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? 12 or 20 Gauge?
#7405191
01/15/19 03:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 100
DCmac
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 100 |
Which? Looking ahead to invitation for dove, quail & pheasant hunts, this old goat so-far-rifle-only-deer-hunter wants to get a "bird gun". FWIW, and for no particular reason, I'm enamored with the over & under. Just need some help deciding if I'd be better off with a 12 or 20 gauge.
9x19mm--Anything bigger is statistically insignificant.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7405200
01/15/19 04:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,848
Texan Til I Die
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,848 |
I have a matching set of Winchester 101's in 12 and 20. I usually end up shooting doves with the 12 just because it swings a little smoother for me. For quail and pheasants I carry the 20 because it's lighter and a little faster on the rise.
Silver spurs and gold tequila keep me hanging on. Pretty girls and old cantinas give me shelter from the storm.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7405212
01/15/19 04:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
snake oil
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759 |
I shot a 12 till I was 20yo. then went to a 20 sxs and never looked back. P.S. I don't duck hunt.
"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7405213
01/15/19 04:14 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,494
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,494 |
Started hunting with a 20, then 16 and finally a 12. Now mostly shoot 20 or 28ga shotguns. When picking a semiauto shotgun it is hard to go wrong with the B's Benelli, Beretta or Browning. If I were to replace the 20 Benelli and Browning 28 I have now with one it would be a Beretta A400 in 20. Heck I have 3.5 inch cannons but have gone to using the 20 for turkey most of the time, ligher weight and with todays shells and chokes it is still effective.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7405227
01/15/19 04:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179 |
Go handle both and see which you like best.
If the frame is scaled for a 20, a OU would be pretty sweet. If it’s 20ga barrels on a 12ga frame.. meh.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7405230
01/15/19 04:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 484
howl
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 484 |
12 for dove and pheasant, people some places get weird about using anything but a subgauge for quail.
You can make up for a 20 with high dollar shells. You cannot make up for a gun that does not fit you. You have to be able to mount it smoothly and have the pattern go where you point it. For starters, get an auto with cast and drop shims. At some point in the future you will be settled in enough things don't change. Then get your O/U and have it fitted to you.
12 gauge auto, probably Beretta, adjusted to fit you, Skeet 2 extended choke and a 1 1/8oz load of 7 1/2s that choke patterns well are where to start for a do-all.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7405443
01/15/19 07:21 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198 |
Dove, Quail, & Pheasant. 20 guage does all of those well, and is more enjoyable to carry.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: Smokey Bear]
#7405549
01/15/19 09:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,358
bronco71
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,358 |
Dove, Quail, & Pheasant. 20 guage does all of those well, and is more enjoyable to carry. Agreed, plus it has less recoil which is felt more in an O/U. Either way I would get a good recoil pad such as Limbsaver etc. If getting a 20 get a 3" chamber so if needed you can get close to 12 gauge performance.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7405578
01/15/19 09:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,846
Greg Z
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,846 |
Here is my take. I prefer the 20ga for a few reasons. It is lighter and so is the ammunition, if you are walking for upland birds. It has lower recoil so your shoulder will appreciate it after a full day of dove hunting. With the variety of shells and chokes on the market it will do as good a job as a 12ga with out the downside.
Z
Greg Ziemer Sewell Lexus 214-597-6006 Life's short... Enjoy the ride!
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7405683
01/15/19 11:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,506
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,506 |
Why "or"? Both excel at certain tasks.
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7406690
01/17/19 12:43 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,255
Hunt Dog
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,255 |
Love my Citori Lightning 20. Dove, quail, duck, squirrel, rabbit, skeet, even dusted the butts of a couple mutts trying to chase cattle on our ranch. If you want a little extra for duck slip in some 3' mags.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7406694
01/17/19 12:54 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,244
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
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THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,244 |
I want a 12 for Pheasnt and Duck.
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7406913
01/17/19 04:59 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
I’ll take a 20 gauge for anything except duck.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7430051
02/10/19 07:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 40
BGHB
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 40 |
They're both very effective, but I'd lean towards the 12 gauge due to the face that it's a little more versatile, especially with waterfowl. Not saying that the 20 gauge can't do the job, but I just think the 12 gauge is better. If you don't plan on hunting waterfowl though, then it's really a matter of 6 on one hand and a half dozen with the other. https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/shotgun-gauges-10-vs-12-vs-16-vs-20-vs-28-vs-410/
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7430064
02/10/19 08:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,506
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,506 |
If you're truly indecisive, buy a 16 gauge. Actually, both the 12 and 20 make more "sense" than the 16; but a quality 16 gauge is a wonderful gun.
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7430468
02/11/19 02:46 AM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 237
20bore
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 237 |
Citori White Lightning 20 Or find a Belgium made Browning A5 Light 20 and hunt with panache.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7430486
02/11/19 03:01 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946 |
DCmac, so funny, I've been on Gunbroker all afternoon looking for the exact same thing. Go look. I want a 20ga.
Its hard, to jump into the O/U game for under $4,000. Not sure YOUR budget but mine is $2,000 +/- mostly under
Used Browning's, Beretta's but their wood sucks in this price range SO, then you get Beretta's cheap wood veneer, until you get to their DT's and up, starting around $10,000.
look at the Rizzini, Connecticut Shotguns, Franchi Instinct L to name a few. My favorite is the new CZ Supreme Field, but I would NEVER buy an O/U without shouldering it because if it doesn't fit, you will never hit chit and get frustrated and sell it. Plus, I shop wood mostly. Cant find any in stock locally.
Its easy to fit an automatic with all the stock shims BUT with an O/U Hummmm, big bucks for fitting.
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Re: ? 12 or 20 Gauge?
[Re: DCmac]
#7431490
02/12/19 01:37 AM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198 |
Buzz, if you like Beretta OU's, and want to shop for nicely figured lumber that fits: Find the model Beretta over under you like. Then google Colegun.com. They are in Maine. They have a tremendous selection of wood in various dimensions and grades to fit Beretta. I'm a lefty and they have even had a large selection of left hand wood in various dimensions. They will also Inlet and fit it. They do excellent work and turnaround has been pretty fast.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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