12 vs 20 GA shell cost
- Thread starter Tjv787
- Start date
I don't find any difference between the two. All are local store carry both
CT. TSC. Wall mart .all have both. I shoot both and hunt with both .so unless canada geese are your main target a 20g will get the job done. I use one for deer turkey ducks and bunny's. Dutch
CT. TSC. Wall mart .all have both. I shoot both and hunt with both .so unless canada geese are your main target a 20g will get the job done. I use one for deer turkey ducks and bunny's. Dutch
Yes.... A 20 gauge slug is perfectly acceptable for deer within its range.....
They are generally the same in cost and availability... 28 gauge and .410 shells are more expensive and somewhat harder to source, although considering that ammo costs are the least expensive factor in shooting sports, there is far too much made of this.
Mumbles Marble Mouth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lower Mainland
Generally the same cost. Availability is there for 20 gauge. It just doesn't have selection going for it like 12 gauge does. Sometimes you can go to a store that has a special brand of shotgun ammo that they only have available in 12 gauge for a lot less than everything else. Clever Mirage for example.
DarkStalker
Regular
- Location
- Kebekistan
Shot shell decide that but for me I prefer the 20ga because the weight is less.. So I sold my remington 870 to a friend and bought myself a weatherby sa08 and god I love this gun, fun to walk with 
My 12 gauge only comes out now if I'm hunting Geese.
Once you pull the trigger on a bunny or upland bird it sure doesn't know if the number 4 or 6 shot coming at it came from a 12 or a 20.
You can find 20 gauge shells just about anywhere that sells ammunition. You don't always get the same "variety" as you do with 12 gauge and some types (buckshot) is sometimes tough to find in stock.
If cost of ammo is a "huge factor" maybe go with a 12 gauge. You can always find "el cheapo" 12 gauge shells if you don't really care what you are shooting - 20 gauge, not so much - only because the 20 is considerably less popular than the 12 and not all dealers will carry a super wide variety of 20 gauge shells.
And yes you can "order stuff", but if you add in shipping then you are paying the cost of a more premium box at the local store.
Plus, a 20 is a little more gentle on the shoulder.
Having said that, I carry my 20 if I'm taking my shotgun out for a walk in the woods looking for birds. And when I go north to hunt moose, it's my 20 with a slug down the pipe that is there in case Yogi decides to investigate the camp during "quiet hours"
Once you pull the trigger on a bunny or upland bird it sure doesn't know if the number 4 or 6 shot coming at it came from a 12 or a 20.
You can find 20 gauge shells just about anywhere that sells ammunition. You don't always get the same "variety" as you do with 12 gauge and some types (buckshot) is sometimes tough to find in stock.
If cost of ammo is a "huge factor" maybe go with a 12 gauge. You can always find "el cheapo" 12 gauge shells if you don't really care what you are shooting - 20 gauge, not so much - only because the 20 is considerably less popular than the 12 and not all dealers will carry a super wide variety of 20 gauge shells.
And yes you can "order stuff", but if you add in shipping then you are paying the cost of a more premium box at the local store.
Plus, a 20 is a little more gentle on the shoulder.
Having said that, I carry my 20 if I'm taking my shotgun out for a walk in the woods looking for birds. And when I go north to hunt moose, it's my 20 with a slug down the pipe that is there in case Yogi decides to investigate the camp during "quiet hours"
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you are purchasing your first shotgun and the intent is to use that one shotgun for everything i.e. deer, small game/upland and waterfowl including perhaps clay shoots then a 12ga would be the most versatile firearm. A wider selection of steel ammo will also be more easily available in most stores compared to the 20ga. Likewise, a greater selection of 12ga turkey loads are also more commonly available on store shelves.
FYI, felt recoil (dependent on the individual) will generally be substantial in the case of a 12ga slug. However, that is something experienced more during range sessions than on the field. For small game/upland, use of 12ga 1oz loads will serve fine and won't be overkill provided how that may be used in terms of shooting whether at a moving target vs. a stationary one.
Having said all that, a 20ga may also serve almost equally well if the shotgun is put to use bearing in mind it's payload limitations compared to its elder sibling, the 12ga. One could just as easily hunt deer, small game/upland (including Turkey) and waterfowl (effectively over decoys).
Generally, ammo availability (particularly in the GTA stores) and cost are usually about the same for both 12 and 20. However, the price, regardless of gauge, 12 or 20, does go up in the case of a premium product.
Price of saboted slugs (meant for use in a rifled barrel) either a 12 or 20 will be much higher compared to slugs designed for use in a smoothbore.
badgreenbird
Regular
- Location
- Dawson Creek, BC
Good advice from Ahsan, as usual. I will only add that when the stuff goes on sale, I never seem to see 20 gauge shells as cheap as the 12 gauge. But ultimately, this shouldn't be the main factor in the 12/20 decision
