20 gauge or 12 gauge???

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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Ok, so one more question...

Should I get a 12 or 20 gauge for a fun clay gun? I'm concerned about the following 3 factors......

1. Is there a difference in ammo price?
2. Is there a difference in recoil?
3. Is there any general disadvantage to having a 20 over a 12?

Thanks
 
CanuckShooter said:
Ok, so one more question...

Should I get a 12 or 20 gauge for a fun clay gun? I'm concerned about the following 3 factors......

1. Is there a difference in ammo price?
2. Is there a difference in recoil?
3. Is there any general disadvantage to having a 20 over a 12?

Thanks
Click to expand...

1. No. 20 gauge is most often sold at the same price as 12.
2. Yes but not always as you might think. 20 gauge guns are often lighter and frequently will have more felt recoil than the same gun in 12 gauge.
3. Yes. Less shot and fewer shell options. For clay shooting 7/8s ounce is the standard 20 gauge target load while there are factory target load options available in 12 gauge from 7/8s ounce (24 gram) up to 1-1/8 ounce.
 
Claybuster has valid points. Felt recoil I don't think will be as worrisome, however. You're just going to be shooting light loads in this fun gun, correct? Recoil won't be any worse than a 12 with light loads. And if you get an autoloader like an 1100, it's almost negligible.

And since you're just shooting for gun and not competition, you just need a load that works. Challenger makes some excellent 20 ga. clays ammo, btw. And some of the female trap shooters at the local club do very well with a 20.

But importantly, what type of clay shooting will you be doing, and how much of it? Will you be in a trap league, or shooting skeet a couple of times a summer?
 
To add to what has already been mentioned.....a 12ga can certainly offer you greater versatility i.e. should you decide to use that for some hunting too. The configuration - o/u, sxs, auto or pump is a matter of personal preference but does carry an influence in it's use either at the range or while hunting.

Of course, a 20ga will be lighter to wield/carry and can also be adequate for upland needs (read Ontario - including those preserve pheasants provided you keep your shots within reason).

The interesting (and sad) part is that once you own and like shotgunning assuming (apology, if I am off track) that you don't own any now..... you will very soon have this strange hankering to own a 20ga, then a 28 and a .410 and then have this one as a sxs, that one as o/u or auto........enter Shotgun Dracula!!.......the craving will never cease!!! :D :D
 
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Thanks for all the replies guys. To answer your question, the gun will just be used for going out with the hand thrower and having some fun with friends or my dad. I don't ever intend to compete or anything like that.

We went clay shooting last week with my dad's .410 Mossberg 500, and it was a lot of fun. I just don't want the recoil to get in the way of, or limit the fun, ie dont really want to have a sore shoulder after a good clay session, and would like to be able to take my gf out... mind you she enjoys the M14 so she can deal with the recoil.... but regardless, if there is a noticeable difference I dont want to go 12ga and have all the extra recoil if it's not really needed for clays

If I ever do hunt which is possible but not probable, it will be small game, and probably no waterfowl or birds.

The loads will either be shot out of a 28" Mossy 500 pump, or 26" Remmy 870 Express pump..... still havent decided......:confused: :confused: :confused:

Does this help with the gauge recommendation?? :D :D

Thanks again!!
 
Hi

I was asking myself the same questions last year. I wanted a new shotgun for informal trap and Sporting clays. I was caught between a O/U and a semi and 20 or 12 gauge. I owned a Mosseberg 500 in 12. I know a guy that deals out of his basement. He had a 500 in 20 and he was nice enough to lend it to me. Having both gauges of the same gun was a great. First off, the 20 is indeed light but it feels to thin for it's lenght. The 12 felt like you had something substantial in your hands. Secondly, as someone mentioned up top. 20 gauge shells might kick less but the gun is lighter. So a 20 with a target load feels like it kicked the same as a 12 with a target load.

After a weekend of playing, shooting, handling, and cleaning both, I gave the 20 back, said thank you, and decided to go with a 12.

In the end I bought a Browning gold Upland. And I love it.:D
 
A 12 gauge is a all round cal give you more advantage than a 20 gauge. Most of people may think it will give you a big kick but infact even children can handle nicely with just a little bit of instruction. You get more ammo choice and generally good used 12 gauge shotgun is more easly come by.

Trigun
 
Choice of ammo is the big reason I would go with a 12ga. 20ga shotguns are generally a bit lighter then a 12ga and I cannot really tell much difference between them in terms of recoil. Why get a 20ga, when a 12ga can do everything it can do and so much more. It offers denser shot patterns and a huge selection of ammo. Go with a 12ga...with a proper fit and a nice recoil pad, a 12ga can be a pleasure to shoot all day long.
 
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