12 or 20 for deer?

ebranger · Feb 7, 2014

Which do you prefer for deer? Slugs through a 20 gauge or a 12 gauge? And why?

BlackBart · Feb 7, 2014

12............... because I don't own any 20's. Bigger is better!

ROBAR35 · Feb 7, 2014

Well up until this year I would have said 12GA. But I have two friends who have the 20ga. Savage bolt shotgun. I had the opportunity to shoot one of them and I have to say the damn things shoots like a rifle. I shot a 3 shot 3/4" group first time on the gun. I was so impressed with it I started doing some research online and looking at the ballistics of the 20Ga. And out to 300 yds.The thing hits like a hammer.

ebranger · Feb 7, 2014

Robar, that is what got me thinking. There must be a reason the Savage bolt-action only comes in a 20 gauge. Is it really better? I've always been in the same court as BlackBart. Bigger is better. But is it really?

BlackBart · Feb 7, 2014

300 yards with ANY shotgun slug or sabot would be out of the realm of practicality.

Kman · Feb 7, 2014

ROBAR35 said:
Well up until this year I would have said 12GA. But I have two friends who have the 20ga. Savage bolt shotgun. I had the opportunity to shoot one of them and I have to say the damn things shoots like a rifle. I shot a 3 shot 3/4" group first time on the gun. I was so impressed with it I started doing some research online and looking at the ballistics of the 20Ga. And out to 300 yds.The thing hits like a hammer.

I must suck worse than I thought. I used to do well with a 870 20guage and Hastings barrel and get decent shots at 150 yards. 300 yards is rifle range, for me.

ebranger · Feb 7, 2014

BlackBart said:
300 yards with ANY shotgun slug or sabot would be out of the realm of practicality.

Certainly would be for me. I don't think there is any place where I hunt that a 300-yd shot would even be possible, much less practical. But is there any marked difference in the killing power of a 20-guage at, say, 100 yards?

BlackBart · Feb 7, 2014

Kman said:
I must suck worse than I thought. I used to do well with a 870 20guage and Hastings barrel and get decent shots at 150 yards. 300 yards is rifle range, for me.

300 yards with a shotgun is a crapshoot with a LOT of luck. Here's using the bolt action Savage.....

http://randywakeman.com/Savage220Stainless.htm

32 inches at 200 yards.... that's plenty ridicules enough, at 300 it's going to spook away a shot for later. Slugs are fine.... within their SEVERE limitations.

ROBAR35 · Feb 7, 2014

BlackBart said:
300 yards with ANY shotgun slug or sabot would be out of the realm of practicality.

BB I totally agree with you but with the Savage Bolt and Winchester shells guys are getting consistent kills with that combination out past 250 yds. I wouldn't have believed it either. :shocked:

coopermania · Feb 7, 2014

ROBAR35 said:
Well up until this year I would have said 12GA. But I have two friends who have the 20ga. Savage bolt shotgun. I had the opportunity to shoot one of them and I have to say the damn things shoots like a rifle. I shot a 3 shot 3/4" group first time on the gun. I was so impressed with it I started doing some research online and looking at the ballistics of the 20Ga. And out to 300 yds.The thing hits like a hammer.

Do you have a Cousin named SomdShoot ? Goes by the nickname Slugman ??

BlackBart · Feb 7, 2014

ebranger said:
Certainly would be for me. I don't think there is any place where I hunt that a 300-yd shot would even be possible, much less practical. But is there any marked difference in the killing power of a 20-guage at, say, 100 yards?

To each their own,

A. this will probably be your only shotgun and you're not exactly Clint Eastwood?
B. Practice time will be at a premium?
C. 12 Ga holds MORE pellets for that quail, duck, rabbit ect
100 yards = realistic trajectory for both.

MY personal opinion.... bolt action shotguns SUCK, had one and gave it away. Forget the followup shot, hulls do not eject as clean as brass. I detested that pos. 870 pump or an auto if you're going to hunt where they're legal.

just my .02.

BlackBart · Feb 7, 2014

ROBAR35 said:
BB I totally agree with you but with the Savage Bolt and Winchester shells guys are getting consistent kills with that combination out past 250 yds. I wouldn't have believed it either.

I have no doubt that it will kill BUT you're looking at about a 60 inch drop. That's just plain stupid IMHO. Few can do that consistently.... like this bitch

coopermania · Feb 7, 2014

ROBAR35 said:
BB I totally agree with you but with the Savage Bolt and Winchester shells guys are getting consistent kills with that combination out past 250 yds. I wouldn't have believed it either.

So at 250 yds you will be at around + or - 50" of drop. That's pitiful odds for a clean hit with a slug gun.
I was taught hunting was Fair Chase and only good clean shots are to be taken. That's not for me.

DZ · Feb 7, 2014

I shoot the Savage 220. Taken two deer with it thus far. One 8pt at 15 yds and one button buck at 83 yds standing offhand. The terminal effects of the cartridge were effective and efficient.
With Remington 2-3/4" Accupoints, I am confident with it out to 100 yds from all positions at this point. I find you have to be careful with the pressure you apply to the gun on account of the flimsy stock.

ROBAR35 · Feb 7, 2014

http://randywakeman.com/Savage220Stainless.htm

That was a good read. And I agree with you guys 100% 200+ yds. With a slug gun is not what I would consider ethical either.

lx1x · Feb 7, 2014

BlackBart said:
12............... because I don't own any 20's. Bigger is better!

this.

mark71211 · Feb 7, 2014

ROBAR35 said:
Well up until this year I would have said 12GA. But I have two friends who have the 20ga. Savage bolt shotgun. I had the opportunity to shoot one of them and I have to say the damn things shoots like a rifle. I shot a 3 shot 3/4" group first time on the gun. I was so impressed with it I started doing some research online and looking at the ballistics of the 20Ga. And out to 300 yds.The thing hits like a hammer.

And a hammer thrown 300 yards hits like a hammer too. But would I try to do that, no

budman93 · Feb 7, 2014

You don't need a 12. You would be better off with a 20. The extra recoil in a lightweight slug gun isn't a good trade for the little bit of extra power. I have both and the 20 is far better for hunting.

inkd · Feb 7, 2014

I like the 20ga slugs. I shoot SST's in the Ultra Slugger and Copper Solids in the 870 and 1187.

Never had a problem taking a deer with them.

I shot 12ga a lot when I was younger but for the distances I'm shooting, 20 is just fine.

MeatGrinder · Feb 7, 2014

I have a 12, but it is simply because I started years ago and that is what was mostly available. I also have a pump and like to be able to put on another barrel for waterfowl and small game. But, if I was starting fresh today and wanted a dedicated deer gun, I'd probably go for a 20. The ammo available today is far better than it once was.

12 or 20 for deer?

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