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Never hunted birds, but would like to get a shotgun that I can use for both upland birds and ducks etc. If a guy was just going to buy one shotgun to cover most bases (and yes, I know thats like saying I will buy one fly rod for all fly fishing), what would you get - a 12 gauge or a 20 gauge?
I vote for 12 ga. It's the most versatile
I like my 20g it is a much lighter gun, Get it in 3" magnum if you get one. The fly rods I use the most are 3wt. I do not like packing heavy.
My vote is 12 ga ......
I hunt upland August through april (remember snowshoe). Get a 20 gauge if weight is an issue, get a 12 if not. Essentially, both have almost identical penetration and speed 20 just has less shot. FWIW don't wack upland birds with a 3" 20 gauge - you will ruin meat and actually get a lousy pattern. 2.75 is fine for all upland game. Both will kill waterfowl dead, just on requires you to shoot straighter than the other. Frankly I hunt with only enough gauge for the animal. If you want something to shoot chickens with road hunting it doesn't matter what you get. I you want to do honest to god upland hunting that means walking and you will want a light gun. August through October I carry a 410 bore double and kill bunnies, quail and grouse in very high numbers. I switch to a 20 when the shots get longer. I use a proper goose gun for waterfowl.
I would go for the 12ga. If you're on foot whacking birds/bunnies and run into problems with yogi you'll have it covered. Or maybe a big buck walks out... 20ga slug might to the job but I'd rather have a 12ga for the occasion.
Ugh, both hit as hard. 20 gauge is actually very similar to a 45/70 for short range ballistics.12 just makes a slightly different sized hole.Quote:
Originally Posted by caddisguy
I would recommend a 12 gauge as well. It will give you more versatility with what you decide to hunt.
Go big or go home, 10 gauge all the way. :mrgreen:
If you are just starting out get a cheap ($400- $500) 12 ga. O/U or SxS, they're more versatile (greater choice of cheaper ammo) and can have a generous shot pattern suitable for upland or fowl. They can be used on big game and it's always a good idea to carry a couple of slugs or 00 buckshot if you wander around bear territory. Lots of entertainment factor in the off season dusting clays and you don't have to treat them nice . I don't like the rattlin' noise with a pump or auto. Once you established if it's your "thing" then you can get fancy and get yourself a 20 or even the princess 28 ga.. Personally I use a 410 SxS for chickens, unless it late season blues and then I need something with more pellets. And by the way, I find for a fly pole I love the 5 wt for interior lakes, enough back bone to punch into the wind and wrestle with the occasional big one while supple enough to let a pan fry feel like he's worth the effort.