20 gauge slug versus 12 gauge slug, versus 270win.

[chocabloc]

Hi. I am considering a 20 gauge Savage 220 slug gun. I used to use a 12 gauge, all rifled barrels and sabotted slugs. The 12 kicked my ass at the bench, but it also kicked some deer ass, i.e. never another step taken after the shot. If I switch to a 20 gauge will i get comparable knock-down power as a 12 gauge, and how will it compare with the 270win i use now for deer. My main goal is to not have to track deer (long story, not worth it explaining). Am I wasting my $ by buying a 20 gauge given the above?
Thanks!

 

[Winchested]

No you're not wasting your $$ but 20g can kick just as hard as a 12g because there is less gun to soak up recoil. If you've already got the 12 try different loads? Stay with 2 3/4 not 3".

Or if ya really want to spend dough to buy it and try it. But lots of people kill deer with 20g and even 410 slugs kill deer dead.

 

[Mike Webb]

No you're not wasting your $$ but 20g can kick just as hard as a 12g because there is less gun to soak up recoil. If you've already got the 12 try different loads? Stay with 2 3/4 not 3".

Or if ya really want to spend dough to buy it and try it. But lots of people kill deer with 20g and even 410 slugs kill deer dead.

I agree. When you are talking shotgun slugs, velocity is a non issue, projectile mass is. The 12 gauge will hit harder than a 20 gauge always. IMO there is no real need for 3 inch slug loads, the 2 3/4 will kill anything that you want to kill at a reasonable range. 12 gauge slug guns are pretty unforgiving off the bench but once you are sighted in, offhand practice is more useful for hunting purposes to me.

 

[Kenny]

if you don't want to track deer, Its more imortant where you shoot them than with what.
Any of the firearms mentioned will do the job. The 270 of course has a much higer effective range. Just shoot them in the lungs, tracking job will be short.

 

[BCP]

Hi. I am considering a 20 gauge Savage 220 slug gun. I used to use a 12 gauge, all rifled barrels and sabotted slugs. The 12 kicked my ass at the bench, but it also kicked some deer ass, i.e. never another step taken after the shot. If I switch to a 20 gauge will i get comparable knock-down power as a 12 gauge, and how will it compare with the 270win i use now for deer. My main goal is to not have to track deer (long story, not worth it explaining). Am I wasting my $ by buying a 20 gauge given the above?
Thanks!

When shooting slugs off a bench, a recoil reducing rest such as a Lead Sled will help a lot. No experience with 20ga, so I can't comment on it. Nothing wrong with a 270 Win. As always, shot placement is the most important factor; closely followed by projectile construction.

 

[.22LRGUY]

The most experienced deer hunter I know just bought a Savage 220 to replace his 12ga. 870. Guess I'll be able to report on the results at the end of this fall, but I know he shoots the 220 better than he ever did his 870. Says the rifle geometry and lighter recoil is helping his accuracy.

 

[tbrwlf]

Both my 12 and 20 shotguns are setup to shot saboted slugs. They both will knock down anything I hit. They are both more recoil than a .270. But I can't stand my .270's recoil. I find at the range recoil is one thing and when hunting it does not exist.

I use cast lead slugs using the lyman wasp waist (looks like a pellet) mold and only load 2 3/4 shells. Try to get about 1300 fps and they are very effective.

If you were closer I would invite you out to try all three.

 

[chocabloc]

Thanks guys!

 

[g-manz35]

Hi. I am considering a 20 gauge Savage 220 slug gun. I used to use a 12 gauge, all rifled barrels and sabotted slugs. The 12 kicked my ass at the bench, but it also kicked some deer ass, i.e. never another step taken after the shot. If I switch to a 20 gauge will i get comparable knock-down power as a 12 gauge, and how will it compare with the 270win i use now for deer. My main goal is to not have to track deer (long story, not worth it explaining). Am I wasting my $ by buying a 20 gauge given the above?
Thanks!

I don't want to go off in another direction from the original question, but comparing a 270 to a slug gun is a bit of a streach. One can kill deer out to 300 yards and the other can realisticly only reach out to half that. Are you hunting in a shotgun only zone? If not and you are shooting within 200 yards you could also consider a big bore rifle like a 45/70 or the likes. I bought a 270 win for deer and am quite picky about my shooting as I also didn't like chasing deer. With premium bullets and any kind of shot at all you should not be tracking very far. I kind of consider the 270 to be more than enough for deer.

G