12 or 20 for Deer

What shotgun do you use for hunting deer? and why?

  • 12 gauge

    Votes: 37 69.8%

  • 20 gauge

    Votes: 14 26.4%

  • other

    Votes: 2 3.8%
  • Total voters
    53
HairTrigger

HairTrigger

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which do you prefer to use while hunting deer?


I use a 12 gauge, but if I were going to buy another slug gun, it would be a 20 gauge. Why? you ask. They're cheaper to shoot, lighter to carry, and have a flatter trajectory.
 
I have both but my newest is a Mossy 500 20g w/FR ported bbl, not that you really needa ported bbl for a 20 but thats how it came. I`ve yet to shoot anything with it as I am still looking for a decent sabot/slug to use. My trials so far have been Win BRI & Rem Copper Solids. My 12g is a Win 120 with 24" smooth bbl and RTC, it loves 1oz Win 2.75 slugs, the deer they`ve hit don`t.
 
Boomer said:
What is the reason the second purchase? If it is going to be a loaner for an inexperienced shooter or a recoil sensitive shooter then the 20 would be the better option, otherwise pick a 12.
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You need a reason to buy more guns?:eek:
I had a 20 gauge a while ago and traded it in on a new BPS 12 gauge with a fully rifled barrel.
 
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HairTrigger said:
You need a reason to buy more guns?:eek:
Click to expand...

"Whats it for?" Is a question I try to answer before buying more guns. I have very few, "just because" guns, and due to the dollars I've invested in custom and semi-custom rifles, I seem to be able to spend more on reloading components these days than I do on more guns. Thus I am able to shoot more than I would if all my cash went on every new rifle that hit the gun store rack. When I say, "Hmmm, I can't do that with any of my rifles!" I've been known to end up with another long box in the mail.

The exception to this rule is purchases that are the result of the threat of impending gun bans, in the hope that I am grandfathered. I missed the boat with the '79 full auto ban becasue at the time I wasn't interrested. That will not happen again. If a semi-auto ban looms on the horizon I will prabably have to get a semi-auto rifle in the hopes of being grandfathered in. I do have some interest in military high power shooting, so a NM M-1A may have to find its way here at some point in time.
 
Boomer said:
What is the reason the second purchase? If it is going to be a loaner for an inexperienced shooter or a recoil sensitive shooter then the 20 would be the better option, otherwise pick a 12.
Click to expand...
One has to watch what they buy, for what though.
The reason I say this is my M37 Ithaca 20 gauge Featherweight, when I mount the M87 rifled barrel, and use 2 3/4, Winchester Supreme Gold or Platinum Partition 260 grain sabots...suddenly 'wants' to be a fire breathing 12 gauge!
It certainly is reasonably accurate, but it kicks like a heavily loaded 45-70.
 
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