20 g Coachgun ?

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Dagmaar

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Thinking of a SXS coachgun , 20 inch preferably . My question to those of you who have experience with them is regarding recoil . I have shot 20 inch 12 and 20 gauge in semi and pump , found the pump 12 with a limb saver tolerable , but honestly wouldn’t want to have to shoot a box of shells through it at once . My understanding is that those SXSs have a lot of recoil . Is the twenty and twelve a pretty big difference ? I’m leaning to the twenty obviously, but would like to hear if you all find the difference fairly noticeable .
Thanks all .
Dag
 
I find with sxs guns with scaled frames the recoil is about equal given similar payloads. 12s can handle larger payloads thus more recoil. 20s are generally lighter thus felt recoil increases. Cheaper 20ga guns are often built on 12ga frames so if thats the case recoil will be lighter for the 20
 
Recoil is primarily a factor of the weight of the shot charge compared to the weight of the gun (with a nod to the speed to which the shot charge is accelerated). All things being equal, if you reduce the weight of the gun (short barrels, for example), you increase recoil. Again, all things being equal, if you increase the weight of the shot charge, you increase the recoil.

So, if you're concerned about the recoil, add weight to the gun. Adding weight near the muzzle makes the gun harder to accelerate and decelerate, thus harder to handle. Adding weight between the hands or to the butt stock has much less deleterious effect on handling. Many side by sides have a through-bolt securing the stock. With these, weight can easily be added by simply removing the butt plate and inserting lead or other weights into the bolt channel. You can also bore holes in the butt stock under the butt plate on guns not designed with a through bolt. Weight can easily be added temporarily as well. One of those side-saddle shell carriers over the stock can work and be removed easily when desired.

The other side of the equation must be considered also - the weight of the shot charge. All things being equal, a 1 1/4 ounce load will generate more recoil than a 1.0 ounce load.

Rather than worry about 12 ga vs 20 ga, pick the gun that has the characteristics you want (single or double trigger, barrel length, available shells, etc) and select shells with the appropriate shot load, then decide if and how much weight needs to be added to the gun.

I'm not up to speed on cowboy action shooting rules, so there might be limitations to your options that aren't covered here. If you don't plan to do CAS, this info should help you get squared away.
 
Wow , thank you all for this info ! I now have much to think about in terms of the gun I will choose . The gun I want to shoot ( and enjoy ) is a 12 gauge , reason being , well , it’s 12 gauge , and 12 does EVERYTHING really well . It’s also always available , cheaper in bulk and has every option available from light to heavy loads . The idea of weights never crossed my mind ...that is so damn smart .
Thank you all again , I really appreciate your knowledge and taking the time to share it with me .
Dagmaar
 
There like a flame thrower lol lol. load a 3 inch buckshot in one and see a light show just before sunset. ya they kick a bit more i think
 
As a further note on the subject, I used to have a thing for 16 ga guns. Nice and light but still packs a punch when I wanted it. But I would get frustrated because I buy vintage shotguns and for every ten 12 gauge, one 16 gauge shows up and there is always a premium in the price. Then it dawned on me.....I ignore gauge for the most part now. I buy for weight and handling, depending on my intended use of the gun. Then I just make sure I use the load that works with that gun for the intended quarry.
 
I have had 2 coach guns.
I used them for partridge hunting.
I had a 12 gauge, which I sold.
I now only have a 20 gauge which I really love.
I also use it when I check my bear baits.
I use it to shoot trap, just like lightning.!!
I mostly just use 3/4 ounce loads. of 7-1/2 1nd # 8 shot.
 
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I have a Stoeger coach gun in 20 ga. I find the recoil to be pretty tame and it has a butt plate rather than a pad. I use it mostly for small game hunting (rabbits and grouse). Cheap target loads are fine for small game, cost pretty much the same as 12ga and can be found pretty much anywhere (including wally world and Canadian Tire). Larger shot sizes cost a little more than in 12ga and slugs are usually about $1 more for a box of 5. There are a lot more choices in loads if you go with the 12 ga, but for what I use mine for I think the 20 is a better choice than the 12.

Jim
 
colombe said:
I have had 2 coach guns.
I user them for partridge hunting.
I had a 12 gauge, which I sold.
I now only have a 20 gauge which I really love.
I also use it when I check my bear baits.
I use it to shoot trap, just like lightning.!!
I mostly just use 3/4 ounce loads. of 7-1/2 1nd # 8 shot.
Click to expand...

I know when we go out thumping gophers , I always take my 20g semi ....it’s great fun in close encounters .
 
Workin Man said:
I have a Stoeger coach gun in 20 ga. I find the recoil to be pretty tame and it has a butt plate rather than a pad. I use it mostly for small game hunting (rabbits and grouse). Cheap target loads are fine for small game, cost pretty much the same as 12ga and can be found pretty much anywhere (including wally world and Canadian Tire). Larger shot sizes cost a little more than in 12ga and slugs are usually about $1 more for a box of 5. There are a lot more choices in loads if you go with the 12 ga, but for what I use mine for I think the 20 is a better choice than the 12.

Jim
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Those Stogers are good with slugs , yes ? I keep a box of slugs with my 20 just in case . The occasional bear wanders through the fields . They’ve never gotten interested enough to cause trouble but I sure feel better having the slugs with me .
 
^A 20g slug is no slouch. I have chronoed the Winchester 3/4 oz at 1500fps from a 12.5" barrel. They also seem to penetrate further before deforming/fragmenting than 12g Foster slugs. I often carry my short 20g around my property, we have lots of blackies and at least one sow Grizzly with a cub around. I don't feel undergunned.
 
Get a 12 bore , load it up with some buck and have some fun................20 gauge is for the ladies, or for those with skinnier, little tiny bodies that might even want a .410 ,or birdshot .22's for the disabled.
 
Dagmaar said:
Those Stogers are good with slugs , yes ? I keep a box of slugs with my 20 just in case . The occasional bear wanders through the fields . They’ve never gotten interested enough to cause trouble but I sure feel better having the slugs with me .
Click to expand...

It may vary, depending on the choke. Most of the Stoegers have fixed chokes. Mine is choked modified on both barrels and seems to do fine. I have tried Federal, Challenger and Remington. Challenger seems to be the most accurate.

Jim
 
Great North Gun Co (online store) has some cheap 12ga coach guns made from converting older European sxs. Put light loads in them, have fun!

Think there's even a 16ga one available too

Lou
 
louthepou said:
Great North Gun Co (online store) has some cheap 12ga coach guns made from converting older European sxs. Put light loads in them, have fun!

Think there's even a 16ga one available too

Lou
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Great prices too, unfortunately for me only the 16g has ejectors. I hate guns that don't take care of the empties for me...
 
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