Just curious as to what gauge everyone uses for deer hunting. Is there any range/accuracy difference between them. I already own a 12 gauge Remington 1100 for clays but am weighing my options for deer hunting. The cost of a cantilevered slug barrel for my 1100 or the cost of a pump combo with 2-3 barrels. If I go the pump combo route should I consider going to 20 gauge to expand my usage options say for grouse or whatever. Any thoughts or opinions are appreciated.
Shotgun gauge for deer
- Thread starter javman
- Start date
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Are you serious?
A 20g slug is more then enough to kill a deer. Hell, I'd shoot black bears and moose with one.
This is what I have been hearing lately as well. With sabot slugs a rifled 20 will do everything that a 12 will do. My boss got a new 20 guage remington auto last year before controlled hunt and got three. All three were DRT.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Right on the money
My wifes 20g 870 is a much better slug gun then my 12g 870. The deer dont know the difference either.
I don't know if the 12 vs 20 makes a difference with slugs. On the other hand, if you are using buckshot, then 12g all the way. We have shot only areas here in BC where you can hunt deer. My brother and I used to hunt one of these areas. I used archery equipment and he used buckshot.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
The 20 gauge Remington 870 Synthetic Slug gun with it's 18-1/2" fully-rifled cantilever barrel is one slick
little deer gun. I'd put a 1-4 power scope on it and use Remington's Accu-tip bonded slugs in it.
A dedicated upland/grouse gun is another matter altogether.
little deer gun. I'd put a 1-4 power scope on it and use Remington's Accu-tip bonded slugs in it.
A dedicated upland/grouse gun is another matter altogether.
Not looking for a dedicated upland/grouse gun but if I am buying another shotgun I would like something that can do more than one thing even if changing barrels is needed. I am not looking for a 1 gun does everything but if it could be used for more then 1 thing it would be better. That is why I am leaning toward a 20 gauge with 2 barrels. 1 for deer and another for something else. Even to use for coyote would save me buying yet another gun. I know eventually I will buy another but for now 1 will have to do.
I would not have a problem with a 20 ga slug for deer. And you would be very surprised what a 20 ga will do shooting sport clays or skeet. I have always been a 12 ga kind of guy, but in the last year I have been shooting 20 ga and 28 ga for skeet and a little 5 stand, both are amazing.
BrotherRockeye
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rural Saskatchewan
For deer- I've used 12 and 20, prefer the 20.
my neighbor used a Baikal 410 with 3" slugs for years on white tail and always got his deer.
my neighbor used a Baikal 410 with 3" slugs for years on white tail and always got his deer.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
^This is one example of a citified answer if I ever heard just one.
When is that last time you found 10 gauge slugs at your local CT store?
IMO:
12 gauge in fully rifled or a smoothbore barrel.
20 gauge in preferably a fully rifled barrel with sabot slugs or something like that.
16 gauge in smoothbore if you can find some Fosters or Brennekes for it. (good luck on that one)
TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
For buckshot, I'd prefer a 16 or 12. I've only ever used the 12, but 16 gauge buck loads look decent, while the 20 loads don't look as useful. There may be other loads I haven't seen.
With saboted slugs, I imagine the 20 would be every bit as good as the 12. I've only shot fosters from my Winchester 1300 12 gauge. It's a hammer.
With saboted slugs, I imagine the 20 would be every bit as good as the 12. I've only shot fosters from my Winchester 1300 12 gauge. It's a hammer.
