Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

Currently use a 12ga Winchester 1300 Slug Gun (rifled barrel) for whitetail here on the east coast (Maryland). Pondering the idea of purchasing a 20ga H&R Ultra Slug Gun. From what I understand they will drive a tack at 100yds when using Lightfields.

Real question: Has anyone regreted using a 20ga for whitetails? Very little chance I would have the opportunity to take a deer at 100yds, but say given the opportunity to take a deer at 50yds or in, what is your experience with using a 20ga?

Thanks for your comments in advance,

MD Piney

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

While I have never hunted with a shotgun for deer (I'm a muzzleloader guy, at least until I get out to a rifle state), but my dad hunted for many years with a shotgun before switching to muzzleloaders, and the gun he used exclusively (because it was the only one he had) was a Remington 870 Wingmaster 20 gauge with the fixed choke smooth bore barrel. He used Remington Sluggers because they were the only slugs he could afford, and he killed many dozen deer with that gun as dead as dead can be.

Look at it like this; and hit that will kill a deer with a 12 gauge will kill a deer with a 20, period. It's still a big chunk of lead making a big hole. As long as you don't push the ranges much past 100 yards, you'll be fine.

Mike

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

Never hunted with a 20ga. myself, but know of others that have when I used to hunt in
New Jersey (shotgun only). Most, like myself, used 12ga., 2-3/4", and of course, this was before the rifled barrel came along. Anyway, those using the lighter 20ga. didn't seem to have any problem. And, for the ranges you're talking about (50yds. +/-), a
20ga slug will do the job.

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

I've killed deer with my 20 ga. in MA., CT, and RI after switching from a 12 ga. I have no regrets and the deer certainly didn't like it.

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

No need for concern A 20 ga. will do just fine!

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

A 12 or 20 will kill out to 100 yards with no problem. A dead deer is a dead deer. We have H&R Ultra's in 12 Deluxe (mine) and 20 Standard (boys).

His 20 is a tack driver with Remington Copper Solids. Mine gets nothing but Brenneke 3-inch Gold Magnums (1 3/8oz) and Brenneke 2 -3/4" Heavy Field Magnums.

Uncle Matt (in IL)

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

The 20 is a fine ga.....please don't use the .410 however....

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

The 20 ga is fine for the conditions you have mentioned. I would ask why the H&R Ultra and why 20ga though? They are excellent guns no question. However for the situation you mentioned it would not be my first choice,(unless the price is the major concern).
This guns accuracy comes with two drawbacks. First obviously is the fact that it is a single shot. That means your unlikely to get a second shot in the close cover you mentioned. No big deal if the first shot was where you intended of course.
Second and more important is the weight. I assume you have shouldered one of these guns. If you have not, you should. In my opinion these guns are unnecessarily heavy for a close range woods gun. If you primarily stand hunt, then it is Ok, but i would not want carrry this gun when stalking for any amount of time.
Of course none of this matters if you must have a 20ga. As the Ultra is really the only choice there. But why not consider staying with a 12ga. That gives you much better options as far accuracy vs utility.
I don't want to get off topic here....so If you would consider looking at 12ga's and want more info let me know and I will follow up with my thoughts there.

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

Not flaming you, just adding some thoughts that happen to be different than yours.;)

Single shot is not too much of a draw back. Just think of all the black powder hunter out there. With the H&R's easy break action, ejector (not extractor), and maybe back-up shells on the stock with a shell holder, a second shot can come in about 2 seconds.

As for weight, I've heard complaints about H&R's and NEF's being too light to manage recoil!! Of course rifles slug barrels are HUGE. With a scope and extra shells, weight could be a problem.

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

dont let anyone tell you any thing bad about these guns. my best friende droped a very large doe at 160 yards with a h&r ultra slug hunter and lightfields. and as far as the close range thing goes my buddy shot 3 deer in the same spot out of thwe same group at about 80 yards. buy a one of thoses ammo carriers that slip on the stock of the gun. for 20ga's my father and i have used an Ithaca 37 w/ the longer 26inch deerslayer barrel for years and droped almost every deer in their tracks. if money is not a concern buy a Remington 1100 LT-20 w/ the 21 inch rifled barrel. use a b squared mount and a decent 3x9. my father just bought one about 3 of years ago and has killed about 20 deer with it. the thing is accurate and deadly. one thing to keep in mind w/ the b squared mounts is make sure the bolt does not hit the mount. throws the scope off. after that my father has never had a problem. good luck and dont buy a 12ga theres no need

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

if yoour worried about the weight of the H&R there is a 2-3 pound weight in the stock. take it out. the recoil is the same and it doesn't affect the accuracy.

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

the H&R will probably be the most accrate. Those saddle mounts have a bad reputation for not holding accuracy since theyre not connected directly to the barrel, and are bolted through the reciever.

I'm not a big berson at all, and even the 12ga H&R i handled the other day wasnt THAT heavy with the scope mounted, and the 20ga is a pound lighter.

As far as ammo, i have been doing some digging, since i am a shotgun only hunter (and will be getting a H&R in 20ga soon) and it looks like the 3" Barnes expander slugs from federal are the best bet for long range performance, holding almost 1000 ft lbs out to 200yds in a 20ga :O

Ive knocked them over with my 20ga and copper solid slugs out to 120yds, so the 20 will be all the gun you'd ever need.

Mat

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

I dont know the exact accuracy of my remington 870 youth but I have shot a 10" wide 15" tall steel plate at 100yd using a IC choke and factory smooth bore.

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

20 guage will kill a deer plenty dad without the absurd recoil of a 12 guage slugger.

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

SS88. The scope mount rails on ours have never been problems. Of course the mounting screws were immediately checked after purchase and lock-tite was applied cause I don't trust ANY scope mounts that I, myself didn't do.

The rails are indeed mounted DIRECTLY on the barrels, as there are no "receivers" on these accutely accurate single shots.

We love the accuracy we receive from our H&R's and to be absolutely truthful, haven't needed second shots.

Uncle Matt (in IL)

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

Appreciate all the feedback... My current 12ga setup hasn't failed me to date, but the info I keep hearing about the H&R Ultra Slug Gun really interests me. I'm mostly a treestand hunter so the added weight doesn't bother me to much especially when the trade off is an extremely accurate shotgun out to 100yds. While I'm not faced with those shots to often, it would be nice to have the confidence/proper equipment if the opportunity presented itself. Plus, wouldn't mind going to the range with a lighter kicking slug gun.

Thanks again for the comments,
MD Piney

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

I own 12 & 16 gauge Ithaca's Love them, But own a Winchester 1300 with screw in chokes & plan on getting threw Cabelas a Screw in Slug choke, so i can use it this deer season in NY , You can kill a deer with a rock if you hit it in the right spot, 20 gauge's will kill just the same.

P.S Never met anyone (yet ) that has killed a deer with a rock. :eek:

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

Was just looking at American Rifleman Magazine last night & thought I seen that H&R single shot in there, Never read reviews (not yet), Must hace good reviews, or it wouldnt be in there....

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

There are some great "newer" loads for the 20 out there that makes it an impressive weapon for whitetails out to 100 _150 yards if you get to learn your weapon..

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

I use a 20 exclusivly. Have for 25 years. I Have in my time taken over 60 deer with a 20. Farthest out was 130 yards. It was an ithaca SKB 20ga With 28Inch modified Ribber and bras beaded barrel. It was the Most accurate and reliable gun i ever owned in the shotgun flavor. If it wernt a matter of not finding parts for the gun, Id still have it. I have been useing a win. 12 for the last 2 seasons and have dropped 7 deer with it, But honest to goodness, the recoil is Not good. I am in the process of getting a 870 Mag express, either full or youth 20 to hunt with. Being dissabled forever from a broken back, and 5 surgeries, I need as little weight and recoil as i can get.

Id love that gun your thinking of buying, But weight is a major no no for me. Good luck with it though i hear its a great shooter, and it will reach out to 130 if needed. And it wont drop as much neither and vont lose as much velosity compaired In theory as a 12 will. AND you can use MAG rounds anyways.

Harry

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

yo Bro... when I was still in Md, I never took a shotgun out for deer... why would I want to give up my inline that shoots consistently accurate out to 200 yards+ for a shorter range, harder kicking gun?... you're talking about a single shot shotgun so you're still only getting one shot... sure it's a bit more cleaning, and ya gotta keep your powder dry, but for the added range and reduced recoil, give me the charcoal burner... :D

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

"And it wont drop as much neither and wont lose as much velosity compaired In theory as a 12 will"

Not correct on both accounts....a 20ga will drop,lose speed, and energy, quicker than an equivelent 12ga.

Here is the data for one of the best rifled sabots available.....

Index No. Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Drop (in.)
Muz. 50 100 Muz. 50 100 50 100 150
12.... 1900 1770 1648 3086 2682 2325 1.8 2.4 0.0â€*
20.... 1900 1750 1615 2084 1774 1506 2.0 2.7 0.0â€*

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

slowpitch where do you hunt in NY. have you ever herd of poughkeepsie NY. im just east of there. as far as the ithacas go i love um. my father has one in 12 witgh the short deerslayer barrel. owch shoirt and light does not mix. almost everyone in my family has an ithaca and loves them. my grand father and his brother bought theirs in 1957 and are still useing them today with no problems.

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

dude im shooting a cva hunter bolt using a 295 powerbelt and 2 pyrodex pellets, and all 20's ive shot dont kick as much.

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

Hey 20..I grew up...and still hunt in Rhinebeck...

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

i've killed deer with 12 and 20, both work great and kill deer

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

I have 20 set up for my kids, I think if you look at the ballistics, some of the hotter mag sabots are pretty much equal to a 454 casull, I don't think you would hear anyone complain about shooting a deer with that round, at least not from the perspective of not having enuff power.
The only problem I have w/ shooting deer w/ a 20 is when using buckshot. Just doesn't have big enuff pellets or enuff of them. Both my boys killed their first deer this year. Both w/ 3 inch buckshot. The first one dropped where he stood, the second I found the next morning (had one magic bb through the top of both lungs). I am just not confident in the buckshot loads. I have since put an aimpoint and sighted it in w/ slugs. Very accurate to 100 yards and will be what we use next year for the boys.
R
Hank

RE: Regret using 20ga for Whitetails?
 

I killed My first 2 deer with a 20ga 00BuckShot