Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

I've always used a 12ga for slug hunting but this year I'm having some mobility problems. What are everyone thoughts on using a 20ga?

Thanks
MassBowhunter

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

Well, look at it this way . . . would you not use a .45-70 on deer, assuming that the shots were under 100 yards? I know I sure as all getout would, if I had one. A 20 gauge sabot slug is ballisically identical to a .45-70 bullet . . . come to think of it, it's the same bullet, depending on whose manufacture of slugs you're using.

Based on that, I'd say that there's no way you should feel undergunned with a 20 gauge. I know someone who still uses the old Foster type slugs in his old Browning Auto-5 on deer. Inside of 50-75 yards, it's "Goodnight!"

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

i killed my first deer with a 20 gauge slug gun and it put her down real quick. i love my 20 gauge.

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

I use a 20 gauge A-5. along with regular old Federal slugs or 3" Federal buckshot. I have had no problems with it. I enjoy the smaller gun. It's lighter, faster, and just plain more fun to shoot.

Good Luck. Capt Brad.

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

I took a nice eight point last year on a visit to see friends. My buddy talked me into hunting and loaned me his Remington 870. The foster type slug flattened out to about one inch in diameter and the deer only went about twenty yards before dropping dead. I wouldn't hesitate using a .20 gauge again.

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

MassBowhunter-

No real question here. Of course a 20 will do the job. Especially newer weapons with rifled barrels. A 20 will do just fine!

Now....."Go Get Ya One!"

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

Thanks for the feedback. I figured it would do the job I just wanted to make sure it would really have the knockdown and penetration for a humane kill.

Now please don't flame me for it but is buckshot out of the question? The area I'm hunting is thick and almost all of the shots would be under 50 yards, most under 30. I've heard a lot of different arguments for each side of the debate. Some have told me buckshot is great up to 50 yards or so, and then some have told me that it is pretty much a sin to use it. I've never used it in the past but I'm considering it for this year. Any thoughts?

MassBowhunter

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

That 20ga. will knock them down. Get out there and hunt.

Use slugs.

Good Luck!

KEEP HUNTING THE GREAT OUTDOORS & GOD ALIVE, PASS IT ON!

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

Out of the 15 deer I've killed two of them had buckshot in them. Several friends have found the same. I've never hunted deer with buckshot or even a shotgun but from what I've seen I'd stick with a slug.

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

MY UNCLE HAS BEEN USING A 20 FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS, IT WILL PUT THEM DOWN IF YOU DO YOUR PART. I JUST BOUGTH A MODEL 37 20, SO I BELIEVE. AS FAR AS BUCK SHOT I WOULD SAY NO,I HAVE SEEN IT USED AND IT WILL KILL DEER BUT NOT AT 50 YDS, ALSO YOU DONT GET A BLOOD TRAIL TO FOLLOW.
GOOD LUCK AND KAPPY HUNTING

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

The only deer I've ever killed with a shotgun I got at 50 yards with 00 buckshot. I hit her aimed for the neck and she went down in her tracks. This is with a 12 ga. though, I think as long as you go for the neck you should be fine out to 30-35 yards.

One of my friends claimed to have killed a little buck at 100 yards with buckshot. Said it only got hit by one pellet in the back and it died instantly. I don't believe him, and I can't see why he would take a 100 yard shot with buckshot. I think in the low light he just "thought" it was 100 yards. But it's food for thought anyway.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

I have an old 20ga westernfield(mongomerywards) with a rifled barrel that has taken a lot or deer

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

The questions should be, "Can buckshot from a 20 gauge (#3, I believe) kill deer?" Yes, they can. Then, the next question should be, "Will they give me the best chance of killing a deer?" Probably not. The hole made by a 20 gauge slug, even a sabot slug, will be more than enough to drop a deer, if you do your part and get the slug in the right spot.

Now, compare the energy that a couple of pellets of #3 buck. Not quite the same, and as Ballistictip alluded to, there's probably a few deer running around the woods with at least one buckshot pellet in them, because it didn't have the energy to kill cleanly. I'd say that this is a major reason why buckshot is illegal for deer hunting here in NY.

RE: Is a 20ga worth it for deer?
 

I would use it with slugs to take deer, and i would have today if not for the fact that i prefer to use my .357 (which at distances under 50 yards will perform magnificently). Remember that power is not a problem, its all about shot placement

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass