12 or 20 for deer?

[ebranger]

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.

Thanks for all the replies. BlackBart, with this particular post, I wasn't trying to question the merits of bolt-action versus pump/semi-auto. I was just trying to get opinions on performance of 12 gauge vs 20 gauge.

I think I've already decided that a semi-auto will best fit my particular hunting needs. Several stores that I've found online only offer a "deer package" (ie, has fully rifled, cantiliver barrel instead of smooth bore) in a 20 gauge.

Just wondering if they only offer these for a reason. Are the 20 gauges more popular now because, as others have noted, with modern sabot slugs, a 20 gauge performs just as well?

 

[danb]

Taken deer with 12ga (semi and pump) and 20ga (savage 220). There IS a version of the Savage bolt action in 12 ga. (Savage 212!).

My shoulder prefers either the 12ga semi or the 20 ga. You will never get the accuracy out of a semi that you do with a bolt or fixed stock because in a semi the parts (barrel/receiver) move.

I can confirm that deer shot with a 20ga are just as dead and tasty as those with a 12ga.

I would personally not trust slugs beyond the distance where they go subsonic (they tumble).

One thing I don't like about the Savage 220 is the cheap plastic magazine. It wears out and does not lock in right after a while. It also tends to deform (plastic softens, maybe in the heat of summer when I sight it in ?). I wish they would make a metal one for it.

 

[tomandjerry00]

The best, low cost slug gun is by far the H&R ultra slug in 20 GA. Cheap, very accurate, reliable as anything and very easy to learn how to use. I routinely take deer in the 175 yard range with it humanely. And they are quick to reload if a second shot is needed.

20 GA is much flatter shooting and with some loads, has a faster velocity.

The issue with the kits of rifled and smooth bore barrels to me is the necessity (IMO) to re-sight the scope whenever barrels are changed, even with a cantilever mount. That means if you wanna go shoot clays or geese during deer season, plan on stopping by the rifle range after. I am more into the idea of dedicated gun for each use, especially with how affordable the H&R is.


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[BlackBart]

Thanks for all the replies. BlackBart, with this particular post, I wasn't trying to question the merits of bolt-action versus pump/semi-auto. I was just trying to get opinions on performance of 12 gauge vs 20 gauge.

I think I've already decided that a semi-auto will best fit my particular hunting needs. Several stores that I've found online only offer a "deer package" (ie, has fully rifled, cantiliver barrel instead of smooth bore) in a 20 gauge.

Just wondering if they only offer these for a reason. Are the 20 gauges more popular now because, as others have noted, with modern sabot slugs, a 20 gauge performs just as well?

As I said, just my .02 and again if you only have 1 shotgun.... make it a 12. in 870 pump or an auto, It will do everything a 20 will and more.

 

[ROBAR35]

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

I didn't say that better than average marksmanship skills weren't required.

 

[BlackBart]

I didn't say that better than average marksmanship skills weren't required.

A horseshoe up the shooters ass might help.

 

[Doctor_M]

Have used both successfully.... both can work well under the right conditions.

 

[ROBAR35]

Have used both successfully.... both can work well under the right conditions.

Me too!

 

[ROBAR35]

A horseshoe up the shooters ass might help.

Yea this too.

 

[wilcam47]

I wouldnt shoot anything with a slug past 100yds...thats just me.

 

[iH8DemLibz]

20 hands down. Less thump. Flatter trajectory. Remington Copper Solids are 300 grains of pure, Bambi stopping power. You just can't beat an H&R/NEF with a rifled barrel and 2x7 scope for hunting deer out to 100 yards.

Is it September yet?

 

[inkd]

As I said, just my .02 and again if you only have 1 shotgun.... make it a 12. in 870 pump or an auto, It will do everything a 20 will and more.

That's a good point about one shotgun.

If I could only have one it would be a 12. I don't think I would try a 20ga on ducks or geese.

 

[Franklin]

Dedicated deer gun,savage 220 and a nikon slughunter BDC scope with a winchester partition, you dont want to be anywhere within 200yards of me.

If i only had one, 12 gauge for a do all.

 

[IndispensableDestiny]

I switched from 12 to 20. I use a Savage 220. I use Lightfield Hybred Sabots, 7/8 ounce. I zero at 100 yards. Accurate and it works.

 

[6Den]

I also switched to a Savage 220. Works very well, and I won't be going back to my 12ga. 3-1/2" Lightfields anytime soon.

 

[dreadpirate]

I have heard the same from guys in the office that are avid hunters. 20 gauge slug gun bolt- and Savage makes a good one. They tell me a 12 gauge slug has a sharp kick to it, way more than a skeet load.

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.

 

[iH8DemLibz]

I have heard the same from guys in the office that are avid hunters. 20 gauge slug gun bolt- and Savage makes a good one. They tell me a 12 gauge slug has a sharp kick to it, way more than a skeet load.

Sharp kick is putting it mildly. When hunting, it's not felt, but sighting in makes it feel like you're being hit with a wrecking ball each time you pull the trigger. Shoot long enough and you'll develop a flinch. Then you carry that flinch into the woods with you because your shoulder remembers the abuse.

 

[gaskg]

I'm also a fan of the Savage 220. Very accurate out I the box with Remington Accutips and Hornady SST slugs

 

[BlackBart]

I have heard the same from guys in the office that are avid hunters. 20 gauge slug gun bolt- and Savage makes a good one. They tell me a 12 gauge slug has a sharp kick to it, way more than a skeet load.

Well yeah but you're not shooting slugs at clays. I have yet to feel ANY recoil while hunting duck, pheasant, deer, rabbit ect. In real life situations not a bench or clay shoot, one ignores it.

 

[kenpo333]

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

I agree on two counts. One I don't have a 20 gauge and I just can't see a shotgun at 300 yards.