Shotgun gauges only indicate the diameter of the bore. Larger the gauge the more shot it will contain.
A 20 gauge shotgun will typically have the same velocity, range and knock down power as a 12 gauge with comparable shells. Regardless what gauge you shoot, ensure you use a choke restriction safe to shoot steel shot, and pattern the shotgun. Shoot it at cardboard or something that will easily show individual pellet hits. Shoot from approx 40 yards and you want the majority of hits in a 30" circle. Naturally if dads shotgun is a fixed choke there will be little you can do with it, aside from trying different shells and finding best results.
Screw in chokes will will provide you the ability to change your restriction and find a combination of choke and shell that yields the best results.
Either way you will see very little performance difference between a 12 or 20 gauge. Heck a 28 will hammer waterfowl all day long.
Shotgun fitment and patterning is far is far more important and will result in more ducks on he ground.
Style of hunting plays a big role as well. Decoying birds in successfully can result in all your ducks flying straight at you at close range. Makes for easy shooting vs high flying pass shots.
If you want to hammer ducks. Spend more time practicing your calling. This is a difficult overlooked aspect of hunting fowl. Put the call in your truck and practice while your drive. Haha.
Good luck, it's a great time!!!
Awesome thank you for all the great tips and Information. Any recommendations as to a good bird call to buy? I have the waders jacket shotgun. What else should I be looking at getting?
The zink power hen and zink power clucker are both on sale at Cabelas and great deals and similar in quality to their acrylic calls
Hey kbob........why don't you post under your other alias ....Jassmine.
Eyes are on you.
I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with keyboards and forums. - F L Wright
Try and be kind to everyone but fear no one. - Ourea
To kbob, jassmine, and any other Raincoast person/people popping up on this site......
Step up without being a poser/pretender inbedded in HBC as a hunter, where your uniform with honor and you might get some respect.
I have made several calls to highly respected bios and field researchers in your industry.
Not a single one will give an endorsement for anyone within your EMOTIONAL/SOCIAL based organization.
Highly respected experts shake their head at Raincoast.
You look down on us with your moral agenda......pathetic.
If respected people within your field don't respect you how can we.
I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with keyboards and forums. - F L Wright
Try and be kind to everyone but fear no one. - Ourea