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Started By
Message
Stupid 20 gauge vs 12 gauge shot shell question
Posted on 10/22/23 at 8:37 am
Posted on 10/22/23 at 8:37 am
I’m wanting to switch to a lighter dedicated 20 gauge for squirrels and rabbits. I have always shot 12ga 2-3/4” 1-1/4 oz #5 for squirrels. So I started looking at 20 gauge shells and picked up some 3” 1-1/4 oz #5s in 20 gauge. There is only a 30 fps difference between the 2.
My question is, what’s the difference? I feel like I’m missing something. If it’s the same pay load at roughly the same velocity, what are you giving up? Is it shot string or a pattern thing? Would they have the same effectiveness? I’m surprised at loads available for 20 gauge and I feel like it could be effective for ducks too.
My question is, what’s the difference? I feel like I’m missing something. If it’s the same pay load at roughly the same velocity, what are you giving up? Is it shot string or a pattern thing? Would they have the same effectiveness? I’m surprised at loads available for 20 gauge and I feel like it could be effective for ducks too.
10
Posted on 10/22/23 at 8:44 am to bigbuckdj
quote:
feel like it could be effective for ducks
It's great for ducks. I really wish I had bought a 20ga instead of a 12. 12ga made sense back when I hunted with buckshot, and a 20ga is fine for that too.
quote:
If it’s the same pay load at roughly the same velocity, what are you giving up?
Theoretically the bigger bore is always going to pattern better with a given payload.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 8:44 am to bigbuckdj
A 2&3/4” 1 oz #6 lead will kill squirrels and rabbits just like you’re listed 12 gauge load but with less kick and fuss. Leave those 3” 20 gauge shells on the shelf for hard times.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 8:51 am to bigbuckdj
quote:
I’m surprised at loads available for 20 gauge and I feel like it could be effective for ducks too.
I only hunt flooded timber, not open marsh or big water, but I've hunted ducks exclusively with a 20 my whole life. We do a lot of walking/wading and the weight savings is a godsend. I can't say its never happened, but it's very rare that I feel like I could have killed a duck with a 12 that I didn't kill with my 20. People who hunt over dozens of decoys in Venice may feel differently.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 9:03 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
Theoretically the bigger bore is always going to pattern better with a given payload.
That’s good to know, I didn’t know that.
quote:
A 2&3/4” 1 oz #6 lead will kill squirrels and rabbits just like you’re listed 12 gauge load but with less kick and fuss. Leave those 3” 20 gauge shells on the shelf for hard times.
I’m not doubting it might be overkill. I used to use lighter 6s and even 7.5s for the smaller cat squirrels around my house without problems. When I started hunting closer to the river, I noticed the bigger black squirrels and fox squirrels seem to be tougher and I switched to heavier loads. It’s probably just in my head.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 9:04 am to bigbuckdj
quote:
what’s the difference
Well 50% of the cost is one thing.
This post was edited on 10/22/23 at 9:05 am
Posted on 10/22/23 at 9:11 am to turkish
Yea, this is a goofy example. Maxed out 20ga load vs normal 12ga load, but still. Prices are probably similar for standard stuff vs standard stuff.
I dont think anybody who hunts with a 20ga ever wants for a 12g. Nobody that I know does at least. Having a 12ga doesn't bother me, I just use 2-3/4 shells for everything.
I've been out-shot by a guy with a 20ga more times than I could count.
I dont think anybody who hunts with a 20ga ever wants for a 12g. Nobody that I know does at least. Having a 12ga doesn't bother me, I just use 2-3/4 shells for everything.
I've been out-shot by a guy with a 20ga more times than I could count.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 9:13 am to bigbuckdj
Like I said, theoretically. It's why the 10ga exists, why some shotguns have over-bored barrels, etc. I dont think there's any meaningful difference.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 9:15 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
You shoot apex mixed shells for ducks out of your 20 gauge or just regular Walmart grey box steel?
The cost per shell doesn’t bother me that much if I can lose a couple pounds on the gun. I’ve been feeling it.
The cost per shell doesn’t bother me that much if I can lose a couple pounds on the gun. I’ve been feeling it.
This post was edited on 10/22/23 at 9:17 am
Posted on 10/22/23 at 9:22 am to bigbuckdj
The two guys I know who only shoot 20's both use black cloud. Not sure it really matters or not.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 9:25 am to bigbuckdj
Give it another couple years when the feds hands will be forced to lower limits. Hopefully it knocks the cost down in everything some.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 11:01 am to Koolazzkat
quote:
A 2&3/4” 1 oz #6 lead will kill squirrels and rabbits just like you’re listed 12 gauge load but with less kick and fuss.
That's what I use. I have a youth model 870 with a ~22" barrel. Really easy to tote around the woods and shoot. I dove hunt with it as well. I only pick the 12 gauge up if there are hogs around.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 11:18 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
Theoretically the bigger bore is always going to pattern better with a given payload.
I thought it was just more payload? (More BB’s on the paper, but more/bigger gaps)
I am under the impression that, “smaller the bore the better the pattern.” The same reason people always say that a 28 gauge is the best pattering shotgun.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 12:15 pm to Outdoorreb
quote:
I am under the impression that, “smaller the bore the better the pattern.” The same reason people always say that a 28 gauge is the best pattering shotgun.
All things being equal, you’re likely going to see better patterns out of a bigger bore. 28 gauge is by no means the best patterning… and saying that one gauge is the best is really not accurate either. It really all depends on the shell, barrel, and choke.
But at the end of the day, people usually shoot larger gauges because you can get a higher payload, and that’s going to allow you to develop a better pattern.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 3:16 pm to Outdoorreb
It's the opposite I think. A shorter shot column and the bigger bore is already closer to what you're trying to end up with. Shot all gets there at the same time, etc.
I dont think it REALLY matters much for most people. I hunt with a 12ga and relatively light 2-3/4 shells, and hunt with people who use pegged out 3" 20ga shells. I might have a slightly better pattern. We both kill ducks.
Then the next guy has a 12ga with juiced up 3.5" shells. He's putting as much shot in the air per shot as me and the 20ga guy combined. Of course his pattern is the best, he's his own anti-air battery. He's also getting the ever living shite kicked out of him at $5 a trigger pull. I aint that mad at em. Wish I had gotten a 20ga for my do-everything once in a lifetime expensive shotgun buy.
I dont think it REALLY matters much for most people. I hunt with a 12ga and relatively light 2-3/4 shells, and hunt with people who use pegged out 3" 20ga shells. I might have a slightly better pattern. We both kill ducks.
Then the next guy has a 12ga with juiced up 3.5" shells. He's putting as much shot in the air per shot as me and the 20ga guy combined. Of course his pattern is the best, he's his own anti-air battery. He's also getting the ever living shite kicked out of him at $5 a trigger pull. I aint that mad at em. Wish I had gotten a 20ga for my do-everything once in a lifetime expensive shotgun buy.
Posted on 10/22/23 at 3:55 pm to bigbuckdj
about the only thing is number of shot
to me, there is not much difference in recoil either
to me, there is not much difference in recoil either
This post was edited on 10/22/23 at 3:59 pm
Posted on 10/22/23 at 4:38 pm to I B Freeman
Comparing 12 to 28 on youtube
Jump to 3min mark
Maybe this is what everyone that told me that was meaning?
Jump to 3min mark
Maybe this is what everyone that told me that was meaning?
Posted on 10/22/23 at 5:34 pm to Outdoorreb
I think they just confused being awesome with also being the “best patterning.”
Posted on 10/22/23 at 6:41 pm to bigbuckdj
There is considerably more pellets in a 12 g vs a 20g that’s the only difference
Doesn’t take much powder to push a 20g with less pellets the same FPS as a 12g.
The 12g just takes more powder to push more pellets. Hence the kick.
Look in a shotgun reloading manual and it will show you the difference
Hope this helps
Doesn’t take much powder to push a 20g with less pellets the same FPS as a 12g.
The 12g just takes more powder to push more pellets. Hence the kick.
Look in a shotgun reloading manual and it will show you the difference
Hope this helps
Posted on 10/22/23 at 10:02 pm to TurkeyThug
quote:
There is considerably more pellets in a 12 g vs a 20g that’s the only difference
1 1/4 oz of #5 shot is the same number of pellets in 12 and 20 gauge.
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