12 gauge vs 20 gauge

[WSM]

So here is the deal. Last April I bought a Mossberg 500 field/deer combo from wally world. I am not new to 12 gauges but never owned one. My intent was to turkey hunt with it and maybe do some slug hunting here in MD. I also wanted to shoot clays with it too. After about 100 clays on my first outing my shoulder was pretty bruised up even with the ported barrel and low brass, 2 3/4 target loads. I sold the shotgun to another forum member with the intent on getting the same model in 20 gauge. Now I am considering a shotgun for clay, turkey, duck and goose hunting. Will a 20 gauge do the job or is a 12 gauge necessary for long shots while goose hunting? I wouldn't be opposed to another 12 gauge but I think I have my sights on a 20. Any input appreciated.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

I started standardizing around 12 gauge, not enough of a bird shooter to get the difference in the need for a variety of gauges. I do have an Ithaca 37 in the rack in 20 havent shot it since i was a kid.

 

[Cochise]

For ducks and especially geese a 12 minimum, especially if you are using steel and not one of the premium non tox alternatives. A twenty will be fine for most other things. If the 12 hurt you it probably didnt fit or you werent holding the stock tight to your shoulder.

 

[august1410]

For ducks and especially geese a 12 minimum, especially if you are using steel and not one of the premium non tox alternatives. A twenty will be fine for most other things. If the 12 hurt you it probably didnt fit or you werent holding the stock tight to your shoulder.

I'd have to agree....I have a Rossi Matched Pair 20ga/22lr. The 20 gauge is a youth model with a small synthetic stock and short barrel. It's a beast to shoot because I can't get a good fit with it because it's too small. My Stevens 5100 12ga SxS has a full size wood stock and 30" barrels......it's a dream to shoot.

My 9 year old daughter hates the 20ga and is ready to try the 12ga.

 

[WSM]

I did have a little bit of trouble shouldering but my shoulder is ah...quite soft with some fatty tissue. I actually practiced shouldering it quite a few times and it just never felt real comfortable. I may try a Benelli sometime in the near future...got turkey season coming up

 

[xtreme43s10]

because it's a pump there is going to be more felt recoil. my brother uses his 20 for Pheasant hunting with us because it's light and a fast handling and has made some very nice long one shot kills with it. If you plan to do a lot of waterfowl hunting I would stick with a 12 ga. I have an beretta Xtrema 2 with the kick off which help's a lot with the recoil of larger 3 1/2's. how much of each are you planning? If you are only planning to waterfowl hunt once a year and do lot's of clay's,turkey and deer. you can get away with a 20 ga but stay with a 3 inch model. if you ever want to meet up at PG county skeet and trap i can bring out several different gun's for you to try out.

 

[BlackBart]

I did have a little bit of trouble shouldering but my shoulder is ah...quite soft with some fatty tissue. I actually practiced shouldering it quite a few times and it just never felt real comfortable. I may try a Benelli sometime in the near future...got turkey season coming up

If you shoot a WSM doesn't that have a lot of felt recoil?

 

[WSM]

If you shoot a WSM doesn't that have a lot of felt recoil?

100 rounds of .270 WSM off a skeet platform would melt the barrel before my shoulder got sore

 

[Bob]

You need a 12. Get a good recoil pad and you won't have a problem!

 

[Biggfoot44]

For steel you need a 12, if you want to shoot a turkey at the distances you read about in the hunting rags need a 12, 20 will work at shorter distances. In a Mossberg, the lighter wt of a 20 will offset some of the lesser inherent recoil of a 20.
But seriously the absolute recoil of a standard trap load in a std wt M500 isn't very much. Check for proper stock fit, and cushy recoil pad if not already equiped.
Have you considered a gas autoloader ?

 

[BeltBuckle]

You need a 12. Get a good recoil pad and you won't have a problem!

what he said.

 

[Diesel Kinevel]

I have both. I will say I use the 20ga a lot more than the 12. The 20 does the same job for deer, doves, rabbits and clays, which is what I shoot the most. For goose I would use a 12. I love shooting my 20ga, more so than my 12. But everyone has their own preference.

-Z

 

[haoleboy]

go back to 12ga and get a semi-auto. I can shoot 100 rds of sporting clays with my Beretta 391 and not feel a thing on my shoulder the next day.
I would guess that the semi will reduce your felt recoil by at least 50%.

 

[E.Shell]

IMHO, get a 12 gauge for "a one gun does it all", but in practice, the 20 works great for almost anything but waterfowl and turkeys.

 

[DavidM]

Be advised that inertial actions in Benellis, Franchi's and Stoegers don't start to cycle until after they have imparted the full recoil into your shoulder. Speaking from experience, they are NOT soft shooters.

 

[BlackBart]

100 rounds of .270 WSM off a skeet platform would melt the barrel before my shoulder got sore

OK, just didn't seem logical to me.

 

[haoleboy]

Be advised that inertial actions in Benellis, Franchi's and Stoegers don't start to cycle until after they have imparted the full recoil into your shoulder. Speaking from experience, they are NOT soft shooters.

Don't tell KevP that, Benelli makes the greatest shotguns ever!

 

[WSM]

Have you considered a gas autoloader ?

i want to double duty with slugs in PA or MD...PA says no semi auto for hunting anything that doesn't have wings

 

[WSM]

i could debate the 20 gauge for turkeys but i won't as for waterfowl it is a realm i am not too familiar with so if you guys are saying 12 gauge minimum i'll take that to the bank.

 

[SOMDSHOOT]

I sorta skimmed the previous posts, but, it was enough to get the idea of the topic. I own 2 shotguns. A Remington 870 Express Magnum in 20 Ga. for clays, crow, dove.

I also own an ordinary, average, everyday, Mossberg 500 with a 28" barrel for ducks and geese. The 20 ga. is not enough to me for ducks and geese, but, I have shot plenty of ducks and geese with my Remington 870 28" barrel, it does the job just fine, and the 12 ga. is overkill for the clays, crows, and dove. ( I like to shoot a lot, not watch half the time )

As for Turkey, I'll use either one, they have both done the job in the past, but, I would push for the 12 over the 20 for turkey.

Guns are like my guitars, I have to have a specific one for a specific job. Why I own so many muzzleloaders is beyond me, but, the point is, it's the reason I own 3 different guns for squirrel hunting. LOL

It's one of those, "Some days you feel like a nut, some days you don't" Depends on what your shooting I guess, either you plan to shoot alot... or you don't, but, my buddies with the 12 guages always seem to want to shoot the 20 for a while, while their shoulder cools down, I say, go git yer own danged 20.