Which Ga 12, 16, 20 or 28

[dougk]

For a general purpose bird gun what is your preference 12, 16, 20 or 28 ga and why?

thanks
Doug

[ctrout]

I voted 12 gauge because when my confidence is low or the shots are likely to be difficult, I can buy heavier loads to give me what I think I need to achieve success.  Realistically though, a 20 will probably do anything that I need done for bird hunting.  I've been using 7/8 oz 20 ga loads for my dove hunting this week but I switched to the 12 ga barrels for my trap league this afternoon.  If I had only one, it would be the 12 because I can always download to 20 ga levels.  You can never get the same performance as high end 12 ga from a 20 no matter what shells you buy.  The 16 would be nice but it's not popular enough to keep costs down.  The 28 is a little light for geese and is also quite pricey.

[dukkillr]

As a healthy adult male I can't figure a good reason not to use a 12.  Shells are the cheapest, patterns are the densest, knockdown power is the highest, and recoil and gun weight are still not issues. 

If your "general purpose" includes canadian geese and WILD pheasants I would suggest you would really be pushing it below 12 because 16 shells aren't regularly available in big goose loads.  Ultimately I don't like stunts when suffering is the down side, and I can't see any reason to get cute.

[Bigeasy]

Always used to be a 12ga shooter, but for the past 10 years or so, its been a 20.  The 20ga is lighter to carry, kicks less, and balances well.  I have found the 20 is just as deadly for upland birds over a dog as the 12.  Now if we are talking waterfowl, or slug hunting for big game, then the 12 wins out - more pellets means a denser long range pattern.  Bigger, heavier slug means quiucker knock down on furred game.  My favorite combo is a light Franchi 20 over-under for upland, and a 12ga Remington auto for ducks/geese/gobblers, and slugs.  Although I use a 12ga for home defense (only because in addition to birdshot, I have a free supply of slugs and buckshot), the 20ga is also fine in this role.

Larry

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  I would have to vote for the 12. I have several 20's and a 28. I shoot all of them, but when traveling or hunting game that is wary, the 12 is the way to go. A field load of 3 1/4- 1 1/4 - 6's, will cover most hunting situations. I watch my pal shoot doves last fall he is a good shot and a 20 ga. man, but he had more cripples than I did with a 12 and a bit more shot. I have noticed this over several years. Also I have shot sage grouse with both the 12 and 20, while the 20 is a delight to carry and shoot, I have more birds dead on the ground with one of my 12's.....

[Rustyinfla]

   I vote for the 12 cause 1) I'm not a great shot. 2) I like to keep things simple.

  I can always shoot lower powered 12 ga shells if need be.

[45-70.gov]

12 gage

most versitile
most powerful
i  am suprised  that  any thing  else  did  so  well
the  20  is a good choise......just  not  as good a choise
16  gage was  my  first gun
[i do  like my little  410  and 20 ga  over unders  tho]

forced  to choose  one  general purpose  ''bird gun''
12   with out   a dought


410  and  10ga  not  options
i  would question  any one  that made  either  choise
but  would  like  to hear   their  reasoning

[Savage .250]

General.........12 ga;

 For the sporting aspect..............20 ga.

[pastorp]

20ga. for me without a dought. I can see a 12 for geese but for everything else a 20 is enough if you can shoot.

Concerning cripples, I think many people just try to streach the ranges too far. Shoot within the range of your shells and you won't have many cripples.

Regards,

[bobg]

   My first shotgun was a 12. The big reason was both my father and brother used the 12 gauge. It was cheaper to take their shells than to buy my own. . Now in my old age i do all of my small game hunting with the 20. Still use the 12 when and if i hunt deer.
     bobg

[Tonk]

I always considered the 16 ga the best all around shotgun gauge for upland bird hunting! If you want to be a real sport about things, then hunt quail with a 20 ga or better yet a 28 ga.
The 12 ga is for duck hunters and turkey hunters, however I knew a couple of old men who took many a big Tom turkey with a 20 ga at less than 20 yards. Those Gents could call em right into your back pocket!!!  

[stubshaft]

I shoot Trap with a 12ga.  I shoot Skeet with a 20ga. I shoot birds with a 16ga.  I just like the feel of my 16ga Mdl. 12 Win.   It carries and swings well and has a nostalgic feel to it. 

[huntswithdogs]

12 fer sure! Heck, load it up for geese or down for quail. About the best all around from my stand point.

HWD

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  After looking at the posts, I am reminded of the world famous shotgunner Nash Buckingham.  I have several of his books. In his very old age, he finally dropped to a 20 ga. for dove, I assume because at 90 he could not swing his beloved 12's fast enough. One of his comments regarding shotgun ga.'s was his  use of the 12's. His comment was do not send a boy to do a man's job. Most of his life until a very old age, Nash shot 12's.....