20 gauge for ducks?

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camilo

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Hello all, I was curious if anyone uses a 20 gauge for hunting puddle ducks over decoys and in flooded swamps? I am trying to choose a shotgun for primarily upland game hunting but would also like to use it for ducks. To me the 20 gauge feels better in the hand but "experts" keep telling me a need a 12 gauge. Any advice for a newcomer would be appreciated.
thanks,
camilo
 
If you could only have one gun, get a 12 Gauge but a 20 gauge will kill ducks, I have shot plenty of bunnies and grouse with my 20 as well as a few ducks. I will always bring some non toxic loads when out and a bout with my 20G but if I am duck hunting I will always take my 12.
I have recently learned the only way to consistenly kill ducks is with a high pellet count and the fact is you get higher pellet counts with 12..
My suggestion is if you can only have one get a 12 but if you are going to hunt ducks witha 20, go with 1oz oz of #6 steel or 1 1/8 oz of Tungsten Matrix #5 (or heavier pellet counts if you can find them!)
 
If your going to hunt with a 20 because you want to, by all means. But if like c68 says you only want 1 gun, I too would recommend a 12. But that's only for versitility. You can buy any shotshell, with any shot size, type or style in 12 anywhere. A 12 gives you the option of super dense patterns or long range capabilities. It doesn't have any more knock down power per say, but the extra pellets will do a better job at longer ranges than a 20. Now, the 20 gauge also has a great variety of shotshells, that will handle any job, including waterfowl, which by the way is my #1 favorite type of hunting. You say you want to hunt over decoys. The 20 will treat you well in that situation. In fact, a 3" 20 will do anything a 2 3/4" 12 will. And the 2 3/4" 12 is what I shoot 9 times out of 10. And it has done the job well for decades. You certainly won't be handicapping yourself in range with a 20, so decide what gun fits you best and go for it and have fun.
 
Owned just about every gauge on the market at one time and killed more ducks and geese with fewer criples with my Cooey single shot 20 that all the others combined.
 
pharaoh2 said:
In fact, a 3" 20 will do anything a 2 3/4" 12 will. .........You certainly won't be handicapping yourself in range with a 20, so decide what gun fits you best and go for it and have fun.
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Sorry, I just can't agree with the writer. I have used the 3" 20 gauge some, and researched it quite a lot. Compared to the 2-3/4" 12 gauge, the 20 mag has higher pressure, lower velocity, longer shot strings, poorer patterns (especially with shot larger than #5) , and is more expensive to shoot. That does not mean that you can't do a good job on ducks with one. My son used a Browning Magnum auto 5 for several years for both ducks and geese. Faststeel #3's seem to kill very well within about 35 yards. At 40 yards you'd better have a good dog. Farther than that you're pretty much just crippling most birds you hit. The practical real world difference in range between a 20 and a std. 12 is probably 10 yards. Some self restraint is called for, as in most things. There is nothing wrong with choosing a magnum 20 for occasional waterfowl use. But it is in no way equal to a 2-3/4" 12.
 
Longwalker said:
Sorry, I just can't agree with the writer. I have used the 3" 20 gauge some, and researched it quite a lot. Compared to the 2-3/4" 12 gauge, the 20 mag has higher pressure, lower velocity, longer shot strings, poorer patterns (especially with shot larger than #5) , and is more expensive to shoot. That does not mean that you can't do a good job on ducks with one. My son used a Browning Magnum auto 5 for several years for both ducks and geese. Faststeel #3's seem to kill very well within about 35 yards. At 40 yards you'd better have a good dog. Farther than that you're pretty much just crippling most birds you hit. The practical real world difference in range between a 20 and a std. 12 is probably 10 yards. Some self restraint is called for, as in most things. There is nothing wrong with choosing a magnum 20 for occasional waterfowl use. But it is in no way equal to a 2-3/4" 12.[/QUOTE]

Well researched and right conclusion:D
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A 20 gauge is fine for killing ducks...hell, I've killed geese with my 20ga. Hunting depends more on the skill hunter and his shot placement than the actual caliber or gauge of your firearm. Maybe I'm a too old school, but I truly believe that!
 
Some mis information

20 gauge shells in Kent ammo have the same speed as 12 gauge shells in steel loads for waterfowl.
20 gauge loads in lead shot may be 50 fps slower than 12 gauge, which is very minor
If you are planning on buying a beretta or a Benelli, in 20 gauge that come with a complete selection of good quality chokes and you are going to practice a lot with this gun, you can become very good with it. Until you put in the time it takes to be good with a shotgun, it will never matter which gauge you buy.
I too have shot all the gauges for all the species we hunt here in Alberta and my got to gun is my 20 gauge Beretta 391. FS
 
Thank you for all of the replies and advice. I will consider the opinions carefully and also think about which gun I really feel most comfortable with. Thanks again.
Camilo
 
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