20ga pump or semi? which one?
- Thread starter hank2
- Start date
I got into 20 gauge last year, ive always wanted one since the guns are slimmer and more light weight for carrying in the field.
The first one i got was a Weatherby Element which i won at a fundraising dinner. Its a beautiful gun, very reliable and it fits me perfectly.
I use it mostly for trap, skeet and maybe pheasants if i get the chance. I haven't really had it out to much but its very comfortable to shoot and has good reviews with very few breakages and parts are available since Weatherby has parts reps in Canada.
The second one i bought this spring on here Its a Mossberg 510 Mini super bantam in 20 gauge with 18.5" VR barrel with tubes. The stock was too short so I picked up a full length stock and stuck a limbsaver pad on it. Its about the same size as my 12ga 21" barrel express but comes in around 4.5 lbs so is super light weight and a real pleasure to carry around.
Now here is the catch many people think 20 gauge is low recoil but since they guns are lighter they are worse!!!!!
When i shoot the Mossberg mini next to my express 21" 12 ga using target rounds the recoil on the Mossberg is much more intense then the Remington. If you want low recoil a 20 gauge pump may not be what you want. If you want it for a light weight gun then cool.
A shotgun in 12 gauge with low recoil target shells may be better. I know in other places 20ga shells can be pretty pricey but luckily for me our LGS sells flats for the same price as 12 ga so it works for me.
Due to this i really like 20 gauge a little more recoil but how many rounds a day do you shoot hunting wabbits?
Ones you may want to look into
Mossberg 510 super bantam 20 gauge
Mossberg 88 Field youth 20 guage its like the bantam but holds 5 in the mag tube and has 21" VR barrel
Remington 870 compact youth
Remington 11-87 semi auto
Browning BPS 20ga micro Midas.
Might as well throw in a pic of the two
The first one i got was a Weatherby Element which i won at a fundraising dinner. Its a beautiful gun, very reliable and it fits me perfectly.
I use it mostly for trap, skeet and maybe pheasants if i get the chance. I haven't really had it out to much but its very comfortable to shoot and has good reviews with very few breakages and parts are available since Weatherby has parts reps in Canada.
The second one i bought this spring on here Its a Mossberg 510 Mini super bantam in 20 gauge with 18.5" VR barrel with tubes. The stock was too short so I picked up a full length stock and stuck a limbsaver pad on it. Its about the same size as my 12ga 21" barrel express but comes in around 4.5 lbs so is super light weight and a real pleasure to carry around.
Now here is the catch many people think 20 gauge is low recoil but since they guns are lighter they are worse!!!!!
When i shoot the Mossberg mini next to my express 21" 12 ga using target rounds the recoil on the Mossberg is much more intense then the Remington. If you want low recoil a 20 gauge pump may not be what you want. If you want it for a light weight gun then cool.
A shotgun in 12 gauge with low recoil target shells may be better. I know in other places 20ga shells can be pretty pricey but luckily for me our LGS sells flats for the same price as 12 ga so it works for me.
Due to this i really like 20 gauge a little more recoil but how many rounds a day do you shoot hunting wabbits?
Ones you may want to look into
Mossberg 510 super bantam 20 gauge
Mossberg 88 Field youth 20 guage its like the bantam but holds 5 in the mag tube and has 21" VR barrel
Remington 870 compact youth
Remington 11-87 semi auto
Browning BPS 20ga micro Midas.
Might as well throw in a pic of the two
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If you want parts availability then look no further than Remington 870.
IanC's points on weight/recoil are dead on. Given that I'd steer clear of aluminium receiver SG's.
The one that fits your bill to a T is the CanadaAmmo 12.5" barrel 870 clone. It's beefy, short barrel and has 870 parts availability.
I went through the same 20 gauge investigation while trying to decide on a HD SG for my wife. The Dominion Arms is not perfect, but turned out to be a great choice for the criteria.
IanC's points on weight/recoil are dead on. Given that I'd steer clear of aluminium receiver SG's.
The one that fits your bill to a T is the CanadaAmmo 12.5" barrel 870 clone. It's beefy, short barrel and has 870 parts availability.
I went through the same 20 gauge investigation while trying to decide on a HD SG for my wife. The Dominion Arms is not perfect, but turned out to be a great choice for the criteria.
