magoo the noo Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Hi all, which do think is easier. My mate ANZO (Yule Grinner) says the 20 bore is harder to shoot. Having bought one myself and watching my scores decline, i have to agree. What do think?. I must point out that Yule shoots 20 bore most of the the time, but on the rare ocassion he shoots his 12 bore his scores improve (*******) Regards James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 both are easy to shoot. its the man behind the trigger that counts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 The one that fits best is easiest to shoot with!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Fit issues aside, the 12 would be easier to score higher with for most people. There is the question of shot load of course, there being somewhat less in the 20 gauge, but even more important is the question of overall weight. More often than not 12 bore guns are made a bit heavier in order to cope with the higher recoil levels, this has the effect of producing a steadier swing and better shot recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Well both are easy to shoot, just press the safety off and pull the trigger :lol: Only joking, most people shoot a 12 but some shoot much better when using a 20. It all depends on what suits you best and it also depends on the person who's pulling the trigger behind the gun :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 20 Bores tend to hit harder for some reason, generally though the loads are lighter as is the gun. A 12 is easiest to shoot well IMHO, but when things are getting a bit easy then a 20 does sharpen you up a bit. A lot of very experienced game shots shooting 25-35 yard birds have moved to 20s as they will do everything that is required at that distance. In skilled hands they will reach as far a 12 will, mate of mine has only shot 20s all his life, he misses very little under 50 yards. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 I am quite good (IMO) with my 12. Can't hit a barn door with my 20. When I do manage to connect it seems to hit harder than my 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam f Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Ummm most 20g loads are the same as 12g??? I shoot 30g 6s in my 20g and the same load in my 12g's..... I started shooting 20g this year and much prefer it. Too much is made of the 20 being a smaller less capable gun IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 I wasn't saying the gun was less capable, it is me that is less capable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz-loc Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Couple of summers back i had a bash with the 20 bore. Could't hit a damn thing. 95 percent down to me and 5 percent down to the gun not being to my liking, was too light and a tad short. Other guy who was also using the same one for clays was hitting every one, goes without saying he liked it muchly, but he was about a foot smaller than me . anyway point of story is everyone has different preferences. Get a gun that fits and you will hit what you aim at, in theory. and also i don't know if anyone else has found this but the little 20 packed a fair kick, i was surprised but i guess its due to lighter gun than 12 bore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 When I make a choice I tend to look at what the worlds best are using. Go to a world class clay shoot and see what they're using. It won't be 20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 When I make a choice I tend to look at what the worlds best are using. Go to a world class clay shoot and see what they're using. It won't be 20. That's because the 20 offers no benefit for clays but rough shooting can be a different ball game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam f Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Agree, mine is my rough shooting gun, much nicer to walk a few miles with than a bulky heavy 12g. The smaller gauges do seem in fashion at the moment, several guns on my syndicate shoot either 20 or 28 bores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magoo the noo Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 Hi all, something i neglected to ask is which has the bigger pattern, if shot with the same chokes? Regards James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 One point I found is that less choke is needed compared to a 12. An oz in a 20g is already looking like an oz passing through a 12g full choke with no choke! My 870 has Imp cyl and believe me that is tight, I will snap a cylinder choke up when I see one. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 One point I found is that less choke is needed compared to a 12. An oz in a 20g is already looking like an oz passing through a 12g full choke with no choke! My 870 has Imp cyl and believe me that is tight, I will snap a cylinder choke up when I see one. U. It doesn't work like that, choke is dependent on the ratio between end diameter and the bore diameter, otherwise all 10b would be open and all 20b would be full. There have been many studies on the effect of barrel diameter / shot load / patterns, they seem to agree that for the common 28-32g loads 12g patterns best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drut Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 Easier to shoot? Really depends on what fits you,how much weight you want to carry & what loads you want to shoot: only you can decide.Personally I find 12g suits me best but it is an individual choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azzurri Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 Myself and a friend bought a couple of 20 bores a few years ago and my opinion is that the 20's were much harder to shoot than a 12. It seemed that you had to start and complete your shot much more precisely with the 20,this can only down to having less weight to swing,but once we got used to them we had great fun on ducks,pigeons and pheasant Wouldn't like to pay for 20 bore cartridges these days though Azzurri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 Myself and a friend bought a couple of 20 bores a few years ago and my opinion is that the 20's were much harder to shoot than a 12. It seemed that you had to start and complete your shot much more precisely with the 20,this can only down to having less weight to swing,but once we got used to them we had great fun on ducks,pigeons and pheasant Wouldn't like to pay for 20 bore cartridges these days though Azzurri Bingo There are always going to be people who have a mate who knows someone who shoots a 28 gauge with 19 g 6's who wipe every bodies eye at every game shoot and who regularly straight sporting layouts with it but can't be bothered to take it up regularly as they find it too easy :lol: , blah blah, but on planet earth 12's shoot better for most people most of the time because they pattern better and swing better and have more weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAsh Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 I don't see how you can say the 12g patterns better, as it would in my opinion be controlled by three things regardless to gauge, one overboaring seems to be proving slightly better pattern, but most must be choke design and cartride used As for why first class shots use 12g the i guess a they are working under their masters who sponsor them and pay the good wages who also sell far more 12 g than say 20 g, also as the 20 is lighter then practicing every day with more kick may shorten their shooting lives, so why risk it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 Choke is a measure of pattern not barrel dimensions a 1/2 choke is the same for any gauge and is a measure of percentage of pellets at a set range normally 35 yards in a 30 inch circle. Therefore 28g load of 7s from any gun will have the same number of pellets to achieve the same percentage in the circle (ie the same choke) the pattern is the same size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 I don't see how you can say the 12g patterns better, as it would in my opinion be controlled by three things regardless to gauge, one overboaring seems to be proving slightly better pattern, but most must be choke design and cartride used As for why first class shots use 12g the i guess a they are working under their masters who sponsor them and pay the good wages who also sell far more 12 g than say 20 g, also as the 20 is lighter then practicing every day with more kick may shorten their shooting lives, so why risk it First class shots have no masters, they want to win, they'd use an uzi if it were permissible :lol: . They use 12 because that gives the best compromise between recoil, weight, ease of handling, shootability etc, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 20s do need more skill. If you are an adult novice stick to a 12. Save the 20 for when you are old and doddery. In skilled hands they are every bit as effective as a 12, the key is skilled. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) A modern 20 gauge is a completely different shotgun compared to the older ultra light 20 gauge with short barrels. The modern gun with 28" or 30" barrels has a bit of weight to it which is usually distributed to enhance handling qualities and absorb recoil. It is possible to shoot 28g loads through them all day without feeling discomfort. The question would have to be asked why anyone needs to shoot a 12g load through their 20g shotgun. My 20g shotguns work most efficiently with 24g loads. In my opinion the 20g is very elegant in terms of proportions, is well balanced, exhibits excellent handling qualities, produces superb patterns and in the right hands is as effective as its 12g big brother. I do not feel at any disadvantage using a 20g. It is more to do with ability and gun fit rather than gauge. Edited February 19, 2012 by miroku_fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magoo the noo Posted February 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Just got back from clay pigeon with Yule Grinner. He shot my 20 and I shot my 12. He scored 52% I scored 69%. We shot at the same place 2 weeks ago, we both shot 20's I scored 39% and he scored 59%. I must add he shot his own 20. So if my score goes up by 30% by changing to a 12 bore, either the 12 is easier or just suits me better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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