12ga or 20ga for foraging?

ROCK6

ROCK6

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Feb 8, 2004
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I'm sure there are plenty of opinions on these, but putting it into my frame of thought...I was looking at Stoeger's Outback Condor; a simple o/u double gun with a short 20" barrel. A pretty rugged, light gun (~6 lbs), but thinking that 20ga would be a better choice...it's not a long range forager, but even with slugs, it should still reach out 40-50 yards. Shells are a little lighter and with 20 inch barrels, you would maximize the 20 ga more than the 12 ga for distance and effectiveness (pattern spread). Looking at picking one up, but can't decide on the 20ga or 12ga. I don't have a 20ga, so that's the only downside right now; already have 12ga for hunting and home defense, just looking for a foraging gun and even a little opportunity bird, squirrel, rabbit gun. Your thoughts?

ROCK6
 
I have used a 20 ga to take down 2 of the deer I have bagged and all of the dove and probably about 3/4 of the rabbit I have taken in my short lifetime. Granted, it wasn't with a 20" barreled shotgun, but I think a 20 would be pretty effective for forage. Of course, the caveat is that a 20 is probably not as effective on the off chance that your life has to depend on it unless, of course, you are a really good shot...



PeACE
Dougo
 
If I were you, I wouldn't want to have to keep a stock of another gauge shells. But a 20 is nice to have around for smaller critters.

I always go for opposite ends of the spectrum, I have 12ga. and .410 but no 20ga.,not enough diffrence in 12 and 20 to me.
 
shotgunner11 said:
If I were you, I wouldn't want to have to keep a stock of another gauge shells. But a 20 is nice to have around for smaller critters.

I always go for opposite ends of the spectrum, I have 12ga. and .410 but no 20ga.,not enough diffrence in 12 and 20 to me.
Click to expand...

Thanks again...I may look at getting the 12 gauge since it does make more sense for a wider variety of applications. I could always use those shorter Aquila shells for short range vermin.

ROCK6
 
There is an old timer around where I live that swears by his 20 guage. Just doesn't see the need to get beat up by the 12 when the 20 will do. Shot placement is everything so why not a 20?

I've got a 16 guage that is a sweet little gun too. I've just quit shooting it because it points so differently than my 870 or my Mossberg 590 SE. It's a Winchester model 12 that was modified for skeet. (Found that out when I went to trade it in as part of the deal for the 590 - therefore I still have it.)
 
Given the same choke and comparable shells, they both shoot the same distance. This is true with all shotguns.

A 410 shoots the exact same distance as a 12 gauge. It is really more about choke than gauge with shotguns. For foraging rabbits, I'd go with a full choke since it shoots farther (but with a narrower pattern) than Modified, Improved Cylinder, Skeet, or Cylinder bore. Now, if you are dove or quail hunting, and plan on shooting birds in flight, you don't want a full choke (unless it is duck or geese). IMO a modified choke is a good compromise between distance and pattern spread.

So, the difference in gauges is really isn't how far they shoot, but how many pellets are packed in the shell. Obviously, the more pellets you have, the better your chances of hitting your quarry.
 
the little hunting i do these days, is mainly done with one of my longbows.. i also have a 20 ga. mossberg, that i have had for years.. i got for my 8th. grade graduaution.... this gun is great.. it has taken hundreds of birds, squirrels and rabbits...
 
I agree with the folks who wouldn't want to stock up on different types of ammo. I have several 12 gauges....ammo for the 12 ga is (cheaper) and widely available (in variety of loads) at stores. I always buy a boat-load on the black friday sales at Dicks, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro etc... There isn't much you can't do with a 12 gauge...very versitile. The best deal is the single shot NEF or H&R break open 12 gauge, and can be had for well under $100. Anyone else notice that the price of guns has remained relatively constant with inflation but Ammo is Way up in cost? Sabot slugs are $2 minimum these days!

I think I might get a single shot 20 ga when my son is old enough to shoot...to me the only compelling reason to buy one (easier for a youngster to handle in my opinion). but for a full grown man I would reccomend a 12 ga. Not that a skilled shooter couldn't be just as effective with a 20 ga...Ammo availability & variety.
 
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