Paul T Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 As per title I've noticed more and more guys swapping to a 20 bore. I've got a nice light SxS but it's a 100 year old 12 bore and I'm not getting such an antique sodden for the sake of half a dozen pheasants. So, on obviously wet days I usually end up taking out my O/U clay buster. The O/U is fine to begin with, but it's a hell of a lump by the mid afternoon when you're a walking gun. End of last season I tried a pal's O/U 20 bore and it was a joy to swing. Also, being as I've not bought a gun for a few years, I'm getting the urge to splash out. The new Cogswell & Harrison Windsor looks pretty good in a 20, as does the Caeser Guerrini and Fabarm. I'm not fussed for Beretta, but I like the Browning Heritage Hunter - though not it's price tag! I'd rather steer clear of Turkish guns. Being I'm 6'4" it needs to be a full size 20 bore and not a junior/ladies size. Pros/cons on the calibre? Is it best to reload? Cheers Gents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Have a search, there are plenty of topics on this. Either way, I swear by 20b, I don't know why, but I just seem to shoot better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Pro : as you've already said, a lighter gun, which is not as tiring to carry for the day. Cons : cartridges are a bit more expensive. Not horribly so (you'd need to using quite a lot to make reloading worthwhile, compared to a 28 bore, for example). Also a bit less range of cartridges - as an example, there are plenty of foxing shells for 12 bore, 20 bore less so. I went over onto 20b last season. Loved it. These days my 12 only comes out for foxing or the occasional clay day. I wouldn't consider it for game shooting in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 I use 20g far more than my 12g,have 2 of em o/u and a sa.buy one you wont regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Pro , light to carry . Cons as already said , less choice of cartridges , especially larger shot and non toxic . More expensive to feed , more felt recoil if you use a like for like load . Run out of cartridges and chances are "your mate" will no be able to lend you any ! I shot a 20 for a few years and loved it but nowhere near the all round gun a 12 is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Compared to your SbS 12 bore Pros similar weight so light to carry probably in the 6 1/2 lbs region Similar loads ie not silly big heavy loads 28-32g 5&6s and not excessive recoil OU is easier to shoot well than SbS Cons Cartridges cost a little more You may not want to take out either other gun after you settle into a 20. People tell you it's not as good as a 12. Try it and probably enjoy it, it's a game gun not a wild fowling piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted April 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Gents Thanks for the feedback so far - Kyska, I'll have a search, thanks. Yeah Welshwarrior, I was always told a 12 was better than a 20 - Men shoot 12s and women/kids shoot 20, but as I've got older and shot more I can see that's clearly not the case! The pros are outweighing the cons by quite a way so I'm definitely looking further into a 20 bore. Not having to reload to be cost effective is a bonus. It'll be just for game because I have a semi-auto for wildfowling etc, but I'm on a temporary ticket at the moment so can't purchase anything immediately anyway. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesP Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 It may be a good idea to have a phone-around of your local gun shops. Ask each one what sort of 20 bore cartridges they stock, what loads, what shot sizes and the like. Around here most places only have a very limited choice, which may not match your requirements. For clays I have just moved from my 20 Bore Urika onto a 12 bore. Finding a 70mm 20 bore cartridge at reasonable price was very difficult. I prefer a 20 bore to carry, the Urika had little recoil being a gas operated semi auto, but the ammunition issue began to irritate me. Now I'm spoilt for choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 [quote name="Paul T" post="2797159" timestamp= Yeah Welshwarrior, I was always told a 12 was better than a 20 - Men shoot 12s and women/kids shoot 20, : Hate to think what that makes me with my 28 bore then but I'm very small and dainty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psycho Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) Pro a fine gun for children or a person of the weaker sex Con not a mans gun I once contemplated a 20 bore luckely a good friend of mine gave me some invaluable advice he only said 2 words ''Man up'' That was all I needed to know I went out and bought some 43 gram cartridge's to show what I would be missing Edited April 6, 2015 by psycho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 rubbish while I agree they,re not a fowling gun I kill just as many ducks on our flight ponds using 24 gram steel as the the others guns do with there mens guns fireing upwards of 32 gram steel.and I get more pheasants than them.in the right hands 20g is just as good on game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pothunter Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) I bought a 20 a few months ago and don't think I've put a single cartridge through my 12b since. It's so quick handling and just plain *enjoyable* to shoot. I get a thrill from it that I don't from my 12b at all. I shoot quite a lot, so do suffer the difference in cartridge price, but at the end of the day it's pretty marginal. And as for choice, there's plenty enough - nothing like the restriction in 20 that you get in 28 and .410. Something that doesn't often get mentioned in these discussions - in which weight tends to feature a lot - is that the overall slimmer dimensions of everything (assuming it is such a gun) add to the speed and ease of handling. It's something you can't easily measure, but makes a real physical difference, I think. Edited April 6, 2015 by Pothunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwizard Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 I bought a 20 bore p.a . around 20 years ago for my boys to learn on but ended up trying it on our rough shoot more than my 12 so bought a 20 bore o/u and use it all round , its faster handling and lighter to carry , love it on clays and last year bought a 28 gauge as well , don't know if its a age thing but couldn't care less about what anyone says about real men use 12,s I just love my little bores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 I had 19 pigeons for 26 shells with my 20 gauge this afternoon. Some quite amazing rangy shots from a 27gram reloaded shell. I use it for most of my claybashing too with 23gram 7.5s. They're great guns that lack nothing but weight and size for general shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted April 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Psycho - can you give me some more info on why a 12 is a man's gun and 20 a women's? Isn't 28g of lead the same in a 12 as a 20 or is there just less punch behind it in a 20? Confused, but I'm big & ugly enough to cope with the name calling should I choose to go with a 'girlie gun' Pothunter & Welshwizard - that's exactly how I found it - it was faster and just more agile than my 12g O/U. Much more like my SxS, but actually a bit more 'pointable' in fact. So, I've heard talk of full size and scaled down actions - is that true, and how easy is it to tell the difference? Chamber size or something? Sorry Gents, I've a cabinet full of 12 bores, but I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to the smaller calibres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 My outlook on a 20g It will do all a 12g will , but my problem is i find it to whippy at the moment and swing through every thing to fast or stop the swing This is a personal problem and at the moment i feel i need the added weight from a sporter 12g to keep me consistent but doesn't mean i can't shoot a 20g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Just fulfilled a lifes dream and got a 20 bore that fits, HAPPY !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Bought a macnab highlander 20g in January after only ever shooting 12s and I have to say that even though I haven't shot it a lot and only carried it around on a few walkabouts, i just don't feel I want to use my 12 anymore. It just feels so bulky to the 20 and the 20 just feels so sleek,pointable and cuts through the air like a katana through a melon when swung. I dropped a woodcock that was dead in the air with my first shot with it and that cemented my love of it. For some reason it just gives me confidence when carrying it and hopefully I can get to use it on Clays next weekend! GET ONE! Atb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Bought a macnab highlander 20g in January after only ever shooting 12s and I have to say that even though I haven't shot it a lot and only carried it around on a few walkabouts, i just don't feel I want to use my 12 anymore. It just feels so bulky to the 20 and the 20 just feels so sleek,pointable and cuts through the air like a katana through a melon when swung. I dropped a woodcock that was dead in the air with my first shot with it and that cemented my love of it. For some reason it just gives me confidence when carrying it and hopefully I can get to use it on Clays next weekend! GET ONE! Atb whats a katana? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mick.j Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) whats a katana? A Japanese sword OR A Suzuki!!!!!!!!!! Edited April 6, 2015 by Mick.j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 thanks mick, i learn something new everyday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Certainly wouldn't be a Suzuki haha yes a Japanese sword! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psycho Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Psycho - can you give me some more info on why a 12 is a man's gun and 20 a women's? Isn't 28g of lead the same in a 12 as a 20 or is there just less punch behind it in a 20? Confused, but I'm big & ugly enough to cope with the name calling should I choose to go with a 'girlie gun' s. Nothing to do with power all to do with size and fit look up shotgunlife.com and women and shotguns that gives an appropriate answer basically a 12 bore is made to fit a man a 20 bore is for a woman or a small man or a teen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted April 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Nothing to do with power all to do with size and fit look up shotgunlife.com and women and shotguns that gives an appropriate answer basically a 12 bore is made to fit a man a 20 bore is for a woman or a small man or a teenThank you - I'll look that up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pothunter Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Nothing to do with power all to do with size and fit look up shotgunlife.com and women and shotguns that gives an appropriate answer basically a 12 bore is made to fit a man a 20 bore is for a woman or a small man or a teen Can't tell if you're joking. I think you are, but in case you're not, that's plainly not true. Obviously, there are some smaller bore guns that are specifically aimed at juniors or women, but most aren't. The essential dimensions (LoP, for instance, drop at comb and heel etc, barrel length) are the same as a 12b, the 20 is just a bit slimmer and slightly lighter. The whole "girls gun" thing is a joke, because it's a bit lighter and slimmer. It's not literally true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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