ollie Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Hi guys, I have been thinking quite a lot recently about getting a 20 bore over & under. As I have never owned one what are the pros & cons to it? Is the cartridges still as expensive as they used to be? I would be using it for summer decoying, walked up woodcock shooting and the odd outing on my pheasant syndicate. Finally which make & model? I have always been a Beretta man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Fabarm Elos (de Luxe if available) Build quality as good as a Beretta/Browning and with the benefit of the Fabarm Tribore barrels (Google search) The Americans rave about them. Fabarm are the only shotguns to be proof tested to 1600 kgs plus the ability to use steel shot with a full choke tube fitted. Cartridges alas, are not as cheap as 12's but the variety is much the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benthejockey Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 FIL has 3 or 4. I used them driven shooting. Shooting 26g 6’s I think and it was killing birds the same as the blokes using 12’s with heavy loads. I have killed by far some of the best birds I’ve ever shot with the 20’s. He’s got 2 silver pigeons with 30imch barrels they’re light, comfy and swing well and a browning 525 I think. It’s got 28inch barrels it’s heaviee fractionally but very pointable when when I last used it i found I was poking at birds with it rather than swinging through. They’re both nice guns, way out of my price range. If I had the money I’d buy a tidy 20 they’re much less fatiguing than a 12 I found. But then my 12 is cheap and nasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFreddysCat Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Cartridges are still more expensive than 12g but not as much as they used to be. I use RIO Top Target 24g (£5.40 per 25) for clays and Gamebore 21g fibre (£5.90 per 25) for pigeons and rough shooting. There is a much wider range of cartridges available now right up to 34g, but why anyone would want to shoot 34g from a 20g beats me. I have a 1920 Thomas Bland SxS 20g weighing 5 1/2 lb and can carry it all day with ease. I find my 12g gets little use now as I use the 20g inland and the 10g on the marsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 1 hour ago, CaptC said: Fabarm Elos (de Luxe if available) Build quality as good as a Beretta/Browning and with the benefit of the Fabarm Tribore barrels (Google search) The Americans rave about them. Fabarm are the only shotguns to be proof tested to 1600 kgs plus the ability to use steel shot with a full choke tube fitted. Cartridges alas, are not as cheap as 12's but the variety is much the same. The proof testing is largely irrelevant. I also use full chokes and steel through several different guns, so that is not a usp for that gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 7 hours ago, ollie said: Hi guys, I have been thinking quite a lot recently about getting a 20 bore over & under. As I have never owned one what are the pros & cons to it? Is the cartridges still as expensive as they used to be? I would be using it for summer decoying, walked up woodcock shooting and the odd outing on my pheasant syndicate. Finally which make & model? I have always been a Beretta man. Then buy a Beretta and have fun . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptC Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 23 minutes ago, motty said: The proof testing is largely irrelevant. I also use full chokes and steel through several different guns, so that is not a usp for that gun. I bow to your knowledge of using steel with a gun with full chokes. I was using the information from Fabarm's website. The thought of using steel shot through any choke is to me a little scary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Nothing like a nice silver pigeon. i was recently kindly invited to shoot on a peg on a driven day and for one of the drives swapped Guns with my mate to have a go of his 20 Bore. Dropped a pheasants 40+ yards away on the second shot as it was turning and going away from me. Might be the best shot I’ve ever made (I reckon it was a fluke) lol. Lovely Guns that are capable of you put it in the right place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrclark Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Cartridges are a little bit more expensive and typically there will be a smaller selection relative to 12g in most gun shops purely as a result of supply and demand. If you want a 20g and can afford it then get one, if it makes you smile and makes you want to get out and shoot it then that is all that really matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomaddy525 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I still turn to my B525 20 bore for all of my game shooting apart from the extreme days. Killed plenty of long range birds with it including geese on the foreshore back when it was my only gun. I got given a slab of 32g black gold for it and they knocks feathers out of stuff more than the 12 seems to - buy one they are brilliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamch Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 4 minutes ago, tomaddy525 said: I still turn to my B525 20 bore for all of my game shooting apart from the extreme days. Killed plenty of long range birds with it including geese on the foreshore back when it was my only gun. I got given a slab of 32g black gold for it and they knocks feathers out of stuff more than the 12 seems to - buy one they are brilliant What loads do you use for geese on the shore in a 20? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomaddy525 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Did! Only did it for one week away when I was a youngster - we bought a couple of boxes of the Remmy Wingmaster.. 3" 1 1/4oz #4 I think they were but about £40 per 10!! Killed pinks well enough but fairly vicious for a 15 year old to shoot through an over and under Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 20 minutes ago, grahamch said: What loads do you use for geese on the shore in a 20? I use 3" 1oz Steel 2's and B's or 2-3/4" 1oz HW13 - PWS or Hevi-Shot 3's or 2's all home loads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitebridges Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Like most things 20 bores have changed over the the years. They used to be a "boy's gun" or at best a "lady's gun" nowadays they are something different. I have a few different ones over the years. Off the top of my head an A391 Beretta semi, a Guerini Maxum, a Rottweil etc. I couldn't resist a 31in Kemen K4 M/C with a 15in LOP which i really enjoy shooting. Throws lovely consistent patterns using RC JK6 T3 26g in No6. Very good on pigeon too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I have an MK60 30 inch in twenty bore . Fabulous little gun and weighs in a little over 6 pound . harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dipper Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I had a 687 for 15 years never felt the need for anything bigger .Shot geese foxes everything used mostly home loads .Performed best with 7/8oz loads most of the time .Heavy 1oz loads for geese and foxes.I paid £505 for it new .A few years ago.Dipper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIDES EDGE Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I have a S687 30" I brought years ago have just had it re blacked and serviced and its the best gun I have ever used best used with 28gm shells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I've just bought a berretta 690 field 3 30inch 20bore my first 20bore I've owned realy pleased with it no regrets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I've a lovely little Silma 20 bore, my favourite gun to shoot that I have. I shall be using it on some duck soon using 28grams of steel 4s! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88inch Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I have a silver pigeon 20 with deluxe wood. I changed to 20 bore two years ago. A lot of what people say about 20 bore is wrong. I can shoot just as well with it as the 12 and have shot some exceptional birds. I purchased a 1950's English side by side for not a lot of money this season and I really enjoy shooting with it. Especially woodcock and walked up. Only weighs 5 lb 4 oz. As for cartridges, well how many game shells will you use in a season? and clay carts 24gr 71/2 are not that expensive if you buy in bulk. Go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I had a Beretta Silver Pigeon 20 Bore, great gun. Regret selling it. 28g no.6 knocked some very good birds down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I've got a 687 sporter in 20g multi sporter great little gun, although I do have a 686 and an A303 in 20g also so the 687 only rarely comes out. Might be persuaded to part with it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Yes, but dont' be tempted to put heavy loads in it as you might as well stick with a 12. All they will do is knock you about due to the lighter gun weight. A load of 24 or 26 gms will do fine on game. I shot a John Macnab side plate, lovely lightweight, pretty and well balanced. Have kept them in 12 and 28 bore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 i got 3 20g,an o/u hushpower,an o/u,and a semi auto,guess you can say its my favorite calibre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevieknuckles Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Get one, stick with a Beretta if that’s what you like. I have a standard white Onyx 28 inch barrels only weighs six pounds, lovely to carry when walked up shooting.Rc sipe 28 Gr or High Pheasant 28 Gr no 6 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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