ashtons99 Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 I am interested in forum views on those who turn up on a game shoot bearing a 20g shotgun. I own mainly 12g guns but have an amazing example of a Winchester Model 23 in 20g. The gun handles lovely and always attracts admiring comments but I am aware of comments generally made about those who choose to use a 20g. The comments are generally around handicapping oneself with small loads and limited patterns, only wounding game instead of cleanly killing and also "when world champion clay shooters start using them in competition I'll start carrying one" Now Im not the best of shots but I do ok. I really love the 20g but I feel that when I bring it on a shoot I will no doubt be subject of comment and even more so if I have a particularly bad day! It has made me reluctant to take it out of the cabinet really which is a shame. Am I being more than paranoid on this one, I feel sure others will have heard similar comments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
affinity121 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 A gentleman uses a 20g on pur beaters day every year and I can say hand on heart he puts me to shame with my 12g. He is deadly and can shoot exceptionally high birds. I would say in the right hands it isn't a handicap at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
affinity121 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 This is also a school yard thing picking of the kid with a different toy I'm sure you are a big lad so stop worrying about what other people think and enjoy yourself, after all that's what life is about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Take no notice. I use a round action no2 in 28 and that brings them down a treat. OK perhaps not on some very high birds such as in Devon but it's the same as anything else put the lead on the target at sensible range and it will come down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Ignore the naysayers and get on and enjoy your day. Shoot the gun and cartridges you want to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_ Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 My shoot captain uses his 20g browning all the time I don't think there's a lot in it if anything, he's hell of a shot with it and drops pretty much everything it's pointed at Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 One of the greatest game shots ever, Sir Joe Nickerson used 28's in his later years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 This is also a school yard thing picking of the kid with a different toy I'm sure you are a big lad so stop worrying about what other people think and enjoy yourself, after all that's what life is about. Absolutely agree, I shoot a 28 bore at game and if you put it in the right place the birds fall down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge hunter Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Mate, im 6ft tall fat as an egg, and as bald as a ripped rug. I only shoot little girls guns apparently, so much so I sold all my real guns last year and now only shoot nothing other than 20bore, no matter what, be it pigeons, rough shooting or driving game. And belive me I can hold my own agains all the other guys with there real mens guns lol. So basically what im saying is, if your happy with the gun and confident in your ability with it then crack on, other wise you could always send it my way and I'll give it a good home lol cheer hh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I have been a member of many Game syndicates and attended many Game Shoots as a guest gun and a beater over the years and have never heard an adverse comment about the use of a 20bore on the day. I have used both bores successfully on driven birds, your ability to kill birds cleanly will not change if you move from a 12bore to a 20bore You can even use loads the equivalent of those used by the average 12bore shooter, if you wish. I use 28gms felt wad No6 shot in the 20 bore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) 20 bore gun design and handling seems to have changed a fair bit over the years. 30 years ago a typical 20 bore was a side by side, lighter (around 5lb 3oz), shorter in the stock and barrels and fired two and a half inch 21g cartridges. Such guns were generally used by boys, women and older men. Performance was inferior to the 12 bore. Nowadays we have longer stocked, heavier 20 bore guns (my Caesar Guerini Maxum weighs 7lb 3oz) which you can buy off the peg that throw upwards of 30g of shot from 3in magnum chambers if you are inclined to do so. My other game gun is a 12 bore SxS made in 1906. I shoot 28g of No 6 in both guns and don't notice any difference in the performance. I like to use different guns just to have a change from time to time and don't prefer one above the other. Edited December 18, 2013 by Whitebridges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Never undergunned with a 20. There's very little in it. Shoot 28 grams in the 20 and 30/32g in the 12. Just point it in the right place. I shoot better with the 20 cause it fits me better. Confidence and gun fit are more important than a couple of grams of lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 As above, I'm a devout 20b shooter, my 20 patterns better at range than any of the 12's I've had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC00P Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Try it you might surprise yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Who cares what others think or say.... I gave up caring about such trivial matters many years ago.... life is so much simpler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehb102 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I thought it was the other way around and 12 bore uses get mocked for needing a blunderbuss? Let's face it, shooters will mock each other for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimfireboy Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 As said, don't bother what people say.They obviously know nowt about 20 bores... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexcernui Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Never mind 20g try turning up wearing camo with a realtree dipped hatsan semi and see what funny looks you get. I wouldn't worry. I want a 20 as my next gun if swmbo lets me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashtons99 Posted December 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Thanks for your replies gents. I appreciate your views. I know that you are all talking sense....so much so Ive already filled my cartridge bag with 20bores for Saturday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Keep safe and get a seperate cartridge bag for the two calibres , or load from a belt. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Ignore the naysayers and get on and enjoy your day. Shoot the gun and cartridges you want to shoot. This. The 'trend' in our neck of the woods is to use the smallest calibre you can, during September you won't see a 12 used at all , they mostly shoot 20's but more and more are shooting 28's with a couple now moving to 410's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 i have just got myself a browning b425 in 20 bore . it feels lovely to hold , not had a go with it yet due to ill health but hopefully we are having a clay shoot on christmass eve so will go along and try it out . something to look forward to . i bet all the lads will want a go with it better get a load of cartriges for them. i got the wife a little 410 in the summer and i could nt get it back of the lads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 most light loads from a 12 are to emulate a 20bore. with decent shells there is no advantage or disadvantage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Never noticed much between them, quite like the odd go on a 20b and it kills the same as a 12. Might even get one if I can sneak it past shmbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlistairB Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 On some days, half the guns on our syndicate are carrying 20 bores, doesnt make any difference to their ability to shoot or the size of the bag. Use what you feel comfortable with and can shoot well with. Simples! AB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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