I think it is much like big game hunting. No matter what you are shooting you need to know your range or shot limitations.
20 or .410 gauge?
- Thread starter Garsher
- Start date
I think it is much like big game hunting. No matter what you are shooting you need to know your range or shot limitations.
Yes, thats exactly what I meant. 20ga limits your range, especially if you are after pheasants. No a big deal if you find many, pretty crucial if you flush only one a day.
I divide my guns into two classes. Ones that are made to be shot a lot and carried a little. Those are my favourite. The other ones are those that are made to be carried a lot and shot a little. As I get older, the latter is what I take after pheasants and nearly everything else except clay. For me, no big deal if the only rooster I see flushes at long range. I just don't shoot and congratulate myself on the good walk I've had. For my style 20 gauge works best for me. At least I do not have to carry my big 12 back to where I started.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
That's because they're female mallards !
Don't know WHAT made me say "teal"!!
Cat
warren stevens
New member
- Location
- AGASSIZ, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
squirrels or pheasant
I'd go with the 20, I shot rabbits with a 410 many years ago and 410 worked really nice, but like others have said the 20 is more versatile and offers more in shell selection. You will get a lot more use out of the 20 if that's the only one you want to buy.
I'd go with the 20, I shot rabbits with a 410 many years ago and 410 worked really nice, but like others have said the 20 is more versatile and offers more in shell selection. You will get a lot more use out of the 20 if that's the only one you want to buy.
20 or .410
So here is my situation, I allready own a 12 gauge 870 Wingmaster 3" with a 28" barrel. I can use this gun for ducks, geese, turkeys, deer and pheasent as it not too heavy. Now I want another shotgun for shooting rabbits, squirrel and grouse in Ontario.
What should I do, buy a .410 and use it for rabbits, squirrel and grouse or buy a 20 gauge and use it for rabbits, squirrel, grouse and pheasent.
The pheasent is my killer if I get a .410 I could use my 12g Wingmaster for pheasents. But if I get a 20g then I can use that for pheasent, squirrel, rabbit and grouse.
.410 or 20 gauge???
Im just worried the 20g might be overkill on squirrels and grouse up close.
So here is my situation, I allready own a 12 gauge 870 Wingmaster 3" with a 28" barrel. I can use this gun for ducks, geese, turkeys, deer and pheasent as it not too heavy. Now I want another shotgun for shooting rabbits, squirrel and grouse in Ontario.
What should I do, buy a .410 and use it for rabbits, squirrel and grouse or buy a 20 gauge and use it for rabbits, squirrel, grouse and pheasent.
The pheasent is my killer if I get a .410 I could use my 12g Wingmaster for pheasents. But if I get a 20g then I can use that for pheasent, squirrel, rabbit and grouse.
.410 or 20 gauge???
Im just worried the 20g might be overkill on squirrels and grouse up close.
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Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Recommend go with the 20ga - like the 12ga that too may be turned into a versatile shotgun for Wingshooting and Small Game Hunting in ON. Simply choose your shell/choke combo to suit the hunt.
Should you feel undergunned in scenarios where the expectation may be longer shots at Waterfowl, particularly Geese......just use the 870 12ga.
20 gauge
And the 20 gauge would suit all of my small game needs, including up close shots at grouse and squirrels?
I realize that there is some overlap with the 12g and the 20g, but I just want one more shotgun to compliment my 12g Wingmaster, something that I can carry in the S. Ontario hardwoods to the N. Ontario thick bush. I intend on using this gun to shoot rabbits, squirrels and grouse for the dinner table.
What is the diff in price between the 20g and the 28g? Is the 28g hard to find shells for? Does a 28g only come in 2.75"? Would the 28g be better for my needs than the 20g?
And the 20 gauge would suit all of my small game needs, including up close shots at grouse and squirrels?
I realize that there is some overlap with the 12g and the 20g, but I just want one more shotgun to compliment my 12g Wingmaster, something that I can carry in the S. Ontario hardwoods to the N. Ontario thick bush. I intend on using this gun to shoot rabbits, squirrels and grouse for the dinner table.
What is the diff in price between the 20g and the 28g? Is the 28g hard to find shells for? Does a 28g only come in 2.75"? Would the 28g be better for my needs than the 20g?
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I would worry that the 410 is a definite underkill on everything but squirrels and grouse up close. The 20 can be had in 3 inch. The 28 can not. The 20 is sold just about everywhere. The 28 is not. The 20 gauge has lots of choices especially cheaper or promo loads. The 28 has few choices and never available in cheaper or promo loads. Many but not all 28 gauge guns are offered on 20 gauge frames so they will be just as heavy as a 20 so you might just as well go for the 20. The 20 can easily be loaded as light as a 28 gauge.
Thanks
Thanks Covey Ridge, you do make some very good points!! I think the 20 gauge would be the best for me to buy given my needs. It would be great for pheasent, squirrels, rabbits and grouse in S. Ontario, I just had some doubts using it for the same creatures in N. Ontario where the bush is thicker and the shots are usually close.
Thanks Covey Ridge, you do make some very good points!! I think the 20 gauge would be the best for me to buy given my needs. It would be great for pheasent, squirrels, rabbits and grouse in S. Ontario, I just had some doubts using it for the same creatures in N. Ontario where the bush is thicker and the shots are usually close.
Max-4,
Don't leave those close shots to chance. Pattern your big gun at those expected ranges and you will soon learn the exact hold where you will rip the head right off one of those stump chicken and minimize damage to your meal.
Don't leave those close shots to chance. Pattern your big gun at those expected ranges and you will soon learn the exact hold where you will rip the head right off one of those stump chicken and minimize damage to your meal.
For the type of game listed the 28 gauge would do just fine.The 20 gauge 3 inch would not be needed.If you need more shot in the 28 gauge the 1 ounce load is available.
The 20 gauge can be loaded as light as the 28 gauge.That is true.You can also buy one of the light weight 12 gauge shotguns and load it light.The shells are cheaper than 20 gauge.
There is no queston that the 20 gauge shotguns are available in more choices and that the ammo is cheaper than 28 gauge.As more hunters become aware of the 28 gauge and how well it preforms I hope this will change.Let us pray.
People who try the 28 gauge are very surprised at how well it preforms in the field.
The 20 gauge can be loaded as light as the 28 gauge.That is true.You can also buy one of the light weight 12 gauge shotguns and load it light.The shells are cheaper than 20 gauge.
There is no queston that the 20 gauge shotguns are available in more choices and that the ammo is cheaper than 28 gauge.As more hunters become aware of the 28 gauge and how well it preforms I hope this will change.Let us pray.
People who try the 28 gauge are very surprised at how well it preforms in the field.
I have a Rem Ryder #9 side cocker 34 inch barrell in 28 guage that can take a single pecan out of a tree (if you do your thing)!
The 28 guage is right on! Just really not for ducks(unless you were born in 1904 and were hungry)!
Bo
)
The 28 guage is right on! Just really not for ducks(unless you were born in 1904 and were hungry)!
Bo
)
- Location
- St. Albert, AB
20 and 12 is my combo. 12 for ducks and geese (930 mossberg) and 20 for grouse, rabbit and such (870 express)
Havnt found anything with them yet but did find the 410 to be lacking when I was younger. 20 should do it and more. And the ammo is cheeper/easier to find.
Havnt found anything with them yet but did find the 410 to be lacking when I was younger. 20 should do it and more. And the ammo is cheeper/easier to find.
