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  • ADAM
    Senior Member
    • Jan 2008
    • 2497

    looking for 20 gauge advice

    hi guys,I have been shooting 12 gauge all my life,mostly Benelli,I had rotator cuff surgery 9 months ago,thinking of going 20 gauge to ease the recoil,was looking at Benelli Ethos,this will be my dove quail shotgun,what are your thoughts.
    sigpic I said I didn"t have much use for one,didn"t say I didn"t know how to use it. MATTHEW QUIGLEY
  • #2
    BOBGBA
    CGN/CGSSA Contributor
    CGN Contributor
    • Sep 2010
    • 2390

    I think you should shoot one before you buy it. I've never shot one, but the Ethos is a really light gun (5.6 to 5.7 lbs) and that might make the recoil seem worse.

    I would switch to a gas operated semi-auto.

    My hunting buddy switched from an 11-87 to a Versamax and said it's the softest shooting autoloader he's ever used. I bought one (12 gauge) and it does shoot soft. I think they gas system was copied from the Benelli M4.

    If we could work out the logistics, I'd let you try mine out.
    I also have an 11-87 in 20 gauge.
    God Bless America - My iTrader rating - https://www.calguns.net/forum/market...2-transactions

    Comment

    • #3
      ADAM
      Senior Member
      • Jan 2008
      • 2497

      Originally posted by BOBGBA
      I think you should shoot one before you buy it. I've never shot one, but the Ethos is a really light gun (5.6 to 5.7 lbs) and that might make the recoil seem worse.

      I would switch to a gas operated semi-auto.

      My hunting buddy switched from an 11-87 to a Versamax and said it's the softest shooting autoloader he's ever used. I bought one (12 gauge) and it does shoot soft. I think they gas system was copied from the Benelli M4.

      If we could work out the logistics, I'd let you try mine out.
      I also have an 11-87 in 20 gauge.
      no 20g VERSA MAX,plus there 12 gauge still has some issues.
      sigpic I said I didn"t have much use for one,didn"t say I didn"t know how to use it. MATTHEW QUIGLEY

      Comment

      • #4
        hermosabeach
        I need a LIFE!!
        • Feb 2009
        • 19566

        It use to be my thinking that the 20 gauge was good for kids, new shooters and some women....

        As Ammo has changed A LOT in the past 10 years, my mindset has changed...

        You can get really light loads for the 12... they will not run the benelli... but the benelli kicks as hard as any over under or side by side...


        If you are looking to soften things up, I love the look and feel of the rossini in 28 gauge....
        Rule 1- ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

        Rule 2 -NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO DESTROY (including your hands and legs)

        Rule 3 -KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

        Rule 4 -BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT
        (thanks to Jeff Cooper)

        Comment

        • #5
          razr
          Senior Member
          • Mar 2008
          • 1415

          Love my Citori MKIV O/U. Not as forgiving as 12 ga. but points well and easy to carry.
          Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus.
          What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
          Nothing worse than an overrated F*** and an underrated S***
          iF it'S nOt an aCt of goD, iT's a ConSpirAcy. If it can be measured, it can be optimized.
          "What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." Chris Hitchens

          Comment

          • #6
            ADAM
            Senior Member
            • Jan 2008
            • 2497

            with the lead ammo ban it will be harder to find 28g steel
            sigpic I said I didn"t have much use for one,didn"t say I didn"t know how to use it. MATTHEW QUIGLEY

            Comment

            • #7
              Newshooter
              Senior Member
              • Apr 2010
              • 1171

              Beretta semi-auto. My wife shoots my Beretta auto in 12 gauge but won't touch the o/u in 20 gauge because it kicks too hard. A semi-auto that will cycle a light load either in 20 or 12 may answer your question.

              Comment

              • #8
                Thefeeder
                Calguns Addict
                • Jun 2007
                • 5007

                ><

                Try installing a light spring from Wolf Springs



                I have an M2 with the original factory spring and it will run 3 dram loads, the light spring may afford you even lighter loads. There are plenty of 7/8 oz 12ga loads on the market now and going this way will be better then a new 20ga.....unless your injury will not let you lift the weight of your 12 anymore

                You may also want to look into re-tuning your stock to better accommodate your shoulder injury. Injuries cause folks to adjust the way they shoot...the stock need to be re-adusted too

                Its true that a light bad fitting 20ga will feel harder kicking then a good fitting 12ga with heavier loads....I gar-o-tee

                Anyway, back to the spring....for ~15 bucks its worth a try. I have never tried the light but I'm installing the heavy this fall for the 3" shell I shoot.
                Last edited by Thefeeder; 09-07-2016, 10:09 PM.

                Comment

                • #9
                  foxtrotuniformlima
                  Veteran Member
                  • Nov 2008
                  • 3459

                  My 85 year old father who has had similar shoulder issues and he recently shot a Beretta A400 Xplor in 20ga for dove and I did not hear any complaints.
                  Anyone press will hear the fat lady sing.

                  Originally posted by Vin Scully
                  Don't be sad that it's over. Smile because it happened.
                  Originally posted by William James
                  I cannot allow your ignorance, however great, to take precedence over my knowledge, however small.
                  Originally posted by BigPimping
                  When you reach the plateau, there's always going to be those that try to drag you down. Just keep up the game, collect the scratch, and ignore those who seek to drag you down to their level.
                  .

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    NATEWA
                    Calguns Addict
                    • Jun 2012
                    • 5977

                    Originally posted by foxtrotuniformlima
                    My 85 year old father who has had similar shoulder issues and he recently shot a Beretta A400 Xplor in 20ga for dove and I did not hear any complaints.

                    I was going to recommend this. Father in laws friend has one and let me shoot it. My gosh that thing was light and soft shooting. There are several shooting pads that are thin and reduce the recoil. While hunting with a 20 gauge, you won't have the knock down power of a 12, so let the bigger birds come in close. Hevi shot is amazing ammo.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      ADAM
                      Senior Member
                      • Jan 2008
                      • 2497

                      I think triple B has good veriety in there rental department,I wil try them out before making decision.
                      sigpic I said I didn"t have much use for one,didn"t say I didn"t know how to use it. MATTHEW QUIGLEY

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        keith1911
                        Senior Member
                        • Jun 2011
                        • 1297

                        Originally posted by ADAM
                        hi guys,I have been shooting 12 gauge all my life,mostly Benelli,I had rotator cuff surgery 9 months ago,thinking of going 20 gauge to ease the recoil,was looking at Benelli Ethos,this will be my dove quail shotgun,what are your thoughts.
                        I've shot my dad's 12ga Ethos and while it is at least a pound and a half lighter than my Beretta AL390 it definitely has less recoil. Benelli really has something with the recoil reduction stuff they've done on that shotgun. My guess is the 20ga version will have very little recoil, but I have no direct experience with it.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Horrendo Revolver
                          Senior Member
                          • May 2015
                          • 1013

                          Originally posted by ADAM
                          no 20g VERSA MAX,plus there 12 gauge still has some issues.
                          Versa-Max issues were worked out long ago.

                          Many, including myself feel the Ethos is one of the harsher recoiling semi's.

                          If you want to reduce felt recoil, a gas operated semi is the best. People can argue all they want but it is fact. Weight is also your friend when it comes to recoil. 20 gauge semi's with a reputation for being soft shooters:
                          Browning Silver
                          Winchester SX3
                          Remingtion 1100 & 1187
                          Weatherby SA-08

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            calaska
                            Junior Member
                            • Nov 2009
                            • 38

                            The beretta A400 with the kick off recoil reducer is incredibly soft shooting. All inertia operated guns such as Benelli will be perceived to kick more because they need the shooter's shoulder to operate against.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              machineryman
                              Junior Member
                              • Sep 2016
                              • 1

                              Beretta Al390

                              Recently acquired a Beretta AL390 in 20 guage from licensed Kentucky dealer. Haven't had much experience with them, have a Franchi for field use. The Beretta is tooooo nice for general hunting and is in about 90-95 percent condition. I wondered what the current demand is for this type firearm and general price...the dealer said they were rather rare. I have 4 chokes. It is longer barrel and doesn't appear to have been used very much. I may sell as I prefer something of a general use nature. Any advise appreciated. I'm new to forum, live in Kentucky. Best Chuck

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