20 gauge shot size recommendation for grouse, sharpies and ducks

fugawi

fugawi

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I usually shoot 12 ga in a pump for ducks and geese (steel - 2's, 4's and BB) and 12 ga in an O/U for grouse (lead - 7 1/2, 6's). I'm trying out a 20 ga this fall for upland shooting.

What shot sizes do folks recommend for 20 ga? I'll be mostly shooting ruffies and hopefully some sharpies. Might surprise a duck on a puddle or dugout.

What about rabbit? I usually go with the .22. Would the 20 ga be OK?

Thanks.
 
I an going to be using my new to me savage 24 in 22lr/20 ga this year for the same game along with squirrel and figure on using #6 shot but think it will be great having the 22 for those longer, open shots.
 
20ga is the same velocity as 12ga just 1/2 the pellets. I just use mine for grouse and rabbits and some trap for fun and keep sharp with it. I like 7 1/2 or #6 field loads...works good for me. Shot lots of grouse with #8 trap loads as well. Not sure about ducks....I have never put steel down my 20.
 
Steel 2's, 3's and 4's for most waterfowl, 1's if I can find them for geese, although I personally prefer a 12 gauge for honkers.
For upland game birds or rabbits regardless of gauge I like 6's firstly and 7's or 5's as my alternate choices.
 
There is a guy on an Alberta Outdoors page Cat and the Hat and he uses sub gauges for his shooting.
From 410. to 20 gauge and does very well with them.
He has some impressive pictures of successful hunts with 28gauge.
What shot size does he use I can not say right now as I do not have that forum open, but he does well.
Are you going to be shooting over decoys (for ducks) or just jump shooting a few puddlers?
If it where me I would be using number 4 if available in 20gauge for ducks and depending on range of the Sharpies and Ruffies number 6's and maybe even fours depending on if they are flushing close or further out.
Others will have a difference of opinion and what works for them.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
Thanks for the replies. I bought 7 1/2's for grouse and steel # 2's for ducks. (jump shooting puddlers, not over decoys) I'll get some #6's too.

For geese I'll use the 12 ga.
 
I do most of my pheasant and upland hunting with a 28gauge, and I use #6 and #7-1/2 almost exclusively, although I have used nickel plated #8 for rugged grouse and Hungarian Partridge.
 
"There is a guy on an Alberta Outdoors page Cat and the Hat and he uses sub gauges for his shooting.
From 410. to 20 gauge and does very well with them.
He has some impressive pictures of successful hunts with 28gauge.
What shot size does he use I can not say right now as I do not have that forum open, but he does well.
Are you going to be shooting over decoys (for ducks) or just jump shooting a few puddlers?
If it where me I would be using number 4 if available in 20gauge for ducks and depending on range of the Sharpies and Ruffies number 6's and maybe even fours depending on if they are flushing close or further out.
Others will have a difference of opinion and what works for them.
Tight Groups,
Rob "
I'm here too!:dancingbanana:
For the 20 gauge for ducks and geese I use 2's and 4's , and for all upland I tend to use 7 1/2's or 6's in plated lead.
never an issue with the sub gauges!
My son also uses a 28 exclusivly for upland, here is is with his "grocery getter" as he calls it and his faithful hound , Louie the GSP.

A well placed payload of steel out of the 20 simply flattens geese over decoys!

Cat
 
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Ok Cat OK , I get it ;)
I for the life of me could not spell your name and now I'll apologize for the fopaux.
I'll even add you as a reference for others when I stumble across them who are asking for expert advice on the sub gauges.
That dog of your Son's needs a set of eye brows and a beard too ;)
Tight Chokes,
Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
Ok Cat OK , I get it ;)
I for the life of me could not spell your name and now I'll apologize for the fopaux.
I'll even add you as a reference for others when I stumble across them who are asking for expert advice on the sub gauges.
That dog of your Son's needs a set of eye brows and a beard too ;)
Tight Chokes,
Rob
Click to expand...

HAHA!! Ya mean like his buddy Tramp?
They are usually "dog tired " from chasing birds when the pics get taken!:>)
Cat

 
Yup, no argument there, but it's pretty tough to find a 12 gauge that's as light as a 20!
It's also pretty tough to find 12 gauge 1oz loads of 5's or 6's or even 7 1/2's of plated shot.
That is why I hand load my own ammo for birds, and I much prefer very light shotguns....
Cat
 
For 20 gauge grouse and rabbits it's hard to beat 7 1/2s IMO. Dependant on your engagement distance of course. For sharptails on the edge of fields I use Number 6 Prairie Storm. These have a tight pattern hence longer reach. Last time I plopped two sharpies at plus 30 yards I used this ammo in my O/U, IC/Mod.
But the inverse of that I tried using this on a rabbit at 35 yards in the bush with a full choke, it was similar to using a 22 rifle as the shot pattern just screamed over his head parting his ears only! lol

This same shot presented would have been a slam dunk with the more open choked O/U.
 
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