I am looking for some advice and or direction. I'm reletively new to duck and geese and this year my kids want to come out as well. my 12G is to big for them to be able to use it effectively so i was contemplating getting a 20G 3" chamber semi for them. will this work or is it too little gun for waterfowl? Thanks...
20 G for waterfowl??
- Thread starter irondog
- Start date
Maybe a 16 gauge ?
Due to the danger involved, I never have both a 20 and 12 gauge on a trip. It is relatively easy to slip a 20 gauge shell into a 12 gauge, not remember or pass to another shooter who loads a 12 gauge shell with disastrous results.
Due to the danger involved, I never have both a 20 and 12 gauge on a trip. It is relatively easy to slip a 20 gauge shell into a 12 gauge, not remember or pass to another shooter who loads a 12 gauge shell with disastrous results.
20 gauge will be just fine for your needs.
This is true, but this is also why all 20 gauge shells are yellow.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I shoot a 20 gauge O/U quite often for waterfowl, and can drop them dead no problem with it.
Cat
Cat
I want to know too!
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Myself, I have never seen 16 gauge steel shot for sale at any gunstore.
Has anyone seen this ever?
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I have used 2 3/4" Federal premium 4's and Winchester Dry-Loc 2's, but Fassteel 3"#2's and 4's work very very well in my gun with open chokes.
I also load Nice shot and Bismuth as well, but have found thyat the steel over decoys is all I need most of the time.
Cat
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And 16 gauge are Purple....
The felt recoil will be pretty close, but the guns will handle and feel differently.
Catnthehat has loads of advice and pictures to show for his efforts.
***edited for clarity and Thank You cat for the point. the purple I spoke of was in the Federal brand...my bad i am partial to Federal shotshell ammo....
Rob
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- Location
- Kawartha Lakes area of Ont
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
Or red or blue!!
These days the many different companies have steered away from single coloured shells it seems.
One must be careful, for sure.
I sometimes take 5 different gauges to the range with me on the same day , low pressure, high pressure, smokeless and black, and those are sometimes loaded in the same gauge but for different guns!
One must be diligent in what one is doing, and double checking, same as in hand loading.
Cat
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
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I have been shooting a 12 gauge since I started at 12 years and never had an issue with recoil. I did need the stock shortened slightly to hit better.
You may be able to get a better deal by looking for a used 2 3/4" Remington 1100 12 gauge and trim the stocks and have the choke opened up or barrel shortened. It may also be a little easier to find steel shot for.
At the same time if you want a 20 gauge go for it. I shoot a 20 gauge 870 from time to time for waterfowl and it works. 3" #3's are my go to load.
You may be able to get a better deal by looking for a used 2 3/4" Remington 1100 12 gauge and trim the stocks and have the choke opened up or barrel shortened. It may also be a little easier to find steel shot for.
At the same time if you want a 20 gauge go for it. I shoot a 20 gauge 870 from time to time for waterfowl and it works. 3" #3's are my go to load.
Make sure the young ones pattern the gun with head shots ( helpful to all not just young). It is easy to give pointers then. A 20 will work just fine but so will 2 3/4 12 lighter loads. Gun must fit!! Good luck.
