatika · #7 10-09-2012, 12:35 AM

2 or 3 of each.

H380 · #8 10-09-2012, 07:05 AM

Unless you are a good shot and practice lots I would go with the 12 . As a landowner I see lots of 20 ga. hunters chasing wounded pheasants , not the guns fault, I think they are just a little on the light side in unproficient hands .

Whiskey Wish · #9 10-09-2012, 07:14 AM

I have had 12's....gave them away many years ago. 20's do it all and let you go home at the end of a day of shooting clays without a sore shoulder. I have shot ducks all day over dekes with a bunch of friends and they didn't do any better than I did. I have not shot geese with a 20 only because I don't like geese...goose?...gouse?....

As my Pa used to say "If you aren't killing it with a 20 you sure as hell ain't gonna kill it with a 12."
Regards,
Dave.

ACKLEY ABE · #10 10-09-2012, 07:21 AM

I like 20's and have and use a few. However, if you are only going to own 1 shotgun, I would suggest a 12. FYI: You don't loose any range with a 20.

If a shotgun fits properly a 12 isn't bad. I've shot 500s rd in a day with mine and yeah you know you've been shooting, but it's not bad...WITH A PROPERLY FITTED shotgun.

When it's all said and done, and all the nifty guns are gone, there will still be a 12 ga Rem 870 in the rack.

densa44 · #11 10-09-2012, 07:24 AM

I like my 20 for Pheasants, and with a dog have not lost one yet. I'm thinking of a 28 ga. for up land.

The issue as others have said is ammunition choice. I shoot lead out of my 20 and steel out of my 12. I also reload for both.

For ducks and geese a semi auto 12 is pretty handy, and not much walking. Upland is lots of walking and a double is the way to go for safety and weight.

Both guns will do either but IMO the 20 has the edge for versatility.

Let us know what you decide, oh the 20's seem to cost more.

ShawnM · #12 10-09-2012, 07:30 AM

I have a 10,12, and 20ga and I think if I had to make due with one it would be the 12. Good compromise between the 10ga and the 20ga. BUT if you seldom hunt goose as you say then there's no need for the utility that the 12ga will provide.

My 2 cents: get yourself a 20ga and make sure to always bring your ammo with you because it is harder to find than 12ga. (not difficult to find but if you ever have to buy ammo at a gas station/convenience store in po-dunk Alberta chances are they'll have 12ga but not so with 20ga.)

Good luck and practice practice practice!

pyropete · #13 10-09-2012, 07:39 AM

I have several 12`s and have used them for years.Bought my first 20 2 years ago and now use it for everything, a very versatile yet lightweight piece of kit.

catnthehat · #14 10-09-2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H380

Unless you are a good shot and practice lots I would go with the 12 . As a landowner I see lots of 20 ga. hunters chasing wounded pheasants , not the guns fault, I think they are just a little on the light side in unproficient hands .

I'vbe seen just as many pheasants being chased down by guys using 12's.
in that case it has nothing at all to do with the shotgun gauge but the person shooting it.
The geese in my avatar were shot with 20.
Cat

Okotokian · #15 10-09-2012, 09:10 AM

If you only buy one shotgun, make it a semi-auto 12 gauge. It does everything well. And you may get interested in geese... I mean, they live in the same places as ducks... If you get a light 12, like a beretta, it won't weigh much more than many 20's. 6 or 6 1/2 lbs.

rembo · #16 10-09-2012, 09:25 AM

20 gauge is all most guys need. I sold all my 12's years ago. A 20G has been my only shotgun for at leat 10 years.

I'd even buy a nice 28 gauge if I came across the right one at the right price.

BrownTrout · #17 10-09-2012, 10:02 AM

I bought a 20, love it. Can shoot hundreds of clays in a day without a sore shoulder. Have used it for duck. My friends like that its lighter than their 12s when being carried all day.

Bass pro (I know big box store) has a really good selection of 20 ammo as well

elkhunter11 · #18 10-09-2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Unless you are a good shot and practice lots I would go with the 12 . As a landowner I see lots of 20 ga. hunters chasing wounded pheasants , not the guns fault, I think they are just a little on the light side in unproficient hands .

I have seen far more birds wounded with 12 gauges than anything else. The people that I know that shoot 20 and even moreso 28 gauge guns, tend to be more proficient. A good friend uses a 12 gauge with 3" magnum loads, and he uses far more shells, for far fewer birds than anyone else that I hunt with.

H380 · #19 10-09-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I'vbe seen just as many pheasants being chased down by guys using 12's.
in that case it has nothing at all to do with the shotgun gauge but the person shooting it.
The geese in my avatar were shot with 20.
Cat

Not trying to stir the pot , Cat and elkhunter , but I live in pheasant central and this has been my experience as I said in my post . I also said it has alot to do with the shooter . Heck , I've seen hunters that would had trouble with a handgrenade .Practise , practise , practise .

elkhunter11 · #20 10-09-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Not trying to stir the pot , Cat and elkhunter , but I live in pheasant central and this has been my experience as I said in my post . I also said it has alot to do with the shooter . Heck , I've seen hunters that would had trouble with a handgrenade .Practise , practise , practise .

Understandable, both Cat and myself shoot a lot of skeet with the sub gauges, and we use them to hunt with as well. With very few exceptions, the people that I hunt upland game with, also shoot a lot of clays , and are above average wing shooters.I am thinking that the situation is similar for the Cat. Of the people that I hunt with, those using a 12 gauge tend to be the less experienced shooters.

wwbirds · #21 10-09-2012, 01:03 PM

I see more than my share of shooters and as many 12 gauge misses as anything else. Probably more because it is more popular than some other smaller gauge shotguns. As EH11 mentioned if you are shooting a subgauge like a 28 chances are pretty good you know how to use it. Seen several pheasants stil flying after the 12 guage shot to be dropped stone dead by a 20 or 28 at 10 yards further.
If you hit them they fall down!

ShawnM · #22 10-09-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwbirds

I see more than my share of shooters and as many 12 gauge misses as anything else. Probably more because it is more popular than some other smaller gauge shotguns. As EH11 mentioned if you are shooting a subgauge like a 28 chances are pretty good you know how to use it. Seen several pheasants stil flying after the 12 guage shot to be dropped stone dead by a 20 or 28 at 10 yards further.
If you hit them they fall down!

Just don't borrow a 20ga from wwbirds...

Pep · #23 10-09-2012, 01:29 PM

What's a good make/model 20 Ga to buy... preferably an over/under? I need something for grouse... and its been a year since I bought a gun... much too long

rottie · #24 10-09-2012, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pep

What's a good make/model 20 Ga to buy... preferably an over/under? I need something for grouse... and its been a year since I bought a gun... much too long

Try the Browning Citori,I have one in the 3 inch chambering. I use the 2 3/4 in loads for upland and the 3 inch for waterfowl. They point and fit just great,something to be said for using the same firearm for both sports

catnthehat · #25 10-09-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pep

What's a good make/model 20 Ga to buy... preferably an over/under? I need something for grouse... and its been a year since I bought a gun... much too long

The very best deal you can get is to buuy an O/U from hal53- the last guy bought a Berreta for the cost of a mossberg!

Seriously though, if yu are lookking at an inexpensive field ggun, the Yildiz iis pretty hard to beat.
They run about $800 new.
There is an 1100 Remington in the exchange now for $500 , with chokes .
Cat

elkhunter11 · #26 10-09-2012, 01:35 PM

Quote:

What's a good make/model 20 Ga to buy... preferably an over/under? I need something for grouse... and its been a year since I bought a gun... much too long

What is your budget? Cz and Yildiz make more affordable guns, and Browning and Beretta make very nice guns, but the price is higher. I prefer Browning myself, because the fit me better.

wwbirds · #27 10-09-2012, 01:59 PM

Shawn If you are referring to my expding barrels that was a 28 High Standard skeet gun

Cat, you are right I am only buying shotguns from hal53 from now on. Not only is it good value for the money with the stuff he tries to give away but the entertainment value keeps us laughing from season to season. He has been known to deliver to Hussar and even pay postage and bus fees until the shotguns come home!
Wonder what he has to sell right now??

Rob

Pep · #28 10-09-2012, 02:10 PM

My 12ga is a Beretta and I love it but the budget for the 20ga is lower ..mainly because I really, really enjoy sleeping "inside" the house

. I will look into the Yildiz ... unless Hal53 has something good on a nice year end sale

thanks guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

What is your budget? Cz and Yildiz make more affordable guns, and Browning and Beretta make very nice guns, but the price is higher. I prefer Browning myself, because the fit me better.

johnwayn · #29 10-09-2012, 03:04 PM

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Ive decided to go with the 20G in a quality over under.
Has anyone had any experience with the Webley and Scott 900?

Its between the 900, the Franchi Instinct or on the high end the Beretta 686.

TheClash · #30 10-09-2012, 04:05 PM

i find that my 20 works fone for all the upland birds i hunt...however i seem to have to increase my shot size when going to my 20 to have the same knock down effect i have with my 12...am i imagining this or do others find the same??