Hunting ducks with a 20 Gauge

I apologize if this has been discussed recently, but I did a search on the forum and didn't come up with anything recent. My question is, does anyone on the board hunt ducks with a 20 gauge? If you do, do you hunt with an older gun? I have read about steel shot damaging older barrels and I don't want to screw up a decent older shotgun. Specifically, I want to hunt ducks this year with an Ithaca Model 37 20 gauge, fixed choke (modified). I also have a Winchester Model 12 20 ga. I'd like to hunt with, but the Model 12 has a full choke, and I definitely don't want to run steel shot down the barrel. If anyone does use an older gun, what ammo do you use?

Buy Bizmuth shot if you're concerned. It is specifically designed for older twice barrels so your two pumps should be fine.
I shot teal this year with it in a newer gun and they were all DRT
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.j...cordsPerPage=48

Yes. I have a 20 gauge Mossberg Maverick for my kiddo. The gun isn't to heavy and with the 20ga she doesn't notice the kick at all.

Like BT suggested go with the Bizmuth if you want to hunt with your older guns.

I hunted most of last year with a 20 gauge benelli montefeltro shooting 3 in steel shot. Did fine but doesn't have the knock down of a 12, nor the range. Either way it is fine to use just don't take moon shots with it. As for your other question I've got nothing.

If they are in your face, then all you need is a 20 ga

I do shoot a couple older shotguns with steel sometimes. And long ago I did damage a barrel during the first year steel shot was required in Texas, but I don't think some of those early shells even used a shot cup. The only steel shot I shoot out of an older shotgun today is with #7 in a cylinder to skeet choke, but not for ducks. Still a risk, but the smaller shot and open choke does not build the pressures most duck loads do.

Shotgun wads used today are better than they used to be so your less likely to score the bore, but steel shot does not compress like lead shot. The steel shot pellets we normally use are larger than the pellets we used when lead was still legal. Too the trend with waterfowl loads today is to load for speed. This creates a lot of pressure at the choke. Your modified barrel is a full choke for steel shot. Over time you risk creating a bulge in your barrel and could loosen your barrel's vent rib too. Slip a load in there that previously got wet and rusted into a steel slug you could really damage it even worse. One option would be to find a used barrel, have the choke opened up or have it altered to take steel shot choke tubes and shoot away. Then if it does get damaged, you can just put the original barrel back on it.

Nothing wrong with a 20. They are just as deadly as a 12 or a 10 for that matter. Develop a good pattern and put that pattern on a bird. That's all you have to do.

X2
Majority of my group shoots 20ga with some 3" #3s or #4s until late season.

One of my grandfather's best friends hunted with a 20 all his life, and killed more ducks and geese than anyone in the marsh. I love duck hunting with my Rem 1100 20. Just have to use high brass shells.

Love shooting my 20 OU at ducks, but I really only do it when I'm hunting small water and I'm in a blind or on the shore, not sitting in mud or in the water.

I have a 20ga Weatherby SA-08 I have used for several years now. Matter of fact its been 3 years since my SBE has even made it out of the closet. I just love the light weight and zero recoil. No issues killing birds. Compensate for the smaller pattern and that's about all. I use the cheapest steel loads I can find and they kill just like the expensive stuff. It's actually a youth model I duct taped a stock extender/recoil pad on the butt. I love the 24" barrel.

I hunt with a 20 gauge a Remington 11/87. I shoot Heavy Shoot number 4 3 inch and have killed many many ducks and geese with that combo. I shoot with a Carlson LM choke out of a Blind and a Pattern Master long range classic for geese in the field.