Thoughts on a 20 gauge for goose?

It will work, but not with anything less than a perfect shot, and ideal situation!

No way would I ever buy a 20 gauge for geese.

In the late season here, they tend not to want to land staying high, and I have wished for a 10 gauge enough times over my 12 gauge.
 
While I wouldn't buy a 20 gauge specifically for geese, I haven't noticed that they're a huge handicap while hunting over decoys.
 
I have hunted ducks over decoys with a 20. I had a chance at a goose and I got it. That being said it was a head shot at about 15 yards as it was touching the water.

There is no reason that it won't work for them. You just have to select high quality ammo, Ie black cloud, heavy metal ect.

Personally I pefer 12 for geese but if I happen to be holding a 20 when some come in I will shoot them.
 
It is hard enough killing them with a 12ga and steel shot. How many geese will you cripple with the 20ga vs a 12ga
Sure guys will chime it that they do it all the time some even with the 410 they will say but what is ethical.
 
It should not be the first choice for geese, not if you hope for clean kills. You will be hitting geese that you didn't even know you hit. Sure it might be okay if you hit the perfect spot and have the perfect load and shoot at optimal distance. Problem is, in the real world of hunting, this all flys out the window for 99% of the hunters when geese are encountered.While some have said it will work, I know more guys that have gone away from the 20 gauge for geese. This is a case of where really one gun/gauge is not the best choice for everything. Knowing that you are going to hunt geese, I really don't think the 20 gauge is an ethical choice and you should be thinking of the wildlife, not that it would be great to use a little 20.
And if it makes a difference, I have hunted geese on and near the Delta marsh for 43 years. And I did try a 20 gauge several years back and decided it was not the proper choice for geese.
 
Grouse Man said:
It all depends. At what ranges will you be shooting, and how good of a shot are you?
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Had a friend who was an outfitter in the 80's and 90's and I would take vacation and fill in guiding for him 2 -4 weeks a year.
Some guys should not be handed a shotgun and it was those that always seemed to be the ones showing up with the sub gauges and thought they could shoot. Some frustrating for a guide to drop a dozen birds in the hole at 10 -15 yards and watch 4 guys empty their guns and not a bird fall. A few weeks of this and there was cripples being seen all over town which got real negative publicity even made the news one night. Dead birds on golf greens, small ponds , farmers fields not good.
Funny part was the guys that could really shoot seemed to show up with 10gauges. take care;)
 
I've killed a batch over decoys, BandedDrake was actually with me for one of the hunts and diemaco has executed quite a few geese in my presence.

It isn't a stunt, but it isn't for everyone either. The honkers we shoot are generally within 30 yards, even on the rivers I hunt with Mr. Banded.

I find that the 20 works well out of layouts because for the most part they are quick handling.

I personally know 3 Outfitters/Guides who shoot 20's for that reason alone and a former High-Ranking member of DU as well.

Basicly within range a 20 is a swell waterfowl gun shooting Hi-Speed Steel or one of the heavy weight non-tox loads.

If we are comparing experience levels to validate our opinions I watch a few hundred geese get shot a year plus some ducks, I shoot a lot of birds myself. I have never accepted money for my time but I have "guided" as favours for people.
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
I've killed a batch over decoys, BandedDrake was actually with me for one of the hunts and diemaco has executed quite a few geese in my presence.

It isn't a stunt, but it isn't for everyone either. The honkers we shoot are generally within 30 yards, even on the rivers I hunt with Mr. Banded.

I find that the 20 works well out of layouts because for the most part they are quick handling.

I personally know 3 Outfitters who shoot 20's for that reason alone.

Basicly within range a 20 is a swell waterfowl gun shooting Hi-Speed Steel or one of the heavy weight non-tox loads.
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Big differences. One you know how to shoot. Most outfitters know how to shoot also. Plus I forgot factory steel shot is much better today than it was 10 plus years ago when I seen it in action plus a lot more selection for the 20ga in steel today which I didnot have access to.That being said I will still keep my 10ga and wait until they are out to 30-35 then take em:p
 
3macs1 said:
Big differences. One you know how to shoot. Most outfitters know how to shoot also. Plus I forgot factory steel shot is much better today than it was 10 plus years ago when I seen it in action plus a lot more selection for the 20ga in steel today which I didnot have access to.That being said I will still keep my 10ga and wait until they are out to 30-35 then take em:p
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I would say conditions dictate the suitability of the 20, I think having the 20 and knowing when it is suitable is key.

Holding your fire is also pretty easy here because you will see more birds, I know not everyone has that luxury.

I find it surprising that folks hunting the Delta are saying the 20 is a no go. I would be willing to bet they are shooting at high flyers not paddles down decoying birds. So throwing all the pellets they can is what they need.

My dad always said the time to shoot a goose is when you can see into it's eye.
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
I would say conditions dictate the suitability of the 20, I think having the 20 and knowing when it is suitable is key.

Holding your fire is also pretty easy here because you will see more birds, I know not everyone has that luxury.

I find it surprising that folks hunting the Delta are saying the 20 is a no go. I would be willing to bet they are shooting at high flyers not paddles down decoying birds. So throwing all the pellets they can is what they need.

My dad always said the time to shoot a goose is when you can see into it's eye.
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Yes sir. Same here growing up see the eye and pull the trigger at the lips;)
Plus a 10ga is just so dam much nicer to look at than a 20ga:D
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Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
I don't know after carrying in 8 dozen decoys 6 or 700 yards, I'd rather see a 20 gauge sitting in the truck than a 10 haha.
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I that one is the old browning gold steel receiver and I think loaded comes in over 13 pounds :D No stopping the swing on that puppy. Afrer working up loads for it and finding the best choke thery are really too much payload for under 30 yards. With the duplex hand loads bbb over bb, briley IM choke tube it just guts geese under 30 yards. So the boys shoot first and I always shoot last, third shot is a TT around 1650 which is a 60 plus yard killer if needed.
 
Why risk wounding and crippling these magnificent birds? Use enough gun to drop them like stones. I don't understand why people feel it somehow makes them better sportsmen by using marginal firepower. A goose is way tougher than a grouse or pheasant and typically shot at at longer distances too even though many can't judge distance on geese unless they hunt them regularly.
 
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