PEREGRINE Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Hoping for some advice from all you pigeon shooters out there. I have been considering the purchase of a 20 gauge for decoying and flight pond shooting, as most pigeons I am shooting lately are in the 15-25yrd range I am finding a 12 gauge a bit overkill. Do you recomend a 20 or does this lack killing power, if you recomend it what is a cheapish gun? and how much are cartidges, are they more expensive or comparable with 12 gauge. Your advice would be appreciated lads. Peregrine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 A 20 gauge is more than capable of killing pigeons at the ranges you stated and further. You could always use lighter loads in your 12 bore, which would have the same effect. I have owned 20 bores and enjoyed using them, but I don't find them as flexible as a 12 bore, for the shooting I do. The thing I fail to understand is why people buy a lightweight gun (20 bore) and then fire 32 gm loads through it, this tends to negate the reason for buying it in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pike Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 On the very rare occasion that I am not shooting my Hushpower (the farmers/keepers have got used to the quiet guns and are specifically asking for them most of the time) I shoot a 20 bore Lincoln that I picked up for about £500 at the CLA. Being fairly lightly built I have found it much easier to handle than a 12 gauge and if anything find it hits with more force as long as you get the birds right in the pattern. The shells are a bit more expensive but more importantly if - like me- things move from where you thought you had left them :*) and you need to borrow some shells, chances are that whoever you are shooting with shoots a twelve. Give it a try mate Pike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX Sniper Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 20 is a nice gauge, same range near enough as a 12 but less pattern so need to be more accurate. Carts are a bit more pricey but not much. Try using 28 gram 7 1/2 as they bring em down well but are not overkill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I have a 20 bore. It kills just the same as a 12. 28g of 6s proved fine to the line of guns when I had a L+R of a 40yd pigeon and pheasant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger_Rabbit Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 The 20 is a nice gauge but only because it's light !!!! Had mine for 5 years but never had total confidence in it. Fixed choke 1/4 & 1/2, fired 25 - 28gm No6 or No7. (Eley, Winch. & Express) 120 - 135 quid for 1,000. Due to the weight (5. 1/2 lbs) it didn't maintain momentum through the swing like a 12 and my shooting went to c*ck, my fault not the gun. Anything driven was fine but crosses .... total cr*p. Honest opinion .. stick to a 12 with a lighter load unless you do plenty of walking. Any one WANT 1,000 carts, all 20's, free delivery Chester / Liverpool ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salopian Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 A 20 gauge will kill effectively at similar ranges to 12 gauge, it's normal advantage is it's light weight for walking up.From your message it appears you are primarily concerned with damage limitation at close range.So the answer may be to use 7/8th ounce/24gram shells = less damage, less recoil more pleasurable to shoot, it keeps your money in the bank, or perish the thought more new dresses & shoes (No not for me before you smart alec's reply) Salopian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columba Livia Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Ah mr Salopian the dresses are for me, I await a nice Christmas pressie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted October 6, 2004 Report Share Posted October 6, 2004 Peregrine I am a big fan of the smaller gauge gun as many on the forum know. I dont agree that the 20g is not as flexible as a 12 it is obviously generally about a 1lb lighter which affects the absorbancy of the recoil to some extent. I have over the years returned from several long sorties with a aya No 3 or 4 in the 12 g and havent been able to move properly for a couple of days because ive been using a elephant gun. At normal pigeon shooting range the 20 or 16 is just as effective as a 12 in my opinion.. Ok so you may have to be a bit more accurate but has I have said before I have picked out just as many No. 6 from pigeon shot with a 20 as I have with a 12. I know a 80 year old game keeper locally who used to be a regular on the SW clay circuits who decoys with a 28g because it is light and he frail and believe me he could shoot the pants of of a lot of us... FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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