Can 20 gauge cover most wingshooting?

[JayJ85]

I'm looking to get into upland and waterfowl hunting and in my research it seems 20 gauge ammo technology has advanced to the point where it's as versatile as 12 gauge and can cover most wingshooting while being more comfortable to shoot. Thoughts? Experiences?

[Mirac]

Yes.

[Bull Elk]

Yes!

[BigToach]

nothing un-manily about shooting a 20 over 12ga. After a long walk up a rocky hilside chasing chukar I sure appreiciate a nice light weight shotgun.

[mikeovers]

I have hunted upland birds, ducks, geese, doves and turkey for years with everything from a 10ga to a 410. The 20 will work on all of these but I would not recommend it for geese because of the distance you will be shooting at and the thick down coat the shot has to penetrate. The 20 even works great on turkeys just call them in close.

[duckman1]

My son shot a 20 for many years on everything including geese. Just like any gun you need to shoot it enough with the ammo you plan on using to know what it's capabilities.

[estrom]

A 20 is capable of most anything. Shoot both and decide what you're comfortable with. My daughter actually prefers a 12. Shooting normal/similar loads, she feels the recoil is less with the 12 because it's a little heavier. As mentioned above, that's a detriment if you're out on hikes or long walks. Ultimately, it's your personal choice.

[onelonehorseman]

I hunted with a 20 for years. They are very capable of doing the job, and are very sweet to shoot. The only downfall, in my experience, is the much more limited availability of ammo in some areas, compared to 12 ga.

[NapalmCheese]

My opinion is that the 12 is superior to the 20 for waterfowl with steel shot, unless you are decoying good and close to your blind. With lead shot or some other non-tox alternative shot I don't feel handicapped by shooting a 20 gauge.

My wife doesn't feel handicapped shooting ducks with steel shot out of a 20 gauge.

[JagerDog]

If waterfowl is in your scope, I'd stick to 12. Part of that can be made up with the uber expensive high tech shot. Geese is the only thing I shoot said shells at.

I shoot a 20g at everything else.

That said, with CA going non-tox for ALL hunting, make sure your 20g is chambered for 3" unless you'll only be hunting small birds.

[Thefeeder]

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All the gauges have limits. A 20ga 3" equals a 12ga 2 3/4" in shot weight and volume...but the same performance, no

The limits include pattern density, shot string, case volume, available loads...to name a few

At 20 yards, any gauge will drop the biggest of birds....at 35-45-50yds....that takes a bit more "think'n it out"

[Che762x39]

20 ga is fine for rabbits too. You will always get a chance at one while upland bird hunting.

[ysr_racer]

I like a 12ga 3" gun for upland game, waterfowl, and turkey because of the wide and vast availability of different shells.

[NapalmCheese]

I like a 12ga 3" gun for upland game, waterfowl, and turkey because of the wide and vast availability of different shells.

If you only want one shotgun and most of your shotgunning world revolves around shooting ducks and geese, pheasants too, the 12 is not a bad way to go. If most of your shooting is something other than ducks, geese, and pheasants then a 20 isn't a bad choice at all. Obviously there is some overlap, people with 20 gauge shotguns can shoot waterfowl, and people with 12 gauge guns can shoot quail.

But I mean, don't listen to me. I prefer a 16 gauge.

Ultimately, no one ever missed a bird because they had too many pellets in the air.

It's also cheaper to shoot a 12.

[wweigle]

My 63 year old cousin has been hunting his whole life beginning in the 70's and has been shooting a Beretta 20 gauge double for 15+ years water foul hunting and upland hunting on his two private hunting properties. He grew up shooting his grandfathers 16 gauge model 12, which is probably why he chose a 20. He has never felt under gunned, and I have to agree. I have hunted with him for 15+ years and the 20 gauge has never hindered him when it was an appropriate shot. Every time I pick up and mount his 20 double I wonder why I lug around my Citori 12 gauge.