Originally Posted by
Todd1700
The only advantage for a 20 gauge would be a lighter gun but you are not going to get as good a pattern out of a 20 gauge as you will a 12. I've never felt weighted down by a synthetic stocked 12 gauge of any brand so there is no reason for me to sacrifice the patterns I'm getting with the 12 gauge.
Nothing wrong with a 10 gauge but quite frankly with the rise of the 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge there really isn't anything you can do with a 10 gauge that you can't do with a 12 gauge now. And there are many more shells and chokes available for the 12 gauge compared to the 10. Lot more models of shotguns offered in 12 gauge to choose from too.
Todd
I don't disagree entirely with what you are saying about the 20, but take a look at these patterns from another site (scroll down the page).
http://www.nwtf.org/message_board/ub...971#Post174971
One of the latest trends in turkey guns is guys going "back" or "down" to the 20 gauge. It has been brought about by the emergence of heavier-than-lead shot and better turkey chokes. Hevishot 7s make the 20 gauge what the 12 gauge used to be with lead. 150+ hits in the 10" at 40 yards actually surpasses anything I ever got with lead 6s in the 12 gauge.
I'll say this - I often carry my son's 870 youth 20 gauge when we hunt together. Compared to my Mossberg 835 fully loaded with a low-power scope that 20 gauge feels like a feather.
When I tire of shooting the cannon I presently use I will be back into the 20 gauge realm.