noob question...

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hull_b

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Hello,

Im looking to buying a shotgun. At first I wanted a 12ga since thats all I ever hear about but I found a nice boxing day sale on a 20ga. Just wondering what is the big differance? (besides the shell size).

thanks
 
There isn't much you can't do with a 20 gauge. If its a 3" chamber and can handle steel shot it is almost as versatile as a 12. The only area it is lacking is for geese. As far as shell price goes, they're the same or slightly higher than 12 gauge. Shell selection is a little more limited, but even canadian tire sells 6, & 7.5 for small game, slugs, and steel for ducks.
 
If you plan on shooting in volume (ie. trap or skeet), get a 12 ga.

A good starter is a Remington 870 or (my favourite) a Benelli Nova.

The Nova's a little better, but a little more expensive.
 
Whatcha gonna do with it? If you're gonna hunt upland game birds, 20 is great. Little more reach and a wider effective pattern than a 28 or .410...

But like Angels Fall pointed out, shells cost more and what I said above counts for the 12 over the 20.

+1 on the good starter gun. 7 1/2 bird shot (Walmart bulk Federal in the grey boxes) thru a full choke is serious giggles on gophers in the spring when they're sleepy and stupid...
 
Until the Angels Fall said:
20g is more expensive, less powerful/more limited range.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with you on the power/range issue. Using the same size and weight pellet the 12 and 20 ga typically are shooting the same velocity (approx 1200 fps for lead and 1350-1550 for steel), therefore high school physics proves the force is the same per pellet. Therefore the range and power are the same. The difference is the 12 ga shell usually has more pellets. More pellets means better "chance" of hitting target at virtually any range. However a properly patterned 20 will out shoot a poorly patterned 12 ga every time.

The benefits of a 12 ga are:
- larger payload (more pellets per shell)
- more firearms to choose from
- larger variety of ammo to choose from
- usually lower cost

The benefits of a 20 ga are:
- less recoil
- smaller/lighter gun
- will match performance of many 12 ga loads
- smaller/lighter ammo to carry
 
Ice-Pick said:
"The first thing is"

Figure out what you plan to use it for. Then you,ll have a better idea of what you need.

M.
Click to expand...

Sorry I didn't give more info I was at the in-laws so I had to be fast. I'm looking at the Remington 870 with the Knoxx Stock. Basically all I'll be using it for is taking it to the range just to have fun. Plus I wanted something for home defense.

But now I'm liking the idea of useing it to take out gophers.
 
You are a noob.... :) :) :)
Get both a 20 and a 12 gauge.


seriously, depends on what you are going to be doing with it, etc....more information needed..
 
hull_b said:
Sorry I didn't give more info I was at the in-laws so I had to be fast. I'm looking at the Remington 870 with the Knoxx Stock. Basically all I'll be using it for is taking it to the range just to have fun. Plus I wanted something for home defense.

But now I'm liking the idea of useing it to take out gophers.
Click to expand...

Well hey there, Mr. Tactical :D ... Then the 12. Federal Field & Range Steel Game & Target (7 1/2 in a 2 3/4 shell) can be shot all day for not alot of bucks and is fairly easy on yer shoulder.
 
woolly said:
I have to disagree with you on the power/range issue. Using the same size and weight pellet the 12 and 20 ga typically are shooting the same velocity (approx 1200 fps for lead and 1350-1550 for steel), therefore high school physics proves the force is the same per pellet. Therefore the range and power are the same. The difference is the 12 ga shell usually has more pellets. More pellets means better "chance" of hitting target at virtually any range. However a properly patterned 20 will out shoot a poorly patterned 12 ga every time.

The benefits of a 12 ga are:
- larger payload (more pellets per shell)
- more firearms to choose from
- larger variety of ammo to choose from
- usually lower cost

The benefits of a 20 ga are:
- less recoil
- smaller/lighter gun
- will match performance of many 12 ga loads
- smaller/lighter ammo to carry
Click to expand...

Much of the above is correct, but there are so many things wrong with this post, where do I begin...
"Therefore the range and power are the same" - paper ballistics do NOT equal effective patterns on crossing birds in the field! Shot string is a real phenomenon that matters to skilled shooters. Range and pattern are definitely NOT the same, but a 20 ga. may be fully adequate for some situations depending on shells, choke and conditions....
"Less recoil" - depends on the gun weight and stock configuration, many 20 ga. guns are made much lighter than their 12 ga counterparts, and may actually recoil harder!
Another way of saying this is that recoil will be equal in equal weight guns, both throwing 1 oz of shot at 1200 fps....
The worst development to be marketed to shotgunners in a century is undoubtedly the 20 ga. 3" shell, which many would tell you (based on paper ballistics) equals a 12 ga. That is very far from correct, but those with shooting skills unequal to proving the difference continue to perpetuate that myth.
If you are interested in casual clay target shooting, either will work very well.
If you are interested in "take 'em as they come" waterfowling, only a 12 ga. is really practical.
If you are primarily interested in upland birds, most think the the 20 ga. is a little superior.

But for shooting gophers with a knoxx stock , either will do!
 
hull_b said:
Hello,

Im looking to buying a shotgun. At first I wanted a 12ga since thats all I ever hear about but I found a nice boxing day sale on a 20ga. Just wondering what is the big differance? (besides the shell size).

thanks
Click to expand...

Never pass up a "nice boxing day sale" or any sale for that matter. Grab that 20 ga before someone else does. By the way, where is this 20 ga ??? :D
 
i used to scoff at 20ga, thinking that unless the performance decrease also came with a significant decrease in ammo cost (which it doesnt) then what the hell was the point?

but then i picked up a similar gun to the one you seem to be looking at: an 18" barreled 20ga 870 compact with a knoxx specops stock, and i couldnt be happier with it. its light, handy, new shooters love it because of the nonexistant recoil of the 20ga+knoxx recoil reduction, can set LOP to any shooter in seconds, and the performance difference isnt as bad as i thought it would be.

Plus I wanted something for home defense.
Click to expand...
for HD theres really no difference between a 12 and 20 since a load of buckshot from either will ruin anyones day.

one drawback of the 20ga 870 however is that because of the smaller frame, there are very few accessories available for it from both retailers and the EE. things like forends, stocks, sling plates, barrels, etc that are widely available for the 12ga are either nonexistant or really hard to find for the 20ga frame.
 
hull_b said:
Sorry I didn't give more info I was at the in-laws so I had to be fast. I'm looking at the Remington 870 with the Knoxx Stock. Basically all I'll be using it for is taking it to the range just to have fun. Plus I wanted something for home defense.

But now I'm liking the idea of useing it to take out gophers.
Click to expand...

There's not enough room for you and me in MORINVILLE lol

This Mossberg already lives there

DSC00288.JPG
 
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