12 0r 20??

Stump · Post by **Stump** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:15 pm

I have a Nova pump in 12 guage that I use for waterfowl but im thinking of getting an upland gun OU or S/S for grouse,chucker and quail and maybe an occational Pheasant. Would you get a 12 or 20?

Post by **ezzy333** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:51 pm

A 20 chambered for 3" shells.

Ezzy

Post by **Ayres** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:37 am

I would say 20 ga., and have great success with it, but in the latest magazine I read (F&S or Outdoor Life, can't remember) there was an article about a gun dealer and his tips. He said that the best deals can be found on 12 gauge guns nowadays because 20's and 16's are becoming more and more popular. And, really, a 12 ga. gun with a 7/8 oz light load will work just as well as a 20 ga. with a 7/8 oz load.

Don't get me wrong. I like my 20 ga. and will probably stick with 20 ga. guns myself, but if you're looking to get a deal don't overlook the common 12 ga.

(Another thing to think about, is that if you already have a 12 ga Nova then you won't have to go out and buy two different gauges of ammo)

PAHunter · Post by **PAHunter** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:45 pm

If I were you I'd stick with the 12 gauge, and just to be safe I'd have a few pumpkin balls ready to introduce themselves to those big cats you have stalking you. It only take one BB to kill a grouse and one pumpkin ball to kill a cat the delivery system is personal preference.

Birdhunter1 · Post by **Birdhunter1** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:35 pm

I prefer my 20 gauge, at least until I want to drop some Benjamin's for a 28 gauge. I used to hunt with a 12 gauge, I did not switch because I was blowing animals apart I just wanted a lighter gun to carry in the field, hence the 20 gauge Beretta. Also my dad shoots a 20 so we can give shells to each other in the field if we need to and we only have to carry one gauge of shells on trips rather than two. Supposedly we split a case of shells but the last 3 years I remember buying the shells and giving him half the case but I don't remember seeing any money back on it. Guess he's paying me back for the younger years of my life.

gonehuntin' · Post by **gonehuntin'** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:58 pm

I like the lite 12's. I'm shooting a Ruger Gold Label sxs right now and love it. Here's the thing with a 12 like this. A 12 is the most versatile gun out there. You can by light loads, one ouncers so it's like a 20, or get a set of Gauge Mate Gold 20 adapters so you can shoot 20's in it, or get heavy loads for Pheasant. I like carrying one gun and I like the versatility of the 12.

Post by **ezzy333** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:39 pm

I like carrying one gun and I like the versatility of the 12.

Thats why I like the twenty plus the lighter gun is much nicer to carry.

Ezzy

gonehuntin' · Post by **gonehuntin'** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:52 am

Ezzy; that's the other thing. I don't like really lite guns. I prefer that they weigh in around 6 1/4-6 1/2 #. I have guns lighter than that and they feel too "whippy", the follow through isn't as good or as easy with the light guns. I just got a new CZA Bobwhite 20 and I got it for two reasons: It weighed to the ounce what my Gl does and it was cheap. The weight thing is all personal preference, same as barrel length.

Pleasant Ridge · Post by **Pleasant Ridge** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:57 pm

16 gauge.

wannabe · Post by **wannabe** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:32 am

I own both, and I shoot 90% of my wild birds with the 12 gauge. If I am training dogs, gunning for a trial or a test, or guiding on the game farm, I will use the 20.

nj gsp · Post by **nj gsp** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 3:14 pm

ditto: 16 gauge.

omega58 · Post by **omega58** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:03 pm

I have the answer to this one. . .go with the 12 AND 20.

Remember this please: YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY SHOTGUNS

We need to remind our wives of this as much as possible.

oh yeah, and they are an investment as well.

cjs180 · Post by **cjs180** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:12 pm

I prefer a 12, I need all the BB's I can get!

ILfarmer · Post by **ILfarmer** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:22 pm

I would have to say 20, reduced recoil and lighter to carry in the field. Mine was cheaper than a 12 too.

Post by **Ayres** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:21 pm

Welcome aboard, ILfarmer. What part of the State are you from? (Chances are there's someone on the board not too far away).

Drahtsundbraats · Post by **Drahtsundbraats** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:29 pm

16 guage-and use it for everything. There are some great deals on very good used 16's.

Post by **ezzy333** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:33 pm

Depending on the part of the country you are in the great deals are because you can't get rid of them or buy shells. They are still popular down south but in other places they are basically gone.

Ezzy

wannabe · Post by **wannabe** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:56 pm

ezzy333 wrote:Depending on the part of the country you are in the great deals are because you can't get rid of them or buy shells. They are still popular down south but in other places they are basically gone.

Ezzy

I remember walking into a Scheel's store a few years ago and finding more 16 gauge shotguns than boxes of 16 gauge ammo. The guns sat on the shelf for quite a while...

nj gsp · Post by **nj gsp** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:29 pm

I just love the 16 ga. I don't know why the 16 ga wasn't more popular through the years. Shoots loads like a 12 ga with the recoil of a 20.

I have never had trouble finding shells either. I generally shoot Winchester Super X.

ILfarmer · Post by **ILfarmer** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:09 pm

i am from east central, il. bout an 2 hours south of chicago

Post by **ezzy333** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:46 pm

You must be getting fairly close to Champaighn-Urbana and are near at least to some of the only pheasant hunting in IL.

Welcome aboard

Ezzy

Dirt101 · Post by **Dirt101** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:45 am

omega58 wrote:I have the answer to this one. . .go with the 12 AND 20.

Remember this please: YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY SHOTGUNS

We need to remind our wives of this as much as possible.

oh yeah, and they are an investment as well.

..

...or musclecars..or camo......or...jeeps...or maybe tools.......oh...and turkey calls....

ILfarmer · Post by **ILfarmer** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:38 pm

yeah, i live north of champaign about 1 hour, and my bird hunting isn't bad. i live in the country so i got plenty of room to go hunting about my back door.

kstitz · Post by **kstitz** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 4:45 pm

I shoot a 20ga. and do not see a need for anything larger for upland birds. I have a 12ga but I have not had it out since I got the 20.

Kelly

JIM K · Post by **JIM K** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:42 pm

omega58 wrote:I have the answer to this one. . .go with the 12 AND 20.

Remember this please: YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY SHOTGUNS

We need to remind our wives of this as much as possible.

oh yeah, and they are an investment as well.

you are right.for bigger birds go with 12 ga like BERETTA URICKA FIELD
smaller birds,go with 20ga like FRANCHI AL48.
i only rec semi-autos.

CHJIII · Post by **CHJIII** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:19 pm

Go with the 16 ga. Plenty of shells out there i've got enough to last me several year.

prairiefirepointers · Post by **prairiefirepointers** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:47 pm

I've always had 12 gauges. I've had all different makes and models but everyone knows I am Team Benelli all the way. My staple for hunting has and always will be a 12. However, I recently added my 28 to the cabinet. I love it. You'll never get tired carrying around a 4.9 pound shotgun.

In sum, go check one out. Don't overlook the 28.

terrym · Post by **terrym** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:10 pm

If you can find a light 12 then don't feel it is too much gun. Don't forget it also can shoot 7/8, 1, 1 1/8, 1 1/4 ounce loads just like a 20g. and 16g. but can also go up from there. If you plan on doing any waterfowl hunting this makes a big difference.

orbirdhunter · Post by **orbirdhunter** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:39 pm

Since you already own a 12 gauge pump, which is as versatile as it gets i am totally on board with a double gun 20 gauge as a upland gun. I use a 20 sxs for all my upland hunting...pheasants,chukars,huns,quail. I break the 12 out for waterfowl.

dakotashooter2 · Post by **dakotashooter2** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:17 am

Depending on how much you have to spend you could also consider a O/U with both sets of barrels. Several manufacturers have12/20 combos available.

carlrh42 · Post by **carlrh42** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:34 am

The statement way: an upland O/U or a Side by Side---would you get a 12 or a 20??
I would get a 20. That being said a cheap 20 that weighs as much as a 12, whats the point?
Make sure your 20 is a true 20 on a smaller and lighter frame not just a set of 20ga barells on a 12 frame.
Have fun!!
CRH

Ryman Gun Dog · Post by **Ryman Gun Dog** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 11:06 am

Stump,
NJ GSP said the magic words, 16 Gauge is the gun you want to hunt upland game with most of the time. Look around for a good old Fox or L.C. Smith 16 Gauge double gun.
Hits like a 12, carries like a 20. Pick up a 20 gauge later on.
You can have great 16 Gauge shells delivered right to your door, from Lion Country Also.

RGD/Dave

Gun Dog Forum

12 0r 20??

12 0r 20??

in my opinion, 20 is better

pheasant huntin

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