12 or 20

[Benelli m2]

I'm looking at doing more game days next season my browning xs Pro is a bit on the heavy side
thinking of a 20 bore either browning or similar

 

[Malxwal]

I'll sell you a lovely Browning Crown 20bore, unfired.
Absolutely perfect for the highest stuff anybody should be shooting.

 

[cjm1066]

I went to a 20 bore 22 years ago, neverooked back.

The 12 bore is for clays due to cheaper cartridges and ducks and geese.

 

[HonestJohn]

20 or 16 all the way

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I'm looking at doing more game days next season my browning xs Pro is a bit on the heavy side
thinking of a 20 bore either browning or similar

I found the 20bore brownings (or at least the one I played with in the shop) a bit on the heavy side. For me, it defeated the purpose of having one.

That being said, I am a Beretta fangirl with a 690, a400 and 20bore Silver pigeon grade 3. Silver pigeon is feather weight and is a dream to shoot.

 

[Benelli m2]

I'll sell you a lovely Browning Crown 20bore, unfired.
Absolutely perfect for the highest stuff anybody should be shooting.

Mega bucks

 

[Kersnow]

Am in same position, almost.

Looked at a Browning 20 bore tradition last weekend but it weight 7lb 1oz, only 7 ounces lighter then my 12 so a non starter.

Beretta or Rizzini RBs are lighter

 

[Malxwal]

Mega bucks

Good bit cheaper than a new one.

 

[stubear]

12 personally - you can make a large cartridge do the job of a small one but you can’t make a small cartridge do the same job as a large one.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

12 personally - you can make a large cartridge do the job of a small one but you can’t make a small cartridge do the same job as a large one.

I load every season for a chap who uses Browning Centennials and 22 gram 7+1/2 Hull cartridges. Knocks down everything he points it at, regularly 4 dead in the air at same time.
Uses them as 20 bores,not 12 loads in a light gun

 

[Bowland blades]

you will be at a disadvantage with a lighter gun on the clays built for lighter loads , even if it can shoot still the heavier loads patterns will not be as good . recoil on a lighter gun will be more also
The twenty is a good walking up gun that can be used on clays but almost no comp shooters will compete with those with a 12

 

[Malxwal]

If you can't get your head round using 28g or less on a decent sporting bird, just stick to a 12. I know a lot of lads using 20 bore on quality driven birds, and not one uses anything heavier than 28g. I use 26g.

 

[viking90]

I have to say I've never thought my Benelli SBE2 was a heavy weight . If you decide to go for 12g I'd recommend giving one a look at if you need a light shotgun

 

[Triggermortis]

There are those that can shoot and use a 20g and those that can’t and use a 12g with the excuse that you need a cartridge heavier than a 20g can handle to shoot sporting birds,look at it this way, ask your self how many pellets it take to brake a clay then count how many are in 20g cartridge?

 

[Jon P]

20g all day long

 

[Ade8mm]

16

 

[Malxwal]

16

An AYA#2 probably best....

 

[Heym SR20]

Don’t look at the guage look at the gun. Does it fit, does it feel good and can you shoot with it.

For most normal ranges you don’t need massive loads of large shot, 21, 24 or 28grams is more than enough provided you can shoot straight. Even 9grams out of a 410 will kill just as well, but you have a much smaller pattern.

You need to think steel. There are lots of options in 12, a good number in 20 but 16 and 28 there are one or two options but this will grow.

Which is better - one trigger or two, and barrels stacked vertically or horizontally.

The only real option is to have one of each type in each guage and do lots of testing- but I doubt you will come up with an answer.

 

[martyn52]

I shoot with 28 bore 27g now, as good as any 12 bore.

 

[baguio]

My Beretta Jubilee 20 bore outshoots most people on early season walked up trials when the birds are close. It evens up later in the season when the birds are jumpy and getting up further away. However, I find an over/under 12 bore a heavy gun to carry all day long and slower to mount so would never go back to a 12 for that. Driven shooting is very different though as your gun is in its case for a lot of the day. What game shooting are you planning on doing?