Slug gun 20 or 12

[B BAKER]

Just wondering what the guys and gals like better.Personally I shoot a 20ga.Was going to order a 12ga but they couldn't get one in and Iam glad for that.

I prefer the 12. Shoot both, but 12ga seems to be more effective for me.

[salukipv1]

I've only ever used a 12ga, plan to pick up that savage 20ga bolt in the near future though, personally i've always thought a 12 was big time overkill, both shoot just as flat, one just happens to be slinging 380grs vs. 260grs. give or take.

Deer hunters and 12ga slugs always sounded like a peeing contest to me. Guys who love their 12s love the power, say 20s dont have enough.....blah blah, might as well get a 10ga 3.5" slug in that case just to make sure...

I wonder what the average long slug shot is anyway, on a deer that is, not on a target. I've seldom heard of slug hunters taking deer past 75 or 80yds, both the 12 and 20 have plenty of juice at 80yds IMO, and probably all the way out to 125, maybe further, I've yet to actually meet someone in person who has killed a deer with a slug at or past 125yds...

and alot of shots seem to be less than 50yds, and some real close like 15yds.

I'm gettin a 20, and have no worries about it, I'll letcha know the first time I hit a deer in the vitals with a 20ga and lose it...

[B BAKER]

I have shot 3 deer with the 20ga a 9pt,6pt and a button all three were bang flops on the spot.Longest shot was about 65yds.Like I said they couldn't get me the 12 and I couldn't be happier, that 20 plain old knocks them off there feet.(Love the ported barrel almost no recoil)

[SwampCollie]

20 gauges are usually lighter in weight (mass weight of the gun) and will typically have less felt recoil.

12 gauges are definately superior in the trajectory and horsepower departments. They are generally flatter shooting, and all the while with around a 20-25% heavier projectile.

Personally, I wouldn't really want to be shot with either one, and whatever suits you and whichever gun fits and feels the best to you will be the one that will be best.

[salukipv1]

What does each match up closest to in a rifle cartridge?

say 385grs @ 2000fps....
and 260grs @ 2000fps...

385grs would be almost a .416caliber moving a bit slower though, but a .416 rigby is 400grs moving at around 2400fps...

260grs is about a .338 or .375 caliber, so I'm thinking perhaps a .338federal ?
either way would someone argue a .338federal isn't enough for deer?

One thing to note though the latest and greatest for slugs at least currently will come out first for a 12ga, thought I suspect soon both will be released at the sametime or as the 20ga gains popularity.

[Big Z]

Good slugs in a good gun will make either shine.