Farmer-of-the-Futre Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 Heyy all. I'm thinking of changing my 20 bore sbs for an over and under as i feel i get on better with my dads one and at the clay range (borrowing a O/U) Ive seen alot of people last season shooting 20 bore much to my suprise and more and more people seem to shoot with them. So what do you guys recommend? I shoot mainly game and pigeons so its not as if i will need a larger caliber for geese! :blink: Ive taken pigeons at a fair distance with my 20 but im not to worried about the range, just what seems to be easier to shoot with and do you think a 20 is big enough for the general shooter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 You can put them same loads through a 20 as a 12 they just cost more and with 30" 3" 20 bores on the market with steel proof you can even take geese, (shoulder might get a bit sore tho.............and wallet a bit empty!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 I struggle to see the point of the 20, there are so many 12 loads available. I've looked for a reason to own a 20 but I just can't find one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 20 bores are just great for convenience, walking distances or standing waiting for a shot where a heavy 12gauge would just be a pain. I own a Urika in both gauges and for clays it's a no brainer but for game it's a weigh up between a slightly less cumbersome gun which is faster to shoulder or a slightly more punchy cartridge in the 12 which can extend your range some even if it's only by using a lighter choke to give a better spread that more pellets will allow. I have had some cracking shots with the 20 but I still feel a bit more confident with the 12gauge and my 32 gram loads. If I could only keep one it would be the 12gauge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 FotF - I only use 20g now (since 2005). I have 2 semis and an O/U - 20g guns feel lithe and easy to use, they handle quickly and despite what's been posted above there is also a massive amount of different loads available for 20g. There is no shame in using 20g and a lot of B*****x is spoken about 12g being harder hitting/better patterns/better swing rates, etc. 12g guns feel like a piece of field artillery after you have been using 20g and, TBH I firmly believe its a 'macho' thing. To put it into perspective I wouldn't swap all three of mine for a 12g SO Beretta or custom made 12g Perrazzi and I love those guns. 20g is the caliber for someone who isn't interested in what others perceive about 20g guns... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 28 Grams is 28 grams I have recently started to use a 20 bore O/U weighs thw same as a 12 bore sbs and shoots like an O/U (easier to point and swing through) however not quite as fast on the quick reflex snap shots as my sbs but still faster than my 12 O/U. I think they are a good half way house as a do all for game, but will still use my 12 O/U for clays where carrying the gun is no issue and 12 bore carts are cheaper!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 You could always get a lightweight o/u or semi auto in 12g and use light loads greater range of carts and a lot cheaper. Alb figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Ok, 12g is the one, it is used in all target/clay competitions and is the choice of Pigeon/Pheasant/etc/etc shooters. Why, because it offers the BEST package! 20g is fine and many can and do use it to great effect. I know one guy who is exceptional with a 20, far better than me all round with my 12, but he is the exception, 12 rules for the simple reason it is best. Putting a heavy load through a 20 is daft, just get a 12, and 20g Carts are always that bit more expensive than 12g, in some cases a lot more, and 20g guns also tend to be more expensive! If you want a 20 get a 20, and use appropriate carts, also make sure you get a dedicated 20 action, not a heavy one based around a 12 action! Nobody uses a 12 in the Olympics or at the Clay or Pheasant shoot to be macho, they use it because it is the best tool for the job. The 20 has a place for sure and I'm not knocking it in any way, many find it appropriate, and there are times in the field a 20 may well be more useful, but overall a 12 is the daddy! Let nobody tell you a 20 can do everything a 12 can, it can't, that's whay they have to have a dedicated 20g World Championship, because they cannot compete with the 12g. Nevertheless, the 20 does more than enough for some people! ATB! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer-of-the-Futre Posted March 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Thanks guys, there seems to be alot of mixed opinions here. I am now slightly edging towards the 12 but mabey i will leave it a few years and keep having goes with my dads silver pigeon. i would like to try a 20 bore in over and under before i make any important decisions though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Apart from a 20g being a bit lighter than a 12g, I can't think of anything a 20g can do better than a 12g. Or maybe I'm being a bit 'macho' saying that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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