Originally Posted by
sproulman
being good shot or great shot a 20 ga is fine.yes, if you have pointing dog and pheasant holds close, 20 ga is fine.i use flusher,toby my lab and first day a 20 ga would work.after first day, no way ,your shots will be long and 12 ga is better.
with 12 ga shells cheaper and only 1 pd heavier i dont know why anyone would want a 20 ga.
come here with me on grouse hunt in pa. you carry a 20 ga and i will carry my 12 ga beretta uricka field.
after that,then write your comments.
I reload so shell costs are a moot point for me. I too grouse hunt in ME, NY & PA. And for for that kind of walking, especially in some of the thicker hillisides where you always feel like you are walking with one leg on the upside or downside of a steep hill; I take my 6 lb. 20 ga. every time.
It's not about how much you can lambast your quarry but it is about the art of the hunt too. If you require food that bad, then use a 12 ga. I you want to be artistic about how you hunt, take a smaller gauge and challenge yourself.
My 83 year-old uncle, who carries a 28 ga., refers to my 20 ga. O/U as a "cannon."
[/QUOTE]