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View Poll Results: Which do you prefer, 12 gauge or 20 gauge?

Voters
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  • 12 gauge

    92 64.79%
  • 20 gauge

    50 35.21%
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Thread: 12 gauge vs 20 gauge?

  1. #61
    Boolit Master
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    I'm gonna have to go with both , or all of the above plus a few others .
    Depending on what needs killing .

  2. #62
    Boolit Master
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    I voted 12 gauge. I have taken a turkey with a 20, so I think that there is no wrong answer. I am intrigued by Browning's new 16 gauge shotgun, though...

    I am curious as to why this is in the Factory Rifles forum, though.
    Last edited by bowfin; 10-01-2021 at 05:27 PM. Reason: Asked about Rifles Forum

  3. #63
    Boolit Buddy
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    I voted 12 only because I reload everything I shoot, and I can reload all the way down to near 5/8 ounce in a 12 ga hull, and have almost zero recoil on my SKB O/U. I don't hunt anymore, only shoot those little round orange things, mostly sporting clays, a little trap and skeet occasionally. 12 ga hulls are available free in the hull bins by the thousands, not so much with 20 ga, and I seldom ever see a 16 in the bins. I'll shoot a little more than 8,000 a year, so free hulls makes difference.

  4. #64
    Boolit Master
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    I didn't vote, 16 bore was not an option. I grew up toting a Marlin, bolt action shotgun in 16. I tried 12's, too bulky and massive. Tried 20's, just didn't care for them. A 16 on a correctly size frame for a double is ideal for me...which explains the Ithaca Flues in my safe. Then I discovered drillings.....
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  5. #65
    Boolit Buddy
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    20 gauge but only for grouse. I have a 12 gauge for ducks and geese.

  6. #66
    Boolit Master 444ttd's Avatar
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    my dad bought me savage pump in 20ga when i was 12yo. i killed alot of pheasants, grouse, rabbits, woodcock and squirrels, until my best friend's dad brought out a sears/montgomery wards/whatever double-barrel(it was short) in 16ga. i fell in love with it. he let me take it, but i would buy the shells and clean it when i brought it back. when turned 19yo i went to k-mart and i bought(on sale) a mossberg model 500 in 12 ga. i used it for years until about a year or two after mossberg came out with 3.5" shells(my dad bought it for turkey) and i was into archery so it stayed in my safe until i gave it to oldest son.
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  7. #67
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
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    bowfin had a good point so I moved this, month's redirect left.

  8. #68
    Boolit Master
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    20 gauge is the greatest. All others gauges are ridiculous. Na Na...Na Na Na.

    There. Stuck my 2 cents in. 🙃

  9. #69
    Boolit Master



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    With a correct sized receiver I will take the 16 any day over either the 12 or 20. It will handle anything either of hem will except maybe long range geese. I have 2 and they will never leave home as long as I am alive. I have 3 12's and a .410 also. james

  10. #70
    Boolit Master
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    I voted 12ga because 16 and 10 was not up there. I grew up with a 16 and there is a double in the safe. I shot black powder so a 10ga is more fun.

  11. #71
    Boolit Master

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    I shoot 12s, 16s, 20s and .410s. I use all of them for skeet as well as hunting. I have no preference except when I'm hunting. 12s for deer and geese. 16 for turkeys. 20 for grouse, pheasant, squirrels and rabbits. .410 for rabbits and called squirrels.

  12. #72
    Boolit Grand Master


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    16 for turkey, but 20 for upland game? Interesting. Any particular reasons why, or just because you like them?

  13. #73
    Boolit Bub DKG's Avatar
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    20 gauge for deer with slugs (even predators with my buckshot handloads when I don’t feel like lugging my 12 gauge through the deep snow) but I also use my 12 for the same things. Guess it depends on my mood that day.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  14. #74
    Boolit Master

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    I voted 12 because it's the "do-all" gauge, especially if you handload. However, if I were starting over today, with today's ammo selection, I'd go 20. I find myself taking that slim, lightweight 20 ga. Ithaca 37 out more and more these days.........I do have a fairly lightweight 12 ga. Ithaca SxS Flues model that I enjoy hunting with too, so I'm happy that I have the ability to choose!
    Last edited by centershot; 10-16-2021 at 06:53 PM.
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  15. #75
    Boolit Master
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    20 here.

    I "started over" ten years ago when I tried my friends 20 at the trap range.

    Since then I have gathered a few 20's - snd sold all 12's. Except one slug cylinder pump.

    I load tungsten (with double shotcups) for older 20's as well. Very few people want a 20 here in Finland. Low prices. People want to throw excessive amounts of shot around the target while enjoying a manly recoil , a 20 just is not enough.

    Here is my latest one, it hung on the shop wall since -96.




  16. #76
    Boolit Master 15meter's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Petander View Post
    20 here.

    I "started over" ten years ago when I tried my friends 20 at the trap range.

    Since then I have gathered a few 20's - snd sold all 12's. Except one slug cylinder pump.

    I load tungsten (with double shotcups) for older 20's as well. Very few people want a 20 here in Finland. Low prices. People want to throw excessive amounts of shot around the target while enjoying a manly recoil , a 20 just is not enough.

    Here is my latest one, it hung on the shop wall since -96.



    Nice!

    I don't hunt anymore, skeet, sporting clays or trap in that order. Load for 12, 16, 20, 28 and 410.

    What gets shot is probably more dependent of the phase of the moon than anything else. Full moon howling probably the 12. New moon mellow, 410. Maybe.

  17. #77
    Boolit Master

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    Petander, that's a beautiful shotgun! Thank you for liberating it from the gun shop and putting it to proper use!
    "We take a thousand moments for granted thinking there will be a thousand more to come. Each day, each breath, each beat of your heart is a gift. Live with love & joy, tomorrow is not promised to anyone......"

    unknown

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