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20 gauge?

catman529

catman529

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So many of you have seen my thread on the Mossberg Maverick 12 gauge. I decided that's what I'm getting and will see how some hevy or other good shot will pattern at 30 yards.

I went to academy and they were sold out of the 12 gauge but not the 20 gauge. Walmart is also sold out. I will most likely wait till it's back in stock (they don't know when it will be) but I almost considered buying the 20 gauge. Should I stick with the 12 or have some of you had equal success hunting with a 20?

Thanks
 
If you plan on shooting them 30 yards and under, the 20 gauge will work, but the day when one tom hangs up at 40-50 yds out, your gonna wish you bought the 12 gauge, but my dad has killed a few turkey with a 20 gauge with a modified choke, deer as well, so its more on personal preference and the intentions you have with the gun
 
my sons 20 model 500 does just fine at 40 with primos choke and remington #5 he got his first one last year at 42 yards with it,ive patterened it to 50 and would not hesitate on 40 yard shots with it
 
Sounds good, I bet it would work and if I had heard your answers before going to the store I might have bought it. I think I will wait it out though, but if I don't see a 12 gauge Maverick and it starts getting close to turkey season, I'll get the 20.
 
Unless your primary use is going to be some type of hunting where you walk a lot more than you hunt/shoot (i.e. quail, grouse, etc.), you will usually have more versatility with a 12 ga. If you're a small-framed person, the 20 "might" be a better choice, regardless of what you're hunting.

A 20 will generally have a little less recoil than a 12, comparing same make guns in 20 vs. 12. When you load either with a "turkey" load, the recoil can be a lot, but truly shoulder-punishing with a 3 1/2-inch 12 ga "turkey" load in a Mossberg pump gun.

Generally speaking, 12 gauges will produce more uniform patterns than 20 guages. You'll also find a wider range of various loads for the 12, and usually more readily available at a local level should you find yourself suddenly low on a particular shell.

If your primary use is going to be either waterfowl or turkey, I would prefer a 12. For most other hunting, the lightweight carrying advantage of the 20 kinda off-sets it's very slight reduction in range and pattern uniformity. Personally, I've commonly used something "in between" for much of my quail, squirrel, and even many turkeys: The 16 guage. But the 16 has the disadvantage of less choice in available loads, and poor availability in both guns and loads.

Bottom line: Mostly personal preference.
Easier carrying of the 20 vs. slightly increased range of the 12.
 
I will definitely get the 12 whenever they get it back in stock. I have shot one with the 3 inch turkey loads (I think it was an 870 but not sure) and yeah it did have some kick. Actually it was the first firearm that I shot. I'd do it again, many times for turkeys, and my shoulder will just have to get over it. The maverick has only a 3 inch chamber so the 3 1/2 is out of the question. I bet they kick hard though.
 
Trust me, you won't even know the recoil is there when shooting at a turkey, I shot a 3 1/2 load from my 12 gauge on my first turkey when I was 10, didn't feel a thing
 
Yep, you will probably experience turkey fever your first couple seasons, or atleast I did, for almost 3-4 years I would go into uncontrollable shaking when a tom was nearby, It is almost completely gone these days, but there are still times when I have to calm myself down, and talk to myself while taking deep breaths
 
lol dang I bet I might get a similar way...I will probably have to tell myself to get over it so I don't mess up the shot, just focus on placing it right and then get over-excited after the bird is beating his wings on the ground with feathers flying....
 

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