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Duck hunting with a 20 gauge #5459570 12/05/14 04:48 PM
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texashunter16 Offline OP
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What do y'all think? i have a 12 but i was wondering if it could do the job. The best ammo i could find was 2 3/4 6 shot. i feel confident about teal but what about bigger ducks?

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459591 12/05/14 04:59 PM
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2 3/4 #6 is a pretty light load, but if you're shooting em right in the decoys you should be fine. Just don't extend your range too much or you'll be chasing cripples all day.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459599 12/05/14 05:06 PM
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I use to hunt with a 20 but I was able to find 3 and 4 shot for mine. I was able to knock em down but only if they were fairly close. Any long shots just forget it. Save your shells for another bird. The 20 limits you to closer shots for sure but it is possible to hunt with.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459602 12/05/14 05:11 PM
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My huntin buddy has every gun under the sun but he loves his old 870 express 20 ga and he kills lots of ducks with it! He gets the 2 3/4 6 shot. It does limit your range, but forces you to focus on making better shots, and I think if you're hunting alone, it's a great thing! Problem is.. when you're hunting with a guy like me who's antsy and quick to unload, you may never get a [good] shot!

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459603 12/05/14 05:11 PM
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Dfwguy Offline
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Read this thread and you'll have more faith in your 20 ga.

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/5454044/1

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459608 12/05/14 05:17 PM
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Nathan Nelson Offline
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Shoot the ducks in the head, 4 shoot in a 20 gauge is the same size as 4 shoot in a 12 gauge just less of it.

I personally prefer to hunt with my 20 gauge. There is one guy on here who has been killing ducks all season long with a 410.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: Nathan Nelson] #5459663 12/05/14 05:49 PM
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duckhunter55 Offline
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I hunt with a guy who only allows 20 gauges on his ranch. We shoot 3" 7 1/2 Hevi shot. You'll be surprised how far a 20 will kill a duck.


This country is stuck on stupid!
Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459782 12/05/14 06:59 PM
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If everyone used restraint and common sense we could all hunt with 410's but it will never happen. But to your question a 20 guage is fine. It will make you a better hunter.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459793 12/05/14 07:04 PM
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One more thing. I believe 98% of so called duck hunters have never been on a real duck hunt where you let the birds work and just pass em up if they aren't good killing shots.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459814 12/05/14 07:16 PM
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I think hunting with a 20 is illegal in Texas. Have to shoot at least 12ga 3 1/2" heavymetal bb's to kill ducks round here.. At least that what I see on a regular basis.

All right comments on here, 4 shot doesn't know what gun shot it, get ducks commited in your decoys and mow em down with your 20. Took the 28 several times this year, just take smart shots

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: Esh and Hattie] #5459865 12/05/14 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted By: Esh and Hattie
I think hunting with a 20 is illegal in Texas. Have to shoot at least 12ga 3 1/2" heavymetal bb's to kill ducks round here.. At least that what I see on a regular basis.


I heard they are now requiring 10 ga to enter public lakes starting next year. Texas state law.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459867 12/05/14 07:43 PM
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Killed two limits with 20 gauge this morning before work. No problem at all if you can shoot decent.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5459972 12/05/14 08:59 PM
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I use a browning citori white lightning 20. Most guys I hunt w say I'm a good shot though, I think i inherited that from my dad fortunately. At gander mtn you can find 2-6 shot. It's about 23$ a box though. Winchester shells. You do have to make your shots w a 20, I will say. I also run kicks high flyer mod and full chokes. Full on top tube mod on bottom

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5460034 12/05/14 09:37 PM
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We've been doing just fine with .410s lately. Shot the same limit as the guy with the 12 ga today.


Seriously-try a box or two of the Winchester xpert hv target steel 6's. You'll be shocked at how hard it hits em at 35-40 yards.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5460053 12/05/14 09:51 PM
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Im gonna try my 20 beretta silver hawk tommorrow with black cloud nr 2. Wish i had nr 4 though


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Loved my 4 inches. Well needed.

Originally Posted by bill oxner
Hate Russians. Love happy endings. I saw snot fly. cheers


Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5460218 12/05/14 11:19 PM
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I hunted all last season with my SA-08 20ga. Killed all birds long and short range. 3" #4 steel cheap stuff. Your just working with less pellets. All it takes is one regardless if its a .410 or 10ga. Just pick good shots and don't try to take marginal wish shots and your good.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5460236 12/05/14 11:36 PM
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I've used my Browning Citori Lightning 20 almost exclusively for well over 20 years. There have been days I've done better than guys with 12s. Pick your shots and have the right shot in the chamber. For years my preferred shell was a 3 inch mag #4 steel. Past few years I've been using low brass 2 3/4 #6, but they're rated 1325 fps.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5460753 12/06/14 05:49 AM
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Last summer we went out to hunt woodpigeons. I brought my 20ga Beretta silver pigeon with 24gr 7. That day geese started to fly at 20/25 mtrs and we shot 28 birds that morning. We say shoot for the head and they will drop like sandbags from the sky. Now I bought a Benelli semi auto 20ga and I just love it.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5460772 12/06/14 06:25 AM
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I shot a youth model beretta 20 gauge from when I was 12 to 22 years old. Everything from doves to geese. Killed more ducks with that gun than all others I've had combined. Would shoot 3 in #2. Shoot em in the face it doesn't really matter what you shoot. I even tried out for my college trap and skeet team with that gun, everyone kinda laughed that was there to shoot and people that were on the team already too, shot a 24 on my skeet round and a perfect 25 in the trap, shut em up real quick. Coach handed me a ureka and said shoot this from now on haha. Pretty cool way of sayin welcome to the team. But back to the 20 question yes of coarse it's enough, look what brazos does with a .410. If you can shoot well enough then that's all you need


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Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: Txcatman1] #5461170 12/06/14 05:09 PM
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The kids said to let you know that they did just fine with 20s this morning.


2 3/4" #6 for all 4 shooters today.


They were smoking em. Three flocks came in- 5,6,5. Three volleys and all 16 were belly up. We sat back and watched the kids finish off limits.

Last edited by brazosboyt; 12/06/14 05:11 PM.
Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5461318 12/06/14 07:17 PM
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Impressive

Curious what they gonna shoot when they ' ll turn 40

Hopefully a 28 gauge, or my favorite, a 16


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Originally Posted by bill oxner
Loved my 4 inches. Well needed.

Originally Posted by bill oxner
Hate Russians. Love happy endings. I saw snot fly. cheers


Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5461663 12/06/14 11:33 PM
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My 11 year old shot 3" mags and some heavier 2 3/4" for 2 seasons. Actually killed a speck with it which flew right over the blind, maybe a 25 yard shot.

Fine for ducks, but he seems to get more clean kills with the 12 out in that 25-35 yard range than he used to with the 12. We don't lose birds with either.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5463094 12/07/14 08:58 PM
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20's work just fine at under 35 yards, I have a tank where most shots are close and the 20 gauge works great.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5467882 12/09/14 09:41 PM
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All I used to use was my 20. #4 3". Calling them down into small tanks where your shooting close is the key. No need for a heavy 12 in those conditions.

Re: Duck hunting with a 20 gauge [Re: texashunter16] #5467891 12/09/14 09:43 PM
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Some gorgeous redheads up there


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