20 or 16 gauge?

[Badnews Bob]

Hey all I'm thinking about a kick around shotgun for my 4 wheeler/truck/walking and a NEF will be just right, The question is do I want a 16 or 20 what barrel and choke?  I am mostly a rifle/pistol kinda guy nut around my place here we have a good population of grouse with doves and some quail, Its thick heavy woods and brush not to many open fields so rarely a long shoot, (usally in yer face or you don't see'em) I'm not a shotgunner as a rule so don't know much about one, Whatta you think?

[MSP Ret]

by what you said Bob I would suggest the 20 gauge with a short barrel and a synthetic stock in a modified choke. The 16's (my favorite) by H&R only come in a long barrel and full choke now, not what you need. Look at some of the offerings with shorter barrel, perhaps the youth models, the only difference with those is a shorter buttstock, you can put an adult buttstock on if you want, many here do that same thing. They are coming out with a SS 20 gauge Survivior (or Tamer?) that may be just what you need. The 20 gauge TDC with interghangeable choke tubes ould be nice but it's not really a knock around gun with the ventilated rib and nice walnut stocks, to pretty to bang up. I hope some of the shotgunners here will jump in and offer some opinions....<><....

[Dave Weiss]

I personally prefer the 16ga, a little more lead, a little better pattern..., but the 20ga is probably more practical. The Pardner 16ga only comes with a 28" full choke barrel, with the Pardner 20, you can get 22, 26 or 28 in barrels with interchangeable chokes.
Hope that helps,

>>>===> Dave

[MSP Ret]

Well Bob the first 2 to respond both like 16's better but for your needs are leading towards the 20, could be there is something to our reasoning. Anyone else out there that could help Bob out with an opinion?....<><....

[Pharmboy]

I can try,
I would go with the 12 gauge 31/2 inch. Why, you may ask? Well, you really wouldn't need anything else for anything. Hey, I have a 410, 20 ga USH, and a 10 ga turkey as well as the 12 gauge smooth bore so I already have the bases covered. Ammo availability would be anothe reason.

Pharmboy

[Cookiemann]

Here's the link to the catalog. 
http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/pardnerScrewIn.aspx
The SB1-25C is exactly what ya need.  If you want the versatility to use it for everything.  Otherwise, a straight Pardner Youth with the 22", 20ga, Mod. Choke barrel would be the second choice.  As was stated before, if ya don't like the Youth stock, you can swap it for an adult butt stock.  That's the least expensive way to go and it will serve you well.

cookiemann

[stimpylu32]

I'm gona chime in here with another idea , if he could find a Tracker 1 somewere in 20 ga. , it is short , has an open choke for close , quick shots and if need be he could drop in a slug or even buckshot .

They even have rifle sights if needed .

stimpy

[MSP Ret]

The last I heard the factory (customer service) still had a few Tracker I barrels in new old stock they found squirreled away in the factory somewhere in both 12 and 20 gauge. I have one of each now so I am covered!!! I suggest you get them while you can!!!....<><....

[Badnews Bob]

I have 12 guages one 870 and one russian double I like twelves but I think the lighter 20 or 16 would be better for said use, I like 16s but the 20 sounds like what I need. Shells are a little easier to come by also and I don't reload shot shells, I think the cheapest 20 I can find will be what I get, this gun will get beat up, don't want to spend alot on it. BTW I also prefer full size wood, A youth model syn just won't cut it.

[Cookiemann]

If ya can find a youth model, it has the 22"Mod choke barrel, then just swap out the butt stock for an adult butt stock.  Cheapest way to go.  If you can find a Walmart youth model, the only difference in the LOP is a stock screw-on recoil pad from the factory.  I found that out when I bought one last june.  That must have been one of the corners that was cut so they could get a better price for Walmart.

cookiemann

[Markus]

I like the 12 for thatbut they don't produce a short 12 anymore. Last I looked they still list 12ga 22 mod as an accessory barrel though. It's a gun that gets shot very little but carried a lot and the added punch and versatility is nice. The felt recoil however is not.

[LEO]

I am another fan of the 16 but for your puposes the 20 would serve you better, easier to find cheap shells, plenty of umph and factory available with a short barrel.  An even cheaper option for what you are wanting is to get a used 20 gauge pardner and cut it off to whatever lenght barrel (over 18" of course) that suits you.  The open choke would serve well for the in the face shots you describe and of course it would work for buck and slugs if desired, if you look around you can find these guns in decent shape for 50 bucks or so plus if it has a few dings in it already you are less reluctant to go ahead and use it for what you bought it for.

[Badnews Bob]

After reading everybodys replies and thinking some (thats the hard part ) I've decided to hit all the pawn shops and pick up the cheapest 20 I can find that still locks up tight. Thanks fellers.