The newer 20 ga offerings are about the same as a magnum inline muzzle loader, which is plenty effective on deer. They shoot pretty much the same bullets and similar velocities, you just don't need to hand load them from the front or spend a bunch of time cleaning after you shoot them.

If you were talking about smooth bore with rifled slugs I would say the 12 ga is the way to go. However when talking modern sabots I would pick a 20 ga over a 12 ga right now.


Paul