12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

This is my first season hunting w/ my son and husband. Quick question...
Is a 20 Gauge ok to hunt deer with? I can't quite handle the recoil on my 12 gauge. Some of the reading I've done indicates I probably won't have much luck with the 20 Gauge. Any thoughts on this??? Always appreciated!! :)

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

The 20 will be fine. You may not have the range but don't worry it will have plenty of range no matter what you are hunting(birds small game or deer).

Many of the guys on here have a bigger is better philosophy and think the 20 is a sissy gun. I hunt with a 12 but my first was a 20 and Ikeep it closestill.

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

Yep,

20 knocks them down no problem.

DP

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

20 Will be good for just about everything. Guys do look at the 20 gauge as a sissy gun but i'd almost prefer my slug gun to be a 20 instead of a 12. Its not like the 20 gauge is a completely different firearm, its the same gun, just smaller shells.

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

20 will do the trick fine! best to stick with what you are more comftoble shooting! if your thinking bout the recoil before you ever fire you might be more apt to flinch and not hit the animal where you intended!

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

I doubt the deer will be able to tell the difference. 20 gauges work just fine.

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

Shot placement is much more important than the difference between a 12 and 20. I use a Ultra Slug 20 gauge with Lightfields slugs that will shoot 1 hole groups at 50 yards. A 20 gauge hole thru the heart and lungs will do just as good a job as anything.

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

Absolutly. They both make big holes in the deer =P

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

I have both 12 & 20 like both but for some hunting I prefer the 20, but as far as Deer, go get them 20 will do good.:)

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

IMO 20s are more accurate just shooting slugs with no special barrels etc. Plus it will be alot nicer to tote around! I have killed a lot of deer with a 20ga.

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

20 would work just fine, in fact I had my nephew hunt for his first hunt with my 410 shotgun, which is MUCH smaller than the 20 gauge, our family has taken deer with 410's and 20 gauges, 12 gauges are nice, but NOT needed...

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

I have both a 12 and a 20 and i still use the 2o just because i feel that i can one be a little more acurate with it and two if i cant hit it with the 20 the i proably shouldnt be shooting at it anyways.

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

I say it depends on the type of rifle and slugs you are using. If it's a modern rifled barrel slug gun shooting newer slugs then I would actually suggest a 20 ga over a 12 ga. There just isn't enough difference between the two ballistically to take the punishment of a 12 ga. And from what I have seen the 20's tend to be more forgiving of different loads in accuracy.

Now if you are talking about shooting simple rifle slugs from a smoothbore gun then the 12 does have an advantage over the 20 as long as they are both fairly accurate. But if you can't shoot the bigger gun well then it really doesn't matter does it;). The 20 will kill deer dead if you put the lead in the right spot, it doesn't get much more simple than that.

Good luck and have fun,
Paul

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

Ummm, ya.... both 20 guage shots, neither twitched, just hit the ground.

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

Thank you all for your help!! I really appreciate everyone's thought on this. I now feel much more confident going out with my 20....Thanks again and good luck hunting!!!!!

Becky

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

Ill choose a 20 over a 12 any day. They kill deer just fine, and they dont kick as hard. I dont think I ever used a 12and killed a deer. I always use a 20. I feel more confident. Idk,just me i guess lol

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

I love may 7mm mag wouldn't shoot anything else at deer, makes life easy when it comes to tracking what you shot most of the time it's only a few yards away.

RE: 12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge shotgun
 

20 will work just fine.