What Would your choice be 20Ga or 12Ga

[billfromtx]

I have both...My 12 is used for Dove hunting big fields, duck hunting, turkey hunting ect... My 20 is my quail gun, 2nd dove gun etc..

If I had to pick 1 it would certainly be the 12..More versatility.

[jerp]

I probably shoot a 20 because that's what I grew up with, walking all day behind dogs while hunting quail and pheasant. My Dad and all his buddies shot 20's so I did too. As far as "sportiness" there's a much bigger jump from 20 to .410 as opposed to 12 to 20.
.410 loads of 11/16 oz. is 275 #8 pellets
20 gauge loads of 1 oz. is 400 #8 pellets
12 gauge loads of 1 1/8 oz is 450 #8 pellets
So the 20 is slightly "more sporty" than the 12, but I don't think it makes that much difference. Most misses are in front or behind the bird so if I miss 400 times with one shot, an extra 50 pellets is unlikely to help. The more dense pattern and a shorter shot string makes the 12 more effective - especially on long shots - but I've never had a problem getting my share of the birds with a 20.

[pdevoto]

I'd go with the 20, the older you get the more you will appreciate it.

[Smart]

For the life of me, I don't understand this "20 doesn't beat you up". I've shot a case and a half of 12 ga shells in the last 11 days and have not felt a thing. No bruising or soreness.

Those autos lessen the blow some...especially that 11-87. I had one for 16 years.

We have folks after a full weekend of shooting in our annual South Texas family and friends weekend have bruised shoulders and arms shooting 12ga pumps and O/Us so it happens to some. I guess some folks are 'tougher" than others

Some folks just hate the thought of a 20 gauge and its understandable. Some folks live and die by the 12 ga and I have seen those same folks get torqued when folks suggest they don't need that much shot in the air to kill birds. I shot a 12 ga for 20+ years (got an 1100 at age 11) and they and my Benellis haven't been out of the safe since I bought my 20ga autos and an over/under. I like 20 ga all around because it is usually built on a smaller frame and I like that in the dove field and duck blind (especially layouts). I also like the yellow shells because the hulls are easier to find when cranking them out of an auto.....

Some on here have said a 20 is just as effective as a 12, while others say they shoot a 20 to be more sporty. Which is it? If you want sporty, shoot a .410. If you want to knock a bunch of birds outta the sky, shoot a 12.

You hate the 20 don't you..

It's both really.....it really depends on the shooter. In the hands of a good shooter, the 20 is just as effective....in the hands of a hack, it is more sporty.... and a .410 is even more sporty. I like the .410 over a water hole. That is some good fun.

I personally like the 20ga because it feels better to me with the smaller frames and like I said above, the yellow shells are easier to find in the grass or a corn field.

[bowhntrmatt]

I have dove hunted with a 20 ga pretty much my entire life after I outgrew my single shot 410. (age 8-9 or so.) I plan on using the beretta 392 I picked up last year for duck hunting once dove season opens here in the south zone.

I just enjoy my old 1100 20 ga so much it is very difficult to leave at the house.

[Shane]

For the life of me, I don't understand this "20 doesn't beat you up". I've shot a case and a half of 12 ga shells in the last 11 days and have not felt a thing. No bruising or soreness.

Some on here have said a 20 is just as effective as a 12, while others say they shoot a 20 to be more sporty. Which is it? If you want sporty, shoot a .410. If you want to knock a bunch of birds outta the sky, shoot a 12.

Yep. A 1 oz. load in a lighter weight 20 ga will give you more felt recoil than the same load or even a 1 1/8 oz load in a slightly heavier 12 ga. At least that's been my experience. I've owned several 20 ga guns, and they all kicked as much or more than any 12 ga I've ever shot.

I've come to prefer a 12 ga. There isn't much difference in the weight of the ammo (maybe 5 or 6 ounces per box of 25 shells, if that). 12 ga ammo is cheaper. Reloading doesn't save me any money anymore (at least for 12 ga), so I just buy ammo now. You might sometimes have trouble finding a load you want in 20 ga, but you rarely have trouble finding 12 ga ammo.

It's not at all a "macho" thing to shoot a 12 ga. I shoot one because it kills birds and is less hassle to feed. If I want less recoil and/or to shoot something lighter or sportier, then I'll shoot a 28 ga or a .410. Reloading will save you money on those little suckers though. Consequently, I don't have any use for a 20 ga, personally. It's not the best for any one thing. It's a decent "jack of all trades" compromise, I guess, but that's all it is to me. I know lots of people love theirs, and that's cool. Different strokes for different folks.

I'm a 20 ga hater too, Smart.

[Smart]

Yep. A 1 oz. load in a lighter weight 20 ga will give you more felt recoil than the same load or even a 1 1/8 oz load in a slightly heavier 12 ga. At least that's been my experience. I've owned several 20 ga guns, and they all kicked as much or more than any 12 ga I've ever shot.

I've come to prefer a 12 ga. There isn't much difference in the weight of the ammo (maybe 5 or 6 ounces per box of 25 shells, if that). 12 ga ammo is cheaper. Reloading doesn't save me any money anymore (at least for 12 ga), so I just buy ammo now. You might sometimes have trouble finding a load you want in 20 ga, but you rarely have trouble finding 12 ga ammo.

12 gauge and 20 gauge lead shell costs are identical.....In waterfowl loads and turkey loads, they are cheaper in a 20. Pretty sure you said the same last year and corrected yourself when I pointed it out..

Haven't had any issues finding applicable loads for my quarry. You are going to pretty much have a matching 20 gauge load for every 12 gauge load these days. Well at least here in civilization....

[Double-Drop]

I shoot both. But end up going to my 12 ga. a lot more then the 20 ga.

[Matteo]

12

[miket]

I shoot a couple of 12ga because Im a poor wingshot and need more lead in the air. But I prefer the 20 and the smaller, lighter guns that are usually coupled with it. Recoil doesnt bother me until you get into the 3" turkey loads. Ive never fired a 3 1/2"er.....

[150class]

The Legacy is freaking awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kevin]

After shooting 2000+ dove with a 20 ga, I decided it was right for me. I now have an 11-87 premier that is hell on dove. I've always shot better with a 20g and I started off on a 12. Who knows, maybe its all mental.

[Dale Moser]

I bought my 1st 20ga in high school because all the old guys I hunted with shot 12s and I thought I'd show off a little. I could out shoot most of them with either back then, so why not. I used to be really competitive about such things, but couldn't afford to feed a 28ga. I shot A LOT back then. Fell in love with the 20s and that's all I shoot anymore aside from the occaisional duck hunt, I am a terrible duck caller.

There is no doubt in my mind that I could go get dad's 28" model 1100 12ga mod (the gun I really learned to kill dove with), and improve my average. But a .20 is more fun.

[Artos]

You know you can get super light 7/8oz loads in 12ga now, right??

I personally shoot a 1oz load going around 1200fps. It is basically a 20ga shell coming out of of a 12ga Beretta 682 and is a hoot for doves.

It's nice to have the options of having more shot if you are in a competition & the 12ga simply shines for this application.

[BRust]

I started out with a 410 and moved to a 12ga and shot it until last year when I shot my first 20ga. I am hooked on the 20ga for doves easy on the shoulder and like stated above them yellow shells jump out at ya.