20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

i live in NJ and have always used buckshot. i' m thinking about picking up a single shot slug gun. i' m not looking to take shots any longer than 100yds. What is the difference in 12 and 20 gauge slug guns? does anyone have any suggestions for what gauge or what brand? Thanks

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

well i hunt with a 12 ga it kicks a lot harder then does a 20ga.

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

I have a H&R Ultra Slug 20 ga that I have taking three deer with up to 75 yards and it' s rite on the money up to 100 yards but heavy..And a remenington 870 rifled barrel that is good up to 100 yards too.But in a tree stand I would say the 20 gauge..Same knock down power .

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

When I lived in Illinois, I used a Mossberg bolt action 20 ga. with a removable choke tube. With the tube off, I had a straight tube. took 3 deer with it. None went more than 10 yards. I bought the 20ga. for 20 bucks, used.
Russ

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

Check into the H and R ultra slug guns. As far as 12 vs 20, i would choose the 12. I imagine it has more factory loaded slugs to choice from than the 20. However either will kill a deer dead.

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

I use a mossberg 500 12ga now but i used to use a new england single shot 20 ga, dead on accurate, but never got to shoot a deer with it, i might bring it out of the closet this year. as for power, the 20 gauge doesnt have as much powder, but the slug is lighter and doesnt drop as much, and still has plenty of knock down power. by the way i use regular old fashioned remington sluggers, 2 bucks a box at farm and fleet.

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

Ive used both and killed deer with both, Ive always like the 12 guage better though. As far as kicking depends on the weight of the gun. The lighter the gun the more it kicks. My bro in law has 20 single shot kicks like a mule, its terrible. I use a 12 guage pump, she kicks, but when your shooting at a deer with it you dont notice.;)

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

I have used a 12 ga Mossberg 500 pump with camo stock and shot slugs for many years. They put a hole in whatever they hit about the size of a quarter. My first buck I hit at 70 yards, through the neck and out the leg from a tree stand. I was aiming towards the deer' s front and hit a little left of where I was aiming but the deer went down just the same. They kick isn' t too bad when you shoot 1 or 2 slugs. At the range when you shoot more, I do get slightly brused but don' t really care since it is fun shooting it. I also put a scope on it last year for some more fun.

Good luck....

Tom

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

A 20 g is all you' ll ever need. As far as available loads there are quite a few 20 gauge slugs out there.

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

I have taken deer with both gauges and have had no problems. I personally perfer the 12 gauge most of the time. I like that little bit of extra energy on the other end. I have a newer 870 with rifled barrel and scope and an older 1100 with an smooth bore slug barrel and love them both.

Go the the local store where you okan on buying and look at several different models in each gauge and find which one feels right to you. It is like gettign a bow, it comes down to the features you need and can afford and what feels the best when you pull it up to your shoulder!!!!!

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RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

I HAVE A MOSSBERG 835 12ga WITH RIFFLED BARREL. GREAT GUN! I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE IT IS KIND OF AN ALL PURPOSE GUN. PURCHASED THE SLUG BARREL AND FACTORY BARREL IS GREAT FOR EVERYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO HUNT. SHOOTS SLUGS ACCURATE AT 100 YRDS +. I CAN KEEP PATTERN IN A PAPER PLATE NO PROBLEM AND WILL KNOCK A DEER OFF HIS FEET IF YOU HIT HIM ON THE RUN. I SHOOT WINCHESTER PLATINUM SERIES SLUGS OUT OF IT A LITTLE EXPENSIVE BUT RANGE IS GREAT. I WOULD STAY WITH THE 12ga BUT I ALSO KNOW MANY YOUNGER HUNTERS WITH 20ga THAT HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH KILLING DEER.

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

I use a Remington 11-87 with a rifled choke tube. No problems reaching out to 100 yards accurately. It' s a little on the heavy side though compared to some of the other options.

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

I LOVE my Remington 870 12 ga with fully rifled barrel. I have taken 3 deer in 4 years with the setup. With open sights at 100 yards it puts them in a paper plate until my shoulder gets sore.

With the bird barrel, the gun sees a lot of duck hunting (of course), misc. small game, trap & skeet and deer drive use. IMHO, if you' re buying a new gun, get something a little more versatile than a single shot or bolt action.

RE: 20ga vs 12ga for slug gun
 

I agree wit Quack Addict Get a pump or an auto, Even if you have to buy sepperate barrels, one fully rifled and one with a choke tube, you will have options as to hunt small game with fine shot , deer with buckshot or deer with slugs. Since you already go for deer with buckshot I assume you have a 12 ga. so I would opt for a 20 gauge semi-auto with a fully rifled barrel. If you just get one barrel with a rifled choke tube, Meltzers sells a front and rear sight that will mount onto the ventilated rib as required by law. Other wise use a scope . Hope I gave you some options.