Shotgun Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

20 gauge limitations

Jump to Latest

  • Whether you're a greenhorn or a seasoned veteran, your collection's next piece is at Bass Pro Shops. Shop Now.

    Advertisement
21 - 40 of 51 Posts
#21 ·
The gun kills nothing. It’s the projectiles. If shot to the right place.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#23 ·
MSax81 said:
My thinking was to drop down to a 20 gauge gas semiauto. I would reap the benefits of less recoil and less gun weight
Click to expand...
Less gun weight - yes. Less recoil? Maybe not. A lightweight 20 ga can be a sharp kicker.

MSax81 said:
The specific hunts I am wondering about would be 1.)I go on yearly seaduck hunt for surf scoter and 2.) I have booked an eider trip in Maine next year.
Click to expand...
For that, I'd say keep the 12 ga.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#24 ·
There is a limit. Recoil should not hurt you.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#26 ·
A lighter weight gun ia mostly whatl I think you will gain by going to a 20 gauge. For lighter recoil just stick to the 12 gauge and shoot lighter loads. A 20 gauge is slimmer and lighter and maybe faster to handle and easier to carry. But...with 12 gauge equivalent loads it is a kicker.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
It really sounds like then I might as well just hold onto the one I have now and save up for a sub gauge and use that one. I want something lighter to walk around with.
Thanks to everyone who contributed I really appreciated the information.
 
#29 ·
You better have a tag. $25000 fine otherwise
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#31 ·
MSax81 said:
It could just be in my head, but 28 and 410 on waterfowl just seems light to me. I am not doubting you, I just think about it like hunting whitetails with rimfire.



How hard is it to reload shotgun shells? I tried it several years back and had a big mess on my hands…maybe newer equipment makes it easier?
Click to expand...
It’s hard for some to grasp that such a small gauge can compete with a 12 gauge. With the right shot and size combination the little guns are excellent choices for light carry/light recoil. The biggest compensation you have to consider performance wise is the pattern. 28’s have been regarded as the best patterning shotguns, while 410’s are a tight patterning gun. So if that’s a concern, the 28 might be your better option IF you choose to reload htl or tss. Otherwise I have found nothing a 12 gauge will shoot that a 20 isn’t capable of. Keep in mind a heavy 20 gauge load will still produce a fair amount of recoil just like a 12.
 
#32 ·
MSax81 said:
It really sounds like then I might as well just hold onto the one I have now and save up for a sub gauge and use that one. I want something lighter to walk around with.
Thanks to everyone who contributed I really appreciated the information.
Click to expand...
i would encourage you not to over think this. When using comparable actions & models a 20 gauge will aways be much lighter than a 12. Unless you are working at the extremes of load & gun weight the 20 will kick less, when you’re comparing apples to apples. A reasonable gun fit is also important in this equation. I have a lot of shotguns (gau & actions) to pick from & my preteen willowy frame grandson shoots the 20 gau inertia driven semi auto, because he can control the gun & it does not kick as hard as the others (Regardless of action or gauge).

I am not a waterfowl hunter & have no opinion about a 20’s usefulness for that. However, if you get a typical weight 20 semi auto that fits you & use a typical load for the application it will be lighter to carry & you will get less recoil than an apples to apples comparable 12 gau with a similar action.

There are several people walking around my gun range who have shoulder, etc issues carrying a 20 semi auto. There is a reason they leave their 12’s & o/u’s at home. I would encourage you to rent or barrow & feel the difference for yourself. I am willing to bet you enjoy the difference, especially once you have given yourself time to adjust to the sight picture. Don‘t let aging or physical limitations discourage you from hunting/shooting if a simple reduction in gau & action allows you to continue to enjoy the sport. Best of luck!
 
#33 · (Edited)
MSax81,
I still believe in using the right gauge gun for different kinds of bird shooting although the 20 gauge with the 3" shells can cover the majority of bird killing. We have real nice collection of L.C. Smith guns that take in 12 gauge thru 28 gauge for hunting all different kinds of birds, I advocate the use of correct size gun for every hunting purpose. Learn what the correct size gun is for shooting different wild and stocked birds is, and use the correct size gun and shells. Just because a 20 gauge gets the job done with the new 3" shells does not make it the proper gun for large birds. The same goes for Large Ducks or Geese.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Ken Graft Grouse hunting with his Parker 16 gauge double gun, one of the best Grouse guns ever made. Your 20 gauge gun is another great Grouse gun, but not the best for very thick Grouse habitat.
Image
 
  • Like
Reactions: oneounceload
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#34 ·
I upland bird hunt a lot and a 20 ga gets used most of the time. Behind it would be the 16 ga's and a 28 thrown in a couple times a year. Also picking a new ga to hunt with is just part of the equation. I think picking your shot size for the particular bird you are hunting is one of the most important things to think about. Along with that the choke you are going to use with that shot size and type of shot. Then you throw in habitat your hunting. If I feel like I need a little more bang I am a fan of lead three inch Remington Nitro mags if lead is an option. If not I have had very good luck with Kent bismuth knocking birds down dead. Yes they make a three inch also.

When you have all above nailed down MSax81 a 20 ga will probable do about any thing you want. Also everything has distance limitations. For me, and I think some others to comment, you would have to elaborate a little more to the distances you want to shoot at what bird - again with what shot, choke, etc - well you get the idea. Good luck on your search the the perfect 20 ga - and the shotshell to go with it.​
 
#37 · (Edited)
CB63,
Breaking clays is only practice for actual bird gunning IMO.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

20 Gauge H&R Hammer gun, gets used quite a bit to Grouse & Woodcock hunt with each season.
Image
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#38 ·
I have a Beretta A400 12 ga and a A300 20 ga. I use a the same choke per each gun. Both shot 1 1/4oz of 5 shot going 1300 fps. I shot both targets at 40 yards.

Image

Image

Not a lot of difference if I had to call a winner I’d have to give it to the 20 ga. Both were shot 2 times each. The difference was the 12 was only shooting a 2 3/4” shell the 20 was shooting a 3” shell. One running at its max one was not the 12 would have kicked its tail with a 3” shell.

Will the 20 work most of the time sure. But for passing geese or ducks that’s what the A400 xtreme is for. The A400 is a light shooter at least it feels that way to me.
 
#39 ·
MNGunner said:
Shooting larger steel pellets at geese, I would feel under gunned with a 20ga. Waterfowl hunting with steel (and turkey's with lead) are the only times I now hunt with a 12ga. Upland for me is all sub-gauge
Click to expand...
Agree, and esp. on geese and cranes where you want as many big pellets as possible in your pattern.
 
#40 ·
noweil said:
When the 410 with 1/2 an ounce of #8 tss is absolutely crushing mallards, gadwalls and giant Canada geese beside you in the duck blind, you will change your mind.
Click to expand...
Out of regard for my teeth and the people eating the birds I shoot I would not put very small, very hard pellets into any game bird. That is just asking for a cracked molar.
 
21 - 40 of 51 Posts
About this Discussion
50 Replies
29 Participants
Last post:
noweil
Shotgun Forum
posts
4.5M
members
165K
Since
2000
A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Shotgun Discussions Shotshell Reloading Sporting Clays Tactical/HD Shotguns Shotgun Opinions